The introductory courses in the studio arts program allow students to explore basic studio areas through structured assignments. Students are encouraged to supplement their studio work with a range of art history courses. Intermediate and advanced studios allow students to continue to work in specific disciplines or visual directions independently and comprehensively.
Critiques, historical and critical lectures, technical demonstrations, and visits to art exhibits are integrated into the program. Advanced students work with faculty to prepare portfolios and exhibits of their work. The visual arts program presents professional art exhibits in the Alumni Library Atrium Gallery, the Daniel Arts Center, and other venues on campus.
Certain introductory courses may be taken a second time at a 200-level (intermediate level). These courses are listed as 100/200. Assignments for these courses will be modified for the intermediate students.
Studio Art 103 | Fossum | 3 credits
This class is founded on the idea that drawing is a "global" skill not unlike driving or reading that can be learned by accessing the hemisphere of your brain where our non-verbal and intuitive skills are developed. This idea is based on two organizing principles and major aims: to teach the student five basic component skills of drawing and to provide the student with conditions that facilitate making cognitive shifts to the thinking/seeing mode of your brain for drawing. We will learn to perceive edges, spaces, relationships, lights and shadows and the gestalt or whole. This is an essential course for anyone wishing to learn how to draw, paint and perceive color more accurately. It is also a prerequisite for Drawing Studio. This course has a studio fee.
No prerequisites. This course is generally offered once a year.
Studio Art 106/206 | Krupka | 3 credits
Students in this course will learn the fundamentals of clay forming techniques as they produce bowls, mugs, vases, and lidded jars among other forms. The class will learn both hand-building and wheel throwing skills. A variety of glazing methods will be introduced. Structural integrity, function, and aesthetic issues will be considered equally. The class will be introduced to historical and contemporary trends and innovations in ceramics. Students will keep a sketchbook and participate in a field trip.
No prerequisites. This course is generally offered every semester.
Studio Art 113 | Fossum | 3 credits
This class focuses on the idea that color only exists when it is observed making us as viewers essential to its existence. In this class we will begin to unravel the deep complexity of color to provide ourselves with a strong basic understanding of its qualities. We do this by learning how to see it, how to use it, and how to mix and combine hues to achieve harmony in color. We will also gain an understanding of the meaning, theories, and language of color while completing hands-on exercises to help clarify the language and theory. Ultimately, we will explore harmonious color combinations, the meaning and symbolism of colors and then explore ways that we can use this knowledge to incorporate the joy of color into our daily life. This course is essential for any student wishing to enroll in Painting Studio. This course has a studio fee.
No prerequisites. This course is generally offered once every two years.
Studio Arts 114 | Fossum | 3
This course is designed for any student who wishes to advance more quickly into upper level two-dimensional studio classes or those who simply want to immerse themselves in the fundamentals of two-dimensional art. We will start out the semester by learning basic methods for drawing from observation and then move into color theory as it relates to painting with pigments. The object of this course is to provide you with the tools that will release you from stereotypic expression.
Studio Art 166/266 | Krupka | 3 credits
This course will explore three-dimensional design theory through a series of assignments that encourage the student to focus on the conscious organization of visual space. We’ll approach design from both a conceptual and formal starting point, while expanding our knowledge of the elements, principles, and dimensions of design. Studio work will involve individual projects that explore architecture; lighting; casting; paper-manipulation; collaborative outdoor, site-specific installations (earthworks); and engineering. Students will engage in class critiques and learn to present their work while communicating about concept, content, and subject matter. There will be a field trip to a contemporary art museum. Students will build a portfolio presenting the artwork and writing produced in the class.
No prerequisites. This course is generally offered once a year (in the spring).
Intermediate (200-level, three credit) courses may be taken a second time as advanced (300-level, four credit) courses. Advanced (300-level, four credit) courses may be taken a second time as a 400-level, four credit course. The instructor will consult with each student taking these courses at an advanced level to devise a program that includes more challenging projects, additional written and reading assignments, and a more extensive final portfolio.
Studio Art 207 | Krupka | 3 credits
This course will focus on advanced wheel throwing techniques and build upon the skills learned in Introduction to Ceramics. Emphasis will be on utility and aesthetics, while working in a series that encourages intense investigation into what makes for a visually interesting and well-crafted, functional pot. Students will learn to make their own clays and glazes, as well as learn to fire their own work in electric, gas, and wood kilns. Drinking vessels, bowls, plates, vases, pitchers, jars, teapots, and serving pieces will be explored. Through slides, lectures, and films, students will be exposed to a broader range of contemporary and historical ceramic art. The class will maintain a blog and students will learn to photograph their work, write about it, and post blog entries.
Prerequisite: Studio Art 106. This course is generally offered once a year.
