Art

The Department of Art offers introductory and advanced courses in ceramics, design, drawing, painting, photography, sculpture, videography and art history. All students, regardless of major, are welcome in art courses, as visual art is for and about everyone.

The art department offers two majors.

First, the traditional art major (studio focus) provides a concentrated hands-on experience that promotes deep learning in art and broad skill development across the college curriculum. Students majoring in art study a range of art media and processes while mastering at least one in depth. Flexibility is a crucial advantage of the art major's compact size, allowing and encouraging students to easily pursue second majors and minors in other disciplines.

Second, the Art Department also offers a major in Digital Media Arts. While introducing the world to the iPad2 in March 2011, Apple co-founder Steve Jobs remarked, “Technology alone is not enough. It is technology married with liberal arts, married with the humanities that yields the results that make our hearts sing.” Since the launch of Google (1998), Facebook (2004), Youtube (2005), Twitter (2006), iPhone (2008), and the iPad (2010), the need for experts in creating digital media content has dramatically increased. Today, we live in an age where nearly every type of organization needs employees who are skilled in the art of video production, photography, and web-design. The Digital Media Arts major teaches the theories and skills necessary for many of these types of careers. Students enrolled in this major often consider a second major in areas such as Professional Writing or Communication, Technology and Culture." 

The various art department programs support many student interests, including:

  • Visual art as a personal interest and commitment
  • Careers in teaching, visual communication and art
  • Graduate study in art and design
  • Study in art combined with career ambitions in other fields
  • Experimenting with art for the first time

Programs

Courses

ART-115: Introduction to Sculpture

An introductory exploration of 3-D forms in various materials including wood, clay, plaster, and metals. Emphasis in this course is on developing technical and critical skills in the sculpture studio. This course is designed to provide a foundation for students planning to take advanced sculpture and ceramics courses. ART-115 also functions as a stand-alone introduction to the technical and critical aesthetic fundamentals of sculpture. FILA general Education: fine arts & music.

ART-120: Introduction to Visual Design

A studio project-based introduction to the elements and principles of 2-D and 3-D design in visual art and communication contexts. Emphasis is on visual problem solving, mastery of visual design principles, technical proficiency, and critical analysis of how visual images communicate. This course provides a foundation for students planning to take advanced courses in any art media and other fields in which visual imagery plays an important role. As a stand-alone course ART-120 provides critical and practical skills related to visual communication.

ART-130: Introduction to Drawing

A studio based exploration of drawing from observation using basic materials like graphite and charcoal. This course investigates drawing as a process generating and critically evaluating visual ideas as well as producing visual imagery. ART-130 is a foundation course for students planning to take advanced art courses in any medium. As a stand-alone, this course builds practical and theoretical skills in seeing and making the 2-D images we call drawings. FILA general education: fine arts & music

ART-200: Survey of Art History (prehistory to 1400)

An overview of the history of art from the mysterious cave paintings and carvings of the Paleolithic to the towering structures of Gothic cathedrals. This course is a requirement for art majors and minors and is very highly recommended to other students as a visual approach to the study of history and society. FILA general education: fine arts & music.

ART-201: Survey of Art History (1400 to Present)

An overview of the history of art from the Renaissance to the present. This course is a requirement for art majors and minors and is very highly recommended for other students as a visual approach to the study of history and society. FILA general Education: fine arts & music.

ART-202: Non-Western Graphic Design

This course will critically examine the range of cultural influences manifested in both non-Western and Western graphic design products and will expand students' understanding of how non-Western cultures shape perceptions of space, colors, and symbols. Through readings, lectures, research, writing, and hands-on design exercises, students will engage in a comparative analysis of print advertising, posters, and digital design products from diverse countries while situating the design in an appropriate cultural context. FILA General Education: world cultures.

ART-300: Modern & Post-Modern Art

Critical study of the visual arts of the last 100 years with emphasis on understanding the implications of the concepts we know as modernism and postmodernism. FILA general Education: fine arts & music.

ART-301W: Perspectives on Contemporary Art

This course is a critical exploration into the views and theories shaping the production of art from the late 20th century into the early 21st century. Starting with an understanding of postmodernism in an art context, this course examines the impacts of globalization, identity, representation and environmental issues as major paradigms shaping contemporary art practice. FILA general education: fine arts & music and writing intensive.

ART-305X: Museums and Galleries

A critical study of the visual arts understood through the institutions we call museums and galleries. FILA general education: experiential learning.

ART-307X: Visual Arts of Spain

An introduction to the visual arts and culture of Spain. Emphasis is on both historical and contemporary works of art and architecture, taking into consideration who and what influenced the artists and architects. Students are introduced to Spanish culture through food, music, markets, historical landmarks, and its landscapes and cityscapes. Visits include art and history museums, local markets, castles, cathedrals and other culturally relevant sites. FILA general education: world cultures and experiential learning.

