Sculpture

[ 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 sculpture program emphasizes a historical understanding of the medium through many art history courses ranging from classical Greece to contemporary London. It is with this foundational knowledge that the student of sculpture can rigorously investigate the medium—discovering the additive and reductive qualities of form, developing personal sensibilities and techniques, and creating pieces that are historically responsive and intriguing.

As the sculpture program begins with the studio arts core—students' competency in drawing, figure drawing, and two- and three-dimensional techniques their first year build upon the sensibilities learned in art history courses. During second-year studies students continue to develop clear conceptual skills, aesthetic sensibilities, and personal expression through courses in aqueous media, painting, ceramics, sculpture, intaglio, and lithography.

After admittance into the program through a portfolio-based selection process, students are provided with individual studio space and access to well-equipped workshops and stock materials. The sculpture facilities are devised to support work in fabrication in all metals, casting in nonferrous metals, woodworking, clay, plaster mold making, bronze casting, stone carving, concrete, and resin casting. One-ton lifting capacities for large projects are also available as figurative sculpture is taught each semester and life-size figures for advanced students are encouraged.

As students progress in their studies, courses emphasize a greater understanding and ability of technical skills and deeper investigation of medium, as well as individual interpretations of concepts within the traditional roles and dialogs of historical sculpture. Students also begin to identify areas of personal interest and intensify their investigations aided by lectures, slides, gallery visits, and field trips to the major art centers on both the east and the west coasts—nurturing an understanding of the achievements of past and present artists. In conjunction with these opportunities, an active visiting artists program affords students a chance to meet with leading contemporary artists, which may provide opportunities for later apprenticeships and higher education.

As work becomes increasingly self-motivated, students are guided and challenged by committed faculty who encourage students in the direction of a culminating degree project. The exhibition of their final project is accompanied by an artist statement and defense, which expresses the student's ability, initiative, and personal voice.

Faculty

Brian Christensen 215 B-66 801.422.2621 brian_christensen@byu.edu

Bryon Draper AREA COORDINATOR 211 B-66 801.422.8356 bryon_draper@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