Led by Dennis Smith, Ceramics Chair, and Ryan Takaba, Faculty and Studio Manager, the Ceramics Department has earned a reputation as one of the region’s foremost facilities for studying and mastering the art of clay.
The ceramics studio is a 5,000 sq. ft. facility that includes two 100 cubic ft downdraft stoneware kilns, a 22 cubic ft. downdraft Bailey car kiln, a salt vapor kiln, raku kiln and two experimental kilns. With the department’s 20 electric wheels, two slab rollers, clay mixer, chemical lab and audio/visual equipment with internet access, the studio creates a perfect atmosphere for advanced learning.
Last year, Dennis Smith was honored with a one-person show at the University of Dallas, Regional Ceramics ‘Best of Show,‘ and a two-person show, Virginia Scotchie & Dennis Smith: Works in Clay, at the Goldesberry Gallery, Houston.
Also last year, Ryan Takaba exhibited his work in a two-person show at the Houston Center for Contemporary Craft and was included in a slip-casting exhibition at the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts Conference in Tampa, Florida.
Artists teaching in the Ceramic Department during the last five years have included recognized ceramic artists such as
Beth Cavener Stichter, Garfield WA
Stan Irvin, Austin TX
John Tilton, Alachua, FL
Kurt Weiser, Phoenix AZ
Matt Kelleher + Shoko Teruuuuyama, Marshall NC
Michael Sherrill, Henderson NC
Erin Furimsky, Bloomington IL
Suze Lindsay, Bakersville NC
Rebecca Hutchinson, Rochester MA
Robert Moore, New Marshfield OH
Kristen Kieffer, Baldwinville MA
Robert Bede Clark, Cloumbia MO
Mitch Lyons, Philadelphia PA
Matthias Ostermann, Montreal QB
In 2010, the San Angelo National Ceramic Competition included more than 100 pieces, selected from 1,500 entries from across the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Three were works by SSA students and faculty: Miguel Abugattas (1st Place Award), Sara Katherine Boyd, and Ceramics Department Chair Dennis Smith (Merit Award).
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