Printmaking

[ BA DEGREE ]

Visual Arts majors who choose a BA degree track will develop a general competence in the understanding, appreciation, and practices of visual arts. Each track is designed to serve students who are interested in a degree in the visual arts, but are unable or choose not to pursue a BFA degree, and who plan to enter professions within this field or pursue other paths that require artistic skill and knowledge, clear thinking, intellectual maturity, and aesthetic awareness. It is also designed to develop skills and nurture habits of thought and appreciation that will provide a source of life-long personal satisfaction to the student.

[ BFA DEGREE ]

The printmaking program, as a constituent of the studio arts program, is seen more as a means of artistic expression rather than a technical process for mass-producing pictorial objects. As a medium known for its meticulous attention to detail and process, students are encouraged to first perfect the technical processes and then develop conceptual reinterpretations of the medium, as well as foster a more imaginative and innovative approach to formal techniques.

As introduction to basic image-making skills, students must complete the studio arts core, consisting of courses in drawing, figure drawing, and two- and three-dimensional design their first year, and courses in aqueous media, painting, ceramics, sculpture, intaglio, and lithography their second year. These foundational courses provide the printmaking student with conceptually clear methods for creating images the will later be transformed and reinterpreted through their specific medium of choice.

Students are required to submit a portfolio of work to the admissions committee for review and upon acceptance to the program, are then encouraged to experiment in the specialized area of choice. Additionally, courses in screenprinting and monoprinting are offered periodically as dictated by student needs.

The printmaking facility at BYU includes two well-equipped studios designed to accommodate specific coursework in the various processes. The workshops are equipped with state-of-the-art ventilation and safety equipment as well as a total of three presses in each workshop for student use. Additionally, adjacent work areas for grounding, acid-etching, graining, stone storage, curating, and guest lectures and demonstrations are also provided, forming a professional work environment for students. And for convenience, a stockroom located between the two workshops and maintained by student employees offers a large selection of printmaking and art supplies as well as special rag, mould-made, oriental, and other press papers.

Students receive one-on-one attention and participate in individual and group critiques—aiding their ability to discuss, refine, and establish their art and concepts. This mentoring is enhanced by access to the print collections at the BYU Museum of Art as well as other opportunities for students to interact with one another. Periodically, participation in the production of exchange portfolios offers wonderful opportunities for students to create and work as a group.

Faculty

Gary Barton AREA COORDINATOR B-481B HFAC 801.422.2368 garold_barton@byu.edu

[ PROGRAM MAP SHEET ]

BA in STUDIO ARTS Program Map (pdf) Get Adobe Reader here

BFA in STUDIO ARTS Program Map (pdf) Get Adobe Reader here