Sculpture and Three-dimensional Arts
Half of the artists think the world is flat and become painters and graphic artists. The other half know it is round and become sculptors. This is the area of the Palomar College Art Department where students learn how to design and create three-dimensional artwork, including ceramics, jewelry, poured metal, wood, and both flat and blown glass.
3-D design is the starting place. Here students learn the elements and principles of three-dimensional design.
Sculpture courses are taught in both ceramics and mixed media. The end results of these pursuits may be purely aesthetic but may also have utilitarian aspects.
The designing and making of utilitarian objects has always been an important aspect in our history. In this area students learn to use the materials and techniques that have in the past been referred to as crafts. The goal of this area is to enable students to learn the concepts and skills needed to produce decorative and utilitarian objects with a high degree of aesthetic and technical proficiency.
Ceramic courses investigate hand building and wheel throwing of clay objects and their decoration and firing.
Glass courses investigate stained (flat) glass design and fabrication and offhand glass blowing. The glass blowing program at Palomar College is one of the best in the Southern California area and is well known throughout the state.
Jewelry courses investigate the design, fabrication and casting of precious metals objects, metalsmithing and enameling.
Additional courses investigate the design and fabrication of beautiful objects in wood and mixed media.
Class schedule and catalog information
Since schedules and courses change on a regular basis, please use the links below to get the most recent information on our degree programs, class schedules, and course descriptions
Degrees offered Degree programs in Art
Class scheduleClass schedule
Course offerings in Three-dimensional design, Ceramics, Glass and Sculpture
Core courses
ART 101 Methods and Materials (3)
6 hours lecture/laboratoryNote: May be taken 2 times
Transfer acceptability: CSU
Introduction to the aesthetic and technical potential of a variety of materials and methods basic to various art disciplines. Concentration on the skills needed to use these materials in a two‑ and three‑dimensional art.
ART 105 Three‑Dimensional Form and Design (3)
6 hours lecture/laboratoryNote: May be taken 2 times
Transfer acceptability: CSU; UC; CAN ART 16
Basic instruction in sculptural forms and structures. A variety of media is explored.
ART 145 Design in Mixed Media (3)
6 hours lecture/laboratoryNote: May be taken 2 times
Transfer acceptability: CSU; UC
Design and production of useful “one‑of‑a‑kind” or “limited edition” objects of art. Attention to the visual as well as structural character of chosen materials. Media may include wood, metal, fibers, plastics, and bone and leather alone or in combination.
Ceramics courses
ART 135 Ceramics I (3)
6 hours lecture/laboratoryNote: May be taken 2 times; maximum of 4 completions in any combination of ART 135, ART 136, ART 250
Transfer acceptability: CSU; UC; CAN ART 6
An introduction to basic forming techniques in clay and various surface treatments.
ART 136 Ceramics II (3)
6 hours lecture/laboratoryPrerequisite: ART 135
Note: May be taken 2 times; maximum of 4 completions in any combination of ART 135, ART 136, ART 250
Transfer acceptability: CSU; UC
Advanced studies in handbuilding and wheel throwing techniques. Continuing study of various surface techniques. Techniques of glaze and facility maintenance.
ART 137 Pottery Production (3)
6 hours lecture/laboratoryPrerequisite: ART 135
Note: May be taken 2 times
Transfer acceptability: CSU
Wheel throwing production, kiln use and construction, mixing and maintaining glazes, studio maintenance, decorative techniques, and marketing skills and techniques.
ART 138 Ceramic Surface Decoration (1)
2 hours lecture/laboratoryRecommended preparation: ART 135, 136, and 250
Transfer acceptability: CSU
A study of ceramic surface treatments and decorative techniques.
ART 139 Raku Techniques (1)
2 hours lecture/laboratoryRecommended preparation: ART 135, 136, and 250
Note: May be taken 2 times
Transfer acceptability: CSU
Exploration of the raku ceramic process and related earthenware decorative techniques.
ART 250 Ceramics II (3)
6 hours lecture/laboratoryPrerequisite: ART 136
Note: May be taken 2 times; maximum of 4 completions in any combination of ART 135, ART 136, ART 250
Transfer acceptability: CSU; UC
Creative and experimental handbuilding, advanced throwing, firing techniques,glaze evaluation, and special research.
ART 265 Ceramic Sculpture I (3)
6 hours lecture/laboratoryPrerequisite: ART 102 or 104 or 105, and ART 135
Note: May be taken 2 times
Transfer acceptability: CSU; UC
Creative projects and experimentation using clay as the primary material for non‑utilitarian expressive forms.
ART 266 Ceramic Sculpture II (3)
6 hours lecture/laboratoryPrerequisite: ART 265
Note: May be taken 2 times
Transfer acceptability: CSU; UC
Advanced problems in creative and experimental uses of clay for non‑utilitarian expressive forms.
