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Apr 18, 2024
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2011-2012 UMass Dartmouth Undergraduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]
Artisanry Major
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 Return to: Degrees and Other Programs Offered
BFA degree–124 credits
The Department of Artisanry in the College of Visual and Performing Arts comprises a network of studios, including Ceramics, Textile Design/Fiber Arts, Wood/Furniture Design, and Jewelry/Metals. The curriculum has its origin in the well-known Program in Artisanry (PIA) founded at Boston University in 1975 and, previously part of the Swain School of Design. While creative activity in Artisanry speaks in a language common to all the disciplines of contemporary visual art, the Artisanry curriculum emphasizes vigorous material exploration and disciplined technique, bonded with a sophisticated aesthetic, as the basis of innovative design and personal expression. Students are challenged to examine uniquely made objects and their changing role in contemporary contexts through studies of traditional forms and intensive exploration of new formats, materials, and processes of building. Our program is founded on the belief that studio practice exists in a strong alliance with history and theory. Artisanry MFA students pursue their creative investigations in a vigorous and demanding environment where faculty and students critique, discuss, and debate issues inherent in proposed projects.
In addition to intensive training within a specific discipline, students are encouraged to cross boundaries, and pursue their project goals through the many rich layers and possibilities of integrated media projects. (View a portfolio of integrated media student projects.) Artisanry’s integrated media approach reflects a commitment to exploring the changing relationships between artistic disciplines and diverse cultural structures, a testament to our belief that mature vision can be expressed in many different materials and formats. Students engaged in integrated media projects are encouraged to examine concepts of shelter, community, and environment, develop holistic visions, and consider sustainable solutions, such as the use of recycled and other alternative materials. Integrated media projects are developed within site-specific, installation, and performative formats, as well as such formats as community service arts projects, activist art, and environmental art project initiatives.
All options within the Artisanry program seek to develop highly creative artists and designers who have a strong sense of their own originality and vision, as well as a sensitivity to the cultural and environmental demands of contemporary society. Our graduates become craft artists with interests ranging from public art, object making, to social/environmental problem solving. They also become teachers, design consultants, and owners of design/build businesses.
Designated Courses
Each Artisanry Option has a list of designated courses, all of which require a grade of C or better. A student who receives a C- or below in a designated course will have to repeat the course to gain the required credit.
Student Reviews
All Ceramic, Jewelry/Metals and Textile Design/Fiber Arts third-year majors participate in a Junior review of work in the individual media option at the midway point of the junior year. This review will provide students the opportunity to discuss their work and personal goals in a private session during which the primary faculty will assess student progress within the media area. Faculty will evaluate each student’s creative direction and technical skills to identify strengths and weaknesses before the student enters senior level courses.
Students will be evaluated during their senior year at a mid-year review, at which time students discuss their senior thesis and professional objectives, allowing faculty to assess their senior year development. Remedial coursework may be recommended at either the junior or senior review if deficiencies are perceived.
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Foundation Studio Arts Program
Required of All Majors (except Art History and Music)
Foundation Studio Arts is a rigorous two-semester program. It is designed to promote creativity, to develop technical and conceptual skills, and to provide an essential awareness of our visual culture. Its drawing, two-dimensional and three-dimensional courses serve as prerequisites-requisites for all 200 or higher-level courses in Fine Arts, Artisanry, Visual Design and Art Education. Its art history components, Renaissance to Modern Art and Modern to Contemporary Art, serve as prerequisites for the higher-level Department of Art History study that is demanded by each of the studio art departments.
Except where transferred or advance placement examination credits are accepted in lieu of requirements, first-year students may expect to take seven courses, totaling 17 credits, in each of their two freshman semesters: One drawing course, one two-dimensional studio course, one three-dimensional studio course, one art history course, one English course, one single-credit Foundation Studio Arts lecture course (Visual Arts Colloquium I and II) and one non-studio class are taken each semester.
The successful completion of the Foundation Studio Arts program is a required of all candidates for a Bachelors of Fine Arts degree from the College of Visual and Performing Arts.
Ceramics Option
Ceramics at UMass Dartmouth encompasses both traditional and non-traditional work and encourages both sculptural and functional approaches. A variety of clay techniques and forming processes is taught, including hand-building, wheel-throwing and slip-casting. Ceramics students learn how to use clay and glaze materials, to build and fire kilns, and to utilize the history of their craft. The Ceramics faculty encourages in its students individual exploration and professional goals.
Non-Studio Electives
All university academic courses qualify as non-studio electives. Not included are courses such as applied music or studio classes.
Free Electives
All university courses (including Studios and Studio Electives) may be used as Free Electives.
