Studio Art

The Program in Studio Art is dedicated to teaching liberal arts students to express themselves in the plastic arts through visual media. Our program's mission is geared to both the Middlebury student who wishes only to sample an experience in studio art, as well as to the student who wishes studio art to be the central focus of his or her studies at Middlebury.
     Our teaching faculty is comprised of distinguished artists who are dedicated to the idea that creativity and personal expression are of vital importance in the lives of all people. We teach drawing, painting, printmaking, photography, sculpture, and video. Augmenting our core curriculum are semester courses offered by visiting artists in residence. Our curriculum teaches students not only the technical methods for making images in the media we teach, but more important, to use these skills to engage issues of personal and cultural meaning. Our faculty is often asked if one needs "talent" in order to study studio art at Middlebury. The answer is an emphatic "no." Over two thirds of students studying studio art in our program are non-majors and come from all areas of the college. Furthermore, students who elect to major in studio art are as likely to become writers, architects, or teachers, as well as artists. Our classes are structured to provide close, individualized instruction within large and generous studio facilities. Experimentation and a spirit of invention are encouraged within the context of intense study and work.
     Required for the Major: ART 0159 and ART 0160 (Studio Art I and II); two history of art courses; plus eight additional courses in art, at least six of which must be in studio. Seniors who have demonstrated their ability to work independently may apply by portfolio review to do a year of senior work (ART 0720, three course credits) culminating in a spring exhibition. Students enrolling in studio courses should be aware that there will be expenses for materials beyond those supplied by the Program in Studio Art. For estimates, consult the instructors of the courses you are considering.
     Joint Major Requirements: Minimum requirements ART 0159, ART 0160; 1 history of art course; 4 upper-level (0300 and above) studio art courses or approved equivalents. Senior work to be determined with advisers.
     Minors in Studio Art: ART 0159, ART 0160, four courses at the 0300-level or higher.
     Honors: Categories of honors are based upon cumulative departmental averages as follows: honors, 3.1 or higher; high honors, 3.5 or higher; highest honors, 3.7 or higher.
     Teacher Training: Students interested in teacher training in art should consult with the chairs of the teacher education program and the studio art program.
     In lieu of text books, students will be asked to buy materials to produce their art work.

ART 0159 Studio Art I: Drawing (Fall)
This course is a complete and thorough basic drawing course. Mediums used will be pencil, charcoal, conte crayon, and pastel. Work will be done from observation and invention. Line, perspective, value, composition, and introduction to color will be discussed. Assignments will involve students with the formal and technical aspects of drawing and with the idea of drawing as an individual means of expression. No prior drawing experience is assumed or expected. Required of all art majors and minors. Junior and senior non-majors will be assigned unfilled spaces only after art majors have been accommodated. Each section is limited to 20 students. Note that many winter term courses in studio art will count as a substitute for ART 0159. 6 hrs. lect. ART (J. Butler, J. Huddleston, H. Klein, E. Nelson)

ART 0160 Studio Art II: Sculpture, Painting, Video (Spring)
This course is split into two six-week segments. In the first half we will study three-dimensional concepts using clay, soap, wire, cardboard, plaster, and mixed materials. In the second segment we will introduce applied color theory through the medium of acrylic paint. Mr. Huddleston's section of this course will feature a video-making segment in place of the painting segment. Assignments will involve students with the idea of sculpture, painting, and video as means for individual expression. Required of all art majors and minors. Junior and senior non-majors will be assigned unfilled spaces only after art majors have been accommodated. Each section is limited to 20 students. (ART 0159 is suggested preparation for this class but is not required.) Note that many winter term courses in studio art will count as a substitute for ART 0160. 6 hrs. lect. ART (J. Huddleston, H. Klein, E. Nelson, B. Pickett)

ART 0309 Painting (Fall)
In this course we will explore basic oil painting with the emphasis on structuring pictorial space in representational and nonrepresentational or abstract conceptions. We will use new and traditional media. Students will work with still life, landscape, and the human figure. Limited to 15 students. (ART 0159 and ART 0160 or equivalents) 6 hrs. lect. ART (J. Butler)

ART 0310 Painting (Spring)
In this course we will explore oil painting with an emphasis on process, abstraction, and issues of materials and scale. Students will work from life and invention. Limited to 15 students. (ART 0159 and ART 0160 or equivalents) 6 hrs. lect. ART (B. Pickett)

ART 0315 Intaglio Printmaking (Spring)
In this course we will explore studio instruction in traditional and contemporary methods of intaglio printmaking with a critical emphasis on different methods of working directly on the plate. The students will acquire technical skills as well as the ability to use them to develop their own imagery. The course is augmented by slide lectures to provide the students with a thorough background in the intaglio medium. Limited to 15 students. (ART 0159 and ART 0160 or equivalents) 6 hrs. lect. ART (H. Klein)

