This course will introduce students to the fundamental sculptural processes of addition, subtraction and substitution. Emphasis will be on students executing, understanding and discussing quality craft, successful composition, productive conceptualization and creative problem solving. Students will explore various sculptural methods including steel fabrication, wood construction, plaster construction, assemblage and mold-making.
Students explore processes used to produce drawings on two-dimensional surfaces. A series of studio problems provides direct experience with the instruments and materials employed to produce drawings. Instruction and assigned work emphasizes skill-building in observational drawing and engagement with two-dimensional design principles and visual communication.
This course introduces students to art-making in a variety of forms including mixed media combinations of traditional and experimental art materials, installation, and time-based media such as performance and video. Through a series of studio assignments, students will learn to generate creative ideas, explore materials and techniques, and develop artworks that communicate their ideas. Emphasis will be placed on understanding practices in contemporary art.
This class introduces both digital and black and white photography practices with an emphasis on strong technique and creative communication. Students learn to shoot manual photography digitally and on film and darkroom printing of black and white photographs. Principles of composition and photographic fundamentals including the function of light, time and focus are introduced. Students will work in thematic series as well as on short visual explorations as they examine the photographic potential to communicate their perspectives on the world.
A series of studio problems using systems of design, composition and techniques that study past and modern problems in painting. Demonstrations are presented to show the integration of past drawing systems in the making of paintings. Open to beginning students.
A series of studio problems using systems of design, composition and techniques that study the diverse ways of producing prints. Demonstrations will be presented on the techniques necessary to produce prints in a variety of ways, which could include intaglio etching, relief prints, monoprints, collagraphs and/or digital prints.
A semester-long study of topics in Art. Topics and emphases will vary according to the instructor. This course may be repeated for credit with different topics. See the New and Topics Courses page on the Registrar's webpage for descriptions and applicability to graduation requirements.
This course introduces video as a medium for artistic expression, personal and social inquiry. Students gain an understanding of the video art-making process and develop proficiency with video equipment, using single-camera shooting and non-linear editing. Assigned work will guide students in exploration of video as an art-making tool. Theoretical texts and work by video artists will be viewed and discussed.
Students build upon introductory knowledge of art and design to create prints with technical and conceptual complexity. Instruction will include some or all of the following: printing in color, multi-layered prints, non-traditional printmaking techniques, book and/or printstallation.
This course introduces technical and conceptual uses of black and white photography. Students explore technique through shooting, developing and darkroom printing of 35mm film. Periodic student presentations and critiques of artwork address uses of photography as an art form to communicate ideas. Camera, lenses, and accessories provided.
Painting 2 builds on foundational knowledge of color, form, structure and technique in Painting 1 and helps students develop their technical skills to execute their ideas through painting. Exploration of contemporary concepts and questions in painting guides project prompts in this course.
Students will explore and analyze conceptual strategies in contemporary drawing in order to generate projects that use traditional and experimental approaches. Students will develop projects that are in dialogue with contemporary art practices using strategies such as research as a way to derive drawings, developing a visual vocabulary or system to shape a drawing project, and the intersection between drawing and other forms such as performance art, installation art, and more to create unconventional drawings.
This course engages photography through experimental techniques including hand-building pinhole and lensed cameras and working in historic and new media processes. It is designed for beginners but will also be enlightening for students familiar with photography. Students will gain a deep understanding of photographic principles as they learn techniques and create photographs in response to thematic prompts.
This course requires students to pick a specific sculptural material and to examine thoroughly its inherent meaning, physical properties, qualities and characteristics for three-dimensional expression. The structure of the course will allow the student to produce a unified body of work that reflects his/her specific interest. Emphasis will be on experimentation, the development of technical skill, and creative problem solving. The course will also involve a critical analysis on the use of materials by prominent contemporary sculptors.
A semester-long study of topics in Art. Topics and emphases will vary according to the instructor. This course may be repeated for credit with different topics. See the New and Topics Courses page on the Registrar's webpage for descriptions and applicability to graduation requirements.
This course introduces drawing as a means to explore and convey the nature of mark-making through traditional and experimental approaches that push the boundaries of what we define as drawing. Students will use strategies such as site-specificity, interdisciplinary work, and digital mixed media to engage with unconventional approaches to drawing.
Installation Art is an inherently interdisciplinary contemporary art practice in which artists construct artwork designed to transform the perception of space. This course will introduce analog (material exploration and transformation) and digital (video, sound, digitally rendered graphics) studio techniques, as well as provide a historical and contemporary context for Installation Art. Emphasis will be on site specificity, perception and the senses, and conceptually driven art-making practices.
A series of studio problems using systems of design, composition and techniques that study current problems in contemporary painting.
In this advanced sculpture course students will use sculptural skills and tools to engage dynamic current approaches to sculptural practice including use of found objects, materiality, site-specificity and installation. Students will pursue projects in response to shared thematic prompts.
This course allows students to conduct an in depth, focused exploration of topics, genres and modes of expression not covered by the regular sculpture curriculum, and could address such areas as: sculptural installation, site specific sculpture, the sculpture of the body/figure, multi-media sculpture, environmental sculpture, sculpture and the preformative aspect, and the found object in sculpture. The class will focus on one assigned topic, and the topic will vary from semester to semester. An experimental, innovative approach to the topic will be encouraged. May be repeated for credit if the topics varies.
This course allows students to conduct an in depth, focused exploration of topics, genres and modes of expression not covered by the regular sculpture curriculum, and could address such areas as: sculptural installation, site specific sculpture, the sculpture of the body/figure, multi-media sculpture, environmental sculpture, sculpture and the preformative aspect, and the found object in sculpture. The class will focus on one assigned topic, and the topic will vary from semester to semester. An experimental, innovative approach to the topic will be encouraged. May be repeated for credit if the topics varies.