ART-309: The Artist's Studio & Society

Critical examination of where, why and how visual artists work. Considers the relationships between artists and the communities in which they live and work.

ART-310: Ceramic Sculpture

Studio course working with clay to create sculptural forms using coils, slabs and press molds. FILA general education: fine arts & music.

ART-311: Wheel Thrown Ceramics I

Studio introduction to the potter's wheel as a tool in the production of functional and sculptural clay forms. FILA general education: fine arts & music.

ART-315: Wood Sculpture

Students conceptualize and create sculptural objects using wood as a primary material while gaining experience using hand and power tools and learning techniques including joining, laminating, fabricating, and carving. FILA general education: fine arts and music.

ART-316: Metal Sculpture

A hands-on introduction to metal sculpture. The purpose of the class is to offer students a basic knowledge and understanding of the metal working process. It will include cold and hot metal fabrication through demonstrations, lectures, research, and practice. FILA general education: fine arts and music.

ART-322: Web Design and Development

Design and construct websites using current HTML and CSS standards and digital tools including Brackets, Dreamweaver and Photoshop. Emphasis on design process, content development and professional workflows.

ART-323: Graphic Design

A studio based exploration into visual communication with typography and images using Adobe Creative Cloud applications. Emphasis is placed on the design process and creative thinking. FILA general education: fine arts and music.

ART-328: The Book Arts

An interdisciplinary hands-on workshop in creating artist's books-works of art conceived and produced in book form. Book binding techniques and experimental approaches to narrative, materials and form are emphasized.

ART-330: Intermediate Drawing

A studio exploration of drawing practice that builds on the foundations developed in ART-130, Introduction to Drawing. Starting with observational drawing this course will transition to exploring the potential of making drawings that are less dependent on observation. In the final stages of the class students will work on self-defined projects based on personal interests and questions.

ART-331: Collage and Assemblage

Learn skills and concepts for collage and assemblage, the re-purposing of 2D and 3D found images and objects into unique works of fine art. This class will examine the history and evolution of collage and assemblage, and its place in the world of fine art, applied arts, and advertising. FILA general education: fine arts & music.

ART-335: Painting

A project based investigation of the materials, practices, and aesthetics of painting with emphasis on how these three elements work together to create compelling 2-D colored images. This course provides practical and theoretical foundations for four hundred-level courses in drawing and painting and for independent work in these media. FILA general education: fine arts and music.

ART-344: Photography

Learn to skillfully and confidently use digital cameras and software including Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop to create compelling photographs. Emphasis is placed on composition, visual communication and creative process in a contemporary photography context. FILA general education: fine arts and music.

ART-346: Studio Photography

Learn skills and concepts for studio lighting of portraits, objects and environments using continuous lights, strobes, on-camera lighting and special effects such as light painting. FILA general education: fine arts and music.

ART-347: Videography I

Learn the fundamentals of video production including camera operation and control, stationary and moving camera techniques, audio recording, natural and artificial lighting, framing and shot structure, and use of nonlinear editing software. Students will complete hands-on exercises and assignments designed to build strong visual and technical skills needed to produce effective videos and short films. FILA general education: fine arts and music.

ART-451: Advanced Art Studio 1

A studio course that focuses on the process of developing an individualized and informed visual direction in a specific art medium or media. Independent studio work, group critique, and familiarization with contemporary ideas and practices is emphasized. Students in Advanced Art Studio 1 continue developing ideas begun in a previous 300-level studio art course. The quality and level of the work is expected to be beyond that of the previous level. Meets concurrently with ART-452 and ART-453.

ART-452: Advanced Art Studio 2

A studio course that focuses on the process of developing an individualized and informed visual direction in a specific art medium or media. Independent studio work, group critique, and familiarization with contemporary ideas and practices are emphasized. Students in Advanced Art Studio 2 continue developing ideas begun in ART-451 or a previous 300-level studio art course. The quality and level of the work is expected to be beyond that of the previous level. Meets concurrently with ART-451 and ART-453.

ART-453: Advanced Art Studio 3

A studio course in which senior art majors produce a body of original creative work in a specific art medium or media for a spring semester senior thesis exhibition. Independent studio work, group critique, and familiarization with contemporary ideas and practices are emphasized. Students in Advanced Art Studio 3 continue developing ideas begun in ART-451 or ART-452. Students in ART-453 help mentor students in ART-451 and ART-452. Meets concurrently with ART-451 and ART-452.