Sculpture and Foundry courses
ART 140 Foundry Techniques in Sculpture I (3)
6 hours lecture/laboratoryPrerequisite: ART 105
Note: May be taken 2 times
Transfer acceptability: CSU
Theory and practice in casting skills using foundry techniques.
ART 146 Design in Wood (3)
6 hours lecture/laboratoryNote: May be taken 2 times
Transfer acceptability: CSU; UC
Explores in depth the sculptural and functional qualities of wood. Original designs may include useful forms such as furniture, containers, and architectural ornaments as well as fantasy forms. Benefits students of three‑dimensional art and wood technology.
ART 205 Indirect Metal Forming (3)
6 hours lecture/laboratoryPrerequisite: ART 150 or 260
Note: May be taken 2 times
Transfer acceptability: CSU
Exploration of indirect metal forming in jewelry and small sculpture. Projects in lost wax centrifugal and gravity casting, electroforming, and metal spraying.
ART 255 Foundry Techniques in Sculpture II (3)
6 hours lecture/laboratoryPrerequisite: ART 140
Note: May be taken 2 times
Transfer acceptability: CSU
Advanced theory and practices in casting skills using foundry techniques.
ART 260 Sculpture I (3)
6 hours lecture/laboratoryPrerequisite: Completion of, or concurrent enrollment in, ART 102 and 105 Note: May be taken 2 times
Transfer acceptability: CSU; UC; CAN ART 12
Design and fabrication of expressive three‑dimensional forms. Exploration of both historical and contemporary sculptural materials with emphasis on 20th Century models of expression.
ART 261 Sculpture II (3)
6 hours lecture/laboratoryPrerequisite: ART 260
Note: May be taken 2 times
Transfer acceptability: CSU; UC
Advanced projects in the concept and creation of original sculpture.
Applied Design courses
ART 147 Design in Enamels (3)
6 hours lecture/laboratoryRecommended preparation: ART 104
Note: May be taken 2 times
Transfer acceptability: CSU
Exploration of the creative and aesthetic possibilities of enameling. Principles and techniques in two‑ and three‑ dimensional designs.
ART 150 Jewelry and Metalsmithing Design I (3)
6 hours lecture/laboratoryNote: Maximum of 4 completions in any combination of ART 150, ART 151, ART 270
Transfer acceptability: CSU
Projects in two‑ and three‑dimensional jewelrymaking and metalsmithing. Study of the relationship of design to materials and of contemporary metal working techniques.
ART 151 Jewelry and Metalsmithing Design II (3)
6 hours lecture/laboratoryPrerequisite: ART 150
Note: May be taken 2 times; maximum of 4 completions in any combination of ART 150, ART 151, ART 270
Transfer acceptability: CSU
Exploration of manipulation of metal and surface decoration including stone setting.
ART 270 Jewelry and Metalsmithing Design III (3)
6 hours lecture/laboratoryPrerequisite: ART 151
Note: May be taken 2 times; maximum of 4 completions in any combination of ART 150, ART 151, ART 270
Transfer acceptability: CSU
Continued exploration of the manipulation of metal. Advanced projects in jewelry and metalsmithing.
Flat and Blown Glass courses
ART 155 Stained Glass I (3)
6 hours lecture/laboratoryPrerequisite: ART 104
Note: May be taken 2 times
Transfer acceptability: CSU
Introduction to the materials and processes involved in the creation of flat glass objects. Emphasis on design potential and creative possibilities of the medium.
ART 160 Glassblowing‑Offhand I (3)
6 hours lecture/laboratoryPrerequisite: ART 104 or 105
Note: May be taken 2 times
Transfer acceptability: CSU
The study of the properties and structure of glass and materials, equipment, and techniques used to work it in offhand method.
ART 275 Stained Glass II (3)
6 hours lecture/laboratoryPrerequisite: ART 155
Note: May be taken 2 times
Transfer acceptability: CSU
Creative expression in flat glass. Emphasis on architectural and fine arts application of the medium. Painting, enameling, and etching techniques will be explored in depth.
ART 276 Cold Glass Design (1)
2 hours lecture/laboratoryNote: May be taken 3 times
Transfer acceptability: CSU
Applications of the materials and processes involved in the production of flat glass materials. Emphasis is on the design of stained glass and problem solving during fabrication of designs.
ART 277 Glass Casting (1)
2 hours lecture/laboratoryNote: May be taken 3 times
Transfer acceptability: CSU
The study of the properties of molten glass as applied to glass casting. The acquisition of knowledge through problem solving using open face glass casting techniques.
ART 280 Glassblowing‑Offhand II (3)
6 hours lecture/laboratoryPrerequisite: ART 160
Note: May be taken 2 times
Transfer acceptability: CSU
Advanced problems in the creation of fine blown glass.
