ART 147: Ceramics: Tile and Mosaic - Intermediate

Citrus College Course Outline of Record

Citrus College Course Outline of Record
Heading Value
Effective Term: Fall 2024
Credits: 3
Total Contact Hours: 108
Lecture Hours : 36
Lab Hours: 72
Hours Arranged: 0
Outside of Class Hours: 72
Total Student Learning Hours: 180
Prerequisite: ART 146.
Transferable to CSU: Yes
Transferable to UC: No
Grading Method: Standard Letter

Catalog Course Description

This intermediate course will further explore techniques in creating, glazing and firing handmade tile. The tile industry, cutting, grouting and installation and mosaics methods will also be a focus. Materials fee. 36 lecture hours, 72 lab hours.

Course Objectives

  • Increase the students' understanding at the intermediate level of art and specifically ceramic tile including areas of theory, criticism, production and history
  • Create a variety of highly refined ceramics tile projects at the intermediate level using various forming methods: slab, plaster, cuenca, cuerda seca.
  • emulate and create a unique tile project at the intermediate level based upon research of historic tile projects which may include local and world cultures.

Major Course Content

  1. Introduction lecture-scope and sequence of class
  2. stamps
    1. methods and material
    2. historical methods
    3. contemporary approaches
    4. carved tiles
  3. plaster molds
    1. creating the base tile
    2. making the plaster mold
      1. plaster mixing
      2. types of plaster
      3. safety
      4. methods and procedures
    3. making a tile series
  4. cuenca tiles
    1. history
    2. carving methods
      1. traditional
      2. contemporary
    3. creating the tiles
    4. glazing
  5. cuerda seca tile
    1. methods
    2. history
      1. California
      2. Los Angeles
      3. Catalina Island
      4. Artist
        1. historical
        2. contemporary
        3. local
    3. creating the tiles
    4. glazing
      1. traditional methods
      2. cuerda Fake a methods
  6. broken clay tile projects
    1. mosaics
      1. design
      2. grouting and finishing
  7. group project
    1. planning and research
    2. commissions
      1. campus
        1. Haugh
        2. Art Center
      2. glendora
        1. Gold line
        2. Route 66
  8. Critique and Evaluation

Lab Content

  1. Create and cast tile project in multiples using plaster mold created from original project.
  2. Create a series of handmade tiles based upon historic and local pottery manufactures: Catalina Tile, Batchelder Tile, Mission Tile.
  3. Create a series of Cuenca tile to include carving, molding and firing.
  4. Create a mosaic including handmade tiles, grouting and finishing methods
  5. Participate in verbal and written critiques of projects.

Suggested Reading Other Than Required Textbook

Ceramics Monthly Magazine Handmade Tile, by Frank Giorgini

Examples of Required Writing Assignments

Write a two page review of a museum and or gallery visit.
Describe your work in written form using the proper "art speak" or terminology: line, shape color form and texture.

Examples of Outside Assignments

Field trip on the Metro Goldline to look at public art installations and specifically mosaics.
Visit the Fine Arts building in Los Angeles to view prime examples of Batchelder Tile

Instruction Type(s)

Lab, Lecture