ART 0318 Silkscreen Printmaking (Fall)
In this course students will explore the silkscreen medium with guided studio instruction. This will include paper stencil method, film stencil method, photographic stencil method, and multicolor printing. The students will learn to use basic computer aided imagery. Limited to 12 students. (ART 0159 and ART 0160 or equivalents) 6 hrs. lect. ART (H. Klein)

ART 0319 Form and Structure in Sculpture (Fall)
In this course we will investigate the techniques and principles of sculpture in relation to form and structure. We will explore construction in wood, metal, and mixed materials in both figurative and non-figurative forms of expression. This course and ART 0320 can be taken in any order. Limited to 15 students. (ART 0159 and ART 0160 or equivalents) 6 hrs. lect. ART (E. Nelson)

ART 0320 Volume, Scale and Concept in Sculpture (Spring)
In this course we will investigate the techniques and principles of sculpture in relation to size, scale, volume, and concept. Instruction will include the techniques of wood and metal fabrication, armature building for clay and plaster objects, modeling of the human head from life, and mixed-media fabrication using both man-made and natural materials. We will also examine how concepts are embodied and communicated in three-dimensional art work. This course and ART 0319 can be taken in any order. Limited to 15 students. (ART 0159 and ART 0160 or equivalents) 6 hrs. lect. ART (E. Nelson)

ART 0327 Black and White Photography (Fall)
This course is an introduction to the discipline. Exploration of traditional and contemporary photographic expression, including portraiture, landscape, street, and collage. Some study of the history of photography. Basic camera and darkroom techniques. Students must have a 35 mm film (preferable), or 6MP(or bigger) digital, SLR camera with manual controls of focus, aperture and shutter. Limited to 15 students. (ART 0159 and ART 0160 or equivalents or two semesters of video production, Sight and Sound I and II – requires waiver for registration) 6 hrs. lect. ART (J. Huddleston)

ART 0328 Color Photography (Spring)
This course is an introduction to color photography with an emphasis on the construction of images using personal and social ideas. Some study of the history of photography. Basic digital imaging techniques to make color prints. Students must have a 35mm film, or 6MP(or bigger) digital, SLR camera with manual controls of focus, aperture and shutter. Limited to 15 students. (ART 0159 and ART 0160 or equivalents or two semesters of video production, Sight and Sound I and II – requires waiver for registration) 6 hrs. lect. ART (J. Huddleston)

ART 0332 Special Topics in Studio Art: (Spring)
Limited to 15 students. (ART 0159 and ART 0160, or equivalents.) 6 hrs. lect. ART (Christian A. Johnson Artist In Residence)

ART 0500 Special Project (Fall, Winter, Spring)
Supervised independent work with a special project proposed by a student or a collaboration between a student and a faculty member on a special project.  Admission by permission of a faculty member.  3 hrs. lect. (Staff)

ART 0520 Advanced Studies in Studio (CW 5) (Fall, Spring)
Supervised independent work in studio. Studio independents are required to attend regular group critiques with the studio art faculty and the other senior studio independents. (Admission by portfolio review the week prior to registration, and recommendation of resident faculty member is required.) 3 hrs. lect. (Staff)

ART 0720 Senior Independent Study in Studio (Fall, Winter, Spring)
Three terms of supervised independent work. Culmination of independent work will be an exhibition. All senior studio art independents will meet for regular group critiques with the studio art faculty and other senior studio independents. (Admission by portfolio review the week prior to registration and recommendation of resident faculty member is required.) 3 hrs. lect. (Staff)

Guidelines for Independent Work in Studio Art
Under no circumstances will a student be allowed to register for ART 0520 or ART 0720 unless his or her adviser's signature is on the official registration card. Advisers will sign cards only after a discussion concerning planned senior work. Independent work can be undertaken only in areas in which students have done previous work at the college level (normally two 0300-level courses) and have demonstrated that mastery of the artistic medium is sufficient to justify independent study. For independent work each student must submit a written proposal for consideration and approval by the entire studio art faculty, and, most important, students must submit a portfolio of previous studio artwork for review by the studio faculty. Students must indicate their previous experience in the study of studio art, the precise nature of the project, and the work that will result from their semester's endeavor. All students enrolled in ART 0520 or ART 0720 must keep Wednesday evenings free for bimonthly critical sessions with the studio art faculty and peers. These sessions are required, and no exceptions or exemptions can be made.