The Sculpture and Ceramics curriculum offers a broad range of courses in three-dimensional studies that expose students to fundamental precepts through advanced concepts and innovation in sculpture. The curriculum is built upon a progressive sequence of courses designed to expand and deepen educational experiences in research, idea, and skill development, combined with art history, theory, and criticism. A wide variety of techniques, materials, and processes are available in the concentration.
Studio experiences emphasize traditional and contemporary creative approaches. Students fabricate in metal; hand build, wheel throw, and slip cast in clay; cast in plaster, bronze, aluminum, and iron; carve in wood and stone; and manipulate multimedia.
In addition to studio assignments and self-directed projects, students attend visiting artist lectures on campus, in galleries, and in museums to acquire a broader framework for understanding contemporary art issues. The overarching goals for the sculpture concentration are to foster individual student interests and personal sensibilities, and to prepare students for advanced studies in graduate programs
Sculpture and Ceramics Faculty
Resources
- Weatherspoon Art Museum, Greensboro, NC
- Elsewhere, Greensboro, NC
- Greenhill Center for NC Art, Greensboro, NC African American Atelier, Greensboro, NC Center for Visual Arts, Greensboro, NC
- Reynolda House, Winston Salem, NC
- NCMA-WS (formerly Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art), Winston Salem, NC
- Nasher Museum, Duke University, Durham, NC
- Ackland Museum, UNC Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
- The Harvey B. Gantt African American Center of Arts and Culture, Charlotte, NC
- Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, Charlotte, NC
- The Mint Museum, downtown Charlotte, NC Cameron Art Museum, Wilmington, NC
- CAM, Raleigh, NC
- NC Museum of Art, Raleigh, NC
- Starworks, Star, NC
- Western North Carolina Sculpture Center, Lenoir, NC
Course of Study
Students will explore a variety of materials in order to create three dimensional form. They will use both traditional and contemporary approaches to making while developing their own voice.
Students will have the opportunity to cast in plaster, bronze, aluminum, and iron; fabricate steel, carve wood/stone, hand build in clay, wheel throwing, slip casting, clay and glaze Formulation. Students will also explore non-traditional materials and public art alternatives.
Program Distinctions
The Sculpture and Ceramics Program at UNCG is unique in that it is a combined area. Students are exposed to both sculpture and ceramic practices.
The Student Experience
Students can expect a supportive, encouraging, and safe environment. Students are expected to work hard and utilize the sculpture and ceramic studios outside of class. Students have access to four full time professors and two technicians to aid them in their skill building and conceptual development. Students will also have the opportunity to participate in a variety of professional experiences such as exhibitions, conferences, and travel opportunities.
Students have several scholarship and award opportunities they can apply to such as Honors College Awards, Penland Scholarship Award, and the Undergraduate research award to name a few.
Ellison Rauch, Mary Rezin, and Bjorn Bates work at Jim Gallucci Sculpture
Aryanna Norris, Claire Lewis, Myles Wilder, and El King work at Carolina Bronze Sculpture Foundry
Viktoria Banovic and Loucks Sorrell work at Cricket Forge, a sculptural metal fabrication company
Peter Deligdish recently started working for Hot Works Furnace Industries
Max Baynes works for Wet Dog Glass furnace building company
Vinny Verburg is in grad School at the University of Kentucky
Claire Stromberg is in grad school at Ohio University
Anna Rafalowski is currently a sculpture instructor at Western Kentucky University
Paul Stanley is a certified welder at Environmental Air Services in High Point
Mario Thomas, MFA University of Georgia
Stephanie Woods, Assistant Professor, University of New Mexico
Lucas Varnum, MFA University
Elizabeth Traub, Digital Fabrication and Technology Specialist, Ohio University
Jihye Han, MFA University of North Texas, Faculty member at Phillips Exeter Academy in NH.
