This course is an introduction to understanding the watercolor medium. Focus will be on proper handling and use of materials. Techniques will vary and will include paper stretching and painting techniques recreated from well known watercolorists. This course will foster and develop skills to produce successful and visually articulate paintings.

This introductory course to black and white photography integrates visual design with the technical aspects of the camera and photographic image making. An emphasis is placed on the photograph as an art form, camera operation, and darkroom techniques including film processing and printing. Project assignments include photographing people and the natural world. Discussion and critique of student work will be an integral part of the course. The department provides loaner cameras that are available on a first come first served basis.

In this introductory course students will explore the painting mediums of acrylics. Students will work on a variety of paint surfaces, and learn techniques involved in painting production. Through a series of painting problems, students will become adept in creating paintings that focus on color, form, and personal vision. Exploration of limited palettes, underpainting, composition and ways to develop and resolve paintings will be covered extensively.

This introductory course is designed to draw out and develop the skills basic to acting on stage. Students will participate in numerous acting exercises, including improvised scenes and monologues. They will discover ways to develop a "character" by drawing on their own inner resources and personal experiences. Since believable acting is rooted in spontaneous reacting, students will get plenty of opportunity to practice the wonderful risk of remaining "in the moment" on stage. While reflection and discussion are important components of any acting course, this practicum is an "on your feet", kinesthetic learning experience.

This course introduces the fundamental elements and principles of design. Theories drawn from art history along practical design concepts allows students to explore visual problems in a series of hands-on projects. This course provides a strong introduction for further explorations in studio art and design while fostering a deeper appreciation of the artistic process.

This course introduces the fundamental elements and principles of design. We will be using the t-shirt as the primary vehicle through which to explore concepts in design. Through integrating theories drawn from art history along with practical design concepts students will explore design problems in a series of hands-on projects. This course provides a strong introduction for further explorations in studio art and design as well as fostering a deeper appreciation of the artistic process.

This course will provide the background and understanding of the clay medium. This is an introductory level course that teaches materials use and handling, including techniques in hand-building, glaze mixing and application, kiln operation and wheel throwing. Discussions and critiques will help to solidify skills learned. Class time will be divided between lectures as well as critiques and working on pieces.

Illustration is a design language that aims to transmit understanding clearly through mark making. This is a drawing-centric-class that covers the comprehension of visual phenomena, and how to leverage it to create concise visual language. Use the intent of an image to inform the emphasis and editing decisions during its creation. The class will progress from monochromatic drawing to mixed media illustrations using colored pencil, watercolor, and ink. The subject matter of the projects is rooted in the natural sciences such as anatomy, botany, and biology.

Focusing on a wide variety of construction and fabrication techniques, this course introduces the creation of three-dimensional form. Students will explore numerous interpretations of the sculptural object from the traditional to the contemporary. Particular emphasis will be placed on the concept of “thinking with one’s hands” as well as the investigation on sculptural concepts through creative problem solving techniques.

This course is the introduction to the fundamentals of a variety of printmaking techniques, with an emphasis on relief, intaglio and monoprinting processes. Through historical studies and technical explorations, students will gain an understanding of printmaking as a fine art. Instruction will also implement and expand the student’s knowledge of color theory, design competition and appreciation for the creative process.

This course introduces the fundamental elements and principles of drawing and design in studio art. Students will explore a range of art materials and methods to create art based in both observation and the imagination. Emphasizing experimentation and the analysis of visual relationships, this course course provides a foundation for further study in studio art and design, and fosters a deeper appreciation of the creative process through experiential learning.

Students in this course will explore creative writing, visual imagery, and art journal techniques to create both an altered mixed media book, and an original artist book that explores personal meaning and interpretation. Students will transform pages of an old book through the practice of drawing, painting, collage, overlay, and cut through. There will be an emphasis on creative writing and image making, and the course involves select readings.

New to art? Think you can’t draw? One of the most advanced forms of drawing is already at your fingertips- the art of handwriting- or the use of visual symbols to represent sounds and ideas. This course will build on your knowledge of letters to introduce the fundamentals of design and studio art. We will learn representational drawing methods, and basic calligraphy while designing our own imaginative alphabets and books. Students will leave the course with substantially enhanced drawing skills along with a portfolio of creative projects culminating in an abecedarium or ABC book or poster.

This course is designed to cover topics in the art field not typically covered in other courses in the curriculum.

