BFA in Art - Clay in Houston United States | University of Texas at Arlington

The ceramics program covers diverse facets of the art form, ranging from crafting distinctive clay pieces that blend beauty with utility to building ambitious sculptural works and experimental, boundary-pushing creations.

Clay-focused courses highlight the material's artistic potential while delivering a focused 3D art introduction for beginners. Students examine both classic and modern techniques for shaping, altering, and decorating clay, with special attention to harmonizing structure, style, hues, and meaning. The rich heritage of ceramic art serves as an invaluable reference point, allowing learners to examine artistic traditions through their cultural lens, engage with current art theories, and broaden their creative expression.

The curriculum teaches multiple shaping approaches including coil and slab methods, wheel throwing, figurative sculpting, relief and tile design, plus mold creation and slip casting, alongside extensive surface treatment and firing methods. Typically three clay courses run each term, with dedicated workspace and storage for student projects. The ceramics department serves more than 100 participants annually.