Teaching Philosophy

The underlying philosophy of the undergraduate program begins with the premise that art is central to a liberal arts course of study. In common with students in all the liberal arts, art majors must be exposed to sound arguments, have an opportunity to criticize, and have a chance to present ideas visually and verbally. The second assumption is that all students should have an opportunity to examine both their own work and theoretical arguments from a wide variety of methodologies and viewpoints. The third grounding principle of the curriculum is that students who major in art must be exposed to intellectual and historical models and build on their understanding of the past as they establish a direction in their work.

Studio Art Program

Studio Art Teaching Philosophy

As teachers, we are dedicated to creating visual literacy in our students. Our primary concern is to cultivate our students' working comprehension of visual principles and pictorial mechanics. The undergraduate curriculum emphasizes technical mastery as fundamental to artistic progress. It is often through techniques and materials that invention is prompted.

Painting and drawing

The painting and drawing area provides the core of the studio foundation program, offering courses in drawing, painting, two-dimensional design and color theory. The curriculum is grounded in developing basic hand and eye skills and introducing students to the visual analysis of form, space, light and color. Students are encouraged to employ these skills in seeking a personal artistic expression.

Sculpture

Sculpture introduces students to a wide range of technical procedures and provides the means for exploration in both experimental and traditional media. Spacious and well-equipped common work areas shared with the Graduate Students in the new Boor Sculpture Studio, dedicated in Fall, 2002 offer an inspirational environment for creative individual growth. The facilities, designed with extensive safety features, include an undergraduate studio, a complete foundry, a welding and metal fabrication shop, an outdoor work pad, a full wood shop, mold making room, and experimental presentation space.

Photography

Digital Media

The current convergence of photography and digital image-making presents exciting and complex challenges for artists today. The Digital Media program, in concert with Photography, is structured to empower artists of the future to address these challenges by providing a multi-disciplinary base, informed by a strong foundation in theory and criticism. Students work closely with faculty and peers to develop their unique direction and focus as working artists, utilizing state-of-the-art hardware and software to discover how emerging technologies might inform their work, and vice-versa. Are the critics who hold that "photography as we know it is dead" correct? If so, as we enter the post-photographic era, what do we gain? What do we relinquish? As students create art utilizing new technologies and simultaneously grapple with these issues, they develop the tools necessary to invent not only their own futures, but the future of digital media, as well.

Art History

The Art History Major is an interdisciplinary major within the departments of Art and Classics, and draws upon resources throughout the College of Arts and Sciences. It offers a wide range of general and specialized courses addressing art of different historical periods, cultures, themes and media. For example, majors may take such courses as The Pyramid Age, Women in Art, Chinese Painting and Art Since 1945. In all courses majors will develop skills for critically evaluating works of art within their historical and cultural contexts. A special seminar for seniors focuses upon the methods and approaches of Art History as a humanistic discipline.

Class sizes in upper-level Art History courses range from lecture courses of twenty to fifty students, to seminars of a dozen students. All of the upper-level Art History courses provide ample opportunity for one-on-one contact between student and professor. Writing Intensive Art History courses are offered every semester. Advising in the Art History major is individualized and includes career planning and preparation for applying to graduate schools.

Art History majors have the opportunity to gain valuable work experience by pursuing Internships for credit at several area museums, including the Albany Institute of History and Art and the Empire Plaza Collection, as well as at the conservation center of the New York State Bureau of Historic Sites. The Art History major prepares students for graduate programs in Art History leading to careers in teaching, museum work, art conservation, the art market and publishing in the arts.

Art History Faculty in Art Department:

Art History Faculty in Classical Archaeology:

Paul W. Wallace, Distinguished Service Professor—Greek, Cypriot, Egyptian Archaeology;
John C. Overbeck, Professor—Greek Art and Archaeology
Michael R. Werner, Associate Professor—Roman Art and Archaeology, Frontier Studies
Stuart Swiney, Visiting Assistant Professor—Cypriot Archaeology

Affiliated Art History Faculty:

Warren E. Roberts, Distinguished Teaching Professor, Department of History
Charles M. Hartman, Professor, Department of East Asian Studies
Louise Burkhart, Associate Professor, Department of Anthropology
Janet M. Sussman, Associate Professor, Department of Theater
Marilyn Masson, Assistant Professor, Department of Anthropology

Studio Art Advisement

To ensure that they are meeting the program requirements in a timely fashion, students meet with the Art Department Undergraduate Advisor, David Carbone, Fine Arts 325, 442-4024 on Monday 4:30-6:00 p.m. and Wednesday 8:30-9:00 a.m.

Art History Advisement

Art History majors meet initially with program director Sarah Cohen, Fine Arts 218, Wednesday 2:00-4:00 or by appointment. Course registration advisement is provided by all Art History faculty in the Art Department.

Gallery 313

Gallery 313 is an exhibition space in the Fine Arts Building which is devoted to exhibiting work by undergraduate art students.  The academic year culminates in a juried show.  Students participate in proposing, organizing and curating shows.   The Student Arts Council is active in this process.

Student Arts Council

The Arts Council is a potentially powerful and effective presence in the Art Department community. The Council is open to all students but is mostly comprised of undergraduate students. This organization sponsors many events: exhibitions, visiting artists' lectures and discussion groups. Interested students are always welcome. Your participation is needed! Stay tuned for upcoming meetings and events.