ART-455: Advanced Digital Media Arts Studio 1

A production course that focuses on the process of developing an individualized and informed visual direction in a specific digital medium or media.  Independent production work, group critique, and familiarization with contemporary ideas and practices are emphasized. Students in Advanced Digital Media Arts Studio 1 continue developing ideas begun in a previous 300-level digital media course. The quality and level of the work is expected to be beyond that of the previous level.  Meets concurrently with ART-456 and ART-457.

ART-456: Advanced Digital Media Arts Studio 2

A production course that focuses on the process of developing an individualized and informed visual direction in a specific digital medium or media. Independent production work, group critique, and familiarization with contemporary ideas and practices are emphasized. Students in Advanced Digital Media Art Studio 2 continue developing ideas begun in ART-455 or a previous 300-level digital media art course. The quality and level of the work is expected to be beyond that of the previous level. Meets concurrently with ART-455 and ART-457.

ART-457: Advanced Digital Media Arts Studio 3

A digital media production course in which students produce a body of original creative work in a specific digital medium or media for a spring semester senior thesis exhibition. Independent production work, group critique, and familiarization with contemporary ideas and practices are emphasized. Students in Advanced Digital Media Arts Studio 3 continue developing ideas begun in ART-455 or ART-456. Students in ART-457 help mentor students in ART-455 and ART-456. Meets concurrently with ART-455 and ART-456.

ART-461: Professional Practices

Practical preparation for professional practice in art and the creative professions. Portfolio preparation, skills assessment, and self-promotion are emphasized along with other topics related to employment and career development.

ART-470: Special Topics

A study of specific topics related to studio art and art history. May be taken more than once provided different topics are covered.

ART-480X: Internship

Provides an opportunity for a student to gain field experience in an area related to the student's program of study or career goals. The learning objectives for internships include connecting academic knowledge and problem-solving processes to experiences and problems in professional settings. Supervision of an intern is provided by an appropriate faculty member and by a site supervisor of the agency or business in which the student is an intern. A student who wishes to engage in an internship must consult with the appropriate faculty member at least eight weeks in advance of the start of the term in which the internship is to be completed. A description of the internship, signed by the student and the faculty sponsor, must be filed with the director of internships by the first day of the semester prior to the start of the internship. Approval of each application for an internship is made by the director of internships based upon approved policies and guidelines. Internships are graded on an S or U basis. Students must complete 120 hours of internship-related work as well as weekly journal entries and a final reflective paper completed in accordance with approved requirements. A student may enroll in an internship program for 3 credits per semester, and internship credit may be earned in subsequent semesters subject to the limitations that no more than two internships may be pursued in any one agency or business and a maximum of 9 credits in internships may be applied toward graduation. FILA general education: experiential learning.

ART-490: Independent Study

Upon approval of the department and the division head, a student with a cumulative grade point average of 2.20 or better may engage in an independent study or research project. One desiring to pursue independent study or research must submit a written description of the proposed work to the chair of the appropriate department and to the appropriate division head prior to the last day of the drop and add period for the semester in which the study is to be conducted. At the end of the semester, the supervising professor files with the registrar a grade for the student and a description of the work accomplished. Credit may be received for no more than three independent studies or research projects.

ART-491: Research

Upon approval of the department and the division head, a student with a cumulative grade point average of 2.20 or better may engage in an independent study or research project. One desiring to pursue independent study or research must submit a written description of the proposed work to the chair of the appropriate department and to the appropriate division head prior to the last day of the drop and add period for the semester in which the study is to be conducted. At the end of the semester, the supervising professor files with the registrar a grade for the student and a description of the work accomplished. Credit may be received for not more than three independent studies or research projects.

ART-499: Honors Project

An honors project is one in which a student researches a subject, by examination of relevant literature or by experimentation or both; the student reports the results in an accurately documented and well-written paper or appropriate representation of the work. Whenever the study deals with the subject of an established course, the student is expected to go well beyond the usual work of the course in research and in assimilation of the results as revealed in the report. Juniors and seniors with a cumulative grade point average of 3.40 or above may register for an honors project. One desiring to pursue an honors project must submit a written description of his or her proposed work to the chair of the appropriate department and to the appropriate division head prior to the last day of the drop and add period for the semester in which the study is to be conducted. Upon the completion of the honors project, the student must present an oral defense of his or her project. The final grade must include a satisfactory performance on the oral defense, assessed by a three-faculty member team. The project advisor will authorize the make-up of the oral defense team and will assign the final grade on the project. The honors project title will be noted on the student's transcript. It is the student's responsibility to provide a copy of the written paper or appropriate representation of the work to the library in compliance with specifications approved by the Council on Education. The library director arranges for binding and storage.