Sculpture
The Sculpture emphasis embraces a contemporary approach to the field offering you exposure to a broad range of media and directions. Our Sculpture facilities provide a wood shop, metal shop, foundry, laser cutter and 3D printing encouraging you to develop a strong skill set necessary for professional careers in the field. Sculpture graduates can be found in the fine arts, architecture and industrial design.
Degree Options
BFA IN STUDIO ART - SCULPTURE EMPHASIS
Students may pursue a B.F.A. in Studio Art in this emphasis. The B.F.A. in Studio Art is designed for students interested in a professional degree in art or design. This degree will prepare students for a career as a professional Artist. Aside from Sculpture, seven other Emphasis Areas are available to choose from in the B.F.A. degree.
Learning Environment
Student and faculty participate in classroom critique
It combines training in established methods with the exploration of nontraditional strategies by incorporating new materials and technologies, installation, as well as experiential contexts. The curriculum fosters intellectual inquiry, creative activity, and practical skills in making as well as thinking about art. In addition to wood working, metal fabricating, and foundry techniques, the curriculum also incorporates three-dimensional computer modeling technologies. Activities in and out of the studio help students develop individual approaches to the medium. In addition, they are encouraged to incorporate other studio processes such as metalsmithing, ceramics, or printmaking into their sculpture practice.
Faculty
Norwood Viviano
Associate Professor
Sculpture Area Coordinator
Students' Works
Course Catalog
ART 270 - Introduction to Sculpture
A hands-on studio course designed for art majors and nonart majors.
Introduction to basic sculpture techniques (mold making, metal
working, wood working, and sewing). Creative project topics include
lost wax bronze casting, found object assemblage, soft sculpture, and
fibers. Critical thinking skills and studio safety will also be
covered. Fulfills Foundation - Arts. Offered fall and winter semesters.
Credits: 3
ART 321 - Digital 3D
Introduces students to three dimensional computer technologies and
their application in studio art practice. Activities focus on using
good computer “craft,” employing appropriate compositional principles,
and choosing subjects and content that engage viewers and encourage
rich conceptual associations. Offered fall semester. Prerequisite:
Sophomore, junior, or senior standing.
Credits: 3
ART 371 - Intermediate Sculpture I: Fabrications
Emphasis placed on techniques and concepts related to fabrication.
Additive processes with wood and metal (wood joinery and construction,
metal welding and finishing, surface treatments) are learned in
conjunction with their application to projects exploring ideas related
to fabricating such as function, invention, movement, narrative, and
imagination. Offered winter semester. Prerequisite: ART 270.
Credits: 3
ART 372 - Intermediate Sculpture II: Replications
Emphasis is placed on techniques and concepts related to replication.
Molding and casting processes with clay, plaster, rubber, plastic, and
metal are learned in conjunction with their application to projects
exploring ideas related to multiples, hybrids and questions of
authenticity and originality. Offered fall semester. Prerequisite: ART 270.
Credits: 3
ART 401 - Senior Seminar
For studio artists and designers about to enter graduate school or
professional design studios. Includes a required three-day field trip
to Chicago, information concerning resume preparation, exhibitions,
interviewing, portfolios, design agencies, galleries, museums, and
analysis of the professional literature through written assignments.
Students will learn how the professional art world works. Offered fall
semester. Prerequisites: Art major and senior standing.
Credits: 3
ART 472 - Advanced Sculpture I
Builds on previous courses by emphasizing development of individual
areas of creative investigation that combine material and conceptual
concerns. Focus may be placed on a topic of sculptural relevance not
previously covered (installation, public art, new media, etc.).
Readings, presentations, and class trips relating to contemporary art
complement studio work. Offered fall and winter semesters.
Prerequisites: ART 371 and ART 372.
Credits: 3
ART 473 - Advanced Sculpture II
Continued focus on development of individual areas of creative
investigation that combine material and conceptual concerns. Students
work toward increasingly independent work and decision-making
processes. Expectations for material and idea development are very
high. Studio work is complemented with readings, presentations, and
class trips relating to contemporary art. May be repeated for credit.
Offered fall and winter semesters. Prerequisite: ART 472.
Credits: 3
ART 498 - Senior Project
This course is the final work toward the B.F.A. Senior Exhibition and
must be taken in the semester in which students hang their degree
shows. Students will work closely with their major professor in their
emphasis area, and may have an additional course assigned from their
Junior Review. Students must seek the advice of their major professor
for the selection of works for their exhibition. They may also seek
advice of any other faculty members with whom they have worked or from
whom they would like additional feedback. Offered fall and winter semesters.
Credits: 6
Facilities
In the sculpture program, students benefit from well-equipped studios that allow them to create woodworking, metal fabricating, and foundry projects. The three-dimensional computer modeling lab allows them to explore new materials and technologies as they progress through the program. Majors earning a BFA in this program have individual studio spaces in a common area shared with jewelry and metalsmithing students.
Visit Us
Prospective Students are invited to attend one of the High School Student Receptions, held throughout the academic year. Receptions follow the Laker Experience Days.
Request Information
For questions about the Sculpture area, please contact:
Norwood Viviano
Sculpture Coordinator
1822 Calder Arts Center
(616) 331-3383
vivianon@gvsu.edu
Other Areas
Art Education — Art History — Ceramics — Film & Video Production — Graphic Design — Illustration — Jewelry and Metalsmithing — Painting — Photography — Printmaking — Sculpture — Visual Studies