Professor Cathleen Nicholson teaches Intro to Throwing.
Demonstrations by our dedicated faculty and group activities focus on the experience of hands-on making in clay. Thoughtful design, experimentation with materials and forms, clay/glaze formulation, critique and reflection are central to our program. Our students learn technical and conceptual processes and develop practical skills that allow them to independently run their own studios in the future.
Marissa Alexander, Class of ’14, in critique with Professors Gord Thompson & Marc Egan. Marissa is currently a Harbourfront Resident Artist in Ceramics and will exhibit her new work in the ABSTRACTIONS exhibition at York Quay Gallery in Jan-June 2016.
One-on-one meetings with professors, as well as energetic class critiques invite and challenge students to explore ceramics in contemporary and traditional ways.
Teresa Dunlop, Class of ’14 is a current Harbourfront resident artist in Ceramics.
Innovative work is encouraged and supported. Collaboration across media (Glass, Furniture, Industrial Design, Textiles, etc) is a vital part of our program. All students take introductory courses in all 5 studios, and learn to work together using experimental, interdisciplinary approaches to contemporary art, craft and design.
Regular fieldtrips to museums, galleries, exhibitions, workshops and conferences, both local and international, as well as group visits to studios of working artists enrich the student experience.
Royal Ontario Museum Fieldtrip.
Leopold Foulem in studio critique with Emma Smith ’13
Recent Visting Artist, Ayumi Horie demonstrating her ergonomic dry wheel-throwing method.
Visiting artists and critics are vital to the program – the local community is welcome to join us for these events.
As part of the Craft & Design program, students also take courses in photography, drawing, digital approaches, materials research and business practice, as well as critical studies in contemporary ceramics and craft history.
Habiba El-Sayed’s sculpture titled “Prick” was created in response to a Meissen thimble at the Gardiner Museum, and exhibited this work next to that historical object in the Permanent Collection in 2013.
Midway through the program – Students research the local industry, seek out their own work opportunities and gain professional experience through paid internships (during the summer between 3rd and 4 year) in Ceramics and related fields.
By 4th year – Our advanced students are developing their personal aesthetic, showing work in exhibitions, strengthening business approaches and making professional contacts. We support our students in building the skills and confidence to be self-employed artists, potters and designers.
Rhoni Clarke’s Flower Brick won the Gardiner Award this year. Rhoni exhibited her new work at the Museum in 2015, and currently works as throwing assistant to potter Scott Barnim in Dundas, ON.
Beyond Sheridan – Our graduates open their own studios, form collectives and work as professional craftspeople, artists, designers, gallery owners, curators and educators. Many are awarded residencies, scholarships, public art commissions, go on to MFA studies and engage in community-based practice and collaborative work across diverse disciplines.
Bridge Program for Sheridan Alumni – The opportunity for Sheridan alumni (who already have the Craft & Design diploma) to now earn their Bachelor’s degree in Craft and Design will begin in January 2017 – when the studio courses needed to complete the degree will be offered for the first time. This means entering the program midway through the 3rd year and then completing the full 4th year beginning in September 2017.
Nurielle Stern, Class of ’12 has since earned her MFA in Ceramic Art at the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University.
