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, as well as for graduate school. Studio majors work closely with their advisors and teachers in the department to best plan their career or graduate education path. Most graduate MFA progroams require that students have a sound undergraduate BFA degree with an exceptional portfolio of creative work. Students in the Studio Art Option are required to take the Foundation Program of art courses, three levels of Drawing and Painting, two levels of all other studio courses, 12 hours of Art History, a Senior Exhibit. Portfolio course, and have a senior exhibit of their work. In addition, students under this option use their art electives to concentrate in one area chosen from Drawing, Figure Drawing, Painting, Photography, Printmaking, Ceramics or Sculpture.
When choosing the BFA degree electives and area of emphasis in Studio Art, students may concentrate in one of these specific areas: Ceramics, Drawing, Painting, Photography, Printmaking, or Sculpture.
Studio Option concentrations include:
Ceramics - The focus of ceramics is to introduce techniques within handbuilding and throwing that are relative to both contemporary and historical clay work around the world. To work with anatomical, architectural, and natural form, surface color, and the tactile qualities gives students the individual freedom to fully express themselves in both the sculptural and utilitarian aspects of ceramics.
Drawing - The process of drawing relies as much on spontaneity and intuition as it does on practiced technique and the stringently observant eye. It is the fluid process of thought and experience made concrete. Our drawing courses are designed to recognize the lifetime needed to accomplish that. Because of the promises of technology and the social changes of our age, it is impressive for young artists to master the fundamentals of drawing, which provides firm grounding in the process of creativity itself.
Painting - Painting continues the process of drawing where you are learning to 'see'. Learning to see means learning to communicate through the painted surface, whether the work is realistic, abstract, or nonobjective. In Painting 1, we present students with the basic building blocks of acrylic and oil painting. It is our goal to teach them not only the fundamental aspects of each media, but also the intricacies of color and craftsmanship that make up successful painting.
Photography - Using a camera creatively means learning to see 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 further explore the digital realm. At all levels, emphasis is placed on creativity, personal expression and the quality of finished prints
Printmaking - The many approaches and possibilities of printmaking, from woodcuts to lithography, offer students new ways to express themselves while encouraging and challenging them to learn new methods of image making. Experimentation and creativity are encouraged through the use of traditional printmaking techniques.
Sculpture - Learning to work in the third dimension is a discipline that requires equipment, tool, and the space to create. Another important aspect of the sculpture discipline is being part of an environment that openly communicate ideas and insights into all things artistic. The creative energy that is exchanged among a group of individuals is an essential part of the development and understanding of sculpture.
