Visual Arts
view the Art Deptartment's very own website
Course Offerings
Drawing I
(One-semester elective open to freshmen (2nd semester only) sophomores, juniors and seniors or as a full year, 3 day per week course; no prerequisite)
The student learns the importance of composition and the use of the primary media (pencil, charcoal, pen and ink, brush and ink) and the elements of drawing (line, shape, composition, perspective, shading, etc.) through a variety of exercises and projects. The student works both from still life and imagination. There is a fee for supplies.
Drawing II
(A second-semester elective; sophomores, juniors and seniors; prerequisite: Drawing I)
This second semester course in drawing builds on the foundations taught in Drawing I. In addition to the basics as described above, there is the study of portraiture, figure drawing, and landscape drawing in color. This course is recommended for the student who wants to study drawing in depth and for anyone who plan to take additional art courses. There is a fee for supplies.
Ceramics I
(A one-semester elective; juniors and seniors; no prerequisite)
This class is an introduction to the chemical make up and various types of clay. Four building techniques used in construction of ceramics pieces will be taught and various glaze techniques used to finish a completed ceramics piece. There is a fee for supplies.
Ceramics II
(A one-semester elective; juniors and seniors; prerequisite: Ceramics I)
In this course students will develop projects which expand, both technically and conceptually on basic techniques already learned. Students wishing to develop skill using the wheel may devote the semester to that end. Students will also learn to develop and mix their own glazes. There is a fee for supplies.
Advanced Ceramics
(A one-semester elective; juniors and seniors; prerequisite: Ceramics I & II)
Advanced methods of clay hand building techniques and throwing on the wheel will be pursued by students. They will also be expected to take more initiative in developing projects on their own. More detailed technical information on clay, glazes and kilns will be presented. Students will also become more attentive to and critical of the form and design of their projects and more proficient in glaze application and mixing.
Painting in Acrylics
(A one-semester elective open to sophomores, juniors and seniors; prerequisite is two semesters of studio art beyond the Freshman Fine Arts Survey)
The prerequisite for this course is one full year of art. The basic techniques of painting are introduced, starting with exercises in black and white. The student then learns about color, how to mix colors, and how colors interact. He works from still life, landscape, and imagination. There is a fee for supplies.
Painting in Watercolor
(one-semester elective open to sophomores, juniors and seniors; prerequisite is two semesters of studio art beyond the Freshman Fine Arts Survey)
The prerequisite for this course is one full year of art. For some this will be a continuation of drawing but with the emphasis on the use of watercolor in still life, landscape, portraiture, and figure. Basic watercolor techniques and materials are introduced. There is a fee for supplies.
Printmaking
(one-semester elective open to sophomores, juniors and seniors; prerequisite is two semesters of studio art beyond the Freshman Fine Arts Survey)
The prerequisite for this course is one full year of art. The purpose of this course is to expose the student to a variety of printmaking techniques: mono-prints, linoleum block, embossing and etching. In each medium the student will reproduce his work in limited edition. There is a fee for supplies.
Two-Dimensional Design
(one-semester course or full year, 3 day per week course; sophomores, juniors, seniors; no prerequisite for this class)
This course addresses the principles and elements of design, they are used as a foundation as well as for learning effective design techniques to design in an orderly plan. The computer along with traditional techniques will be taught, and advertising studied. The student learns practical application through his work producing original and creative designs. There is a fee for supplies.
Three-Dimensional Design
(one-semester elective open to juniors and seniors; prerequisite is two semesters of studio art beyond the Freshman Fine Survey)
An Introduction to the basic elements of 3-dimensional design and structural problem solving: such as order, balance, movement, proportion, and rhythm. Students will work with a range of materials including, but not limited to plaster, clay, chipboard, aluminum and wire. Within the limits of the materials students can experiment with linear and spatial arrangements. There is a fee for supplies.
Portfolio
(one-semester elective; seniors; departmental approval)
This course consists of independent projects for those seniors who wish to develop a portfolio of art for presentation to a college of art. Seniors qualify for this course by their background and by permission of an art instructor. This course involves outside work, attending figure drawing classes in the evening and extra time devoted to art work outside class time. There is a fee for supplies.