Quinn Hunter, Assistant Professor, Stamps School of Art and Design, University of Michigan
These are the courses required by the Ceramics & Sculpture concentration. For a suggested schedule of courses for Ceramics & Sculpture students, see the schedule at the bottom of this page. For more information on these and other available courses, see the UNCG course bulletin.
Required Core Courses
For students entering UNCG 2025-2026, these core courses are required for the Ceramics & Sculpture concentration. All other students should check the appropriate Undergraduate Course Bulletin.
- Foundations Program (27 s.h.)
- 4 Art History (ARH) courses above the 100 level
- ART 221, 281, 322, 353, 354, 355, 356, 381, 459, 481 (30 s.h.)
- 4 Art or related electives (it is recommended that these courses be at the 300 level or above (12 s.h.)
Courses required by the Ceramics & Sculpture concentration:
- ART 221: Life Drawing I
- ART 281: Ceramics I
- ART 322: Variable Topics in Drawing
- ART 353: Metal Casting
- ART 354: Metal Sculpture
- ART 355: Sculpture I
- ART 356: Sculpture II
- ART 381: Ceramics II
- ART 459: Sculpture and/or Ceramics Capstone
- ART 481: Ceramics III
- 12 semester hours in Art OR related electives (recommended choose from 300 level or above)
This list outlines the schedule of courses recommended for majors in the Ceramics & Sculpture concentration. For more information on courses and requirements, see the UNCG course bulletin.
University Minimums: 120 Hours Required, 36 at or above the 300 level.
First Year
Foundation Program in Studio Art
Studio Foundation Program Courses:
- Foundation Semester I: ARH 110, ART 105, ART 120, ART 140 and ART 150 (fall)
- Foundation Semester II: ARH 111; ART 220, ART 240 and ART 253 (spring)
Second Year
Semester III
- Art History (select one from 200 or 300 level)
- ART 221
- ART 281, 353, 355 (select 1 or 2 courses)
- MAC (select two courses)
- Recommended 15-18 credit hours
Semester IV
- ART 322, 354, 356, 381 (select 1 or 2 courses)
- Art History (select one from 200 or 300 level)
- Art or related elective
- MAC (select two courses)
- Recommended 15-18 credit hours
Third Year
Semester V
- ART 353, 355, 356, 381, 481 (select 1 or 2 courses)
- Art History (select one from 200 or 300 level)
- Art or related elective
- MAC (select two courses)
- Recommended 15-18 credit hours
Semester VI
- ART 354, 355, 356, 381, 481 (select 1 or 2 courses)
- Art History (select one from 200 or 300 level)
- Art or related elective
- MAC (select two courses)
- ART 393 Practicum/Internship in Art Careers (select this for up to 3 credit hours of internship credit). This course is optimal for those seeking professional training. This course can count as an Art or related elective.
- ART 496 Special Problems Studio (this course is recommended for students who are extremely self-motivated and directed, and ready to pursue a body of work under the direction of a full-time faculty member). This course is optimal and counts as an Art or related elective.
- Recommended 15-18 credit hours
Fourth Year
Semester VII
- ART 322, 356, 381, 481 (select 1 or 2 courses)
- Art History (if needed to complete requirements)
- Art or related elective (if needed to complete requirements)
- MAC (select two courses)
- ART 393, ART 496 (Both may be repeated for credit)
- Select other courses of interest from another discipline within the School of Art or University
- Recommended 15 credit hours
Semester VIII
- ART 459 Sculpture and/or Ceramics Capstone
- ART 496 (Special Problems Studio; may be repeated for credit)
- Select other courses of interest from another discipline within the School of Art or University
- Recommended 15 credit hours
To earn a BFA in Art with a studio concentration in four years, you must average 15 credit hours per semester.
Fourth years must participate in an experience which will prepare them for the professional world of exhibiting. All Studio Art majors are required to enter the annual BFA Exhibition. Works are selected for an installation in the School of Art each fall and spring semester.
