Interdisciplinary Ceramics Research Center
The Interdisciplinary Ceramic Research Center (ICRC) is a laboratory for individuals and teams across disciplines to experiment with traditional and cutting-edge approaches to the manipulation of clay. In recent years we have seen renewed interest in the potential of ceramics among architects, designers, engineers and artists outside of the traditional ceramic arts. The Center provides interested parties with the opportunity to explore their research with access to specialized equipment in a collaborative work environment.
The ICRC is grounded in the notion that unstructured exchange of ideas can lead to groundbreaking research and creative work. This is best facilitated by offering a flexible workspace. The Chamney kilns, an industrial mold press, a CNC router, and a large-scale ceramic 3D printer are available to students and artists-in-residence. Serving as an intersection of ceramic-related research, teaching, and learning, the ICRC places Lawrence and the University of Kansas at the heart of a forward-looking movement in ceramic art.
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ICRC Artist in Residence
The Department of Visual Art at the University of Kansas seeks artists for long term residencies for the 2025-2026 season at the Interdisciplinary Ceramics Research Center (ICRC). The ICRC residency program launched in 2020 and offers creative individuals space to work in a dynamic interdisciplinary studio site.
Residents contribute 3 hours per week to studio maintenance tasks, give one public artist talk, and participate in student engagement activities such as critiques and demonstrations once a month during the residency period.
Long Term Residency
Long term residencies follow the academic year and may be 9 months to 1 year in length beginning in August 2025. Long term residents receive:
- private studio space
- access to ICRC equipment and common spaces
- exhibition opportunities
- teaching opportunities as lecturers in the KU Department of Visual Art
- a materials stipend sponsored by Brackers Good Earth Clay
The application deadline for long term residents is May 1st, 2025. See below for link to application.
Artist-in-Residence Brandi Lee Cooper uses 3D printer.
Associate Professor Marshall Maude wheels a large sculpture into a kiln.
Students from Keith van de Riet’s Studio 509 design-build studio load ceramic tiles into a kiln.
Projects
Josh Goering - Local Clay Discovery and its Application in the Ceramic Arts
ICRC Terracotta Façade Installation
KU Architecture students in residence at the ICRC designed and installed terracotta cladding on the ICRC warehouse. Titled “Tectonic,” the installation visualizes patterns of clay formation at two scales – (1) microscopic crystalline patterns and (2) tectonic-scale cross sections that were blended to visually express the function of the otherwise unmarked warehouse. The digital-analog hybrid workflow exposed students to a variety of fabrication techniques, including computational modeling, CNC milling and tile pressing. The project was completed with support from LaunchKU donors, NBK Terracotta, Fastenal, Bracker’s Good Earth Clays, and the KU Architecture and Ceramic Departments.
Reptilian Pavilion at the Kansas Children’s Discovery Center
The Kansas Children’s Discovery Center (KCDC) in Topeka serves nearly 100,000 visitors each year. Scheduled to be completed fall of 2021, the “Reptilian Pavilion” is a biomimetic shade structure to serve the outdoor playscape at KCDC. Reptile scales and camouflage patterns were image sampled to generate a shading pattern across several hundred ram pressed terracotta tiles. KU Architecture students worked with ICRC research faculty and staff to design the terracotta tiles and develop a Ram Press mold using a digital model to fabricate the complex form. The project is sponsored by Capitol Federal Savings Bank, McClure Engineering, KBS Constructors, AZZ Galvanizing and KU Architecture and Ceramics Departments.