Designated Courses
Students in this program must complete the course(s) indicated with a grade of C or better; if a C- or lower is received, the course must be retaken. For details, see the “Student Reviews” section at the top of this page. Recommended Studio Electives
Courses below may be used as Studio Electives or as Free Electives. Art History
- ARH - Art History elective (300/400 level) - 3 credits
General Education/Distribution
- ENL - English Literature elective - 3 credits
- MTH - Mathematics elective - 3 credits
- Science electives - 6 credits
Non Studio Electives
(select to meet remaining General Education requirements)
- Two courses at any level - 6 credits
- One course at 300 or 400 level - 3 credits
Free Electives
- Three courses at any level - 9 credits
Major Studios
*The following are designated courses. Additional Requirements and Support Studios
- ATR 200 level Artisanry Studio requirements - 9 credits
(textiles, metals, wood) *designated courses
- FIA 200-Level Drawing I - 3 credits
(consult advisor on selection)
- FIA 200-Level Drawing II - 3 credits
(consult advisor on selection)
*The following ATR courses are designated courses. General Education Departmental Requirements
Students majoring in Artisanry/Ceramics will meet their departmentally-controlled General Education requirements as follows: Area E
Satisfied by any university course bearing E credit Area I, Tier 2
Satisfied by: Area W, Tier 2
Satisfied by: Jewelry/Metals Option
At UMass Dartmouth, Jewelry/Metals offers a comprehensive and diverse understanding of the technical and aesthetic potential of metal. Earlier studies feature skills for metal fabrication, construction, forming and surface treatment; while later, more advanced studies explore such techniques as forging, casting, stonesetting, chasing/repousée, holloware, enameling, and die-forming. As students gain technical skills, they are encouraged to grow in expressive ability and to strive toward professionalism.
Non-Studio Electives
All university academic courses qualify as non-studio electives. Not included are courses such as applied music or studio classes.
Free Electives
All university courses (including Studios and Studio Electives) may be used as Free Electives.
*Designated Courses
Students in this program must complete the course(s) indicated with a grade of C or better; if a C- or lower is received, the course must be retaken. For details, see the “Student Reviews” section at the top of this page. Art History
- ARH Art History elective - 3 credits
(300/400 level)
General Education/Distribution
- ENL English Literature elective - 3 credits
- MTH Mathematics elective - 3 credits
- Science electives - 6 credits
Non Studio Electives
(select to meet remaining General Education requirements)
- Three courses at any level - 9 credtis
- One course at 300 or 400 level - 3 credits
Major Studios
The following are designated courses. Additional Requirements and Support Studios
- ATR 200 level Artisanry Studio requirements - 9 credits
(textiles, ceramics, wood) *designated courses
- Open Studio Elective - 3 credits
- FIA 200-Level Drawing I - 3 credits
(consult advisor on selection)
- FIA 200-Level Drawing II - 3 credits
(consult advisor on selection)
*The following ATR courses are designated courses. Free Electives
- three courses at any level - 9 credits
General Education Departmental Requirements
Students majoring in Artisanry/Jewelry-Metals will meet their departmentally-controlled General Education requirements as follows: Area E
Satisfied by any university course bearing E credit Area I, Tier 2
Satisfied by: Area W, Tier 2
Satisfied by: Textile Design/Fiber Arts Option
Textile Design/Fiber Arts encompasses woven, constructed, printed and dyed textiles; focusing on the function and purpose of cloth in traditional and non-traditional applications.
Students explore a variety of textile surface design techniques: resist and immersion dyeing, screen printing, weaving on multi-harness floor looms, knitting, felt-making, basket forms, embroidery and machine-sewn structures. Simultaneously, computer design skills are introduced, connecting to portfolio development for the textile design industry.
Students are encouraged to study worldwide textile history as a primary source for design and project development. Project assignments include resist-dyed or hand-printed yardages, unique garment constructions, rugs, expressive wall hangings and sculptural forms. Projects in other courses are in sample form, suitable for portfolio presentation, including computer-aided design collections for home furnishings, apparel and fashion, decorative papers or other segments of design where repeat pattern is emphasized.
Internships with industry design studios, production artists, costume shops, museums or in textile conservation areas are encouraged.
Graduation requirements in Textile Design/Fiber Arts are two-fold: development of thesis work for exhibition in the annual Artisanry senior exhibition, and a formal portfolio review conducted by a visiting professional designer. Upon successful completion of the program, students will be well-prepared for many professions, including designing for aspects of industry production and personal production as a studio textile artist.
Non-Studio Electives
All university academic courses qualify as non-studio electives. Not included are courses such as applied music or studio classes.
Free Electives
Any university course (including Studios and Studio Electives) may be used as Free Elective.
*Designated Courses
Students in this program must complete the courses indicated with a grade of C or better; if a C- or lower is received, the course must be retaken. Art History
- ARH Art History elective - 3 credits
General Education/Distribution
- ENL English Literature elective - 3 credits
- MTH Mathematics elective - 3 credits
- Science electives - 6 credits
(suggested: Textile Science)
Non Studio Electives
(select to meet remaining General Education requirements)
- Two courses at any level - 6 credits
- One course at 300 or 400 level - 3 credits
Free Electives
- Two courses at any level - 6 credits
Major Studios
The following are designated courses. Additional Requirements and Support Studios
- ATR 200 level Artisanry Studio requirements - 9 credits
(ceramics, metals, wood) *designated courses
- FIA 200-Level Drawing I - 3 credits
(Nature or Object)
- FIA 200-Level Drawing II - 3 credits
(Nature, Object, or Figure)
*The following ATR courses are designated courses. General Education Departmental Requirements
Artisanry/Textile Design option: Area E
Satisfied by any university course bearing E credit Area I, Tier 2
Satisfied by: Area W, Tier 2
Satisfied by: Area O
Satisfied by: ATR 478 Gen Ed Note
All Artisanry courses satisfy Cultural/Artistic Literacy; lower division courses are marked C, but advanced courses are eligible as well. Some courses satisfy other requirements, as noted. |
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