With extended studio hours and new online course options, Glendale Community College’s Ceramics Department is expanding access to students of all backgrounds, offering traditional and contemporary ceramic techniques in a program that continues to attract both art majors and working professionals.
Led by Chair Gerardo Monterubio, the Ceramics Department at GCC offers 12 classes that range from basic handbuilding to advanced techniques in wheel throwing. The department offers a diverse specialty courses like raku, earthenware, glaze calculation and a ceramics art history survey class. The program also has an independent study course for students who want to pursue their own creative works. Whether you want to make functional pottery or expand the limits of artistic expression, there’s a class designed to meet your needs. “This program’s breadth is the differentiator,” said Monterubio. “A lot of our students get to explore a lot of different areas of ceramics, and a lot of them keep coming back year after year to keep working on their skills.”
Surprisingly, art majors make up only a small portion of the program’s students. Many are professionals with degrees in other fields, drawn by GCC’s specialized offerings. These are the students lured to the program by its specialized classes such as raku, a traditional Japanese pottery technique that uses rapid cooling to create distinctive crackle effects, and glaze calculation, the science of mixing coatings for ceramic ware and the chance to deepen their inspection of a craft they’ve long admired.
In addition, the program is also open to students ranging in schedules and responsibilities. The studio itself opens from 8:30 AM to 10:00 p.m. on weekdays and 8:30 AM to 6 p.m. on Saturdays and the new schedule is ideal for parents and working professionals. The program is adaptable to individual needs, and for those with unpredictable schedules, GCC also offers four asynchronous online ceramics courses.
What really sets GCC’s ceramics program apart from others at community colleges is the combination of expert faculty and excellent facilities. “All of our instructors are top in their field,” Monterubio said. “We have very good equipment and a very good facility, so students are doing work that breaks the boundaries of traditional ceramics.” A large studio, outfitted with big kilns and other equipment, gives students lots of room to experiment with various techniques and to produce one of a kind works of art. With premier instruction, cutting edge equipment, and an inspiring studio atmosphere, GCC’s ceramics program is a gem for the serious craftsperson.
Outside the classroom, there are many opportunities for students to see their work on display. A yearly event that occurs on May 10, “open houses” allow students, alumni, and faculty to display and sell their work to the public. It’s also a fantastic way for local artists to get exposure and connect with the community. In addition to the ceramics sale, students do get to bring their work to local galleries, venues, an experience that goes beyond the classroom and makes the exciting work of presenting to the public. With a strong background in each technical skill and artistic expression, the program provides students with the ability to share their work confidently and connect deeply with a larger audience.The program also features prominent artists for special residencies and exhibitions. A recent highlight was the residency of Andrew Holmquist, the ceramic artist. Holmquist created a body of work which consisted of delicate and colorful large sculptures he created in our large kiln. Students learned all the aspects of creating a body of work for an exhibition and witnessed his creative process from concept to some mistakes and mostly success in the creation of his incredible delicate works of art which were the subject of a solo exhibition at North Loop West gallery in ChinaTown.
Such residencies enrich the learning experience, providing students with a behind the scenes look at how professional artists navigate the challenges and successes of creating large scale works. The program’s impact is evident in the words of its students. One GCC staff member, Michael Davis, who took multiple ceramics courses at the college, described their experience as transformative. “I never considered myself an artist,” Davis explained. “But as I worked through the ceramics courses, I started thinking about color combinations and surface techniques. It was the first time that I considered myself an artist.” For this person, one of the best parts of the program was the process of going from learning the technical aspects of ceramics to making pieces that were personal and creative. “I felt so accomplished after creating my final piece of my moon jar it was amazing. I was really pleased with the way it came out, particularly the new surface techniques I experimented with.”
The ceramics program at GCC has an emphasis on the feeling of community, which is one of its strongest aspects. Alongside their instructors, students support one another. “The community in the ceramics classes is very special,” said Davis. “It’s very welcoming, and we all want to see each other grow.” It’s a nice learning environment.” For many, it’s not only about the work that they create, but the friends that they make along the way. This sense of brotherhood fosters a spirit of collaboration that transcends the classroom.
The program at GCC is constantly evolving to ensure we are at the forefront of ceramics history as well as contemporary practitioners. “Ceramics is an ancient art form, yet also continuously changing,” Monterubio said, emphasizing the balance between embracing traditional techniques while disrupting them. We teach history but also modern pieces, so we get a variety in our students’ education.”
The department may not have any immediate plans for expansion, but its existing offerings and the commitment of its staff suggest that the future of ceramics at GCC is bright.
GCC’s Ceramics Department is a unique environment where technical excellence, artistic freedom, and a supportive community intersect. Artistic workshops for beginners to pros , whether you’re an expert looking to gain more experience or just eager to learn, the department has the resources, guidance, and space to help you reach your creative goals. With passionate instructors such as Gerardo Monterubio and a variety of courses delightful and unique, GCC makes for a top option in the community as far as ceramics goes.
Gissel Nolasco can be reached at [email protected].