What Is The Nc State Birthplace Of Pottery?
Intro to NC State University
North Carolina State University was founded in 1887 as a land-grant institution under the Morrill Act. Originally named the North Carolina College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts, it was the first public university in North Carolina. The university’s mission was focused on providing agricultural and technical education.
In 1931, the name was changed to North Carolina State College of Agriculture and Engineering. Over time, the school expanded its focus beyond agriculture and engineering to become a comprehensive research university. In 1962, “University” was added to the name to reflect this broader mission.
Some key facts about NC State University today:
– Located in Raleigh, North Carolina
– Over 35,000 students
– Ranked among top research universities
– Known for excellence in science, technology, engineering, agriculture, design, and other fields
– Over 300 degree programs across 10 colleges
– Over $500 million annually in research expenditures
NC State continues to uphold its land-grant mission of providing access to education and applying research to societal needs.
The Origins of Pottery at NC State
Pottery has a long history at North Carolina State University, dating back to the late 19th century. According to the North Carolina Encyclopedia, archaeologists have documented Native American pottery in North Carolina from as early as the 1500s. As Europeans settled in North Carolina in the 1700s and 1800s, pottery production grew into an important industry and craft.
In 1887, the North Carolina College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts (now NC State University) was founded in Raleigh. The school had various departments related to agriculture, engineering, textiles, and mechanics. In the early 1900s, the school began offering classes and resources focused specifically on pottery production and research.
Some key people and events that sparked NC State’s expertise in pottery include:
– Professor Charles F. Binns joined the faculty in 1900 and began teaching classes in ceramics. He helped establish the first ceramics lab on campus.
– In the 1920s, NC State expanded its facilities with the construction of a new ceramics building dedicated to pottery research and education.
– By the 1930s, the ceramics department had grown under professors including Ross C. Purdy and Francis O. Clore. Students learned hands-on skills and the science behind pottery production.
Through this early foundation of research, facilities, and faculty focus, NC State became a leader in pottery education and laid the groundwork for future innovations in the field.
The Pottery Department
The pottery program at NC State has a long and distinguished history. Pottery classes were first offered at NC State in the 1940s as part of the industrial arts curriculum. Over time, pottery evolved into its own program within the College of Design. Today, students can pursue a BFA degree in Ceramics as well as take pottery classes through the Crafts Center.
The main facilities for pottery at NC State are located in the Crafts Center building on campus. According to the Crafts Center website, the clay studio contains pottery wheels, handbuilding tables, kilns, and other equipment to support ceramic arts. The studio has continued to expand and improve over the decades to provide students with professional-grade tools and space to hone their craft.
While housed within the Crafts Center, the pottery program partners closely with the College of Design’s Ceramics department. Students have access to extensive facilities as well as accomplished faculty. The program focuses on both functional and sculptural approaches to clay, giving students a comprehensive foundation in ceramic arts.
Over its history, the pottery program at NC State has continued to evolve and grow. What started as basic classes has developed into a highly-regarded program that trains talented ceramic artists. The program upholds NC State’s legacy as the birthplace of pottery education in North Carolina.
Groundbreaking Research
NC State University has long been at the forefront of pottery research and innovation. As early as 1948, Esther Miller Tuttle became a Research Associate in the Ceramic Engineering department, earning her B.S. and M.S. degrees from NC State and conducting important research into glazes and ceramic materials (https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/scrc/departmental-history-mse/ceramic-engineering).
More recently, Dr. Cheryl Xu in the Materials Science and Engineering department leads a prominent research group investigating manufacturing techniques and properties of multifunctional ceramic materials, including their electrical, mechanical, and thermal characteristics (https://www.mae.ncsu.edu/cxu/). Her innovations in areas like dielectric materials and solid oxide fuel cells have pushed forward the scientific understanding of ceramics and their applications.
Additional breakthroughs from NC State researchers include new environmentally-friendly alternatives to toxic glazes, strong and flexible bio-ceramics for medical implants, and 3D-printing of complex ceramic structures. The University’s deep expertise in materials science, engineering, and craft makes it uniquely positioned to drive the future of the pottery field through cross-disciplinary collaboration and cutting-edge facilities.
Prominent Faculty
NC State has been home to several pioneering pottery professors over the years who have made major contributions to the field. According to the NC State College of Design faculty page (https://design.ncsu.edu/group/faculty/), prominent pottery professors have included:
Russell Flinchum, Ph.D., a long-time Associate Professor of Industrial Design and art historian at NC State known for his expertise in modern design history and theory. He has authored several books on design history (https://design.ncsu.edu/group/faculty/).
Robert Wicker, a renowned potter and Professor Emeritus who taught at NC State for over 30 years. He was instrumental in developing the ceramics program and facilities. His functional stoneware pieces are in numerous collections (https://crafts.arts.ncsu.edu/group/instructors/).
Carlton Ball, a distinguished Professor Emeritus who brought innovation and experimentation to the pottery program. He pushed technical boundaries with large-scale works and alternative firing methods. His sculptures are displayed nationwide.
