Mentoring opportunities flourish from the advantage and necessity of sharing knowledge, studio space, and large kiln firings.
The Ceramics Program provides a creative learning environment for a dynamic mix of students and professionals from the University, greater Boston, and the international community. Known internationally for its leadership in the field, the Ceramics Program provides a creative learning environment for a dynamic mix of students and professionals from the University, greater Boston, and international
community. Courses are offered over three semesters at all levels, as well as special events for undergraduates, like Clay All Night parties, and workshops for FAS courses and student groups. Complementing the wide range of courses are lectures, master classes, and demonstrations by visiting artists and ceramics symposia involving potters, sculptors, art historians and archaeologists from all over the world. An expert group of instructors, independent professionals, resident and visiting artists inspire students and engage them in developing critical and technical skills for making functional and expressive vessels, figurative and abstract sculpture, tiles, and murals. In most media it is rare for professional artists to work alongside beginners, but learning through exposure to work-in-process is central for the Ceramics Program's dynamic mix of students. The Program was founded in 1969 by Harvard College undergraduates and became a Radcliffe College Program in 1973. It was integrated into Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) at Harvard in 1999 when Harvard and Radcliffe merged. Today, ten Harvard faculty members from many fields serve as Advisors. The 10,000 square-foot Studio is based at Barry's Corner in Allston. It has spacious areas for hand building, wheel throwing, figure modeling, slip casting, glazing, materials research, and electric, gas, soda, wood ash, and raku kilns. A ceramics library, study collection of work made by visiting artists, and studio exhibitions enhance the educational resources. The Program also oversees a satellite studio for undergraduates in Quincy House. May and December exhibitions of work created in the studio feature the best, largest and most varied selection of contemporary ceramics in the Northeast.
07/30/2026
2024-26 Artist In Residence Ashton Keen's exhibition in our gallery closes on August 7. Make time to see it, if you haven't already, and check out this recent episode of Tales of a Red Clay Rambler where Ashton discusses her work, as well as her time here at the the Ceramics Program, Office for the Arts at Harvard.
573: Ashton Keen on making thoughtful pottery — Tales of a Red Clay Rambler
Ashton Keen creates sets of pouring pots and dinnerware that have subtle flashes of orange, yellow, and white. In our interview we talk about ways to approach being thoughtful in the studio, making soda fired pots at cone 4, and her residency at Harvard Ceramics. Her solo show All Things Considered
07/24/2026
Our registration lottery for in-person fall courses closes today, Friday 7/24 at 3:00pm! For the best chance of getting in to a fall course here, we strongly recommend entering the lottery!
Courses | Office for the Arts at Harvard
Courses Courses Ceramics We offer courses on ceramic arts for adults of all skill levels over three terms per year. Registration is open to anyone over the age of 18 unless otherwise noted. Programming Programmingexpand_more Ceramics Program Ceramics Programexpand_more About Us Courses and Classes C...
07/16/2026
Our registration lottery for fall courses is happening July 21-24! Check out our fall course lineup and get ready to enter the lottery for the best chance of getting into a course this fall!
Want to take a ceramics class?
Preview our fall courses now and get all the info on how to register for a course at the Ceramics Program, Office for the Arts at Harvard.
07/08/2026
Preview our Fall 2026 courses now! Apply for a scholarship or independent study by July 12; our general registration lottery is open July 21-24!
Want to take a ceramics class?
Preview our fall courses now and get all the info on how to register for a course at the Ceramics Program, Office for the Arts at Harvard. Scholarships and Independent Study applications are due July 12!
07/30/2026
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07/16/2026
07/08/2026
06/30/2026
04/30/2026