Communication, Arts & Leisure Sciences
4-H Ceramics Project
The Colorado 4-H Ceramics Project teaches youth skills in creating and finishing ceramic pieces.
Units 1 and 2 focus on basic hand-building with clay techniques. Units 3-6 focus on a variety of glazing techniques. Unit 7 allows youth to explore creating sculptures with clay. Unit 8 gives youth experience with wheel throwing, and Unit 9 explores the use of production molds.
4-H members can decide if they want to hand construct or purchase greenware or bisqueware for their glazing projects (Units 3-6). Young ceramists learn about design, tool use, vocabulary, planning, preparation, creating, firing, and completing one or two pieces for exhibit. Tips on troubleshooting issues and evaluating their ceramic pieces help participants refine their artistry and craftsmanship.
Project Overview
UNITs 1 & 2
Hand-Constructed and Slab & Coil Constructed
Designed for members 8-18 years old.
Inspiring youth to:
- Learn hand-building techniques: pinch, drape, sag, slab, and coil construction
- Use of elementary tools and equipment
- Develop a ceramic vocabulary
- Practice skills of basic preparation and techniques for bisque firing only
- Finish and exhibit one functional or decorative piece made using skills described in the manual
UNITs 3 & 4
Underglazes and Unfired Finishes
Designed for members 8-18 years old.
Inspiring youth to:
- Learn underglazing techniques
- Use skills and techniques associated with unfired finishes
- Finish and exhibit one piece made using skills described in the manual
- Pieces may be either hand constructed or purchased greenware
UNITs 5 & 6
Glazes and Overglazes
Designed for members 8-18 years old.
Inspiring youth to:
- Learn a variety of glazing and overglazing techniques
- Design, plan, and adapt an exhibit piece based on skills learned from activities in the manual
- Glazed pieces may be either hand constructed or purchased greenware
UNITs 7, 8 & 9
Sculpture, Wheel Throwing, and Production Molds
Designed for members 8-18 years old.
Inspiring youth to:
- Learn techniques for sculpture, wheel throwing, and production molds
- Finish and exhibit one piece or a set of pieces made using unit skills
- Investigate pottery careers
Official Project Materials
Materials & Curriculum
Member Resources
Find Your County
Counties play a crucial role in 4-H by providing a platform for young people to learn and grow.
Counties facilitate the delivery of 4-H programs that are of particular interest in their area and qualified, compassionate adult leaders run local clubs to support our youth 4-H members.
To find out if this project is supported locally, contact your local extension office.
Upcoming Events
Currently there are no events scheduled at this time associated to this page. Please check back for the latest events as they are scheduled.
Project Tips
- Use the correct glaze on your pieces, especially to be food safe
- Choose your best piece to exhibit
- Take trips and tours
- Enter your exhibit(s) in the county fair
- Share the information you learned in talks and displays
- Pieces may be functional or decorative
Judging Criteria
- Item has no visible seam lines
- Item has no greenware imperfections
- Item sits evenly on a table
- Item has no pinholes
- Item is clear and not cloudy
- Item has no unwanted cracks or crazes
- Item is fired correctly
- E-record is complete and includes demonstrations, talks, story, and pictures, with at least one action shot of you working on your project
- E-record is neat and legible
- Quality of exhibit
Careers
Product Designer
Creates ceramic goods for particular sectors or clients with a focus on ceramics
Entrepreneurship
Develop and sell ceramic products and/ or providing both fine art and functional ceramic pieces
Model Maker
Designs molds for the production of ceramics ensuring consistency and quality of a product
Research and
Development
Works to develop new ceramic materials and improve existing products
Technical Sales & Marketing
Promotes products and provides support to customers and identifies new market opportunities
Glaze Chemistry
Study of how glazes relate to firing; including color, surface, hardness, texture & melting temp
Artist
Creates unique artwork utilizing clay as their primary medium
Education & Research
Teaches and mentors other student in the educational environment