This course allows students to conduct an in depth, focused exploration of topics, genres and modes of expression not covered by the regular sculpture curriculum, and could address such areas as: sculptural installation, site specific sculpture, the sculpture of the body/figure, multi-media sculpture, environmental sculpture, sculpture and the preformative aspect, and the found object in sculpture. The class will focus on one assigned topic, and the topic will vary from semester to semester. An experimental, innovative approach to the topic will be encouraged. May be repeated for credit if the topics varies.
Mixed-Media explores the possibilities derived from combining mediums such as drawing, painting, collage, assemblage, cut paper, digital art, photography, printmaking processes, and more to produce original artwork. This project-based course includes technical demonstrations to support the creation of a conceptually driven mixed-media artwork.
Art and Public Engagement will introduce students to art making processes and strategies that develop a dialogue with the greater public. This course will ask students to plan and execute public projects in a variety of media including: producing and disseminating printed materials; orchestrating public interventions; and live performance. Social Practice, activism, forms of resistance, community building, information gathering and sharing, and participatory art will be explored through lectures, demonstrations, fieldtrips, and assignments.
Performance Art will introduce students to approaches in art making that critically examine the history and contemporary practice of performance art. This course will ask students to develop, plan, and execute performative projects in a variety of media, including the creation of images (still and/or moving), printed materials, sculptural objects, and live performance. Social Practice, participatory art, duration, documentation, the role of the body, spatial awareness, and the social contract between audience and performer will be explored through lectures, readings, demonstrations, discussions, projects, and assignments.
Artwork/Teamwork is an advanced course where students collaborate to execute each other's large-scale installation, photographic, video, and performance projects. Utilizing both on-campus and off-campus sites, each student will serve as the 'artist in residence' for one week, while the rest of the class acts as their production crew. The course offers a unique opportunity to gain valuable skills in large-scale production, team leadership and collaboration.
This advanced photography course will strengthen students' skills in darkroom and digital practices and in photographic lighting. Medium and large format film photography will be introduced, and students will learn to intentionally tweak black and white photographic process. Students will also be introduced to working in tintype, a historic form. Students will be directed to engage critically with the tradition of photography, learning an expanded range of photographic forms and engaging with themes in photography including the body and power. Students will create complex artworks through a series of assigned thematic prompts. Cameras are provided.
In this advanced photography course, the material presence of photographs will be of central focus as students deepen skills in darkroom and digital photography. Medium and large format film photography will be introduced. Emphasis is placed on the photographic process as a medium for critically engaged art-making. Students will be directed to create complex artworks through a series of assigned thematic prompts. Cameras are provided.
For advanced art students. Individual study and work in areas of the Art major's special interest. Printmaking (360 & 361), Painting (362 & 363), Drawing (364 & 365), Sculpture (368 & 369), Photography (374 & 375), and Video (376 & 377).
For advanced art students. Individual study and work in areas of the Art major's special interest. Printmaking (360 & 361), Painting (362 & 363), Drawing (364 & 365), Sculpture (368 & 369), Photography (374 & 375), and Video (376 & 377).
For advanced art students. Individual study and work in areas of the Art major's special interest. Printmaking (360 & 361), Painting (362 & 363), Drawing (364 & 365), Sculpture (368 & 369), Photography (374 & 375), and Video (376 & 377).
For advanced art students. Individual study and work in areas of the Art major's special interest. Printmaking (360 & 361), Painting (362 & 363), Drawing (364 & 365), Sculpture (368 & 369), Photography (374 & 375), and Video (376 & 377).
For advanced art students. Individual study and work in areas of the Art major's special interest. Printmaking (360 & 361), Painting (362 & 363), Drawing (364 & 365), Sculpture (368 & 369), Photography (374 & 375), and Video (376 & 377).
For advanced art students. Individual study and work in areas of the Art major's special interest. Printmaking (360 & 361), Painting (362 & 363), Drawing (364 & 365), Sculpture (368 & 369), Photography (374 & 375), and Video (376 & 377).
For advanced art students. Individual study and work in areas of the Art major's special interest. Printmaking (360 & 361), Painting (362 & 363), Drawing (364 & 365), Sculpture (368 & 369), Photography (374 & 375), and Video (376 & 377).
For advanced art students. Individual study and work in areas of the Art major's special interest. Printmaking (360 & 361), Painting (362 & 363), Drawing (364 & 365), Sculpture (368 & 369), Photography (374 & 375), and Video (376 & 377).
Major Internship 1
A semester-long study of topics in Art. Topics and emphases will vary according to the instructor. This course may be repeated for credit with different topics. See the New and Topics Courses page on the Registrar's webpage for descriptions and applicability to graduation requirements.
A semester-long study of topics in Art. Topics and emphases will vary according to the instructor. This course may be repeated for credit with different topics. See the New and Topics Courses page on the Registrar's webpage for descriptions and applicability to graduation requirements and applicability to graduation requirements.
The Senior Studio is the culminating experience in the Art major program. The course is devoted to all aspects of conceptualizing and preparing a major work or series of works, the thesis project, that demonstrates technical mastery, conceptual engagement and thematic coherence. Students work on their projects independently throughout the fall and early spring semesters with supervision of a studio faculty advisor. Successful theses are exhibited in the Hallie Ford Museum of Art. Coursework emphasizes productive staging of a major project. Special guest lectures and topics are presented. This is offered as a year-long single-credit course, 0.5 in the fall and 0.5 in the spring. Students must register each semester.
Willamette University