Ceramics - ceramists

DEFINITION

The art of making objects of clay and then firing them in a kiln, it is one of the ancient arts and embraces porcelain, earthenware and sculpted figures. The coil method is one of the most common ways of building pottery, and other methods are building with slabs and potter's wheels. Persons who make wares of earthenware and porcelain are called ceramists. The Archie Bray Foundation near Helena, Montana is the only American residency program focused solely on ceramics. Among well-known American ceramists are Peter Voulkos, William King, Hanum Tschacbasov, Marilyn Levine, Adaline Kent, David Gilhooly, William Artis, and Beatrice Wood. Sources: Ralph Mayer, "A Dictionary of Art Terms"; AskART database