The Art Department offers two independent, yet vastly integrated, programs of study: Studio Art and Art History. Both disciplines offer a disciplinary major, a B.A., and minor.
Studio Art majors take a rigorous set of foundations courses at the 100-level, and quickly move on to highly focused courses in painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, photography and digital imaging. These courses are designed to help each student to explore a broad range of concepts, methods and materials while developing individual ideas.
If you'd like to view a full listing of our course options in Studio Art or any other subject, please visit the Online Course Catalogue.
disciplinary, 12 courses
ART 105; ART 114 or ART 115; ART 125; either ART 225 or ART 227; two of the following courses representing two areas of concentration: ART 203, ART 204, ART 209, ART 215, ART 234, ART 239, ART 245, ART 246, or ART 248; two advanced workshops: ART 301, ART 305, ART 315, or ART 345; one additional studio art course; and three art history courses.
disciplinary, 6 courses
ART 105; ART 125; two 200- or 300-level studio art courses from one area of concentration (painting/drawing, sculpture, printmaking/drawing, or photography); one art history course; and one additional studio art or art history course.
Our students choose from a variety of introductory and advanced courses in studio art and art history, each designed to provide students with a foundation in visual culture as well as the creative means of discovery and self-expression.
Below, you'll find a sampling of some of our most popular classes, as well as suggestions for making Studio Art a part of your larger interdisciplinary experience at Hobart and William Smith Colleges.
Be introduced to three-dimensional design concepts, methods, and materials and complete assignments that involve investigations of organization, structure, and creative problem solving. Use your knowledge of design concepts and problem solving and enroll in ARCH 200, Design Studio I: Basic Architectural Principles, and explore the nature of design processes in architecture.
Go on excursions to urban and rural settings while exploring the fundamentals of painting with translucent color media by working with still life, figure and landscape subject matter. Discover the art of the Tibetan culture by enrolling in ASN 231 Tibetan Mandala Painting where you will learn traditional methods of painting and mandala construction.
Build on your knowledge of the use of visual elements, reconsider photography in the age of digital manipulation, and explore the combination of image and text all while learning basic techniques for bookmaking and web design. Expand upon your knowledge of imaging in ENG 176 Film Analysis I and learn about specific aspects of the filmic system like images and sounds and their dynamic relation to the film's narrative.
