Studio Art

At Stetson, the Studio Art Program finds its home in the Creative Arts Department. Students will develop their passion for art within the context of a liberal arts education, and they gain the strength in the hallmark skills of the liberal arts: learning to communicate effectively and think critically.

The studio art major offers a curriculum that prepares students for further study in graduate school or a career as a professional artist. Our faculty are professional artists of national stature who work in a range of mediums. Students develop their personal styles and direction based on a strong foundation in technique, design principles, historical tradition, and contemporary artistic theories. The program has particular strengths in painting, drawing, mixed media, ceramics, and sculpture, where students get personalized attention, critiques, and guidance. The curriculum culminates in a capstone experience, the senior thesis exhibition, in which studio art and digital arts majors work together to present a group exhibit showcasing each participant’s work.

Stetson provides advanced studio art students with on-campus studio space to work on pieces throughout the semester. Studio art and art history majors alike work behind the scenes operating the Hand Art Center, a fully operational museum and art center, which is home to the University’s permanent collections and the University’s extensive collection of works by Oscar Bluemner. Additionally, the Creative Arts Department regularly hosts visiting artists’ lectures and exhibits, thereby widening the students’ exposure to contemporary art and artists.

The Studio Art Program is an integral part of the Department of Creative Arts, which brings together faculty and students engaged in the study and practice of creative pursuits. See relevant sections elsewhere in the Catalog to learn more about the Department’s other programs in Digital Arts, Museum and Curatorial Studies and Theatre Arts.

More information can be found online at https://www.stetson.edu/other/academics/undergraduate/art.php.

Major in Art

Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art

Minor in Studio Art - 5 units

Course List
Code	Title	Units
Minor Requirements
ARTS 101A	Drawing I	1
ARTS 103A	Painting I	1
or ARTS 102A	Sculpture I
Three additional ARTS units		3
Total Units		5

Advising Course Plans

Studio Art Major

Plans for Transfer Students and Students Changing Their Major

Studio Art Major

McCoy, Kenneth W.
Professor of Theatre Arts
Chair of Creative Arts Department
BA, University of Alabama at Birmingham
MFA, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale
PhD, Bowling Green State University

Andre, Eric
Visiting Assistant Professor of Art
BA, University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
MFA, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville

Kudryavtseva, Ekaterina
Associate Professor of Art History
Associate Chair of Creative Arts Department
BA, Russian State University for the Humanities, Moscow, Russia
MA, University of Oklahoma
PhD, University of Southern California

Molnar, Luca
Assistant Professor of Art
BA, Dartmouth College
MFA, New York University

Witek, Joseph P.
Professor of Creative Arts
BA, Franklin and Marshall College
MA, PhD, Vanderbilt University

ARTS 100A. Visual Concepts. 1 Unit.

An introduction to the elements and principles of design essential to the visual arts. These will include value, line, shape, form, balance, rhythm, texture, perspective, and color. A variety of media will be explored.

ARTS 101A. Drawing I. 1 Unit.

This course introduces the student to the practice and history of drawing. Using a range of different media and various technical and conceptual approaches, the course provides a solid foundation in the use of line, value, shape, composition, perspective, and content.

ARTS 102A. Sculpture I. 1 Unit.

The course will introduce the student to the tools and concepts used in the creation of three-dimensional art work. The course will cover additive (modeling), subtractive (carving), and assemblage processes.

ARTS 103A. Painting I. 1 Unit.

A basic course that acquaints the student with various approaches to painting through a study of its formal, technical, historical, and conceptual aspects. The course will cover color theory, value, composition, shape, naturalism, and abstraction.

ARTS 110A. Digital Ceramics. 1 Unit.

Through hands-on engagement with emerging ceramic technologies students will evaluate the use of digital technologies as a tool and digital technologies as a medium within the field of ceramics at large. Using computer-aided design (CAD) software to develop and print forms in clay, students will explore material history and contemporary applications in order to speculate the future impact of technological innovation on an ancient material in the contemporary industrial, fine art and digital sphere. This course provides an entry point for students unfamiliar with the ceramic material and for students unfamiliar with CAD, where each are encouraged to push the boundaries of the medium through experimentation.

