New and Noteworthy Programs in the Ceramics Department
KCAI Special Status Student Program
Students who seek advanced experience in ceramic art, but who are not working towards an under graduate degree, may apply for enrollment in the KCAI Special Status Student Program. These students enter KCAI with the intent to strengthen their portfolios for application to a premier graduate school or to refine their skills and qualifications for other professional positions. Special status students work under the guidance of a ceramics faculty, participate in departmental critiques and attend a professional practice seminar.
Study Abroad Program
International Ceramics Studio in Kecskemet, Hungary This study abroad course offers students the chance to experience living and working in Central Europe. Our home base for the trip is the International Ceramics Studio, a center that features comfortable lodgings and excellent studios- ample workspaces, numerous kilns and a mold-making facility. A special translucent porcelain clay is available for use. The Studio Museum houses an extensive international collection of contemporary works in clay, providing an excellent on-site study resource. Hungary has a long tradition of ceramics, from folk art wares to the exquisite Art Nouveau luxury wares of Zsolnay and the fine porcelains of Herend. Extraordinary architectural ceramics are to be found on Hungarian buildings. Students see fine examples of historic and architectural ceramics in Kecskemet, Budapest, Pecs and other cities we visit during this month-long course.
Mobility/Exchange Program
University of West Hungary
KCAI has a mobility agreement with the University of West Hungary, giving American and Hungarian students the opportunity to exchange and learn while living in a new culture. The International Ceramics in Kecskemet houses the ceramics department for the university, meaning that KCAI students can spend a semester working at this excellent ceramics facility while studying the art history and culture of Central Europe.
Kiln-Formed Glass Course
The KCAI ceramics department offers a course in kiln-formed glass. This introductory and investigtive class presents methods of forming and coloring glass: flat drawing, reverse relief casting and slumping. The course encourages innovative use of the material and processes, and production of glass elements to be used in combination with ceramic and other media.
McKeown Special Project Awards
The McKeown Special Project Award was created to fund special artistic and research projects in the KCAI ceramics department. Students may apply for research-based travel or materials and supplies to support the creation of an otherwise cost prohibitive artwork. The application process mimics that of professional grant writing, offering students a skill-building experience in writing proposals as well as the opportunity to advance their work in studio and research.
Visiting Artist Program
Each semester the KCAI ceramics department invites at least one nationally known artist to visit the department. Visiting artists' activities include presentions of slide lectures, demonstarions of working methods , and group or individual critiques to ceramics students.
Some visitors in the last ten years:
Adrian Arleo, Nancy Blum, Christina Bothwell, Andy Brayman, John Byrd, Marek Cecula, Kim Dickey,David East,Sanam Emami,Sam Harvey, Garth Johnson, Cindy Kolodzieski, Nicholas Kripal, Steve Heinemann, Tony Marsh, Andrew Martin, Steve Mattison, Allegheny Meadows, Matthew Metz, Anthony Quinn, Dr. Dorie Reents-Budet, Anton Reijnders, Illona Romule, Linda Sikora, Bobby Silverman, Clare Twomey,Lonnie Vigil.
