The focus of the Whitman College studio arts program is the enrichment of the intellect through the creation, expression, and interpretation of complex ideas within a wide range of visual and conceptual art forms. We serve the needs of students preparing for careers in the arts as well as the needs of students who want to develop their creative abilities in the service of other fields of inquiry.
Courses completed in the art major apply to the fine arts and alternative voices (selected courses) distribution areas.
Major requirements: A minimum of 35 credits including: Art History 103, Art History 229 and one course dealing with nonmodern art history (e.g. Asian Art, Renaissance Art, Greek and Roman Art, Aesthetics); Studio Art 110, 115; 130 or 160; one other beginning-level studio art class, one intermediate-level studio art class, one advanced-level studio art class in the area of concentration, Studio Art 480, 490. The completion of Art History 229 is a prerequisite for 480 and 490.
For the student who desires to pursue graduate studies in studio art, it is recommended that additional courses be taken in the major in consultation with the adviser.
Minor requirements: A minimum of 21 credits including: Art History 103, Studio Art 110, 115, plus nine credits from beginning-level studio art courses (which must include at least one 3-D class and one 2-D class) and an additional three credits of an intermediate-level studio art course.
For the art major with an art history and visual culture studies minor, no course may satisfy both the major and minor requirements. When the same class is required in both the major and minor, an additional class will be required after the appropriate department has approved it.
The P-D-F option may not be used for classes within the art major or minor.
101, 102 Special Projects
2-3
Projects selected by studio art faculty for the beginning student to work in a group in a specific field or topic. Fee required for book arts ($100), ceramics ($150), painting ($120), photography ($175), printmaking ($120), or sculpture ($150). Prerequisite: consent of instructor. Projects to be offered will be announced prior to registration.
101A ST: Media-Bookworks
3, x Shulz
This course will examine the interaction of the eye, the hand and mechanical reproduction in the context of the editioned book-form. Working with structural motifs such as series, index and narrative, we will explore a poetics of visual image-making that may cover a wide
range of relevant issues including representation and abstraction within various media. Students will have the opportunity to generate imagery in drawing, painting,and photography while investigating book design and production possibilities. A final book project will be produced digitally, printed and bound.
110 Introduction to Visual Art Practices
3, 3 Staff
Introduction to the basic languages supporting contemporary fine art practices. Basic visual and spatial skills will be developed through the creation and critique of various assigned problems. Basic languages of production and critique used in a variety of 2-D and 3-D media will be explored with the goal of preparing students to become complex and articulate visual thinkers. This is a lecture/demonstration course that will include slide lectures, demonstrations, and have a series of assigned problems. This course is open to first- and second-year students, or by consent of instructor. Fee: $50.
115 Beginning Drawing
3, 3 Staff
Introduction and exploration of the basic techniques of drawing while refining perception skills using various media such as graphite, chalk, charcoal, conté, watercolor, and ink. A creative approach will utilize the elements of line, shape, texture, value, volume, and color. Various basic compositional effects will be explored through the use of the figure, landscape, and still life as a point of departure. Daily assignments and outside projects and critiques. Two two-hour studio sessions per week. Fee: $50.
123 Beginning Photography
3, 3 Bloomquist
Traditional Wet Lab. Using a limited variety of film types, we will explore 35mm, medium format, and 4x5 photography. Film will be processed by hand and prints will be made on traditional silver gelatin paper. This class also will include an introduction to basic digital imaging. Assignments and classroom critiques will consider and experiment with various issues in photography such as composition, point of view, documentation, and the relationship of the subject and viewer. In addition to weekly assignments, students will participate in a group show of their works. Two two-hour sessions per week. Fee: $175.
130 Beginning Ceramics
3, 3 Staff
The art of working with clay. Techniques include handbuilding sculptural and functional forms, the basics of throwing on the wheel and glazing. Emphasis will be upon achieving an understanding of clay as a unique art medium. Two two-hour sessions per week. Prerequisite: none. Fee: $150.
140 Beginning Book Arts
3, 3 Blocker
A hands-on introduction to the art and history of the handmade book. An historical overview paired with an in-depth look at contemporary book art. Students will learn to set type, to print both text and images on a Vandercrook proof press, and to fabricate numerous bookbinding structures. A wide range of image-making processes, both on-press and off, will be explored. Students will embark on their own book projects, including several class collaborations. Fee: $100.
160 Beginning Sculpture
3, 3 Fall: Acuff; Spring: Staff
Three-dimensional art. Emphasis on the basics of three-dimensional design, how creative ideas are formed and why this approach to art is chosen by artists. Degrees of depth are explored ranging from drawing and relief to work in the round. Techniques and media explored include clay modeling, plaster casting, metal work and construction with mixed media. Two two-hour sessions per week. Fee: $150.
