Studio Art Specialization

Art & Design (BA, BFA)

Art & Design (BA, BFA) Studio Art Specialization

In the Studio Art Specialization there are two degree options available to students.

The Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) in Art, a 60 credit major, is respected as the professional degree for studio art. The Studio Art program provides you with a strong foundation program in studio art and art history. You will have the opportunity to develop your creativity, self-expression, and technical skills.

The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Art, a 39 credit major, is a second degree option for studio Art majors and is typically selected by students who are double majoring, have changed majors, or have transferred into the program. An example is students who want to study Art Therapy in graduate school often choose to double major in Art and Psychology.

A significant component to the Studio Art specialization is participation in the Senior Exhibition. Working closely with the Fine Arts faculty, you will create a cohesive body of work to be displayed in the Senior Exhibition in the Andy Gato Gallery. The exhibition gives you an opportunity to celebrate your success with your family and friends.

What facilities are available to you?

In addition to small class sizes, a committed faculty, and personalized attention, the Art facilities include: a multipurpose 2-D studio for painting, drawing, design and collage; two state-of-the-art Macintosh labs configured with the newest versions of Adobe creative software and an array of both large and small format printers; a sculpture studio, a ceramics studio, photography studios, an art history classroom, and our beautiful Andy Gato Gallery.

Studio Art Core (30 Credits)

  • Introduction to basic drawing materials, techniques, and concepts focusing on still life as subject matter. (Special fee)

  • Introduction to basic two-dimensional design concepts, theory and techniques through the study of the principles and elements of art. Color theory and linear perspective will be introduced. (Special fee)

  • Study of the nature and use of color as a vital element of design. Emphasis is on topics which apply directly to problems encountered with pigment; employing subtractive color theory such as pigment color mixing; physical properties of color (hue, value, and intensity); aesthetic color relationships based upon the color wheel; and uses of color to include personal aesthetic, emotional and artistic intent. ART 101B (Special fee)

  • An introduction to ancient and medieval art history through the chronological study of key works of visual culture throughout the world, from cave paintings to European cathedrals and Middle Eastern mosques, from the Venus de Milo to the Seated Buddha, and from Egyptian and Maya pyramids to Buddhist stupas. Emphasis will be placed on the shift from prehistoric societies to urban cultures, the rapid development of technical and aesthetic expertise expressed in local traditions, and the emergence of the world’s religions and their impact upon art.

  • An introduction to early-modern and modern art history through the chronological study of key works of visual culture from throughout the world since 1400. The course will range from Mona Lisa to Japanese anime, from the Taj Mahal to Gauguin in Tahiti, and from contemporary films and videos to the art being made in the U.S. by African-Americans and by Iranian, Cuban and Puerto Rican immigrants. Emphasis will be placed on the historical rise and dominance of the West beginning in the Renaissance, concurrent with the flowering of the Aztec and Inca cultures, the Ottoman empire and the Ming Dynasty, the artistic influences exchanged back and forth in the West’s interactions with Africa and Asia, and the emergence of new visual media in the modern world and the growth of artistic multiculturalism. (ART 329 is not a prerequisite)

  • A continuation of the study of techniques in clay. Emphasis on sculptural refinement of the medium. Repeatable course. Prerequisite: ART 141 and ART 241. (Special fee)

  • Study of the human form in a variety of media andtechniques. Repeatable course. Prerequisite: ART101A. (Special fee)

  • Continued study of the painting and drawing media with emphasis on concepts, styles, and techniques. Repeatable course. Prerequisites: ART 101A, ART 101B, ART 204, ART 260, ART 265, ART 364. (Special fee)

  • Integrative experience for senior Art Majors with a focus on preparation for the Senior Exhibition and development of professional skills to prepare students for graduate school and/or the art and design world. Prerequisite: graduation status.

Studio Art Requirements (B.F.A.: 15 Credits / B.A.: 9 Credits)

  • Introduction to clay as an art medium, using traditional handbuilding techniques and basic glazing and firing processes. (Special fee)

  • Introduction to basic wheel-throwing techniques on the potter’s wheel. Students will also be introduced to glazing wheel-thrown pieces. (Special fee)

  • Introduction to the painting medium with a foundation of basic color theory, application, and techniques. (Special fee)

  • A continuation of the study of basic painting materials and techniques with emphasis on the seeing and painting of value, color, and composition. Prerequisite:ART 260. (Special fee)

  • An introduction to contemporary sculpture through the development of the student’s own concepts and ideas. A variety of building processes, materials and techniques will be explored. (Special fee)

  • A studio based art course that creatively examines traditional and alternative book structures in relation to narrative content. This course provides an overview of methods used in the making of handmade books. Lectures, demonstrations and discussions will introduce students to creative processes involved in book making, including: traditional and alternative book archival concerns, and methods for generating original images and text. The projects in this course will explore the interdependent relationship between form and content. Repeatable course by instructor permission. (Special fee)

  • Opportunity for research in areas of special interest to the student. Open to junior or senior majors only, with a 2.5 GPA or higher. Prerequisite: Dean and Department Chair approval. (Special fee)

  • Study of the human form in a variety of media and techniques. Repeatable course. Prerequisite: ART101A. (Special fee)

  • Continued study of the painting and drawing media with emphasis on concepts, styles, and techniques. Repeatable course. Prerequisites: ART 101A, ART 101B, ART 204, ART 260, ART 265, ART 364. (Special fee)

Art & Design Electives (B.F.A.: 9 Credits)

