Ceramics and Sculpture

Molding Possibilities

Hand-building techniques that evoke the essence of historic tradition. The intricate art of wheel-throwing that transforms earth into refined vessels. Firing your pieces using the wood-fired kiln on campus. In a workshop setting, students explore the limitless possibilities of three-dimensional artistry.

Meet Your Teacher

Amedeo Salamoni

Amedeo Salamoni is a ceramic artist and teacher with over thirty-seven years of experience in the field of Ceramics. His current work based out of his studio in Quarryville, Pennsylvania, is predominantly wood fired, using a wood fired kiln he built. As well as his own kiln, he has constructed and fired numerous other wood fired kilns in Pennsylvania. He has had experience as a production potter in rural Georgia, where he worked for a family of folk potters, and also working within Pennsylvania with salt glazed pottery. In addition to his extensive experience as an artist, he is a dedicated teacher with significant experience teaching at both the college and secondary levels. He has had his work published in several ceramics books and has been in numerous exhibitions. Amedeo published his book Wood-fired Ceramics, 100 Contemporary Artists with Schiffer Publishing in 2013.

Amedeo earned a Master of Fine Arts, Ceramics, from the University of Delaware in 1991, a Master of Art Education from Kean University in 1989, and a Bachelor of Art in Urban and Outdoor Recreation from Kean University in 1987. Amedeo currently teaches Ceramics and Sculpture and directs the Anderson and Walton Galleries at George School.

Ceramics and Sculpture

Ceramics and Sculpture Courses

ARV168A: AP Art History / ARV160A: Art History

The class exposes students to visual art history and provides an opportunity to delve into meaningful research. The course is organized into historical units from prehistoric times to the present. Skills taught include visual analysis, contextual analysis, comparison of artwork, artistic traditions, attribution of unknown work, “visual” art historical interpretations and challenges, and argumentation.

ARV210A: Ceramics

Developing a practical understanding of clay objects while taking an aesthetic approach to ceramics is the primary goal of this course. Students develop skills in centering clay, throwing on the potter’s wheel, trimming, and glazing. Other skills introduced are hand-building with slabs and coils, pinching clay pots, creating small-scale sculpture, and decorating with brushes and glaze pens. Each student’s work is exhibited with a critique at the end of each term.

Read More about ARV210A: Ceramics

ARV210D: Intermediate Ceramics

Students work to expand their knowledge of clay as an art medium and to improve the skills learned in Ceramics (ARV210A). Projects are more complex and require more time. Assignments might include covered pots, teapots, cups and saucers, plates, dinnerware sets and slab-built boxes.

ARV210E: Advanced Ceramics

This course is designed to help students build on and perfect skills learned in previous courses, with an increased focus on artisanship, creativity, and design. Students employ a variety of slips, underglazes, and glazes, and increasingly sophisticated application techniques in creating both functional and sculptural works. In addition, students explore some ceramic art history and experiment with different firing techniques.

ARV210H: Senior Projects in Ceramics

In this course, students with extensive experience in the George School ceramics program work to develop a coherent body of independent work with periodic critiques to discuss progress, content, and process. In addition, they experiment with advanced techniques such as making small editions utilizing slip-casting in plaster molds and utilizing a 3D printer to print with clay slip.

ARV230A: Materials and Methods of Sculpture

Sculpture students are introduced to materials and methods of working with three-dimensional forms, exploring the elements, principles, and aesthetic concepts integral to three-dimensional design, and to consider relationships between concept, process, materials, tools, and technical skills.

ARV230D: Advanced Sculpture 1 / ARV230E: Advanced Sculpture 2

Advanced sculpture further develops skills in spatial relationships, utilizing different materials, and safe shop practices that were introduced in Materials and Methods of Sculpture (ARV230A). The application of these ideas is emphasized through collaborative work, site-specific installations, the understanding of the language of sculpture and documentation of process. A further exploration of three-dimensional form-making enables the student to develop artistic expression and a greater understanding of contemporary sculpture.

ARV640A: Functional Art & Design

This course is about creative problem-solving in three dimensions as students consider the design and construction challenges and opportunities that arise when combining fine art and function. Students design, sculpt, cast, carve, and fabricate one-of-a-kind objects in wood, metal, and mixed media, and, while working in the wood and sculpture studios, use emerging technologies to express original ideas.

ARV777Y: IB SL Visual Arts / ARV777Z: IB HL Visual Arts

IB Visual Arts is a two-year course of study during which students work in multiple media while selecting one of the following as their primary visual art: Ceramics, Graphic Design, Painting and Drawing, Photography, or Sculpture. Students develop analytical skills in problem-solving and divergent thinking while working towards technical proficiency and confidence as artists, and while learning to challenge their own creative and cultural expectations and boundaries. In addition to exploring and comparing visual arts from different perspectives and in different contexts, students are expected to engage in, experiment with, and critically reflect upon a wide range of contemporary practices and media