This course will focus on developing the essential skills needed for drawing the human body as well as the creation of a strong conceptual framework for creating art. Students will work from historical images, the figure, still life, portraiture and the imagination to gain insight into the use of a variety of media and concepts. Emphasis will be placed on simplifying the complex anatomy of the body into readily understandable visual systems. Proportional systems, structure and style will be covered in depth.

Students in this course will work outdoors (en plein aire), directly from nature. Students will employ color theory and organizational concepts such as rhythm, rule of thirds, and linear and atmospheric perspective to give their work depth, unity and a sense of place. Through a combination of demonstrations, individual and group critiques, and extensive painting in the field, students will develop proficiency in using glazes, impasto, and under-painting as they respond to the landscape and meet the challenges imposed by weather and the ever-changing light. We will divide our time between on-site work and work in class.

Using digital camera, students will learn to see in color. They will gain a better understanding of color relationships, color as design elements and the overall artistic and aesthetic uses of color photography. Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop software will be used and discussed in detail to archive, process, develop proper workflow, file management, manipulate, and print from. Applications of color photography, historical contemporary, commercial and fine art will all be explored. Students will improve their photographic vision and knowledge of color theory and proficiency with photographic software. Advanced techniques covered will include color balance, localized color correction, burning and dodging, and selective hue and saturated control, use of curves and color spaces. Students will view work by master photographers and develop an understanding for the nuance and possibilities of contemporary color digital process and materials. Students must purchase an external hard drive for this course. Please contact the instructor with questions prior to purchasing this item

This course introduces students to Morocco’s visual and material culture through a blend of lecture-based study and experiential learning in Tangier. Students develop core skills in visual analysis as they engage with painting, architecture, photography, contemporary art, and Morocco’s distinctive artisan traditions, including tilework, carved wood, metalwork, textiles, and pottery. Through site visits to museums, medinas, and historic landmarks, as well as conversations with local artists and craftspeople, students gain direct insight into artistic techniques, cultural symbolism, and the ways place shapes creative expression.

This course is designed to provide the student with an overview of a variety of visual communication skills and concepts. While learning Adobe Creative Cloud software (primarily Photoshop and Illustrator), students will create visual solutions for specific design challenges. The design process of going from ideation through final presentation will be emphasized. Verbal skills will be developed through in-class critiques and presentations.

In this class students will learn how to use Adobe Flash to create animations for presentations and entertainment. Starting with creating artwork with the Flash drawing tools and working with imported photos/images, the class will move on to planning, setting up, animating and exporting an animation project.

This course builds directly on the skills learned in other art courses. ART 324 is an experiential course that enables students to explore more deeply the processes and craft of book altering, and narrative storytelling through bookmaking and visual imagery. There will be an emphasis on visual and analytic writing in this course to enrich the narrative storytelling. Inspiration will come from personal experiences, nature, interdisciplinary influences, and exploratory art processes, as well as in depth investigation into professional artist book making practices.

Interested in exhibiting your creative work? Want the ability to choose your own creative direction? This course is an in-depth study in professional studio practice in the visual arts. Over the course of a semester, students will articulate and develop an independent body of artwork in the medium of their choice, culminating in a professional exhibition. This will be accomplished in consultation with the instructor and a mentor in the student’s chosen area of study. In addition to visual art there will be an extensive written/research component to the course where students will craft artist’s statements and document their research process. There will be visiting artists/critics and possible field trips.

Independent study offers an opportunity to explore an area of study not included in the catalog listing of approved courses. The topic of an Independent Study should be selected and carefully designed by the student and faculty sponsor, and must meet with the approval of the department chair. Normally, the student will be expected to have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 and possess the appropriate background and interest to pursue the proposed area of study.

An internship is a high impact learning experience where knowledge and theory from students’ program of study are integrated with shadowing, volunteering, or paid employment with a private company, not-for-profit organization or government agency toward the intentional development of transferable knowledge, skills and abilities and practical application of professional competencies. Prior to registering for the class, students must ork with the Internship Coordinator and course instructor to identify, apply for, and secure an internship. In addition to the hands-on experiential learning that occurs at the internship site, students attend class to discuss the experience, reflect on their learning, and explore ways the internship extends course-based learning. Through guidance, support and regular feedback from the mentor and the course instructor, students learn and practice their internship position and achieve their learning objectives.