About Sculpture
Sculpture is a discipline that synthesizes diverse materials, processes and spaces. As befits an art form that embraces a myriad of elements—from sound and video installations to landscape and furniture design—our curriculum offers both focus and flexibility.
Learn more about Sculpture Courses.
Sculptors who have been through our program are working in private, commercial, industrial and public contexts. Our community-based internship program and cross-registration with regional colleges and universities ensures that Sculpture students have both deep and broad experience and are prepared to select from an expanding number of available career choices.
At the Institute, the beginning level courses establish a critical foundation of sculptural design and studio skills. We want each student to have a thorough introduction to all of the various processes and techniques important to the sculptor. These will include mold making, foundry casting, forging, wood and metal design and fabrication and more. Guided by faculty advisors, Sculpture majors are often able to work directly with other studio areas within crafts, design and media technologies.
All of our majors experiment with various modes of presentation including installation, performance and site-specific work. We’re delighted to encourage the use of new technologies in visualization, design and execution of sculptural work.
Courses Offered During Fall Semester
Major Day (SCU227M)Studio Workshop I: This course establishes sophomore majors to:
- Originate a related thematic body of work
- Outline and draft a studio management program
- Practice various research and independent critical analysis methods relevant to studio work
- Establish specific technical and material skills. Specific attention is given to the presentation and installation of the physical sculptural work and the translation through oral and written proposals and portfolio presentation.
Instructor: Amie McNeel
Intro to Sculpture (SCU229)
This elective course reinforces the principle tenets of 3Dimensional design within the context of sculpture. The objective of this class is to build links and to establish tangible relationships between language (the abstract), material (the physical) and experience (the perceived). Sculptural and formal design concepts will be proposed, discussed and investigated. Equal emphasis is given to the development of physical and material skills and exploring diverse concepts and ideas. Problems are individually and collaboratively explored. Students are exposed to basic sculptural techniques and processes and a variety of material uses and shop equipment within the Sculpture facility.
Courses Offered During Spring emester
Sculptural Approach: Ideas & Concepts/Material & Methods (SCU227.00)Description: Offered in two 8-week workshops: Ideas & Concepts focuses on establishing a three-dimensional program for studio practice in the Sculptural discipline. This course progresses from
- concept/idea,
- image/form,
- material/process,
- structure/context, and finally
- presentation/critique. Each topic is presented and discussed in sequence. Individual sculptural projects will track through each stage of development.
Materials & Methods focuses on the use of basic yet specialized materials and processes to the sculpture discipline. Experimentation with
- oil clay/plaster casting with model,
- mold making/multi-media casting,
- fabrication/connections with wood and steel,
- installation with found materials and objects. All individual investigations culminate into collaborative presentations.
Sculpture Elective I (SCU327.00-427.00-527.00)
This elective course reinforces the principle tenets of 3-dimensional design within the context of sculpture. The objective of this class is to build links and to establish tangible relationships between language (the abstract), material (the physical) and experience (the perceived). Sculptural and formal design concepts will be proposed, discussed and investigated. They include working with motion, light, presence and absence, accumulation, objects made and found and the human body as a vehicle. Equal emphasis is given to the development of physical and material skills and exploring diverse concepts and ideas. Problems are individually and collaboratively explored. Students are exposed to basic sculptural techniques and processes and a variety of material uses and shop equipment within the Sculpture facility. Open to all 3rd and 4th year students.
Installation: Methods & Elements/Site & Performance (SCU328.00-428.00-528.00)
Our primary concern is to establish the identity and presentation of sculptural elements in an installation context. Explorations are initially directed to interior architectural spaces, and engaging wall, floor, ceiling; light, color, movement; multiple objects and quantities of materials without that interior space. A series of projects respond to:
- Existing interior architectural elements (wall, floor, ceiling; corner, window, door, stair; hall, entrance);
- Analysis of natural sites (formal, historical, physical; functional, situational, and contextual);
- Establishing relationships between environments (urban, rural, constructed, synthetic; natural ecosystems; cultural, societal and individual engagement to a site). Investigations are designed to strengthen individual directives.
Documentation of all projects and processes will be required. Proposals for local installations, site, or environment works will be pursued. Students will create and submit proposals for one or more of the following: internships, assistantships, residencies, competitions, or exhibitions. This will be supplemented by outside engagements with professionals invested in the local and regional arts community.
Open to all 3rd and 4th year students.
Sculpture/VAT: Movement, Kinetics, Interaction/ Sculpture Workshop (VAT32X.00-42X.00-52X.00)
This course will provide a sculptural overview of the non-static, exposing students to the methods, mechanics and artworks employing movement, kinetics, interaction and transformation. Lectures and readings will provide a contemporary art historical context for each investigation. These sections offer technical and material experimentation specific to each challenge. The course will offer a sequence of investigations including design/build of adjustable, moving connections, pieces activated by human engagement, natural forces and by motors, and robotics. This course is designed to collaborate with IME, Robotics class. Shared course offerings and resources include joint lectures, demonstrations, facilities and critiques. We will encourage individual, collaborative and all-class exchanges. Open to all 3rd and 4th year students.
Moskovitz, Mark - Visiting Instructor
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Powers, John - Associate Professor/ Visual Arts and Technologies (VATE) Sculpture
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Price II, Jonathan - Technical Assistant
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Tucker, Charles - Department Head - Sculpture
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Zummer, Thomas - Artist in Residence
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Bernice and David E. Davis '48 Scholarship in Sculpture
Awarded for outstanding achievement to a current 3rd year student majoring in Sculpture.
Total Amount of Award in 2009: $890, shared by 1 winner(s)
Award is based on Merit. Merit is criteria in all awards. Need-based awards are based on FAFSA form and the federal methodology.
Laura Shapero Prize in Sculpture
Awarded for outstanding achievement to a current 2nd or 3rd year student majoring in Sculpture.
Total Amount of Award in 2009: $140, shared by 1 winner(s) - Cash Prize
Award is based on Merit. Merit is criteria in all awards. Need-based awards are based on FAFSA form and the federal methodology.
Sallie Fishman Memorial Scholarship for Excellence in Sculpture
Awarded for outstanding achievement to a student majoring in sculpture
Total Amount of Award in 2008: $500, shared by 1 winner(s)
Award is based on Merit. Merit is criteria in all awards. Need-based awards are based on FAFSA form and the federal methodology.
William M. McVey '28 Scholarship for Excellence in Sculpture
Awarded for outstanding achievement to a current 2nd or 3rd year student majoring in Sculpture.
Total Amount of Award in 2009: $490, shared by 1 winner(s)
Award is based on Need. Merit is criteria in all awards. Need-based awards are based on FAFSA form and the federal methodology.
Download Institute Wide (Open) Awards
Download Award Recipient Information Sheet