2024-2025 Academic Catalog

Nov 21, 2024

2024-2025 Academic Catalog

Studio Art Major

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Studio Art Overview

Studio Art courses offer students an opportunity to engage in the study and practice of visual language. The learning of artistic methods and media is embedded in intellectual inquiry and critical analysis, so that the study of Studio Art serves as a meaningful focus of a liberal arts education. Art is seen as a means of communicating human experience; therefore students learn to both read this language and to visually represent their own ideas. A number of introductory level courses in various media (painting, sculpture, printmaking, graphic design, and photo media) satisfy Clark’s Aesthetic Perspective requirement. As the AP outlines, “artistic expression and the perception, analysis, and evaluation of aesthetic form” in fundamental terms is the objective of these classes. Areas of specialization within Studio Art include drawing, painting, graphic design, photography, printmaking, sculpture, and video production (through Screen Studies), set design/lighting (through Theater), animation and motion graphics (through Becker School of Design & Technology), as well as interdisciplinary work within the major or between Studio Art and other academic disciplines. Additional resources include regular exhibitions of contemporary art on campus, course-related field trips to museums and galleries, visiting artist lectures, internship opportunities, and a craft studio located in the University Center.

For more information, please visit the Studio Art Department’s website.

Major Requirements

The single major consists of 14 courses: 11 studio courses and three art history courses. If a student chooses to double major, eight studio art courses and two art history courses are required. After exploring various media, students may choose to concentrate in one area and seek out particular faculty members for personal mentoring. All double majors must take at least two 200-level course, while single majors must take three intermediate or advanced level courses in addition to ARTS 234 Studio Topics. Single majors may take up to two School of Professional Studies Undergraduate courses and up to two directed study courses (ARTS 299) toward the major, while double majors may take one.

Single Studio Arts Majors

At least one foundational course: ARTS 100 - Visual Studies: 2D Design and Color or ARTS 102 - Drawing: Eye, Mind, Hand
Three 200-level ARTS Courses
Six ARTS Electives (max of 2 units in ARTS 299)
Three Art History (ARTH) Electives, one must be ARTH 010 - From the Stone Age to Our Age: Monuments and Masterpieces of Western Art
One Capstone: ARTS 234 - Studio Topics

Double Majors must take:

At least one foundational course: ARTS 100 - Visual Studies: 2D Design and Color or ARTS 102 - Drawing: Eye, Mind, Hand
Two 200-level ARTS Courses
Four ARTS Electives (max of 1 unit in ARTS 299)
Two Art History (ARTH) Electives, one must be ARTH 010 - From the Stone Age to Our Age: Monuments and Masterpieces of Western Art
One Capstone: ARTS 234 - Studio Topics

Capstone for Majors and Honors

ARTS 234 Studio Topics is designed as a capstone experience for majors. While taking this class is strongly encouraged for all Studio Art majors and required for single majors, students who are double-majors may choose to take another 200 level Studio Art course that requires independent work or a Directed Study (ARTS 299) as an alternative capstone, with approval of the Program Director. Students must have taken at least seven Studio Art classes prior to enrolling in Studio Topics. Unlike many other studio art courses that are workshop-oriented and involve in-class practice, these class meetings are devoted to discussion, presentation, and critique. Creative work is undertaken independently. This course provides a thematic context for the making of art and examines current topics occupying the national imagination as well as timeless themes that artists continue to address. Beyond the class meetings, students are expected to meet with the professor(s) of the class as well as other studio art professors for individual review and critique on the progress of their work. Work will be presented for review at the end of the semester. Successful completion of Studio Topics (a grade B or better) is a prerequisite for ARTS 289 Senior Thesis. Students with a strong commitment to intensive study and departmental approval can elect to undertake a senior thesis project, which culminates in an exhibition of work in the Schiltkamp Gallery. Participation in this class is not a guarantee that the student will receive honors. This decision is made by a committee of faculty after the work is presented and “defended” by the student. Credit is given for coursework completed even if a project is not recommended for honors. Individual studio space is available to senior art majors while enrolled in these courses.

Studio Art Faculty

Program

Stephen DiRado, B.F.A. -Schiltkamp Gallery Director

Sherry Freyermuth, M.F.A. - Studio Art Program Director

James Maurelle, M.F.A.

Toby Sisson, M.F.A.

Part-Time

Valerie Claff, M.F.A.

Antonio Fonseca Vazquez, M.F.A.

Jan Johnson, M.F.A.

Eric Nichols, M.F.A.

Emeriti

Sarah Buie, M.F.A.

Elli Crocker, M.F.A.

Studio Art Courses

Courses offered within the last 2 Academic Years