ARTS 180. Art Elective. 0.75 to 1 Units.

ARTS 181. Art Elective. 0.75 to 1 Units.

ARTS 182. Art Elective. 0.75 to 1 Units.

ARTS 190. Special Topics in Art. 0.5 or 1 Units.

These lecture/discussion courses are designed to extend the range of the curriculum and give students an opportunity to explore special topics. Their topics are contingent upon the expertise of current departmental faculty. Any prerequisites will be indicated in the course schedule. Students may take more than one ARTS 190, ARTS 290, ARTS 390, or ARTS 490 course during their career with different titles and content.

ARTS 200A. Art About. 1 Unit.

Students will immerse themselves in a topic (such as "Art About Collective Memory," "Art About Gender," "Art About Sports") chosen by the instructor. Students will be exposed to theory about this topic and to artists whose practices explore this topic. They will develop original artwork in various media (dependent on course, but frequently with an intermedia approach) with a shared conceptual through line. Course may be repeated with different content.

ARTS 201A. Drawing II. 1 Unit.

This course continues the student’s exposure to the practice, theory, and history of drawing at a level beyond Drawing I. Prerequisite: ARTS 101A or permission of instructor. Offered in the spring semester.

ARTS 202. Sculpture II. 1 Unit.

A continuation of Sculpture I, in which the student will be expected to take on work at a more challenging level. Prerequisite: ARTS 102A.

ARTS 203. Painting II. 1 Unit.

Continuation of Painting I, in which the student will be expected to take on work at a more challenging level. Prerequisite: ARTS 103A. Offered once per year.

ARTS 212A. Ceramics: Handbuilding. 1 Unit.

This technique of working with clay is a more sculptural approach using hand-building techniques such as coil, slab, and pinch methods. Offered in the fall semester.

ARTS 213. Mixed Media. 1 Unit.

A basic course that introduces the student to various nontraditional static media. The class will include 2-dimensional, 3-dimensional, and site-specific installation projects. There will be considerable emphasis on a contemporary conceptual approach to art-making. Prerequisite: Any ARTS 100-level course or permission of instructor.

ARTS 214B. All Things are Delicately Interconnected - Global Food and Art in Sao Paulo. 1 Unit.

The title of this course pulls from contemporary artist Jenny Holzer’s text-based work, which highlights the delicate balances at play in interconnected, global systems. This interdisciplinary course uses an international city as a case study for understanding global systems in two distinct disciplines – sustainable food systems and contemporary art. Though these disciplines seem starkly different, they are in fact delicately connected and both provide opportunities for engaging with and understanding globalization, oppression, and a rapidly changing climate. This course includes a spring break study abroad trip. Students must apply for the program through WORLD to register for the course. Permission of instructor required.

ARTS 222A. Ceramics: Wheel-Throwing. 1 Unit.

Students will learn to use the potter’s wheel to make both functional and non-functional pieces. Frequent demonstrations by the instructor. Offered in the spring semester.

ARTS 232. Ceramics II. 1 Unit.

An advanced ceramics class; a continuation of work involving hand-building techniques to explore both functional forms and forms which are sculptural. Students will be introduced to various methods of kiln firing (gas and electric), oxidation, and reduction. Prerequisite: ARTS 212A or ARTS 222A or permission of instructor. Offered once per year.

ARTS 285. Independent Study. 0.5 or 1 Units.

ARTS 290. Special Topics in Art. 1 Unit.

ARTS 302. Special Studio. 1 Unit.

This course, offered only on an occasional basis, will emphasize some special medium, technique, or approach which is not part of the regular departmental offerings. Examples would be mixed media, airbrush painting, etc. The course may be repeated with different content.

ARTS 303. Painting III. 1 Unit.

This course builds on concepts and techniques learned in Painting II. With the input of the professor, each student will be expected to develop and carry out a series of projects that reflect their interests as a painter. Prerequisite: ARTS 203. Offered once a year.

