The ability to think three-dimensionally is empowering in all the visual arts. Therefore, sculpture is fundamental in the School of Visual Arts' foundation program. In this program, students begin to develop the visual, perceptual, and conceptual skills necessary to work observationally in clay, plaster, wire, and wood. Students advance to figure work and can elect to continue those efforts at the upper level.
As juniors, Sculpture majors develop drawing skills that are necessary in the creation of bas-relief and use those skills to facilitate the exploration of creative ideas and observational form. In art history classes taken throughout the program, students learn to appreciate sculpture's evolution in style and imagery across the centuries. They gain a large vocabulary of expressive form and composition to draw upon in their own work.
Sculpture majors meet in small groups, working closely with faculty and peers. Many hours of concentrated work are equally divided between the development of personal imagery in a wide choice of styles and observational work, including life-size studies from the model.
Great works of sculpture have a powerful presence. This presence, or illusion of internal life, allows sculpture to speak about our most important feelings and ideas and to present those ideas viscerally and forcefully. In the Sculpture program, the faculty focus their efforts on teaching students to create that illusion of life inside the form of their work.
Prerequisites (40 credits)
Drawing I (2 sem) |
8 cr |
Additional Drawing or Print electives |
8 cr |
Sculpture I, II, or III (min 2 sem) |
8 cr |
Painting I |
4 cr |
Art History (min 3 sem) |
8 cr |
Freshman Writing |
4 cr |
Additional Drawing or Print electives |
12 cr |
Painting |
4 cr |
Sculpture Major Studios (min 4 sem) |
16 cr |
Sculpture Techniques |
4 cr |
Contemporary Issues Seminars (2) |
4 cr |
Art History |
4 cr |
Liberal Arts electives |
28 cr |
Studio or Liberal Arts electives |
20 cr |
Total |
132 cr |