  • An introduction to the many tools involved in the creation of professional design problems including the Macintosh platform. Students will evaluate the assignments and solve these problems using the appropriate tools. A strong focus will be placed on technology and professional presentation skills. Computer software, one, two and four-color printing and the artistic processes of graphic design will be explored. (Special fee)

  • This second course in graphic design will concentrate on contemporary design principles and thought. Effective use of typography as a basis of high quality graphic design will be explored. In addition to gaining technical fluency in the Macintosh desktop publishing process, the student will be required to do projects with substantial focus given to design as well as technical skill. Interaction with fellow classmates will be fostered and employed as a resource in the conceptual and technical processes. Prerequisites: ART 101B, 205 (Special fee)

  • A studio based art course that creatively examines traditional and alternative book structures in relation to narrative content. This course provides an overview of methods used in the making of handmade books. Lectures, demonstrations and discussions will introduce students to creative processes involved in book making, including: traditional and alternative book archival concerns, and methods for generating original images and text. The projects in this course will explore the interdependent relationship between form and content. Repeatable course by instructor permission. (Special fee)

  • An introduction to contemporary sculpture through the development of the student’s own concepts and ideas. A variety of building processes, materials and techniques will be explored. (Special fee)

  • A studio based art course that creatively examines traditional and alternative book structures in relation to narrative content. This course provides an overview of methods used in the making of handmade books. Lectures, demonstrations and discussions will introduce students to creative processes involved in book making, including: traditional and alternative book archival concerns, and methods for generating original images and text. The projects in this course will explore the interdependent relationship between form and content. Repeatable course by instructor permission. (Special fee)

  • ..

  • Continued study of the painting and drawing media with emphasis on concepts, styles, and techniques. Repeatable course. Prerequisites: ART 101A, ART 101B, ART 204, ART 260, ART 265, ART 364. (Special fee)

  • A basic introduction to the art of web design used as an informational and expressive visual medium through the use of software programs. Prior knowledge of computer basics and Adobe Photoshop required. The class will cover individual creativity, design skills, web development techniques as well as discussions about digital artists, web structure and critical reviews of existing art web sites. Prerequisites: CS 180, PHO 305 equivalent courses or instructor approval. Prerequisites: ART 101B and 205. (Special fee)

  • The study of the collage medium of two dimensional art made by pasting together varying materials on a flat surface. Repeatable course. Prerequisites: ART 101A, 101B, or PHO 203 (Special fee).

  • The intent of this course is to provide an experience that integrates the design aesthetics learned in the graphic design into this web design course. In addition to reinforcement of design principles learned in previous design coursework, the use of current industry standard software products and end-to-end web site construction will be explored. The implementation of kinetic graphics as they are being used in the advertising and design industries will be an important component to this course of study. This course will place heavy focus on design principles, kinetic type, navigation and the visual interface of the website. Prerequisite:ART 367 (Special fee)

  • An introduction to photography with emphasis placed upon technical, aesthetic, and historical perspectives of this fine art medium. Camera and black and white darkroom procedures are explored. Adjustable camera required; limited number of rental cameras available.(Special fee)

  • An introduction to digital camera operation, to include manipulation of shutterspeeds and apertures as well as basic computer techniques. Emphasis is placed upon technical, aesthetic and historical perspectives of the medium of photography and digital photography as a fine art. Digital camera required (minimum of 4 Mega Pixels with shutterspeed and aperture priority options). For non-majors only. Prerequisite: CS 180 or equivalent. (Special fee)

  • Students explore the usage of the computer to make and manipulate photographic images. Tools and techniques include color balancing, painting, cloning, text, and making composite photographs. Prerequisite: CAT 101 or 102 or CS 180 or equivalent. (Special fee)

  • A refined study of digital manipulation through the use of image editing software. More complex layer techniques, use of scanner as an input device, various source materials and non-traditional presentations are explored. Discussions will include aesthetics and ethics of using digitally modified images. Prerequisites:PHO 305 and PHO 206

Includes any ART or PHO studio course (excluding ART and PHO history and/or appreciation courses).

Art History Electives (BFA 6 credits, BA 3 credits)

  • Art and architecture of the Renaissance in relation to the political and social structures of the 15th and 16th centuries. Emphasis upon the Italian Renaissance, with Northern Renaissance art also covered.

  • European art and architecture from 1600-1700, during the Baroque era. Emphasis upon the achievements of Rembrandt, Vermeer, Caravaggio, Bernini, Rubens and Velazquez, in relation to social and intellectual developments, plus the innovations in architecture and the dominance of Versailles.

  • Neoclassicism, Romanticism, Realism, Impressionism, and Post-Impressionism in European art studied in relation to social and intellectual developments.

  • An investigation of historical and contemporary visual communications concepts, media and images and their role in graphic design with a primary emphasis on the twentieth century. The course chronicles the events, influences, movements in history that have impacted the graphic design community. This course will begin with the invention of writing and the early cave paintings, moving through the history of printing in Europe to contemporary design theory and ideals.

  • Art and architecture in Europe and America from Fauvism and Cubism at the beginning of the century to Postmodernism at the end. The multiculturalism of recent art will be emphasized.

  • Examination of mixed media painting, sculpture, craft, installation and performance art, and architecture, from 1960 to the present.

  • An art history overview of the evolution of photography from its invention in the 1820’s up to contemporary experimental work.

  • Integration of the stylistic and technical developments in the history of photography, cinema and painting from 1839 to the present. Emphasis upon the interrelationship of aesthetic movements and cross-fertilizing influence of the different media. Analysis of classic movies as representative examples from film history.

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