Fine Arts Concentrations

Painting

As one of three areas of emphasis in Fine Arts, Painting students learn the basic principles, techniques, and concepts of painting and drawing while developing their talent. Students learn to translate their ideas, passions, and interests into compelling works of art.

Students are exposed to the ideas and methods that make up the long, rich history of painting. Classes include abstract and representational approaches to the medium and how to use them to make successful paintings. Students in the Painting concentration work on surfaces ranging from paper, canvas, panels, and walls, among many other possibilities. They experiment using a wide variety of materials (oil, acrylic, watercolor, spray paint, and others) as part of their journey to become professional artists with their own unique direction.

Austin - Painting
Painting students work in two studio environments: the Galef Center Painting Studio, which has 24/7 access, a storage facility, an outdoor work area, and an adjoining clean space where students present work for critique; and the Senior Studios, which offer each student a private space to work in for the entirety of their senior year.

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Photography

Alise Mongeon ('14) studies reflections.

Focusing on a medium with a wide presence in popular culture, students in the Photography area of emphasis in Fine Arts gain technical and conceptual skills to analyze and make photographic works of art. They learn analog and digital approaches to the medium, digital, and analog 35mm-, medium-, and large-format cameras, and scanners. Printing in traditional black-and-white and digital forms is explored as well as mural prints, light-boxes and alternative processes, and a full set of skills in studio lighting and Photoshop.

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Sculpture/ New Genres

Sculpture New Genres
As one of three areas of emphasis in Fine Arts, students working in Sculpture/New Genres learn to create three-dimensional and time-based works of art. This very broad area allows students to explore the traditional forms of sculpture as well as the contemporary genres of installation, performance, sound, video, film, and art and social practice. Skills as diverse as ceramics, woodworking, mold-making and casting, sewing, weaving, welding, dance, and a wide range of digital media production are covered as tools for creating exciting new forms of art making.

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