Department of Artisanry

Faculty and Fields of Interest

Alan Burton Thompson (Chair) 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:

STUDENT LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

Students will:

Identify and apply the principles of composition and design
Practice expertise utilizing the materials and techniques of Artisanry
Explain the major artistic trends and technical developments in the history of craft and contemporary craft
Analyze the influences of culture and art history on the context of one’s craft production
Identify and discuss the qualities of the visual expression
Solve visual and technical problems through independently generated analysis
Generate concepts within a unique individual voice
Achieve congruence of concept, material, form and technique through evaluation and refinement