ARTS 321. Printmaking. 1 Unit.

This is an introductory course that acquaints the student with the basic types, techniques, and history of printmaking. Prerequisite: ARTS 101A or permission of instructor.

ARTS 332. Ceramics III. 1 Unit.

This course builds on concepts and techniques learned in Ceramics II. Students will develop advanced skills in glaze formulation, clay body testing, and kiln firing techniques. Prerequisite: ARTS 232. Offered once a year.

ARTS 335. Art in the Elementary School. 1 Unit.

An elementary art methods course, geared to the classroom teacher and special art teacher. It should provide the student with imaginative art teaching strategies, in-depth art making, and art appreciation. This course is offered only as an independent study as a service to students completing requirements for certification.

ARTS 345. Art in the Secondary School. 1 Unit.

This course teaches students to use their background in art and design, their technical skills in selective media, and their knowledge of art history in developing projects and plans for teaching art at the secondary level. This course is offered only as an independent study as a service to students completing requirements for certification.

ARTS 385. Independenty Study. 0.5 or 1 Units.

Study on a specialized project under the guidance of a professor.

ARTS 390. Special Topics in Art. 1 Unit.

ARTS 395. Teaching Apprenticeship. 0.5 Units.

Pass/Fail only. Students assist a faculty member with the teaching and management responsibilities related to one of the program’s existing courses. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. May be repeated once.

ARTS 398. Open Studio. 1 Unit.

An advanced course for students who have completed all offered courses in painting, drawing, or printmaking. In addition to continued practice in one or more of the above disciplines, attention will be paid to contemporary art issues and to questions of professional activity. This course may be repeated 3 times. Prerequisite: permission of instructor.

ARTS 399. Junior Portfolio Review. 0.0 Units.

This 0-unit course for juniors intending to complete Senior Project the following academic year will meet once in spring semester, typically on the last Friday of classes. Students will present a portfolio of their artwork, outline their progress through the studio art major, and share their initial concept(s) for Senior Project. Studio Art, Art History, and Creative Arts faculty will provide critique and feedback. Passing this course is a requirement for enrollment in ARTS 498 Senior Project I and continuation in the Studio Art major. In the event a student does not pass in the spring, they will be provided with a plan for improvement and re-reviewed at the start of fall semester.

ARTS 402. Advanced Special Studio. 1 Unit.

This course, taught only on an irregular basis, will pursue some special technique at an advanced level.

ARTS 403. Painting IV. 1 Unit.

This course builds on concepts and techniques learned in Painting III. In this course, the student will be expected to produce an ambitious, unified body of work that demonstrates a high level of achievement in painting. Prerequisite: ARTS 303. Offered once a year. Course may be repeated 3 times.

ARTS 432. Ceramics IV. 1 Unit.

This course builds on concepts and techniques learned in Ceramics III. With the input of the professor, each student will be expected to develop and carry out a series of projects that reflect their interests as a ceramicist. Students will also oversee the glaze and bisque firings for the ceramics studio. Prerequisite: ARTS 332. Offered once a year. Course may be repeated 3 times.

ARTS 485. Independent Study. 0.5 or 1 Units.

Study on a specialized project under the guidance of a professor.

ARTS 490. Special Topics in Art. 1 Unit.

ARTS 498. Senior Project I. 1 Unit.

This course is required of all senior art majors. In the fall semester the student prepares for the senior portfolio review. In this course, the student begins the development of a unified body of accomplished work, to be completed and installed in the spring semester in the Senior Exhibition (ARTS 499). Prerequisite: ARTS 399 (Junior Portfolio Review) and a sequence of 2 courses in an area of specialization (e.g. Painting I and II; Ceramics: Hand Building and Ceramics II). Offered every year in the fall semester.

ARTS 499. Senior Project II. 1 Unit.

This course is required of all senior art majors. In the spring semester, students prepare and install their Senior Exhibitions. In this course, the student completes the development of a unified body of accomplished work. Prerequisites: ARTS 498. Offered every year in the spring semester.