Studio Art 208 | Krupka | 3 credits
This course will focus on advanced hand-building techniques and build upon the skills learned in Introduction to Ceramics. A series of assignments will be given that present design challenges encouraging a conceptual approach to learning new techniques. Large scale hand-built sculpture, mold making, slip casting, clay and glaze mixing, and kiln firing techniques (electric, gas, wood) will all be introduced in this course. An essential part of the course consists of questioning every aspect of the object and one’s relationship to it and to oneself. Through slides, lectures, and films, students will be exposed to a broader range of contemporary and historical ceramic art. The class will maintain a blog, and students will learn to photograph their work, write about it, and post blog entries.
Prerequisite: Studio Art 106. This course is generally offered once a year.
Studio Art 218/378 | Schane-Lydon | 3/4 credits
This course is an introduction to the underlying principles of graphic design and the digital tools available to translate an artist’s vision into a physical or digital product. Students will use the Adobe Creative Suite, as well as shareware software to create posters, logos, and letterhead, and eventually a comprehensive website that will showcase projects from the semester. The purpose of this class is to achieve a proficiency in a set of imaging tools and to understand computer-aided graphic imaging. At the same time, students will engage in a discussion about design and how it relates to psychology and perception. Students will practice arranging text and images on a page in a clear and effective manner. Each student will create an “identity” or a fictional endeavor that will frame your work throughout the semester.
Prerequisite: To enroll in this course at the 300-level, students must have already completed the 100- and 200-levels of the Graphic Design course (Studio Art 124 and 222) prior to Fall 2012. This course is generally offered once a year (in the fall).
Studio Art 231/431 | Fossum | 3/4 credits
This course is designed for any student who has taken either SART 103 or SART 113 and who have a desire to further their studio practice within a community of their peers. The course focuses on establishing a personal studio practice through the communal exploration of the anatomy of the human figure and contemporary themes as it relates to the inception and creation of two-dimensional figurative art. Students will make anatomical studies of the human figure in their sketchbooks through drawing and participate in group critiques at the completion of each project.
There will be one required field trip to NYC to visit artist’s studios.
Studio Art 234/334 | Fossum | 3/4 credits
This course is designed for any student who has taken either SART 103 or SART 113 and who have a desire to further their studio practice within a community of their peers. The course will focus on establishing a personal studio practice through the communal exploration of contemporary themes as it relates to the inception and creation of two-dimensional art. Students will also be expected to practice process journaling within their sketchbooks through drawing and writing and to participate in group critiques at the completion of each project. There will be one required field trip to NYC to visit artists’ studios.
Prerequisites: Studio Art 103, Studio Art 113, or permission of the instructor. This course has a studio fee.
Studio Art 267/467 | Krupka | 3/4 credits
This course is for those who want to expand on the hand-building, wheel throwing, and glazing skills developed in Studio Art 106. Students may choose whether to throw, hand build, or combine techniques in order to fulfill assignments. Advanced glazing techniques will be explored. Kiln loading and firing methods as well as mold making will be introduced. We will view and discuss slides of historical and contemporary ceramics throughout the course. The class will involve keeping a sketchbook, a field trip, and a group show of work.
Prerequisite: Studio Art 106. This course is generally offered every semester.
Studio Art 270 | Staff | 3 credits
Relief printing, in black-and-white and color, is explored through work with found objects, cardboard prints, linocuts, woodcuts, relief etchings, photo relief prints and other block printing media. Basic design issues are discussed and evaluated through a series of open-ended projects. Demonstrations, critiques, and presentations supplement studio work.
Studio fee. No prerequisites.
Studio Art 339 | Fossum | 4 credits
In this course students further develop classical approaches to painting of the human figure and portraits. Students paint directly from life each week. In-class assignments focus on the model while homework focuses on portraiture. Lectures are designed to put the work in historical and contemporary perspective, and slide talks include particular painters and issues concerning the figure. In class activities will involve critiques of work done both in and outside of class. A minimum of six hours outside work is required each week.
Prerequisites are SART 235 or SART 333 or permission of the instructor.
Studio Art 367/467 | Krupka | 4 credits
Through self-designed projects, serious students will have the opportunity to build upon the skills and concepts learned in Intermediate Wheel Throwing and Intermediate Hand-building. Emphasis will be on encouraging self-expression by more in depth exploration of experimental ideas with form, concept, and firing. Focus will be on working towards developing a personal aesthetic and body of work. Students will learn to develop and make their own clays and glazes and will focus more heavily on firing principles and techniques. Through slides, lectures, and films, students will exposed to a broader range of contemporary and historical ceramic art. The class will maintain a blog and students will learn to photograph their work, write about it, and post blog entries.
Prerequisite: Studio Art 207 and Studio Art 208. This course is generally offered every semester.
Studio Art 300/400 | Staff | 4 credits
Under these course numbers, juniors and seniors design tutorials to meet their particular interests and programmatic needs. A student should see the prospective tutor to define an area of mutual interest to pursue either individually or in a small group. A student may register for no more than one tutorial in any semester.