Art Courses

ART-106: Drawing, Inquiry, and Expression (Credits: 4)

This course introduces students to the art of drawing and visual communication. It covers fundamental techniques, materials, vocabulary, and modes of communication inherent to the medium. Students will also learn basic terms and techniques pertaining to creation and critique of drawings, and the presentation and storage of finished artworks. This course will also challenge students to hone their visual literacy, encouraging them to analyze and understand works of art through both historical and contemporary lenses. (WCore: WCFAH)

ART-111: Paint, Perception, and Alchemy (Credits: 4)

This course introduces students to the art of painting and visual communication. It covers fundamental techniques, materials, vocabulary, and modes of communication inherent to the medium. Students will also learn basic terms and techniques pertaining to creation and critique of painting, and the presentation and storage of finished artworks. This course will also challenge students to hone their visual literacy, encouraging them to analyze and understand works of art through both historical and contemporary lenses. (WCore: WCFAH)

ART-128: Maker's Lab (Credits: 4)

We live in a designed world. Our lived experience is the result of decisions made in the creative process, and says as much about aesthetics as it does about effective design. This class engages students in discussions, written responses, hands-on studio workshops, and innovative problem-solving as a way to consider the aesthetics and design in our world. Using fundamental concepts from drawing and painting, sculpture and 3D construction, digital tools, and design, we will apply design-based thinking to solve problems, revise and evaluate existing solutions, and personally redefine the creative process. Work across several disciplines will allow us to see the interconnection and relationships between traditionally disparate fields of study. Simultaneously, this course will provide students the opportunity to expand and integrate their creative skills, gain experience with specialized technology, and develop a portfolio of interdisciplinary objects and ideas that demonstrates creative flexibility and a multifaceted understanding of complex issues. Alongside individual projects, we will identify and analyze real world problems, as a way to connect what we do in the classroom to our community. (WCore: WCFAH)

ART-148: Ceramics I: Material Studies (Credits: 4)

This course introduces students to the fundamental nature, practices, techniques, and culture of working in clay. Students will receive an introduction into the four basic building techniques of ceramics. It is a course that will familiarize the student with a utilitarian and artistic material that has been used for millennia and continues to be found useful in new technological and industrial manners. Students will be given an understanding of the practice of time management, a key component to the success of working in clay and a necessity in daily life. Students will learn ceramic hand-building, pottery, glazing, and firing methods as a means of self-expression and communication. (WCore: WCFAH)

ART-180: Photography (Credits: 4)

Photography is the visual language of our time. With the introduction of contemporary technology, vision itself has become our most immediate form of communication and expression. Although we will look at and discuss the work of others, this course is primarily about each student making her/his own personal images. In this course, students will learn basic technical skills for the beginning photographer. These include camera operation, developing and scanning black and white film, basic grayscale digital image processing, making prints from negatives, making inkjet prints and presentation. Students will also learn the grammar of this language; use of the frame, time, vantage, and detail. Students will investigate the relationship of form to content. Most importantly, students will use these skills to explore their own vision and ideas. Through discussions and group critiques, they will share this work with each other and receive feedback to help them refine it. They will produce affective images that examine their personal perception and concepts. (WCore: WCFAH)

ART-201: Wheel Throwing (Credits: 4)

This course provides focused study for the student interested primarily in wheel throwing. Students will hone their skills for working on the wheel through a series of both functional and non-functional projects. Students will also work on their ability to develop a series. Notably, the development of a personal aesthetic that distinguishes each student will be assessed.

ART-202: Intermediate Drawing (Credits: 4)

This course builds on technical approaches to drawing by introducing conceptual approaches to image making with various drawing media. Projects will explore ideas from the history of contemporary art and drawing practices with an emphasis on making clearer and more nuanced works.

ART-203: Ceramic Sculpture (Credits: 4)

This course provides focused study for the student interested in generating sculpture through the ceramic medium. Students can expect to explore a variety of projects that will explore working in a multitude of scales, styles, surfaces, and firing processes.

ART-205: Figure Drawing (Credits: 4)

Using the live model as subject matter, this class explores the figure in a variety of contexts through drawing and other media. Topics include functional anatomy and kinesiology, spatial awareness and scale, the drawn figure throughout history, and discussion and assignments exploring use of the figure in contemporary drawing and visual art.

ART-206: Figure Painting (Credits: 4)

Using the nude model as subject, this class explores the figure in a variety of contexts through paint and other media. Topics include functional anatomy and kinesiology, color paint theory, spatial awareness and scale, the painted figure throughout history, and discussion and assignments exploring use of the figure in contemporary painting and visual art.

