Studio Art
Chair: R. Tripp Evans
Department home page: http://www.wheatoncollege.edu/Acad/Art/
The Art and Art History Department offers two areas of concentration within the major, one with emphasis on the history of art (Art and Art History), the other with emphasis on the making of art (Studio Art).
Major
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The studio art concentration consists of at least 13 semester courses, including:
Arth 101 and Arth 102 or their equivalents (ARTH 201 and ARTH 202) or Arth 111 Arts of the Western Tradition, or Arth 198 Arts of Africa, Asia and the Americas, or their equivalents (ARTH 298) which must be taken before the senior year.
Three semester courses in studio art foundations:
Arts 111 Two-Dimensional Design
Arts 112 Three-Dimensional Design
and Arts 116 Drawing I
These foundation courses must be taken before the senior year.
One semester of Arts 402.
One additional semester course in Art and Art History.
And six additional semester courses in studio art from the following areas (with a possible emphasis in the student's major interest): drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, photography, and graphic design. Studio concentrators are urged to take Arth 318. Arts 399 is normally reserved for fall semester seniors.
For permission to enter the studio concentration, students must submit a portfolio of their work to the department during their sophomore year. Faculty review portfolio submissions once during the fall and once during the spring semester. All students who wish to be studio majors must be approved and accepted by the end of their sophomore year. Please see the chair of the department for more information.
Minor
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A minor in studio art consists of five studio courses, at least one of which must be at the 300 level. This means that the student must take two foundation-level courses (Arts 116 or Arts 111 or Arts 112) and three additional courses, one of which is a 300-level course. Students contemplating a studio minor should take careful note of the prerequisites for 200- and 300-level courses. Art history majors may minor in studio art by taking four additional studio courses above and beyond the two required for the major (for a total of six).
Courses
Foundation programs
111. Two-Dimensional Design
As an introduction to visual language, this course will focus on the development of problem-solving skills as it applies to the fundamental concepts of design. Projects explore the integration of art elements and principles as a foundation for visual composition and creative expression.
(Claudia R. Fieo)
Connections:
Conx 20047 Molecules to Masterpieces
112. Three-Dimensional Design
An introduction to basic sculptural concepts for beginners. Emphasis on learning to see three-dimensionally by working in a variety of media. No previous experience required.
(Tim Cunard)
116. Drawing I
An introductory course that explores basic drawing techniques through various media and motifs. A strong emphasis will be placed on working from perception and learning to see. No previous experience required.
(Andrew Howard, Patricia Stone)
Connections:
Conx 20047 Molecules to Masterpieces
Upper-level courses
205. Drawing II
Continued exploration of drawing principles and techniques; emphasis on personal visual statements.
(Tim Cunard, Patricia Stone)
210. Sculpture I
A course exploring sculptural concepts based on the observation of the human form through modeling and construction. Emphasis on various techniques.
(Tim Cunard)
215. Relief Printmaking
An introduction to relief printing; students will create both black-and-white and color prints in woodcut, linocut and contemporary relief techniques. Emphasis is placed on the development of personal imagery.
(Claudia R. Fieo)
Connections:
Conx 23013 Animal Power in Religion, Art and Science
220. Painting I
An introduction to oil painting, focusing on the basic problems of color, form and composition. Projects will include still life, the figure and color exercises. Emphasis will be placed on working from perception.
(Patricia Stone)
240. Beginning Photography
The fundamentals of photography including the use of the camera, composition, light and subject; developing, printing and enlarging processes also studied and performed by the student. Students must have a 35mm camera or a medium-format camera that allows for total control.
(Andrew Howard)
250. Graphic Design I
The concept of design as communication will be explored as students solve graphic design problems and develop an understanding of traditional and modern typography and design layout .
(Claudia R. Fieo)
Connections:
Conx 20011 Communication through Art and Mathematics
Conx 20042 Graphic Design and Web Programming
Conx 23012 Visualizing Information
260. Film Production I
This is a beginner's studio production course introducing the student to the fundamentals of creative 16mm filmmaking. The student will learn the basics of constructing cinematic narrative from concept to edit by producing a series of exercises in and outside of class as well as several larger group and individual projects. Our class sessions will be spent in technical demonstrations, critiques of projects, discussions, shooting exercises and screening films. The majority of the student's learning experience will come from practical endeavors in the field and the personal challenges each sets for him/herself (i.e. the more you work, the more you learn).