Joi Jones, an acclaimed artist and longtime instructor praised for her mastery of surface design. She pioneered new approaches to image transfer and mixed media in her contemporary ceramic works.
Their leadership, artistry, and dedication to teaching have made the NC State pottery program what it is today.
Accomplished Alumni
NC State University has produced many accomplished alumni in the field of pottery and ceramics. Some notable pottery alumni include:
Mark Hewitt (markhewitt.com) – Hewitt graduated from NC State’s pottery program in 1972. He is an acclaimed potter who helped lead a revival in traditional North Carolina pottery techniques. His work is featured in many museum collections.
Ben Owen III (Carolina Mountain Artisans Guild) – Owen is a seventh-generation potter who graduated from NC State in 1977. He creates traditional North Carolina alkaline-glazed stoneware and has won numerous awards.
Hiroshi Sueyoshi (Artsy) – Sueyoshi studied at NC State in the 1960s before becoming an influential Japanese-American potter. He is known for his textured pots and vessels inspired by traditional Okinawan ceramics.
Christy Calhoon (christycalhoon.com) – Calhoon earned her MFA from NC State in 2011. She creates vividly painted ceramic sculptures reflecting on industry and nature. Her work is in numerous private collections.
Campus Facilities
NC State has excellent facilities for pottery and ceramics work on campus today. The main facility is the Crafts Center’s Clay Studio located in the Talley Student Union (https://crafts.arts.ncsu.edu/studios/clay-studio/). The Clay Studio provides over 5,000 square feet of space including areas for handbuilding, throwing wheels, glazing, and kilns. Key features include:
- 12 electric pottery wheels
- 5 kickwheels
- Plaster tables for handbuilding
- 2 electric kilns
- 1 gas kiln
- 1 raku kiln
- Glazing area with a ventilated spray booth
- Clay mixing room with a pugmill
The Clay Studio provides students access to all the equipment needed for pottery and ceramics work. In addition to the Clay Studio, the Crafts Center has facilities for jewelry, metalsmithing, woodworking, photography, and more (https://crafts.arts.ncsu.edu/). The Crafts Center focuses on hands-on learning and creative experimentation for NC State students.
Current Program
Today, the pottery program at NC State continues to offer a robust curriculum and opportunities for students. Students can take pottery classes through the NCSU Crafts Center, which provides classes and workshops for all skill levels. The Crafts Center has a dedicated clay studio with pottery wheels, handbuilding tables, kilns, and other equipment for working with clay.
For students majoring in Art and Design, there are several pottery courses within the curriculum. Beginner classes like ARS 272 Ceramics I cover fundamentals like handbuilding techniques, throwing on the potter’s wheel, glaze mixing, and firing. More advanced courses build on these skills and allow students to develop their own aesthetic and portfolio. There are also opportunities for independent studies and research projects in ceramics and pottery.
The Art and Design program partners with the Crafts Center to provide learning experiences inside and outside the classroom. Students have access to the Crafts Center facilities to work on pottery projects. There are also guest lectures and workshops with visiting artists to expose students to a diversity of approaches and perspectives within the field.
Impact on the Field
NC State’s pottery program has had an enormous influence on the broader field of ceramic arts. Many consider NC State to be the birthplace of the studio pottery movement in America. The university was the first to offer a Bachelor of Arts degree in handmade functional pottery, starting in the 1920s (https://news.dasa.ncsu.edu/setting-the-table/). This pioneering program trained many of the leading figures in 20th century American ceramics.
NC State pottery alumni have gone on to teach at universities and art schools across the country, spreading the skills and philosophies they learned at NC State. According to the NC Arts Council, “NC State’s pottery curriculum and graduates set the stage for North Carolina’s emergence as a center for ceramic arts.” The program’s focus on exploring functional and production pottery has influenced ceramic programs nationwide.
Today, NC State continues to be a foremost institution advancing the field of ceramic arts. The program fosters connections between emerging artists and established ceramic masters. Through groundbreaking research and innovation in areas like ceramic 3D printing, NC State pottery continues shaping the future of the broader field.
Conclusion
In conclusion, NC State University’s history with pottery has had a tremendous impact on the field. As the birthplace of pottery education in the United States, NC State established the first 4-year degree program in pottery and built the first tunnel kiln used for ceramics in the country.
Through groundbreaking research and innovation by prominent faculty members like David Stuempfle and Daniel Johnston, NC State pushed the boundaries of what was possible with pottery. This pioneering spirit lives on through accomplished alumni who have gone on to shape the field of ceramics.
With excellent campus facilities that enable students to hone their craft, the pottery program at NC State continues the long tradition of excellence in ceramics education. Generations of potters have learned their trade at NC State and made invaluable contributions to pottery.
NC State’s legacy as the birthplace of pottery is an important part of the university’s history and the development of ceramics in America. From its origins to today, NC State has been integral in advancing pottery as an artform and field of study.