167 Beginning Painting
3, 3 Fall: Staff; Spring: Timm-Ballard
The media and methods of basic painting with emphasis on a choice of acrylic or oil paint and on watercolor. Students work on class projects from still life, the figure, and landscape to develop a painting from the sketches to the finished canvas. Group critiques involve articulation of terms and ideas. Two two-hour studio sessions per week. Fee: $120.
170 Beginning Printmaking
3, 3 Blocker
This course will explore the basic skills and techniques of printmaking as a vehicle for visual expression. Various processes will be covered and may include intaglio, relief, lithography, and /or serigraphy. Two two-hour studio sessions per week. Fee: $120.
180 Beginning New Genre Art Practices
3, 3 Bloch
This course serves as an introduction to recent and emerging new genres in the practice of fine art. Through lecture, discussion, demonstration and practice, students will gain familiarity with a range of contemporary formats including video art, installation, digital sound, the Internet, conceptual and/or performance actions. Emphasis is placed on creating meaning in art through the use of one or more new genre formats. Instruction includes the demonstration of sound, image, and archiving software, theme-based discussions in contemporary art, film screenings, and a series of assigned technical problems. Prerequisite: none. Fee: $150.
201, 202 Special Projects
2-3
Projects selected by studio art faculty for the intermediate student to work in a group in a specific field or topic. Fee required for book arts ($100), ceramics ($150), painting ($120), photography ($175), printmaking ($120), or sculpture ($150). Prerequisite: consent of instructor. Projects to be offered will be announced prior to registration.
215 Intermediate Drawing
3, 3 Staff
Compositional effects are further explored on an intermediate level through the use of the visual elements of line, shape, texture, value, volume, color, perspective, and abstraction. Personal use of combined media effects are explored. Weekly drawing assignments are given and critiqued in class. Two two-hour studio sessions per week. Prerequisite: Studio Art 115 or consent of instructor. Fee: $50.
223 Intermediate Photography
x, 3 Bloomquist
Fine Art Digital Printing. Images will be gathered using cameras and scanners. Darkroom aspects of PhotoShop will be used to manipulate the images so that fine art digital prints can be produced. In addition to weekly assignments and critiques, students will participate in a group show of their works. Two two-hour sessions per week. Prerequisite: Studio Art 123. Fee: $175.
230 Intermediate Ceramics
3, 3 Staff
A continuation of the creative development of both functional and nonfunctional forms. Advanced forming processes introduced. The formulation of clay bodies, glazes and their preparation, testing and application. Kiln loading and firing practices. Two two-hour sessions per week. Prerequisite: Studio Art 130 or consent of instructor. Fee: $150.
240 Intermediate Book Arts
3, x Blocker
The course focuses on various binding and typography for the student who desires to develop further experience in Book Arts. Course will contain multileveled individualized attention. Prerequisite: Studio Art 140 or consent of the instructor. Fee: $100.
260 Intermediate Sculpture
3, 3 Fall: Acuff; Spring: Staff
The development of and exploration of formal and conceptual approaches to sculpture. Issues in contemporary sculpture will be explored. The use of wood, metals and plaster will be explored along with less traditional approaches to creating work including use of found objects, mixed media, performance and group projects. Two two-hour sessions per week. Prerequisite: Studio Art 160 or consent of instructor. Fee: $150.
267 Intermediate Painting
3, 3 Fall: Staff; Spring: Timm-Ballard
Designed to follow beginning painting and design for the student who desires to develop further experience in painting. Painting techniques in acrylics and oils, the development of personal style and imagery, and self and group evaluation methods. Two two-hour studio sessions per week. Prerequisite: Studio Art 167 or consent of instructor. Fee: $120.
270 Intermediate Printmaking
x, 3 Blocker
This course will explore intermediate level skills and techniques of printmaking as a vehicle for visual expression including nontraditional approaches. Various processes will be covered and include intaglio, relief, lithography, and/or serigraphy. Two two-hour studio sessions per week. Prerequisite: Studio Art 170 or consent of instructor. Fee: $120.
280 Intermediate New Genre Art Practices
3, 3 Bloch
This course continues the critical exploration of recent and emerging new genres in the practice of fine art. Through lecture, discussion, demonstration and practice, students advance their familiarity with a range of contemporary formats including video art, installation, digital sound, the Internet, conceptual and/or performance actions. Emphasis is placed on creating meaning in art through the use of one or more new genre formats. Instruction includes the demonstration of sound, image, and archiving software, theme-based discussions in contemporary art, film screenings. Students independently complete and present at least one larger scale artwork in a new genre format. Prerequisite: Studio Art 180 or consent of instructor. Fee: $150.
301, 302 Special Projects
2-3
Projects selected by studio art faculty for the advanced student to work in a group in a specific field or topic. Fee required for book arts ($100), ceramics ($150), painting ($120), photography ($175), printmaking ($120), or sculpture ($150). Prerequisite: consent of instructor. Projects to be offered will be announced prior to registration.
