December 1, 2003

The Ceramic Guild's annual sale, a campus tradition for more than 20 years, kicks off the holiday season this week. The annual holiday sale features pieces of diverse styles produced by students and faculty.

The sale takes place from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Thursday, Dec. 4, and from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, in room 192 in the Fine Arts Building.

Preparations for the sale began early in the semester, with the creation of the vases, plates and other artistic pieces that were fired and glazed during the last two months. Sale pieces range from $2 to $100.

The proceeds from the sale help fund the Art Department's ceramics program by providing additional supplies and materials, providing funds to hire guest lecturers and master artists, and helping students attend ceramics conferences. Because ceramics is very equipment bound -- requiring the maintenance of ceramic wheels and kilns as well as a constant supply of clay and glazing materials -- the funds generated by the sale are vital to the program, said ceramics students and faculty.

The Ceramic Guild is comprised of all enrolled students in the program, from beginners to graduate students. Everyone in the ceramics program is involved in either contributing to or organizing the sale, which helps foster a sense of connection among ceramics students and faculty.

"Getting the sale together is really a community effort. We all get together as a group to achieve a common goal. It is really important to see the power of the students as they use their skills to build up the community in ceramics," said Jeff Downing, assistant professor of art. "It also helps to bring the students together in the studio during class time, especially when they see the extra materials around that are a result of the sale."

Tiffany Schmierer, a third year graduate student who is helping to organize the sale for the Ceramic Guild, agrees with Downing that a major feature of the sale is an enhancement of community in the ceramics program. Through the effort of organizing the sale, students build relationships with other students and faculty, practice their craft, and ultimately benefit by enjoying the extra resources the sale's proceeds make possible, Schmierer says.

-- Public Affairs Student Writer Javier Jimenez with Matt Itelson

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Last modified December 1, 2003, by the Office of Public Affairs