Research In Ceramics

McHenry County College (MCC) art students Molly Tait of McHenry and Shelby Page of Crystal Lake are passionate about art and when their ceramics instructor Tom Vician suggested they both pursue individualized research projects beyond the classroom, both eagerly accepted the challenge. Both students chose a topic in ceramics as part of MCC’s Undergraduate Research Scholar program (URSP)
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Undergraduate Research Scholar Program Growing 

Tait and Page are among 14 students who flexed their brains and pushed the envelope by participating in the Undergraduate Research Scholar Program since it launched in 2012. The program allows students to research subjects they are interested in and work closely with a faculty member who mentors them. Past student projects have included the fields of biology, English, sociology, anthropology and applied technology. The program follows MCC’s primary mission to focus on learning and student success.

Students Gain Valuable Research Experience Toward Future Education, Careers

Both Tait and Page conducted their own research by delving into books and/or the internet and worked in MCC’s ceramics studio from May through July to create unique pieces that reflected their research.

Tait chose to focus on the Mayan hieroglyphics and symbols because of the playful forms and fluidity and the detailed carved surface, which she said resembled her personal style in clay. After six weeks, Tait had created three complex ceramic sculptures with meticulously carved surfaces influenced by Mayan hieroglyphics and symbols. The sculptures were carefully painted with a variety of glazes that Tait developed herself and then fired at MCC in the college’s new soda kiln.

“It was nice to get started on the project right after spring semester ended, when no one was in the studio,” said Tait, who enrolled in her first ceramics class three years ago. “It was nice to have a quiet space to work.  This program gave me more freedom to study something I was interested in.”

“I learned not only more about my artistic style, but about my learning style and how to motivate myself,” Tait said. “I have grown to be more self-driven. When I’m away at college, I will be motivating myself to make art.”

Influenced by the Korean technique, Page made her own carving tools and her own glazes. She spent six weeks creating matching porcelain and stoneware plates, bowls and vases influenced by ceramics made by the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392) and the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910).

Page said she became fascinated with Korean ceramic methods when Vician introduced carving techniques in the classroom that he learned during his trip to South Korea two years ago.

“Shelby not only learned how history can influence her artistic style, but she also realized how to independently pursue ideas to create meaningful artwork,” Vician said.

“I’m happy and proud of my accomplishment,” Page said. “This project allowed me to dive deeper into the ceramic processes and helped me understand what I’m doing in the future. I also learned I could buckle down and do a lot of work really fast.”

Both students learned how to take professional images of their work, adding to their portfolios they will bring with them as they transfer to their respective four-year universities this fall. Tait will attend Belhaven University in Jackson, Mississippi to study art and pursue a possible career as a professional artist. Page will attend the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee to major in art with a minor in communications with plans to pursue a career combining both fields.

Student Artists Build on Past Successes 

Tait and Page have shown their artistic prowess at past exhibits. Last April, both displayed their work at the 2014 Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference Juried Art Exhibit at MCC, where Tait won Best of Show for her Chinese bronze vessel-inspired ceramics and Page won Award of Excellence for her untitled ceramics.

Mentoring Faculty Member Proud of Students’ Success 

Vician not only recruited, but worked closely with both Tait and Page as their mentor.

“I thought they had what it took to handle a rigorous research project,” Vician said, referring to recruiting these two ceramics students. “Their dedication was obvious and their commitment exceeded my expectations. Their schedules were paced and well-planned.”

 “Both Molly and Shelby exhibited confidence and professionalism throughout the program that will prepare them well for a successful future in the arts,” Vician said.

In this situation, Vician said, both students had the opportunity to develop an idea and create an individualized body of work specific to their own area of interest.

Students Earn Credit Upon Project Completion 

The URSP program requires original research topics that must be completed within one semester and culminates with a final presentation to the MCC community that includes administrators, faculty, students, and staff.  In addition, the program provides funding that supports the students’ research. Students earn one credit hour after completing the project.

Coordinator of Career Services at MCC Evette Thompson said the program helps with the development of critical thinking skills by encouraging students to work with faculty members beyond the classroom.

“This program provides students an added tool for their college education because they gain deeper knowledge and experience doing research in their field,” Thompson said.