ART-209: Composition and Design (Credits: 4)

Aesthetic organization of color, line, space, and texture in two- and three-dimensional design.

ART-210: Traditional Photography (Credits: 4)

More photographs are uploaded to Facebook every two minutes than were made during the first 60 years of the history of photography. With the shift to digital technology and the convenience it affords, electronic photography has replaced traditional, silver-based photography as our mainstream method of visual expression and communication. Traditional photography, however, continues to be practiced with a strong and passionate following. Most serious photographers consider it necessary to learn these skills to truly understand the medium, and many practice it for its immediacy and hands-on intimacy. This course will introduce skills, techniques, and materials of traditional, silver-based black and white photography. These skills include use of camera types, including view cameras and hand-held cameras, lenses, light metering techniques, lighting techniques, and refined development and traditional printing techniques. We will examine how different technologies have introduced different methods, and how these methods have shaped, and been shaped by, cultural aesthetics and priorities. We will discuss and examine artistic and photographic concerns, and deal with the advancement of personal visual and conceptual skills needed to produce affective images. Students in this course will experiment with a variety of materials, techniques, and philosophical approaches to traditional photography, and ultimately produce a body of work that exhibits their own personal investigations and creative expression. (WCore: WCFAH)

ART-215: Drawing Lines in the Sand (Credits: 4)

This hybrid studio-seminar course examines art about landscape, space, and environments, while challenging students to build on these ideas in their own creative work. Students will research artworks and writings that explore topics such as landscape, "wild" and urban space, public and private spaces, land(scapes) and power, using this context to inform their creative works that address these same topics. This course simultaneously introduces students to fundamental drawing techniques, with a special focus on drawings and images made using landscape, nature, and hybridized modes of visual communication. No previous experience with drawing is required. (WCore: WCFAH, RE)

ART-300: Special Topics in Art (Credits: 1 to 4)

Special classes in the arts not offered on an annual basis. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

ART-302: Intermediate Painting (Credits: 4)

This class builds on technical and conceptual aspects presented in Beginning Painting through conceptually driven projects that explore concepts in contemporary painting and additional techniques and practical concerns related to paint.

ART-303: Advanced Painting (Credits: 4)

Explores advanced painting techniques and problems, emphasizing color and design concepts. This course is repeatable for credit.

ART-305: Raku Pottery (Credits: 4)

Raku originated as part of the tea ceremonies in 16th century Japan. It has evolved into a technique of rapid firing, pulling pieces out of a hot kiln to be reduced with combustible materials such as paper, sawdust, pine needles, producing a smoking atmosphere. Using both wheel and hand building techniques we will focus on forms (such as tea bowls, sculpture and wearable art) that work well with the raku firing process. Different surface designs and firing techniques will be explored and may include: traditional; horse hair; resist erosion; terra sigillata; naked slip firing; pit and sager firings.

ART-306: Advanced Figure Painting (Credits: 4)

Extension of Figure Painting with greater emphasis on student experimentation, guided exploration, and personal expression. This course is repeatable for credit.

ART-308: Advanced Figure Drawing (Credits: 4)

Extension of Figure Drawing with a greater emphasis on student experimentation, guided exploration, and personal expression. This course is repeatable for credit.

ART-310: Art History: Emergence to Renaissance (Credits: 4)

Examines works of art from the time of Prehistory through the Renaissance. We will examine major monuments and artworks in a chronological sequence, focusing on those from each period that give the essence of their time, place, function, intent, and the aspirations of the culture and artist.

ART-311: Art History: Renaissance to Modern Art (Credits: 4)

Explores the development of art beginning with the High Renaissance, moving to the advent of Contemporary Art. Students learn through lecture, discussion, reading and writing, and visiting local museums and galleries.

ART-312: History of Contemporary Art (Credits: 4)

This class will review the myriad of developments found in contemporary art from the mid-1960s to today. Painting, sculpture, mixed media works, performance art, installation, photography, and video/film will be covered. We will discuss the shift from modernism to the postmodern era with an emphasis on global art. Throughout the semester we will pay special attention to the unique artistic developments that originated from the Land Arts movement of the 1960s: earthworks, environmental art, and ecological art will be explored.

ART-313: Environmental Art (Credits: 4)

This course shall trace the history of Land based, Environmental and Ecological Art, as well as explore its major concepts, concerns and trends. Students will examine important art that has been made in these disciplines, as well as develop ideas and refine proposals for making art of their own that address these issues.

ART-318: History of Photography (Credits: 4)

This course will trace the young history of human desire to capture the image of light, and then figure out what to do with it. From cultural conditions that led to the invention of photography to the role it plays in the contemporary world, we will investigate the technical inventions as well as the artistic movements that have made photography such an important part of current creative expression.

