Ceramics: Advanced Independent Study

Modeled after academic independent study courses, this class is designed to support a mentor supported, self-guided study approach to learning. Open studio access, monthly meetups with mentors (VAI staff) and workshop stye seminars will provide opportunities for making, problem solving, ideation, and new information.  Intermediate to advanced students in ceramics who are familiar with/ to the VAI ceramics studio are invited in 3-month blocks and can sign up for 1 or more 3-month blocks at a time.  Instructor lead workshop style seminars will be hands on, led by VAI faculty and visiting artists and will be about 5 hours long and occur once every 3 months. Topics may include wheel based, hand-building, sculptural work, surface decoration and more. At least 1 visiting artist will lead one 5-hour seminar out of the 4 total seminars annually. Currently enrolled AIS Students will have reserved seating for these seminars. 

Student Support 

*These apply only to the ceramics area.

• Less limitations on clay purchasing. 
• AIS student group shelving.
• Group critiques and monthly 1 on 1 staff mentorship. 
• Freedom and support to try new things, explore, and take creative risks. 
• Permissions to purchase and bring in one’s own materials following discussion with and written approval from the ceramics program manager. Please note any clay purchased outside of VAI is not permitted. The cost of each bag of clay at VAI is the same for every student regardless of what additional materials they choose to buy, no exceptions. 
• Teaching can promote learning. Following written approval from the ceramics program manager, AIS Students are offered one single day buddy pass per 3-month period. Participant contact information required. AIS student is fully responsible for guiding their buddy. Participant must be 18 years or older. 

Additional Needs

• Personal shelving. AIS Students share a single shelving unit similar to regular classes. Pricing for additional shelving starts at $15 for every 3 months.
• Ceramics Flex Passes to watch demonstrations in any ceramics class. Please note while there is usually space to observe demonstrations, space at wheels and tables depends on regular class enrollment. Regular full session students have priority of wheels and equipment. AIS Student spacing is first come first serve. Please inquire at the front desk for more information on Flex Passes. 
• Materials sourced from VAI beyond what is included in the clay bag fee. Plaster, specialty waxes, stains, lusters etc. Pricing starts at $5 and depends on what is needed, and the quantity needed. 

Pricing and Timelines

*Pricing does not include the single bag clay fee of $45 - $50

*General pricing for each block may change and depends on studio needs. 

• 1 block = 3 months, one 5-hour seminar. = $250
  

• The winter block is 12 weeks and has some weeks with limited hours. 

• VAI’s ceramics studio has partial and full closures during certain times of the year typically during late summer and mid-winter. Please inquire when those are expected and what open studio availability will be. Please also ask about when learning seminars are scheduled. 

Expectations:

VAI is an arts education based nonprofit organization. Our efforts are to support the learning and making of art for kids, teens, and adults. It’s important to keep this in mind as the ceramic studio is not a pay to use space nor is it a service as such. It is a communal educational space where students come to learn, play, take risks, and connect with each other. Staff and faculty who are present outside of teaching time aim to mentor students as time allows. Our success, special funding, and the progress of the ceramics studio and students, depends on a meaningful level of participation from all students as engaged learners and makers during seminars, classes, and open studio. 

Rules 

- While students must be able to work independently, it is still necessary for any AIS Student to participate in the full potential of this class as described above. 

- Receptiveness to feedback is essential to learning.  

- All students at VAI must be able to follow policies specific to VAI and the specific classroom or area they work in. Ceramics studio policies are posted in the ceramics studio near the glaze tiles.

-This seminar cannot be prorated. Pricing is fixed and set in 3-month (12-week) blocks. 

- Refund policies are the same as with any regular classes. Refunds cannot be made if days or months go unused after purchase or if a student misses one of the 4 annual seminars. To receive a refund, cancelation must happen before the start of the session/ block. If for some reason VAI must cancel a session block or seminar, refunds based on what was canceled will be granted.

Invitation

Parameters for invitation are varied and defined by the Ceramics Program Manager.

Invitation is based on a combination of factors including but limited to, trust and participation. 

Requirements exist to maintain a strong learning environment. They also exist for safety/ security reasons and to assure an appropriate level of use and demand on our studio, materials, and staff time. Requirements include:

- Enrollment is by invitation only. 

- Any adult student may inquire about being invited. Send inquiries to [email protected]

- AIS Students must be adults 18 years or older. 

- Participation in and completion of 2 to 4 VAI ceramics classes at our current location in South Salt Lake with any regular VAI ceramics instructor. The number of classes required depends on one’s level of participation and attendance. 

-Additional requirements include:  

- Observed record of clear and open communication in the ceramics studio.

- Observed record of engagement in learning during ceramics classes and open studio.

- Observed record of a mature level of responsibility in the ceramics studio.

- Observed record of respect towards other persons, tools, equipment, and materials.

Considerations: 

-Invitations may at times be limited due to the size and staffing of the ceramics studio. 

- Invitation as an AIS Student is specific only to VAI’s ceramics area. It does not include access to classes, equipment, or materials outside of the ceramics studio. 

-Studio access does not include keyed building access, hours outside of posted open studio time or use of any materials or equipment in the kiln room unless under special circumstances and approved by the Ceramics Program Manager. 

-Unlimited use or excessive use of studio materials and tools are not permitted by any single student or staff member in the VAI ceramics studio. This is not a production space, it is a learning environment.