(Jake Mahaffy)
261. Video Production I
An intensive, hands-on beginner's course in digital video making. Students work individually and in groups to produce a series of short videos, including a final project. Focus on concept development, editing, directing techniques and production methods.
(Jake Mahaffy)
298. Experimental Course
Screenwriting I
This course is an intensive screenwriting workshop introducing the student to basic elements of dramatic writing in the short film form. Classes are spent in lectures, screenings, readings, exercises and discussions learning screenplay format, screenwriting software, structure, theme, dialogue, genre conventions and other aspects of cinematic narrative. A wide range of exercises and assignments familiarize students with writing techniques and creative discipline.
Experimental Animation
This introductory course explores animation techniques and processes in order to provide the student with a hands-on creative experience while they learn the potential of this rich and dynamic form of expression. Through the class projects, students are introduced to the basic principles of animation, including timing, sound, and basic editing. A wide range of independent animation is screened to provide creative stimulus and demonstrate a variety of aesthetic and technical approaches.
Interactive Animation
This course introduces students to basic principles of interactive animation using Adobe Flash as our primary tool. Through the class projects, students are introduced to the basic principles of this new art form, including timing, sound, button-states, and branching. A range of work will be shown, including traditional animation as well as examples of interactivity to provide creative stimulus and demonstrate a variety of aesthetic approaches.
310. Sculpture II
An exploration of sculptural concepts through some advanced techniques.
(Tim Cunard)
315. Intaglio Printmaking
This course introduces the various traditional and contemporary platemaking techniques and the printing process used to create an intaglio print. Emphasis is placed on experimentation and the development of personal imagery.
(Claudia R. Fieo)
Connections:
Conx 20020 The Art of the Print
Conx 23013 Animal Power in Religion, Art and Science
320. Painting II
A continuation of Painting I, more emphasis will be placed on developing an individual response to subject matter. Painting technique, color mixing and compositional development within a series will be explored.
(Patricia Stone)
325. Lithography
This course will explore the fundamental drawing techniques and printing process of stone lithography and pronto plate lithography while emphasizing the development of personal imagery.
(Claudia R. Fieo)
Connections:
Conx 23013 Animal Power in Religion, Art and Science
330. Intermediate Photography
This course is designed to encourage students to explore and develop visual perception and a personal point of view. Basic techniques will be reviewed and refined and more sophisticated techniques introduced. This is a rigorous course with weekly visual assignments. Admission to the course is based on portfolio examination and/or interview with the instructor.
(Andrew Howard)
340. Figure Drawing and Anatomy
Students will develop their drawing skills through a focused study of the human figure. Weekly drawing sessions with the model will be supplemented by studies from the human skeleton as well as anatomical texts covering the major muscle groups at rest and in motion. This course connects to Bio 106.
(Previously Arts 230.)
(Patricia Stone)
Connections:
Conx 20010 Body, Form and Motion
350. Graphic Design II
This course continues to focus on design as communication with further exploration of the relationship between typography and image using traditional design techniques and computer graphics.
(Claudia R. Fieo)
Connections:
Conx 23012 Visualizing Information
398. Experimental Course
Special Topics in Printmaking: Painterly Printmaking to Create Print Suites and Artist Books
This printmaking course will focus on painterly, contemporary, and safer, less toxic printmaking materials and techniques, with an emphasis on a more in depth exploration of themes, ideas and various formats, including artist books, to enhance content. Students will develop their creative process; they will explore materials and methods, exploiting their potential to create *unique prints* and multi-media prints; and they will experiment with different formats to see how content is affected by presentation.
Film Production II
This is an intensive advanced course in creative filmmaking further developing the student's skills in visual narrative, montage and composition while introducing field practice in lighting, sound recording/design, directing actors and new technical media. Students will produce three short films from concept to final cut.
399. Selected Topics
An opportunity to do independent work at an advanced level. Students must preregister with their independent advisor after submitting a written statement of intent for faculty approval.
402. Senior Projects
This is the capstone experience for studio art majors. This is a semester-long course which meets once per week for three hours. Senior students are expected to produce a defining body of work in the medium of their choice, which will be exhibited in the Beard Gallery at the end of the semester. A variety of topics will be discussed in this seminar. The seminar will also provide students with a series of critiques on the development of their work as it progresses toward the Senior Studio Majors Exhibition.
500. Individual Research
Offered to selected students at the invitation of the department.