Art Courses

 Professor talking to students next to a printing press

ART 116 – Introduction to Drawing

Introduces art practices through the study and creation of drawings. Drawing is fundamental to the visual arts. Working from observation, a mix of methods of line, value, and form build skills of tone, visual proportion, scale, sketching, composition, concept and artistic meanings. Prerequisite: None

ART 118 – Introduction to Design

Introduces design through individual and collaborative design projects.  Uses a variety of materials and processes, explores the elements and principles of design, project development, presentation skills and the role of craft.  Prerequisite: None

ART 125 – Introduction to Sculpture

Introduces a variety of sculptured methods including manipulation, addition and subtraction as well as principles of three-dimensional design. Prerequisite: None 

ART 201 – Studio: Art & Society

Focuses on potential impacts of visual arts in both societal and personalized contexts through the introduction and understanding of basic drawing techniques, first-hand art experiences, research and writing.  Students will be required to explore image-making, as well as writing, to express original ideas and to enhance critical thought, observation, and analysis of existing artwork, explaining and discussing the contexts in which an artwork was made is viewed.  Intended for non-art majors.  Course attributes: CCCA.  Prerequisite: None

ART 204 – Digital Media

Introduces students to digital media and techniques with a particular emphasis on contemporary practical applications.  Prerequisite: None

ART 212 - Introduction to Painting

This in-depth studio art laboratory uses painting from observation to investigate and refine the use of color. Projects and readings include painting media and their use, classic and contemporary palette organization, color mixing and color theory. Prerequisite: ART 116 

ART 216 –Intermediate Drawing

Develops intermediate drawing projects by working from observation and imagination. Techniques focus on line, modeling and form using intensive sketching processes. Prerequisite: ART 116 

ART 218 – Intermediate Design

Students integrate and extend processes and media that were introduced in the first semester, with a focus on how compositional development, conceptual and material process and independent inquiry form the foundation of the design process.   Prerequisite: ART 118 

ART 232 – Intermediate Painting

Continues the exploration of our visual world, with increased attention to painting materials, color and palette, composition and metaphor in painting. Prerequisite: ART 116, ART 212 

ART 235 –Introductory Studio (Technique)

Study and practice important facets of studio art techniques and creative methods in a creative arts laboratory environment. The course includes exercises and art projects to prepare students as they begin to develop a professional portfolio of original artworks. Course topics vary by semester and may include: sculpture, mixed media, collage, assemblage, cartooning, landscape painting and other topics. Repeatable if different topic. Prerequisite: ART 116 

ART 305 –The Human Figure

Draw and/or paint based on direct observation of the nude model. The human figure is a central force of symbolism in European and American fine art. As such students will interact with artistic anatomy traditions and innovations. Prerequisite: ART 116 

ART 306 –The Concrete Poem

Combine words and images in experimental, interdisciplinary formats such as hypertext, photo collage, mural-graffiti, sculptural installation and word-based painting or drawing. After preliminary studies and exercises, students develop their own visual concrete poems. Prerequisite: ART 116 

ART 315 –Intermediate Art Lab

Focus on the creation of a series of artworks around a common theme, technique or art medium. This is an intermediate studio art laboratory course. This course may be repeated. Prerequisite: ART 116, ART 212 

ART 335 –Intermediate Studio (Technique)

Employs mid-level studio art techniques to create original artworks. Method and techniques vary by semester and may include art forms such as cast painting, block printing, digital photography, book arts, sculpture or other specialty topics. Course may be repeated. Prerequisite: Any 100 or 200 level ART course 

ART 412 –Advanced Art Lab

Advanced, experimental studio art laboratory. Course work includes analysis and creation of symbolic/metaphoric systems, conceptual methods and decision-making in aesthetics as related to individualized art projects designed by the student with frequent feedback from the instructor, peer groups and/or guest artists. This course may be repeated. Prerequisite: ART 315 

ART 435 – Advanced Studio (Technique)

Employs advanced studio art techniques to create original artworks. Method and technique vary by semester and may include art forms such as portraiture, engraving, manipulated photography, book arts, sculpture, or other advanced specialty topics. Course may be repeated. Prerequisite: Any 200 or 300 level ART course 

ART 480 – Senior Art Project

Develop a public exhibition of art created in the art studios. Under the supervision of FPA faculty, students will select work from their art portfolios, organize and present a professional display in an art gallery or other appropriate community venue. Prerequisite: Senior Art Major 

ART 510 – Studio Art Teaching Assistantship

Learn the fundamentals of art lab management and studio art teaching. Course content covers federal and state regulations regarding art media and their use, various philosophies of art education, and practical applications in the college classroom. With faculty guidance, advanced students gain a preliminary teaching experience. Prerequisite: Instructor approval

Art History Courses (ARTH)

ARTH 117 - Introduction to Art History

Introduces art, architecture, and sculpture from prehistory to the present.  Focuses on the art of the West with additional discussion on non-Western cultures.  Examines major works and artists within their historical, social, and political contexts while tracing principle art movements.  Also explores materials and techniques of art making.  Course may include field trips to local museums.  Course attributes: CCCA.  Prerequisite: None

ARTH 217 - Contemporary Art

Introduces contemporary art.  Presents major artists in cultural, historical, and political contexts.  Topics may include the changing nature of the avant-grande, the roles of the critic and the economic market, new forms of art making, and the expanding conceptions of creative self-expression, particularly with regards to gender identity and race.  Course may include field trips to Mass MoCA and other local sites of contemporary art.  Course attrributes: CCA.  Prerequisite: None

ARTH 311 - Seminar in Art History

Provides a focused investigation of a particular art historical period(s) or theme(s).  Introduces art historical research and bibliography.  Topics vary by section.  May be repeated for credit with a different topic.  Prerequisite: ARTH 117 or ARTH 217

ARTH 413 - Seminar in Art History

Provides a critical and sustained investigation of a particular topic.  Topics vary by section and rotate among art historical fields.  Students in this advanced seminar read and discuss relevant texts and are exposed to varying art historical viewpoints and theories.  Students conduct independent research, make oral presentations, and write research papers.  May be repeated for credit with a different topic.  Prerequisite: ARTH 311

ARTH 500 - Independent Study in Art History

Develop an art historical research topic of study critically and in depth in conjunction with the faculty advisor.  Prerequisite: Instructor approval