B.A. and B.F.A in Visual Arts

B.A. in Visual Arts

The B.A. in Visual Arts program includes eight concentrations:

Art History

Art history involves understanding these works of creativity through the ages and across diverse cultures. Such an understanding entails not only developing a basic visual vocabulary of great works of art and architecture past and present, but also the capacity to articulate their appearance, to describe and discuss the cultures they evidence and to explore the ideals and practices of their times. The museum and the library are the studio of the art historian.

Ceramics

The Ceramics program is designed to provide students with a strong foundation in both traditional and contemporary ceramic techniques, fostering creativity, critical thinking, and technical skills. Our faculty consists of accomplished ceramic artists who are passionate about nurturing talent and guiding students toward excellence in this versatile medium.

Digital Media

The Digital Media Concentration includes courses in digital photography. digital drawing and painting, animation, and video art.

Drawing

In the Drawing Concentration, students move from an introductory experience that emphasizes perceptual skills to an advanced experience that privileges a nuanced and complex understanding of the implications of style and materials, as well as a specific and personal content.

Graphic Design

The Graphic Design concentration provides students with a broad set of skills in a variety of digital media. Students investigate current trends in technology as they explore innovative and conceptual approaches to graphic design that includes the crossover and interplay between interactive web and print/book design. Intensive study that focuses on advanced image manipulation, time based sequencing, narrative structures, and interactive design prepare students with practical experience in a variety of digital areas. Students work toward developing a cohesive body of work that represents a personal vision relevant to current design culture.

Painting

At the Introductory level Painting students are introduced to a variety of technical, historical and conceptual approaches to the medium. Students are encouraged to work independently pursuing their personal vision, and also encouraged to work through a variety of directed exercises to explore different approaches to form. At the Intermediate and Advanced levels, students work more independently to develop a unique body of work. Instruction is highly individualized, and students are required to pursue research intended to help enhance the content and to help contextualize their work. Students are asked to write and speak coherently about their work within this broader context. These skills enable the student to prepare and present their portfolio in a professional manner.

Photography

The photography program  offers a comprehensive experience for the interested student. Courses offered include darkroom, digital, portraiture, experimental, landscape, and street photography. Facilities include a complete chemical darkroom, fully equipped Mac lab with 24” and 44” wide Epson printers, and a dedicated lighting studio. Students are encouraged to take advantage of the numerous opportunities offered through the department such as internships, independent study projects and study abroad along with the regular course offerings. These opportunities enable photographers to develop their portfolios and gain professional experience before graduating. With close proximity to New York City and Philadelphia, photography majors have many opportunities to view and study the work of artists relevant to their own photographic interests.

Printmaking

Our printmaking concentration offers the student a contemporary approach to non- toxic printmaking. At the introductory level, students may take three individual courses including Intaglio (etching and collagraph techniques), Silkscreen, and Waterless Lithography and Relief printmaking. In each class, the student will learn in-depth technical skills while exploring conceptual ideas.

After the student has completed at least two of the introductory level print courses they may enroll in Advanced Printmaking. In this class, students work more independently, concentrating on their focused body of work.

Experimentation is highly encouraged, including multiple techniques/ layers, the use of alternative surfaces/ materials, print installations and sculptural works. The advanced class is preparation for the real world. Each student will complete a cohesive body of prints, write an artist statement and give a professional artist lecture to a group outside of their own class.

Sculpture

The Sculpture Program povides a balance of craft and concept development. Students can model, manipulate, cast, fabricate and construct sculptural environments. The courses in sculpture introduce students to a variety of concepts, materials and processes aimed at providing a knowledge base that students can rely upon as they continue to develop. Upper level classes continue to build skills while providing the students with an understanding of how their practice fits into the larger discussions within the contemporary art world.

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B.F.A. in Visual Arts

The B.F.A. in Visual Arts program includes four concentrations:

• 2D Media
• 3D Media
• Art History
• Graphic Design