Major Craft + Design
I push the limits of traditional and contemporary craft techniques.
I Take Risks
It’s an exciting time to explore contemporary craft. You will begin to develop your artistic voice and point of view. You’ll take risks in your work and challenge the conventional use of materials. Your classes focus on cross-disciplinary innovation, creative experimentation, and sharing knowledge.
Concentrations
The Ceramics concentration dives into the ancient art of ceramics, focusing on both its scientific and artistic aspects. You will explore the two main traditions: sculpture and utility.
The curriculum covers all aspects of ceramic work, including handbuilding, pottery wheel throwing, glaze making, glazing techniques, and operating gas and electric kilns. You’ll also learn about using a wood-fired kiln, one of only a handful at an art and design college.
The glass concentration focuses on four primary methodologies: hot glass, cold glass, fusion processes and flameworking.
After mastering the basics, you will create an independent study and research project tailored to your unique interests. You will begin to develop your artistic voice and point of view.
You will begin with studying the fundamental techniques and materials in jewelry design, metalwork, functional objects, and sculpture.
After learning fundamental techniques, you will have a plethora of electives to choose from to deepen your knowledge. Some of these options include CAD (computer aided design), casting, enameling, fabrication, jewelry concepts, stone setting, surface and color and more!
Your studio space
Our Craft + Design studios are designed to encourage collaboration. Having all these spaces interconnected helps you experiment and think more broadly about materiality and context. You’ll have your own studio space with access to the tools, technology and peer support to help you explore and execute your ideas.
Student Experience
Mike Mentz ’18 is the studio manager for the Flint Museum glass department, coordinating programs and workshops. He also maintains an active studio practice.
Stephanie Schwallie ’06 is creative director for CASTLECLIFF jewelry in New York City,
specializing in high-end, sustainable, handcrafted works for the body.
Jessica Calderwood ’01 is an Associate Professor of Art at Ball State University in Indiana. She is an artist working primarily with the mediums of metal, enamel, and marginalized crafts.
Core curriculum
The core curriculum unites students from all three concentrations. Together you’ll explore common themes of creative process, material, form, and context.
Meet Faculty
Gretchen Goss
ProfessorGretchen Goss is Professor at the Cleveland Institute of Art teaching Craft and Design courses for Ceramics, Glass and Jewelry + Metals students. Her personal work focused on enamel has…
View profileBenjamin Johnson
Associate ProfessorBorn in Cicero, Indiana, Benjamin Johnson earned his BFA in glass from Kent State University and his MFA in glass from Ball State University. Johnson’s work is widely exhibited and…
View profileSeth Nagelberg
Associate ProfessorSeth Nagelberg is an artist and designer working in clay. He strives to close the gap between craft and design. Before joining Cleveland Institute of Art, Nagelberg was an assistant…
View profileKathy Buszkiewicz
AdjunctAs a materials magician, Kathy Buszkiewicz creates multi-layered works from U.S. currency which explore themes relating to materialism, environmentalism, consumerism, socio-economic and cultural value. She enjoys enticing then provoking the…
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