Art Programs

Students in drawing, painting, and printmaking develop a critical and practical understanding of the visual arts through a studio-based curriculum that organically blends practice with critical thinking and art historical precedents; apply fundamentals of visual art across a variety of mediums and disciplines; relate the practice of making art to culture and the study areas of art history and theory; and learn to embody the knowledge and practice of drawing, painting, and printmaking. Students learn to place their own work in the context of an inclusive group of contemporary art worlds and national and global cultures. This study is a crucial element in a liberal arts curriculum both for future arts practitioners and for those ultimately studying and working in other fields. A key element of the creative learning process is the critique, which is implemented via both group settings and one-on-one feedback with faculty. Through rigorous practice and regular feedback, a student gains insight into one's own critical voice.

Contemporary Art Theory and Practice explore art practices and issues currently underlying fine art activity with emphasis on the influence of modern and postmodern values on art making. The courses in this program offer an innovative, experimental, interdisciplinary, studio-based environment for exploring a variety of both traditional and non-traditional art forms.

2-D Design emphasis: seeks to provide learning experiences that allow students to become fluent in the fundamentals of visual design language. Students will gain a new understanding of how design enhances and defines various aspects of culture and our physical world.

Digital Design emphasis: integrates fine art visual concepts with digital technology by formulating an appreciation of the visual arts, computer-based learning, and skills developed to embrace change and address real-world issues. Emphasis on learning the conceptual framework of contemporary media implementation while acquiring practical skills applicable to digital media and traditional fine art practices help fulfill creative art-making potential.

3-D Design: This course explores the basic problems in 3-D design using plastic, metal, wood and other materials. (Recommended for Design, gallery installation, Ceramics, and Sculpture majors.

Ceramics: while promoting growth in conceptual, technical and aesthetic approaches, the Ceramics area of concentration offers instruction that includes a wide base of processes and techniques designed to encourage individual expression and creativity. Courses include hand building, mold-casting and wheel forming methods with emphasis on surface decoration, glazing, glaze chemistry, stacking, and firing.

Sculpture: courses include formal and spatial problems which emphasize modeling with clay and carving with stone; further exploration of sculptural materials and techniques; individual growth and direction; opportunities to further explore stone carving using pneumatic tools with an emphasis on individual interpretation.