Art (ART)
(413) 662-5255
www.mcla.edu/art
Chairperson: Jerome Socolof, Ph.D.
Email: Jerome.Socolof@mcla.edu
Art Major
The Department of Fine and Performing Arts offers a four-year program leading to a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art. The art major features hands-on courses in the creation and techniques of art, as well as courses in visual culture and media. Courses start with a foundations approach centered on drawing, painting, design, sculpture and art history. Building on these skills and concepts, students can choose electives in figure drawing, book arts, illustration, and many other art methods. Students will also develop their own artworks and a depth of knowledge about the history of art, according to their career goals and interests. Opportunities may include internships with area arts organizations such as the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (MASS MoCA), the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute, and MCLA’s Gallery 51.
Students graduating with a major in Art will be able to:
- Create original high-quality artworks;
- Understand all levels of art-making and visual creativity;
- Relate, analyze, and utilize the history of art and visual culture;
- Build public art presentations and market their own and others’ art.
Department Policy Regarding Double Majors/Concentrations/Minor Programs
Due to redundancies in program requirements, the Department of Fine & Performing Arts prohibits combination of the following programs:
- Art major and design minor or art minor
On This Page
Art Courses
ART 116 Drawing3 cr
Introduces art practices through the study and creation of drawings. Working from observation and imagination, a mix of methods of line, value, and form build skills of tone, visual proportion, sketching, concept and artistic meanings.
ART 118 Design3 cr
Introduces design practices through individual and collaborative design projects. Explores the elements and principles of design, project development, presentation skills and the role of the craft.
ART 125 Sculpture3 cr
Introduces a variety of sculpture methods including manipulation, addition and subtraction as well as principles of three-dimensional design.
ART 132 Painting3 cr
Introduces art practices through the study and creation of paintings. Working from observation and imagination, a mix of methods for color, color mixing, value, and form build skills of layering, visual proportion, sketching, concept, and artistic meanings.
ART 201 Studio, Art and Society3 cr
Through experiential activities that may include field trips to art and cultural institutions, explores image making and writing to express original ideas and develop critical thinking and observational skills when analyzing art and objects. Intended for non-art majors.
Attributes: Core Creative Arts (CCA)
ART 204 Digital Art3 cr
Introduces digital media practices, techniques and concepts with an emphasis on contemporary visual art.
ART 216 Intermediate Drawing3 cr
Develops intermediate drawing projects by working from observation and imagination. Techniques focus on line, modeling and form using intensive sketching processes.
Prerequisite: ART 116
ART 218 Intermediate Design3 cr
Students integrate and extend processes and media that were introduced in the first semester, with a focus on how compositional development, conceptual and material process and independent inquiry form the foundation of the design process.
Prerequisite: ART 118
ART 232 Intermediate Painting3 cr
Develops intermediate painting projects by working from observation and imagination. Techniques focus on painting materials, color and palette, composition and metaphor, representation and abstraction.
Prerequisite: ART 132
ART 235 Art (Topic)3 cr
Develop introductory art techniques and concepts, through visual art exercises and hands-on art projects. Class topics vary by semester. This course may be repeated if different topic.
Prerequisite: 100-level ART course
Repeatable: Unlimited Credits
ART 315 Art Project3 cr
Focuses on intermediate, experimental artmaking, including analysis and creation of individualized art projects designed and created by the student with frequent feedback from the instructor, peer groups, discussions, and/or critiques. This course may culminate in a student art exhibit and/or public presentation and may be repeated.
Prerequisite: ART major or ART minor, junior status
Repeatable: Unlimited Credits
ART 335 Art (Topic)3 cr
Develop intermediate art techniques and concepts, through visual art exercises and hands-on art projects. Class topics vary by semester. This course may be repeated if different topic.
Prerequisite: 100- or 200-level ART course
Repeatable: Unlimited Credits
ART 412 Advanced Art Project3 cr
Focuses on advanced, experimental artmaking, including analysis and creation of individualized art projects designed and created by the student with frequent feedback from the instructor, peer groups, discussions, and/or critiques. This course may culminate in a student art exhibit and/or public presentation and may be repeated.
Prerequisite: ART major or ART minor, junior status
Repeatable: Unlimited Credits
ART 435 Advanced Art (Topic)3 cr
Develop advanced art techniques and concepts, through visual art exercises and hands-on art projects. Class topics vary by semester. This course may be repeated if different topic.
Prerequisite: 300-level ART course
Repeatable: Unlimited Credits
ART 480 Senior Art Project3 cr
Develop a public exhibition of art created in the art studios. Under the supervision of FPA faculty, students will select work from their art portfolios, organize and present a professional display in an art gallery or other appropriate community venue.
Prerequisite: ART major, senior status
Repeatable: Unlimited Credits
ART 499 Teaching Assistantship1-3 cr
Study art teaching methods, deliver academic class presentations, assist with study sessions and tutorials, attend all classes, final paper and other duties negotiated with course instructor. Must have completed a minimum of four (4) courses in the major, have a 3.0 overall GPA or better, and a B+ or better in the course. This course can be taken for either Pass/Fail or traditional letter grading.
Prerequisite: Department approval
Repeatable: Maximum of 6 credits
ART 500 Independent Study1-3 cr
Open to juniors and seniors who wish to read in a specific area or pursue a project or topic in depth under the direction of a faculty member. Frequent conferences with the advisor are required.
Prerequisite: Junior status
Repeatable: Maximum of 12 credits
ART 540 Internship1-15 cr
Offers eligible students the opportunity for enhanced educational opportunities by providing actual field experience in public or private organizations that relate to their academic and professional interests. Enrollment requires individual application with faculty sponsorship and departmental approval.
Prerequisite: Junior status, department approval
Repeatable: Maximum of 15 credits
Art History Courses
ARTH 117 Prehistoric to Early Modern Art History3 cr
Introduces art and architecture from prehistory to the early modern period through a global perspective. Examines influential works and artists within their historical, social, and political contexts while tracing principal art movements.
Attributes: Core Creative Arts (CCA)
ARTH 217 Modern to Contemporary Art History3 cr
Introduces global modern and contemporary art. Presents influential artists in cultural, historical, and political contexts from the 19th century to the present. Topics may include the changing nature of the avant-garde, new forms and theories of artmaking, and the expanding conceptions of creative expression in relationship to contemporary issues.
Attributes: Core Creative Arts (CCA)
ARTH 311 Art History (Topic)3 cr
Provides a focused investigation of a particular art historical period(s) or theme(s). Introduces art historical research and bibliography. Topics vary by section. This course may be repeated with a different topic.
Repeatable: Unlimited Credits
ARTH 413 Advanced Art History (Topic)3 cr
Provides a critical and sustained investigation of an art historical topic. Topics vary by semester. Students in this advanced seminar read and discuss relevant texts and are exposed to varying art historical viewpoints and theories. Students conduct independent research, make oral presentations, and write research papers. May be repeated for credit with a different topic.
Prerequisite: ARTH 311
Repeatable: Unlimited Credits
ARTH 500 Independent Study in Art History1-3 cr
Develop an art historical research topic to study critically and in depth in conjunction with the faculty advisor.
Prerequisite: Instructor approval
Repeatable: Maximum of 12 credits