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Ceramics at JCCC

Get glazing! Shape your future in ceramics as you build your skills at JCCC.

What Will I Learn About Ceramics?

Our faculty will inspire and encourage you to find your style — eclectic, playful, somber or sleek. Gather knowledge about historical ceramic wares by culture and region including the Mediterranean, Orient, Africa, America and Europe. Discover new methods using various clay bodies including earthenware and stoneware.  

in JCCC's Ceramics courses, you’ll study:

  • Design principles
  • Hand construction techniques
    • pinch
    • coil
    • slab construct
  • Wheel techniques
    • centering
    • opening
    • pulling up
    • shaping
    • trimming
  • Surface design
  • Firing methods (bisque and glaze)

Advanced students will practice sophisticated form development, throwing and decorative techniques designed for specific forms.

Earn an Associate of Fine Arts (AFA) Degree

JCCC offers an Associate of Fine Arts degree that lets you tailor your learning experience to match your interests.

  • AFA with the Fine Arts Track - This track is a general degree focusing on Fine Arts.
  • AFA with the Lens-based Media Track - This track offers you the flexibility to focus on Photography or Flimmaking.

For details about how to plan your classes, contact Tonia Hughes at thughe38@jccc.edu. 

[Catalog] Associate of Fine Arts, AFA

Why JCCC for Ceramics?

There’s no shortage of space or professional-grade wheels and kilns for you to create intricate designs using modern glazing techniques.

You’ll learn in interactive classrooms and labs housed in our new 37,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art Fine Arts & Design Studios (FADS).

You’ll have access to:

  • Year-round covered outdoor workspaces
  • Ventilated studios with separate spaces for creating ceramics
  • Cross-discipline collaboration in multiple-use classrooms

JCCC professors are engaged in local, regional and international venues, exhibitions and activities, and many attend emerging trends conferences and workshops.

The JCCC campus is home to the internationally recognized Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art, which houses a world-class collection of permanent works as well as traveling exhibitions. The Museum serves as a vital learning resource for students and the community.

You may also exhibit your Ceramics work through these outlets:

  • The Student Gallery, located on third floor of the Student Center, showcases some of the best work by JCCC student artists.
  • Mind’s Eye is a literary magazine produced yearly and features students’ artistic works.
  • Art competitions and exhibitions at local, regional and national levels, such as those sponsored by League for Innovation in the Community College, put your work in front of industry professionals and give it a wider community audience.

You can further develop your ceramics skills by getting involved on campus. Check out Get Involved @ JCCC to find a group that fits your interests.

Explore the Fine Arts & Design Building

Launch Fine Arts & Design Studios (FADS)
Join other successful JCCC students Apply now

Some ceramicists are able to learn skills on their own; however, a formal education in ceramics or a fine arts degree is beneficial. Most ceramicists are freelance artists working in studios to create pieces to sell. Ceramicists can open stores and sell their artwork at craft co-ops or on websites. Teaching is another possible career path for ceramicists.

Need help with career decisions? Visit the Career Development Center.

The cost of going to college can drastically impact your ability to succeed. At Johnson County Community College, we want our students to be able to afford a program that they love. That’s why we’re constantly working to make tuition more affordable for you.

Here’s what JCCC has to offer:

Textbook and other supply costs vary depending on your courses.

There are several things to consider when budgeting for college. Visit our Cost of Attendance page for detailed information.

Resources and Tools at JCCC

Being a student at JCCC means you have access to a range of services and resources to help you succeed. We offer professional tutoring and small, personalized class sizes. When you attend Johnson County Community College, your education truly matters.

The cost of going to school can be daunting. Fortunately, our Financial Aid office is here to help you through the process. Our counselors can help you find ways to fund your schooling, including scholarships and student loans, both of which can help to reduce the cost of your tuition every semester.

If you need help discovering what your passion will be post-graduation, our Career Development Center and Academic Counseling services are great support tools.

You can also further your education by transferring to a four-year school. JCCC is here to help make the transition to another college program easy and stress-free.