A COOL Collaboration between Ceramics and Painting Classes

When Misha Kligman offered up his Painting I and II students to paint bowls for the Empty Bowls event (taking place in Nov., 2017), it was an opportunity that couldn’t be passed up. So Laura Gascogne and some Ceramics students made “blank” bowls and passed the bisqued bowls on to Misha. …and the results were stunning!

Bowls in the kiln
The gorgeous Bowls Finished! Courtesy of Misha Kligman’s Painting students!

Here are some of the individual bowls:

Recent Happenings in Photo 2/12/17

Thanks to  Photo Professor Philip Heying, we have some recent pics from a reception  (2/12/ 17) of student work, as well as some snaps of…students working! Thanks Philip!

Barbara Sullivan and Laura Cobb looking at recent work
Mary Cleveland discusses her work at the student show reception on 2/12/17.
Students having fun processing their film
Susan and Lloyd Karnes with Denise Moore at the refreshment table
Photo Professor Doug Koch talks with student Julia Larberg about her work in the student show

MORE SCULPTURE CASTING

Mark Cowardin’s Bronze Casting Crew

Last week, I posted pics from Angelica Sandoval’s Aluminum Casting. This week, it’s BRONZE in Mark Cowardin’s class on NOVEMBER 10!  How do you know it’s bronze?

Preparations for BRONZE Casting
Preparations for BRONZE Casting; note the GREEN color of the flame indicates (MATERIAL/ CHEMISTRYGEEK ALERT!) that it’s Bronze.

Bronze is comprised of COPPER and TIN. Tin makes the copper harder, more durable as it was discovered many millenia ago during the Bronze Age. However,  it’s the Copper that gives the furnace flame it’s signature green hue.

The Crucible of liquid bronze is lifted from the furnace.
The Crucible of liquid bronze is lifted from the furnace.
Care has to be taken...this bronze is HOT STUFF.
Care has to be taken…this bronze is HOT STUFF.
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Cowardin supervises the students carrying the crucible (above) and instructs them on how it should be poured (Below)

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The Bronze pour Crew, with their teacher, Mark (far right)
The Bronze pour Crew, with their teacher, Mark Cowardin (far right)

Student Show this Sunday @JCCC, 11/6/16 Student Center 2-4PM

Student Show- Photography and Ceramics

This upcoming Sunday, 11/6/16, 2-4PM, there will be an opening and reception for student works in Photography and Ceramics in the Student Center Gallery. A reception with food and drinks will be provided.

The Photography Exhibit, “Faces of the Heart” features up close portraits of local heart transplant patients.

The Ceramics Show, “Interpreting Form” features works by students in Sam Davis’s Ceramics I classes that explore concepts surrounding camouflage within formal compositions.

(Above) The Show poster for the Photography Show opening 11/6/16 2-4PM in the Student Center Gallery, 3rd Floor Student Center, JCCC
Poster piece for the Ceramics Show, "Interpreting Form" featured in the JCCC Student Gallery this Sunday 11/6/16, 2-4PM
Poster piece for the Ceramics Show, “Interpreting Form” featured in the JCCC Student Gallery this Sunday 11/6/16, 2-4PM

Angelica Sandoval’s Awesome Sculpture Class Metal CASTING

Casting via the Ceramic Shell process

Photo credits: Barbara Sullivan

One of the truly exciting experiences for JCCC students in Sculpture is the casting process.

This intricate, multifold process starts with an idea, which then the student makes a “positive” of using microcrystalline wax. Once made, a wax “sprue” (channel for the metal) is attached. The entire solid piece of wax is then dipped multiple times into a silica slurry, which builds up a “ceramic shell” around the wax. After the shell has dried, it is fired and the wax is steamed/ melted out, leaving a void in which a metal is then poured, such as aluminum or bronze. The shell is then chipped away, leaving the “positive” metal piece, whereby the sprue is removed and the sculpture is cleaned.

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Angelica stands with her Sculpture students donning all the necessary safety gear in preparation for a “pour”.
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Before removing the crucible from the furnace, Angelica skims a mucky “slag” or waste from the top. Leaving dirty slag can cause ugly pitting in castings.
(Above) Angelica Sandoval and a student lift a crucible full of molten aluminum out of the furnace prior to casting.

 

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(Above) Molten aluminum is carefully poured into the ceramic shells, which are packed in sand to prevent cracking.

 

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The crucible is attached to a hoist/ crane which makes lifting the heavy crucible more manageable.

Johnson County Community College