A Look Inside the SUNY New Paltz Ceramics Program

A Look Inside the SUNY New

Paltz Ceramics Department

The SUNY New Paltz ceramics department brings in world renowned artists to give lectures and conduct studio visits with students. This semester’s guest lecturer was Roxanne Jackson. Roxanne is a world-renowned ceramic sculpture artist; born in California she received a Bachelor of Science in Botany from Humboldt State University and later an MFA from the University of Nebraska- Lincoln. She’s currently an Assistant professor of ceramics at Suffolk Community College on Long Island.

Jackson’s work has appeared in the New York Times, The New Yorker, LA Times, Juxtapoz Magazine, Hyperallergic, Sculpture Magazine, Forbes, Ceramics Monthly & more. Her work has reached museums as far as Austria at the Schloss Museum; The Grassi Museum of Applied Arts in Leipzig, Germany; Craft Contemporary in Los Angeles, CA; and The Mutter Museum in Philadelphia, PA. She has work in the permanent collection of the Museum of Art & Design in New York City. Jackson also had work in the recent Armory Art show in NYC with Night Gallery and a Solo Exhibition in Chicago titled “Candle Holders for the Underworld”.

Jackson is known for her fantastical and provocative sculptures. Her work often features unexpected juxtapositions of materials and imagery, exploring themes of the grotesque, the natural world, and the human condition. Jackson's work is often interpreted as a commentary on the darker side of human nature. Her sculptures explore the themes of violence, death and decay, and they often challenge viewers to confront their own fears and taboos. However, Jackson's work is also deeply rooted in the beauty of the natural world. She finds inspiration in the textures and forms of plants and animals, and she often incorporates these elements into her sculptures. Jackson’s work exists between the playful and the diabolical, myth and lore, highbrow and low brow, beauty, and brutality.

The ceramics department at SUNY New Paltz is a nationally recognized program that offers students the opportunity to learn from experienced artists and educators such as Bryan Czibesz and Lilly Zukerman in a state-of-the-art facility. The department is equipped with a wide range of Bailey equipment which allows students to explore all aspects of ceramics, from hand-building and wheel-throwing to glazing and firing.

The SUNY New Paltz ceramics department is home to two large front loading Bailey gas kilns. These kilns make it possible for students to build as large as they can and experiment with reduction firings.

In addition to the Bailey gas kilns, slab roller, extruder, and top-loading electric kilns present in the SUNY New Paltz ceramics department, their facilities also boast a variety of other equipment such as test kilns, clay mixers, and multiple pugmills and blunger-style slip mixers. The studio also houses a mold making room, dry materials room, multiple 3D printers, a soda kiln and two wood kilns.

The Ceramics program places a strong emphasis on technical skill development. Students will learn a variety of hand-building and wheel-throwing techniques, as well as how to glaze and fire their work. The studio is a supportive and collaborative environment where students can learn from each other and share ideas. The faculty is always available to provide guidance and feedback.

The SUNY New Paltz ceramic department provides opportunities for professional development including internships, workshops, artist talks and studio visits with world renowned artists like Roxanne Jackson.

Overall, SUNY New Paltz's Ceramics program is an excellent choice for students who are serious about pursuing a career in ceramics. The program offers a rigorous curriculum, experienced faculty, and a supportive studio environment. Students will have the opportunity to develop their technical skills, engage in critical and theoretical dialogue, and prepare for a successful career in ceramics. SUNY New Paltz is located in a beautiful and historic town in the Hudson Valley, and the campus is surrounded by mountains, forests, and farmland, so there are many opportunities for outdoor recreation.