315 Advanced Drawing
3, 3 Staff
Further development and exploration of drawing media, imaging, and concepts through the use of various traditional and nontraditional approaches. Students investigate and explore with individualized intent and directions. Studio Art 315 may be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Studio Art 215 or consent of instructor. Fee: $50.
321, 322 Intermediate Independent Study
2-3, 2-3 Staff
Intermediate-level independent study within the areas of book arts/printmaking, ceramics, drawing/painting, new genre art forms, photography, or sculpture or other studio art practices at the intermediate level, under the supervision of one or more studio art faculty. Prerequisites: Studio Art 110, 115, or 215 and at least the beginning course in the area that the independent study is proposed and consent of supervising instructor. Fee required for book arts ($100), ceramics ($150), painting ($120), photography ($175), printmaking ($120), or sculpture ($150).
323 Advanced Photography
x, 3 Bloomquist
Alternative Processes. Images will be gathered using film, scanner, or digital camera. Large format negatives will be produced on acetate, and contact prints will be made on paper treated with light-sensitive materials. In addition to weekly assignments, students will participate in a group show of their works. Two two-hour sessions per week. Prerequisite: Studio Art 223 or consent of the instructor. Fee: $175.
330 Advanced Ceramics
3, 3 Staff
Further exploration and development through the use of clay as a medium. Contemporary issues in ceramics and the use of other media along with clay are introduced. Two two-hour sessions per week. Studio Art 330 may be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Studio Art 230 or consent of instructor. Fee: $150.
340 Advanced Book Arts
3, x Blocker
Further development and exploration in the use of various traditional and nontraditional book arts methods. The student’s individual interests and directions will be taken into account. Studio Art 340 may be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Studio Art 240 or consent of instructor. Fee: $100.
360 Advanced Sculpture
3, 3 Fall: Acuff; Spring: Staff
Further development and exploration of formal and conceptual approaches to sculpture. The use of a variety of materials, techniques, and directions will be encouraged. Two two-hour sessions per week. Studio Art 360 may be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Studio Art 260 or consent of instructor. Fee: $150.
367 Advanced Painting
3, 3 Staff
Acrylics and oils, with an emphasis on individual expression and responsibility for individual projects. A model is provided along with other thematic subjects for students to explore. Two two-hour studio sessions per week. Studio Art 367 may be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Studio Art 267. Fee: $120.
370 Advanced Printmaking
x, 3 Blocker
Various traditional and nontraditional print-making materials and methods. The student’s individual interests and directions will be taken into account. Two two-hour studio sessions per week. Studio Art 370 may be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Studio Art 270 or consent of the instructor. Fee: $120.
380 Advanced New Genre Art Practices
3, 3 Bloch
This course continues the critical exploration of recent and emerging new genres in the practice of fine art. Through lecture, discussion, demonstration and practice, students advance their familiarity with a range of contemporary formats including video art, installation, digital sound, the Internet, conceptual and/or performance actions. Emphasis is placed on creating meaning in art through the use of one or more new genre formats. Instruction includes the demonstration of sound, image, and archiving software, theme-based discussions in contemporary art, film screenings. Students independently complete and present at least one larger scale artwork in a new genre format. Prerequisites: Studio Art 280 or consent of instructor. Fee: $150.
421, 422 Advanced Independent Study
2-3, 2-3 Staff
Advanced level independent study within the areas of book arts/printmaking, ceramics, drawing/painting, new genre art forms, photography, or sculpture or other studio art practices at the advanced level, under the supervision of one or more studio art faculty. Prerequisites: Studio Art 110, 115, or 215 and at least the beginning course in the area that the independent study is proposed and consent of supervising instructor. Fee required for book arts ($100), ceramics ($150), painting ($120), photography ($175), printmaking ($120), or sculpture ($150).
480 Senior Studio Art Seminar
3, x Acuff
Contemporary issues in visual art will be explored through readings, discussion, and critique of written and visual assignments. This course will emphasize preparation for the thesis exhibition and oral defense. It also will address strategies for furthering the creative process after the student leaves college. Prerequisite: Art History 229. Fee required matching the fee associated with an advanced course in the area of concentration.
490 Thesis in Art Studio
x, 3 Timm-Ballard
Open only to senior studio art majors except those registered for Studio Art 498. This course will meet twice a week during the spring semester (or final semester) of the senior year. Devoted to the preparation of a cohesive body of original work for the Senior Thesis Exhibition, a written artist statement, and an oral defense of the work will be required. Prerequisite: Studio Art 480, Studio Art 110, 115 and completion of an advanced-level course in your area of concentration. Fee required matching the fee associated with an advanced course in the area of concentration.
498 Honors Thesis
3, 3 Staff
Designed to further independent investigation leading to the preparation of a written thesis and research project in the studio arts. Required of and limited to senior honors candidates in studio art. Prerequisites: admission as honors candidate in studio art plus Art History 229, Studio Art 110, 115, and completion of advanced-level class in the area of concentration. Fee required matches fees associated with advanced class in area of concentration.
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