Studio Art
The Studio Art Option of the BFA program is designed to prepare students for careers as professional artist, for employment opportunities in a wide variety of art-related fields, or for admission to graduate school. Studio majors work closely with their advisor and teachers in the department to best plan their career or graduate education path. Most graduate MFA programs require that students have a broad range of studio courses with an exceptional portfolio of creative work. Students in the Studio Art Option are required to complete the Foundation Program, three levels of Drawing and Painting, two levels of all other studio courses, 12 hours of Art History, and present a Senior Exhibition of their work. Students under this option use their art electives to concentrate in one area chosen from Drawing, Figure Drawing, Painting, Photography, Printmaking, Ceramics or Sculpture.
Our Emphasis in Studio is on the Fundamentals:
Ceramics - introduces the techniques of hand-building and throwing that are relative to both contemporary and historical clay work around the world. Students work with anatomical, architectural, and natural forms, emphasizing surface color and the tactile qualities of clay. This approach offers individuals freedom to fully express themselves in both the sculptural and utilitarian aspects of ceramics.
Drawing - relies as much on spontaneity and intuition as it does on practiced technique and careful observation. Drawing is the fluid process of thought and experience made concrete. Our drawing courses are designed to encourage students to integrate this practice within all forms of art or design. Because of the visual power of technology and the dramatic social changes of our age, it is vital for young artists to master the fundamentals of drawing, which provides firm grounding in the process of creativity itself.
Painting - continues the process of drawing and reinforces the need to learn ‘how to see'. This process requires thoughtful communication through the painted surface, whether the work is realistic, abstract, or nonobjective. Students work with the ‘basic building blocks’ of acrylic and oil painting to acquire the intimate familiarity with color and craftsmanship that make up successful painting.
Photography - demands envisioning the world with new eyes. Students first study the basics of composition, design, lighting, processing and printing film, and producing effective prints. With additional classes students are enabled to explore photography as an expressive, personal tool, reflecting its status as a fine art medium. Experiences are provided with both traditional and non-traditional darkroom techniques, as well as opportunities to fully explore the digital realm. At all levels, emphasis is placed on creativity, personal expression and the quality of finished prints.
Printmaking - presents students with bold ways to express themselves while challenging them to new, graphic methods of serial image making. Experimentation and creativity are encouraged through the use of traditional printmaking techniques: woodcut, intaglio and lithography. Students fully integrate the means of both design and studio processes into printed images.
Sculpture - is a discipline that requires not only equipment, tools, and the space to create, but a broad and imaginative capacity for abstract thought. The discipline of sculpture can teach the relation between craft, materials and technique to the aesthetic. Or, it can foster provocative insights into issues that may be religious, political or personal. Most of all, the creative energy that is exchanged among a group is an essential part of the development and understanding of sculpture.
