One of the many highlights of the Block Plan is the opportunity it allows to bring highly talented and specialized individuals to campus to serve as block-long visiting instructors. It’s especially exciting when one of those visitors is a Tiger alum. During Block 8, Luka Carter ’13 returned to CC to teach AS218 Ceramics in the Expanded Field.
“I think it’s awesome to be back at CC,” says Carter. “I love teaching on the Block Plan. It’s great to have that pace as an artist.”
Carter brings a breadth of experience both as a former Art major as well as his post-CC industry work to engage with current students. The course covers multiple ceramic techniques and is open to all levels of experience. This allows for a multitude of backgrounds and skillsets to contribute to the success of the course.
“While craft and technical skills are always important,” Carter writes in the class description, “they will be developed alongside conceptual approaches, understanding ceramic materials as they relate to contemporary art, socially engaged works, and experimental techniques.”
Carter’s goal is to help students push the boundaries of sculpture both conceptually and technically. And, as many of the students are seniors, artists who will soon be moving on from CC, he guides them in how to build a sustainable practice outside of an institution.
“Luka gives us a lot of freedom with our ideas and our time,” says Ben Davenport ’24, a Museum Studies major. “I really appreciate his perspective.”
Brian Whiteley ’24, an Integrative Architecture and Design major, adds: “Because Luka went to CC, he does a great job giving us our freedom but helping us understand and meet deadlines. It really helps when visiting professors understand the Block Plan and what it requires from students.”
Carter plans to return to CC to teach the same course for Block 8 in 2025.