A.A.S. Degree/Diploma/Certificate

The Professional Crafts: Clay curriculum is designed to prepare individuals for employment as professional potters in pottery related fields. Using traditional and contemporary concepts, instruction includes technical knowledge, design skills, and marketing and business essentials.

Course work includes development of basic and advanced throwing skills with emphasis on form and design. Study will include pottery studio and marketing procedures.

Graduates will be able to open and operate their own pottery business, work for existing pottery businesses, or transfer to a four-year degree program.

The Professional Crafts: Clay studio provides a setting conducive to hands-on learning. Students have access to a variety of electric pottery wheels, clay and glaze making equipment, small test kilns, two computer driven electric kilns, a Bailey forced air gas kiln, a site-built propane 65 cu. ft. cart kiln, a site-built 40 ft. salt kiln, a portable kiln used for Raku, as well as a large inventory of glaze materials.

Stoneware clay body is mixed on site and any waste is recycled so that students have the freedom to practice with the clay and refine their technique. The studio space is inviting with large windows allowing natural light to fill the studio contributing to the creative atmosphere. The clay mixing area is equipped with a state-of-the-art filtration system that maintains healthy air quality.

Program Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the Professional Crafts: Clay program, the graduate should be able to:

• Throw all basic utilitarian pottery forms
• Understand basic clay properties
• Load and fire all school kilns
• Understand the basic components of a glaze and how glaze chemicals interact with one another
• Understand basic glazing and decorating techniques
• Understand basic marketing techniques
• Communicate effectively with customers

Total Semester Hours Required for Professional Crafts: Clay A.A.S. Degree: 66
Total Semester Hours Required for Professional Crafts: Clay Diploma: 37
Total Semester Hours Required for Professional Crafts: Basic Clay Certificate: 16
Total Semester Hours Required for Professional Crafts: Advanced Clay Certificate: 16

February 17 - May 29, 2006 MCC students contributed to the Discovery Place Dead Sea Scrolls exhibition. This exhibition featured the oldest surviving manuscripts of the Hebrew Bible, known to Christians as the Old Testament.

To help set the stage for the exhibition, Montgomery Community College's Professional Crafts: Clay Program created clay jars inspired by the Dead Sea scrolls. These jars were used in the exhibition, for retail sales and several special events.