Department of Artisanry

Faculty and Fields of Interest

Alan Burton Thompson (Chairperson) jewelry/metals

Deborah Carlson textile design/fiber arts

Paula Erenberg Medeiros textile design/fiber arts

Susan Hamlet jewelry/metals

Charlotte Hamlin textile design/fiber arts, textile history

Rebecca Hutchinson ceramics

James Lawton ceramics

The Artisanry department at UMass Dartmouth has earned a national reputation for excellence in craft education. Undergraduates in Artisanry may pursue BFA options in Ceramics, Jewelry/Metals and Textile Design/Fiber Arts. Wood/Furniture is offered on the undergraduate level as an elective. A graduate degree, the MFA in Artisanry, offers specialization in Ceramics, Fibers, Metals or Wood.

The educational philosophy of the Artisanry programs has evolved from the craft tradition of functional object making, emphasizing professional standards in technical skill and design, knowledge of history of the craft, the craft in relation to popular culture and personal aesthetic development.

Frequent presentations in each area by visiting artists, lecturers and designers, each representing diverse fields, supplement the artisanry student’s education. Students are challenged to extend their creative involvement into the areas of object production, conceptual expression and design for industry. The goal is to instill the confidence and self-discipline necessary to sustain productive artistic careers.

Studio facilities, located at the university’s Star Store campus in New Bedford, contain state-of-the-art equipment and have ample work areas that encourage artistic development.

Computer Requirements

The Department of Artisanry uses Apple computers for all media options: Ceramics, Jewelry/Metals, and Textile Design/Fiber Arts. Students are not required to purchase a laptop for Freshman year or first-year studio courses. Beginning in the Sophomore year however, all Artisanry students are required to purchase a MacBook Pro laptop computer. For specifications, go to: Artisanry

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the degree requirements in Artisanry, students will possess artistic skill and aesthetic judgment as evidenced by:

An understanding of, and the potential for, the principles of composition and design in concert with the possibilities of the materials and techniques of artisanry
Familiarity with the history of craft and with contemporary work in their field
Accomplished visual and written communication skills
The ability to perform critical analysis of technique, form and concept
The ability to resolve visual, conceptual and technical problems through independently generated analysis, evaluation and refinement
Production expertise in their field
The ability to present themselves in a professional manner appropriate to their field
A portfolio of work that represents their ability to do all of the above