Students who select painting as their emphasis are offered courses which focus on oil, acrylic or magna and watercolor media. Painting I teaches technical skills along with the development of sound structural awareness (two-dimensional IQ) and cognition between paint and significant ideas. The advanced student in painting expands on this foundation, particularly in the continued development of ideas of consequence.

All faculty who teach the beginning and advanced painting courses are professional painters who share in the conviction that the example of their working methods and exhibitions should serve as an integral part of their instruction. Students discover that not only do faculty fully respect their own opinions, but they are also greatly encouraged to develop strong, personal and independent views on the painting discipline.

Courses Offered

• Art 241 – Watercolor I
• Art 275 – Painting I
• Art 341 – Watercolor II
• Art 375 – Painting II
• Art 441 – Watercolor III
• Art 475 – Painting III

The photography emphasis within the department of art provides the student with various courses in the discipline. In the introductory course, students learn fundamental photographic theory, basic camera handling, the mechanics of the darkroom, and an introduction to photographic aesthetics.  In the intermediate course, students are introduced to digital techniques, building on the concepts learned in the introductory class.

The printmaking emphasis encompasses the four main media within the discipline: intaglio, lithography, relief and serigraphy (screenprinting).

Students enrolled in the 200-level introductory printmaking classes will learn and practice skills relating to the specific medium in that course. Intermediate level courses will offer students a more in depth experience within the medium and the opportunity to work with a variety of monoprint and monotype techniques. In all courses, emphasis is placed on the creative development of images within the respective medium. The importance of possessing a strong, basic understanding of the media is stressed in order to allow the student to “forget” technique and instead, concentrate on his or her conceptual skills, artistic development and the formal organization of concepts within the image.

Courses Offered

• Art 259 – Printmaking: Lithography, Serigraphy
• Art 260 – Printmaking: Intaglio, Relief
• Art 359 – Intermediate Printmaking: Lithography, Serigraphy
• Art 360 – Intermediate Printmaking: Intaglio, Relief
• Art 459 – Advanced Printmaking: Lithography, Serigraphy
• Art 460 – Advanced Printmaking: Intaglio, Relief
• Art 461 – Advanced Printmaking Workshop

Facilities and Equipment

The printmaking area has three studio spaces. Each has updated ventilation, lighting and have been recently painted. The studios have all the necessary tools and equipment for students to create fine art prints in a variety of media using a wide range of techniques.

The Etching/Relief Studio has four etching presses including: a 28”x48” Conrad Press, a 30”x52” French Tool Press, a 48”x72” Conrad Press, and a 18”x36” proofing press named “Frankie”. Within the studio there is a separate acid room that has a vented hood enclosure for etching zinc plates and a ferric chloride vertical tank for etching copper. There are two 27”x36” hot-plates with vented covers and two inking areas with slotted hood vents. A 36”x48” water try is available for soaking paper. There are four large worktables that provide students with ample room to work.

The Lithography Studio is located in an adjoining room and has a 35”x57” Takach Lithography Press and a 36”x56” Conrad Lithography Press. There is a wide selection of lithographic stones, ranging in size from 10”x12” to 24”x32” available for students to use, as well as carts and a Presto Lift hydraulic lift that makes moving and working on the stones safe and easy. For plate lithography, there is a Takach plate backer. Slotted hood wall vents are located at each inking area and there are movable vented arms at each press location. The studio has two graining sinks and three levigaters of various sizes. The studio is equipped with a variety of leather and composition rollers.

The Serigraphy Studio is located just down the hallway from the other print studios. There are four 40”x84” screen-printing tables with clamps and one 48”x72” (vacuum) one arm press. For processing photo emulsion screens up to 32”x44” we have an Amergraph Advantage Screen Exposure Unit. For cleaning and reclaiming screens there is a 48”x60” washout unit with an AWT High Pressure Washer. A wide range of screens and squeegees is available for students use while in the Serigraphy course.