Advanced Placement: A score of 4 or 5 in visual art earns college credit and counts toward the arts common area requirement. It also allows advanced standing in the Visual Arts curriculum. AP credit does not count toward the minimum number of courses required for the majors or minors.
Students interested in majoring in Visual Arts Studio should enroll in VAST 101 Fundamentals of Drawing or VAST 102 3D Fundamentals in their first semester or first year. They may also elect to have their individual portfolio reviewed by Studio Art faculty for placement in intermediate level courses.
Courses
VAST 101
Fundamentals of Drawing
Common Area: Arts
An exciting introduction to studio art through an exploration of drawing media. Class critiques and discussions, insure the beginning student of a solid introduction to the creative process. Students work with charcoal, ink, graphite, watercolor pencils and other drawing materials. The course includes intensive sketchbook work as well as larger drawings based on observation. In addition, students acquire skill in figure drawing by working from the model. Taught by the studio staff and a prerequisite for many intermediate courses.
VAST 102
3-Dimensional Fundamentals
Common Area: Arts
For students who are interested in an introduction to the physical world of sculptural art. Students explore the basic tools, processes and approaches to 3-Dimensional art through wood, clay wire, cloth and found objects.
VAST 105
Digital Art Studio
Common Area: Arts
A hands-on introduction to digital art making processes on Macintosh computers. Generate and manipulate images and files within an artistic context. Think creatively, work digitally and examine the potential of digital art making as a new form of art. In addition to class projects and critiques in the media lab, students discuss contemporary artists who use the computer in their work.
VAST 130
Photography 1
Common Area: Arts
This course is an introduction to digital photography, with a particular emphasis on understanding images made through camera-based techniques. Students will learn the rudimentary aspects of the medium through regular assignments culminating in a final portfolio project. Topics include proper camera use (camera settings), exposure, editing, printing, and presentation. Class time will be devoted to lab demonstrations as well as critical discussions of student work. Also, through lectures and discussion, students will become familiar with aesthetic trends and notable practitioners, both historical and contemporary.