The study of studio arts involves learning the fundamental principles of perception, technical skills, and aesthetic concepts corresponding to the individual disciplines of painting, sculpture, ceramics, printmaking, and drawing. Studio courses are taught in a developmental sequence tailored to the needs of the individual student. Discussion of art history and criticism are integral to all studio courses.
The study of art history involves the analysis of art and architecture within a cultural framework, thus combing a study of history, economics, literature, politics, sociology, and philosophy. The goals of the department are to enhance perceptual and analytical abilities, and to improve research and writing skills. Through foundation courses, specialized electives, seminars, and recommended foreign study, students gain the ability to work independently on a senior thesis project, which is the culmination of undergraduate art history studies.
Facilities
The facilities in the department are of the first order. The art history department maintains a slide collection of 55,000 slides. The 2,000 square foot painting studio has almost 1,000 square feet of north light. The printmaking studio has the finest intaglio process equipment available. Housed in separate buildings are 3,200 square feet of sculpture and ceramic studios. The sculpture building is equipped with a large lost wax bronze casting foundry as well as tools and equipment for welding, stone carving, woodworking, and fabrication. The ceramic studio has an extensive glazing area, facilities for wheel throwing and hand building and electric and gas kilns for high and low fire glazing and raku. A well-equipped design studio contains a complete woodworking area. A new 900-square-foot, secure and climate controlled gallery was opened in 1996 in the Drew Fine Arts Center.
