to concepts and techniques in a variety of media, including Drawing, Painting, Sculpture, Printmak- ing, Photography, and Digital Art. Some students decide to double major in Studio Art and another discipline, like Biology, Psychology, History, Eng - lish, or Engineering. However, non-majors can also take art classes to expose themselves to a different mode of thinking (and making), and build those important skills mentioned above. As the name suggests, all studio classes are cen- tered around hands-on art making in the studio. Projects may begin with fundamental lessons about composition, form, value (light and shad- ow), and color, and become more open-ended as the course progresses to encourage expres- sion, storytelling, and, sometimes, a personal direction. Most studio courses involve projects outside of class time that allow students to syn- thesize concepts learned in class. This work will often be critiqued when students return to class, providing the opportunity to receive valuable feedback from their peers and professor. This im- portant part of studio art not only helps students strengthen their own ideas and techniques, but helps improve their critical thinking skills and ability to articulate their thoughts. Perhaps the most fundamental course in Studio Art education, whether you major in art or just take one course, is Drawing. In a college-level Drawing class, you will learn to expand your “seeing” and building skills of crea- tivity, communication, and critical thinking. You’ll begin drawing from observation to heighten the
Laini Nemett is a painter of rocks, ruins, and other natural and man-made con- structions, with studios in Brooklyn and Upstate New York. She has exhibited her work throughout the U.S., Europe, and China. Laini is a Professor of Drawing and Painting at Union College, as well as a hiker, climber, experimental baker, and amateur gardener. relationships you see between one form and another, as well as the details that make each one unique. Line, value, shape, texture, color, rhythm, edge, mark-making, and perspective are formal elements you will explore in draw- ing class to develop your expressive skills. With these tools, you will be able to create any scene, abstraction, or tell any story. Game De- signers, Animators, Illustrators, Brand Devel- opers, Advertisers, Film Directors, and so many
WHY TAKE A STUDIO ART COURSE IN COLLEGE?
by Laini Nemett
Did you know that amajor in Studio Art can prepare you for virtually any career after school? Many employers look for resourceful candidates who will take risks and think outside the box, develop and follow through with innovative solutions to complicated problems, excel in collaborative pro- jects, and understand how to communicate ideas in a variety of methods. While studies show that executives across fields cite a general lack of skill in communication, creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking in their employees, these are all qualities honed in a Studio Art education. Whatever your passion is -- music, dance, writing, the culinary arts, law, entrepreneurship -- an art ed- ucation will help you develop your creative choice making. This will, in turn, not only strengthen and broaden that passion, it will allow you to personalize the voice with which you express yourself through that discipline.
More directly, a Studio Art major will expose you
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Arts & Humanities
Don’t Leave College Without Them
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