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Contact Information:

Administrative Assistant: 
Becky Baptist
Phone: (970) 943-3093
fax: (970) 943-2329
E-mail: bbaptist@western.edu

Department Chair:
Heather Orr
(970) 943-3031
horr@western.edu
 

Address:
Department of Art
Quigley Hall 101
Western State Colorado University
600 N. Adams St.
Gunnison, CO 81231

 

Three Dimensional

Ceramics

Today's ceramic artists draw from a wealth of technical and conceptual traditions, as well as from high-tech industrial applications. Such a multifaceted medium calls for similar versatility in the classroom, and that is what Western State Colorado University's ceramics department provides.

Course offerings center on technical and conceptual issues, incorporating both traditional and contemporary concerns. Discussions, critiques, and lectures emphasize content and the development of personal expression. The department's approach is one of breadth rather than of narrow specialization. Because ceramics deals with the illusionary space of painting and the real space of sculpture, this medium inspires infinite options. The possible transformations of clay are so many, in fact, that students must maintain flexibility and openness to new ideas. Often, a student's exploration of clay sculpture and studio pottery-making becomes a springboard for more personal and contemporary image-making. In beginning pottery courses, students develop skills in hand building, throwing, learn the complexities of glazing and firing, and develop a vocabulary in vessel aesthetics. In sculpture courses, students explore clay's potential in its many forms - fired, unfired, ready-made, plastic, or powder. Traditional boundaries expand and new issues arise as the student's perception changes.

The department offers several multilevel courses in pottery, sculpture, and theory. Beginning and advanced students meet together with the same instructor; beginning students meet as a group, while advanced students receive independent instruction. Complete clay facilities are available for students: several styles of wheels, bulk materials (clay, slip, and glazes); plus free firing and the assistance of a shop technician. The department also features extensive sculpture process equipment. Most styles of kilns are available, including salt and raku, and there are separate facilities for electric and reduction firing. Although equipment and help are readily available, ceramics students are responsible for helping to stack the kiln, and handling and storing their own pieces.

sculpture studentSculpture

Western State Colorado University has one of the best facilities for sculpture in western Colorado. Sculpture students work with a variety of materials and processes, carving or constructing objects in wood, clay, and metal in addition to the procedures used in casting bronze, iron, and aluminum. Other courses available within the department explore electronic and kinetic possibilities in contemporary sculpture, including mechanical motion, sound, and kinetic environments. While strongly supporting traditional media, the department maintains an experimental approach. "We push students to confront the problems in their concept and to solve them," Al Caniff explains. "If the student wants to make a piece that will take three years and cost $10,000, the student either has to find a new solution or confront his or her expectations." The sculpture instructor, representing varied points of view, is involved with his own work and personal research; as a teacher, he is thoroughly committed to developing and directing creative and ambitious students.

The department boasts excellent facilities. Students enjoy access to a metal shop containing facilities for welding with oxyacetylene, MIG, and TIG, and for fabricating, as well as access to a complete woodshop complex. In keeping with Western State Colorado University's cross-disciplinary approach, students are encouraged to explore other media, and they can expand their background in three-dimensional thinking by taking classes in other studio areas.

Exhibitions of student work in the student gallery, critiques, and the diverse aesthetic and conceptual concerns of both students and faculty members create a lively and stimulating work environment.


Jewelry

Today's Jewelry artists draw from a wealth of technical and conceptual traditions, as well as from high-tech industrial applications. Such a multifaceted medium calls for similar versatility in the classroom, and that is what WSCU's jewelry department provides. Course offerings center on technical and conceptual issues, incorporating both traditional and contemporary concerns. Discussions, critiques, and lectures emphasize content and the development of personal expression.

The department's approach is one of breadth rather than of narrow specialization. Because jewelry deals with the illusionary space of painting and the real space of sculpture, this medium inspires infinite options. The possible transformations of metal are so many, in fact, that students must maintain flexibility and openness to new ideas. Often, a student's exploration of metal sculpture and studio jewelry-making becomes a springboard for more personal and contemporary image-making. In beginning jewelry courses, students develop skills in fabricating, casting, learn the complexities of soldering, and develop a vocabulary in jewelry aesthetics. In advanced courses, students explore metal and stone potential in its many forms. Traditional boundaries expand and new issues arise as the student's perception changes.

The department offers several multilevel courses in jewelry, metal-smithing, and theory. Beginning and advanced students meet together with the same instructor; beginning students meet as a group, while advanced students receive independent instruction. Complete jewelry facilities are available for students with several torches, buffing wheels and the assistance of a shop technician. The department also features extensive sculpture process equipment. The potential of independent work and course work are available to the student who wishes to pursue signature work in jewelry.