ART-320: Digital Imaging (Credits: 4)

This course covers technical skills for the digital photographer. These include image capture, image processing, retouching, manipulation and printing. This course also deals with visual and conceptual skills needed to produce effective images. This course is repeatable for credit.

ART-321: Digital Media Survey (Credits: 4)

This course will introduce its students to the possibilities for making art on a computer. It explores techniques in several popular software programs. This course is repeatable for credit.

ART-322: Digital Drawing (Credits: 4)

This studio course introduces students to the techniques and technology of digital drawing. Building on foundation drawing skills and ideas, this course expands the conceptual potential of drawing by incorporating digital tools and processes. Students will gain experience with drawing hardware and software, digital drawing and mark-making, digital manipulation and formal intersections with traditional drawings and techniques, and development of conceptual crossover between traditional and digital drawn languages. This course is repeatable for credit.

ART-325: Figure Sculpture in Clay (Credits: 4)

Through this concentrated course on the human form, students will render the figure through a variety of quick studies and longer, more detailed works. The nude figure will be used heavily as reference for assignments and projects.

ART-330: Intermediate Ceramics: the Ceramic Surfa (Credits: 4)

Advanced wheelwork, more emphasis on sculptural work, and experimentation with glazing. Individual assignments. This course is repeatable for credit.

ART-335: Advanced Ceramics (Credits: 4)

Advanced ceramics is your chance to make the work you want, and to choose the line of research that interests you. In this course there will be a strong emphasis on self-directed research. We will discuss the kind of work you want to make, why you want to make it and I will do my best to facilitate you in doing so. Students are expected to mix their own glazes and fire their own kilns. We will discuss an array of contemporary makers, ideas, and issues from which to draw in the development of your work and career. Feedback from one another is highly important and everyone is expected to contribute to critique and discussion.

ART-345: Video Production (Credits: 4)

This course covers the basics of video production and editing. Topics include storyboarding, camera operation, sound, lighting and editing, as well as a wide variety of film and video genres including narrative, documentary and experimental.

ART-360: Advanced Drawing (Credits: 4)

Explores advanced topics in drawing and related media through personal research, as well as group critique and discussion. This course is repeatable for credit.

ART-379: Traditional Photography II (Credits: 4)

With an emphasis on traditional photography, this course will introduce new technical skills for those who have a functional understanding of basic photographic skills. This new information includes use of lenses, camera types, exposure techniques, and refined developing and printing techniques, as well as discussion of current artistic and photographic concerns. This course will also deal with the advancement of personal visual and conceptual skills needed to produce effective images. This course is repeatable for credit.

ART-380: Advanced Photography (Credits: 4)

This course is for advanced photographers, both traditional and digital, who are interested in creating a strong body of work. We will discuss historical and contemporary issues in photography as well as professional development. Through a process of detailed analysis, students will gain greater understanding of their own work, leading to more effective expression. This course is repeatable for credit.

ART-383: Color Photography (Credits: 4)

This course covers the basic techniques of traditional color photographic processes. The aim of this course is to further develop the photographic skills learned in the basic photography course, including color theory and the reaction of photographic materials to the quality of light in different situations, how to develop color negative film and make prints from color negatives, and explore the language and aesthetics of color photography. This course is repeatable for credit.

ART-401: Directed Studies (Credits: 1 to 4)

A tutorial-based course used only for student-initiated proposals for intensive individual study of topics not otherwise offered in the Art Program. Prerequisite: consent of instructor and school dean. This course is repeatable for credit.

ART-440: Internship (Credits: 1 to 8)

Offers students the opportunity to integrate classroom knowledge with practical experience. Students will be graded on assigned coursework and evaluation by their site supervisor. Prerequisites: 60 college credits completed (for transfer students at least 15 hours competed at Westminster or permission of instructor), minimum 2.5 GPA, and consent of faculty advisor and Career Center internship coordinator. Interns will work for 42 hours per each registered credit. This course is repeatable for credit. Some majors limit how many internship credits may count towards the major, consult your faculty advisor. REGISTRATION NOTE: Registration for internships is initiated through the Career Center website and is finalized upon completion of required paperwork and approvals. More info: 801-832-2590 https://westminstercollege.edu/student-life/career -center/internships.html

ART-440S: Internship (Credits: 1 to 8)

ART-475: Studio Seminar (Credits: 4)

Designed to help students create a strong, unified body of work. Students of all disciplines work on their own time, with weekly meetings devoted to critiques, discussions, guest speakers and professional development issues. Studios are available to most students. This is the Art Program's capstone course, and should be taken by all Art majors during Spring Semester of student's last year of study. (WCore: SC)