In this "Language of Sculpture" class, beginning ceramics students learn about hand modeling, mold making, the use of slabs and coils, glazes and glaze chemistry. To put their art making into a broader historical context, they can visit both the Berkeley Art Museum, across the street, and the Hearst Museum of Anthropology, in the same building as this studio, which exhibits ancient clay works from many cultures. "It's awe inspiring when you realize the things you're making in this class are going to last 300,000 years," says lecturer Ehren Tool. Once clays gets fired, "it lasts."

Photo by Martin Sundberg ©