Ceramics and Related Materials

The programme

The environment, and workshops atWest Dean are unique, providing the facilities to equip students with advanced practical skills. Tutors practise at the highest level in their field and the small group of students, usually 10 in total, means a high degree of personal tuition. You will collaborate with institutions such as the British Museum, the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Metropolitan Museum of Art through work placements, and with programme advisers from the museum and private sectors who help to evaluate your progress.

You will acquire new skills and develop a deep knowledge and understanding of conservation and restoration by working on objects of historical importance from museums and private collections. You will learn how to produce condition and conservation reports for the artefacts and objects placed in your care, and to fully document the work and treatments carried out. Historical and theoretical studies will help you to place objects in their original context. You will study the standards of ethical practice of national and international heritage organisations. A materials science programme will introduce essential theory to inform materials testing, research and practical work.

The ceramics and related materials diplomas are part of a related group of conservation diplomas at West Dean and students are encouraged to work in an interdisciplinary way across the diploma programmes.

Established in 1972, the programmes are recognised by leading public and private sector organisations worldwide. The programmes aresupported by the British Antique Dealers’ Association (BADA).

The tutors

• Ken Watt
• Lorna Calcutt

Click to view the tutor profiles

The facilities

The programme is delivered in the purpose-built ceramics conservation and restoration workshop which benefits from excellent natural and artificial light where you will have your own workbench and storage for personal tools and equipment. There are dedicated areas in the workshop for cleaning, retouching and
finishing. A new dedicated science laboratory is equipped with analytical tools for scientific and materials research. IT facilities are available within the ceramic studio, including a scanner, digital camera and Internet access. Computers are also sited within the College library and IT suite. All materials and basic tools are provided on the programme as well somespecialist equipment. Students are encouraged and advised to develop tool kits for their own working practice.

Programme Advisors

REINO LIEFKES: Curator, The British Museum.
ERROL MANNERS: BADA member, specialist in European and English Parcelain.

Lecturers

JONATHAN HORNE: BADA Member, English Pottery Specialist.
JULIA POOLE: Assistant Keeper of Fine Art, Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge.
JENNIFER DINSMORE: Sculpture Conservator.