Course Description: Beginning with the frescoes of the late 1200’s from the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, this course covers the most important artists of the 1300’s, 1400’s, and early 1500’s. Students are guided through the major artistic developments of these centuries from the spatial discoveries of Giotto, to the mathematical discovery of perspective, and on to the rebirth of interest in the classical world. The course covers historical and political events and analyzes their influence on the artistic production. Many class sessions are held on-site in museums and churches to enhance the in-class slide lectures.

Course Description: The end of the 1950’s brought new directions in artistic practices and beliefs. With the advent of Happenings, Pop Art, Conceptual Art, Body Art, Earthworks, Installations and many other investigations, the role of the artist in society changed significantly. Starting with a review of the formative artistic ideas, which led up to these new directions, this course will take a close look at the art of today. This inquiry is of absolute importance for artists wishing to understand the challenges faced as the 21st century begins.  

Course Description: Since its beginnings in the mid-19th century, photography has dramatically changed our world and how we see that world. In this course, students will develop familiarity with the complex and contradictory genres of photographic images: between documentary and discourse; between mass culture and avant-garde. This course covers work from Europe and the United States from the mid-nineteenth century to present. Particular emphasis will be given to Italian photography.

Course Description: The art, history, and culture in Florence ,Rome and Venice between Late XV century and the beginning of the XVII century are explored in this course. This historical period marked a shift in political, religious and artistic life of Italy. During this time many of the values acquired in the previous periods were under debate. The works of writers and artists were deeply affected by the social and political climate. It is during this period in History that we begin to see the roots of modern individualism.

Course Description: This course is a basic survey of the history of architecture, from antiquity through the twentieth century, using the city of Florence and Italy as a case study of major movements and issues in architectural and urban design It will examine the city from its earliest foundations as a Roman military colony through its great Romanesque, Gothic, and Renaissance monuments that still define the city today. The course will conclude by looking at the interventions of Poggi and Michelucci in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. #TBA Michelangelo, Caravaggio & Bernini (3)

Course Description: This course is a systematic exploration of alternative photographic processes, including Cyanotype, Kallitype, Gum Bichromate, and a variety of photo processes that are typically classified as alternative or experimental. In addition to mastering the technical side of these mostly unconventional processes, students will work on projects that extend beyond traditional means of presenting their photo work. This could mean printing imagery on unconventional materials such as fabric, glass or wood, or presenting the photos in a more sculptural form. Students will learn to manipulate their images using graphic arts film; creation of cliché verre negatives; digital techniques; and photographic prints. The class will require students to make new imagery with conventional and less conventional cameras (pinhole cameras, for example), but will also encourage students to work with found and collected imagery which can be collaged together with other materials, photos, drawings, prints, etc. to create mixed media pieces.

Prerequisites: Black and White Photo II or equivalent.

Course Description: Using Adobe Photoshop, a scanner and digital cameras, beginning students learn to create images using the computer. Step by step tutorials guide students’ progress from simple color corrections and digital painting to complex collage projects that offer unlimited possibilities for the creative artist. Students may also be introduced to Adobe InDesign or Adobe Illustrator programs to compliment work done with Photoshop. Projects will be diverse, sometimes requiring students to shoot or collect photographic images while, at other times, they may use the program as a tool for painting and beginning from scratch. Some projects will be based on artistic and creative expression, while others will be based on the principles of graphic design.

Course Description: Since its beginnings in the mid-19th century, photography has dramatically changed our world and how we see that world. In this course, students will develop familiarity with the complex and contradictory genres of photographic images: between documentary and discourse; between mass culture and avant-garde. This course covers work from Europe and the United States from the mid-nineteenth century to present. Particular emphasis will be given to Italian photography.

Course Description: Students explore the expressive forms and history of printmaking while learning various printmaking techniques. Projects will start with simple one-color relief prints and graduate to multi-color relief, intaglio, monotype and photomechanical processes. The inter-relationships of these media to other art disciplines and ideas are stressed.

Pre-requisite: Drawing I

Course Description: Serigraphy or Silk Screen is a printmaking technique that can be applied to fine art prints, graphic design and photographic experimentation. The course covers various stencil making techniques; paper and cut stencils; and direct block out. The main emphasis is on photographic emulsion techniques using hand drawn acetates, photocopies, computer printouts and photographs with litho film or diffusion transfer film. Instruction in darkroom procedures, ink mixing, registration; and printing methods will be given.

Course Description: This intensive course will introduce students to the traditions and methods of the handmade book, as well as the expressive possibilities available with book making. The course will begin with simple foundational structures such as pamphlet-stitched and accordion style books and progress through more complex historical structures such as books sewn on supports, long-stitch and coptic bindings. Exploration with materials is encouraged and students can combine other media that they are familiar with (such as photography, printmaking, painting, etc.) in creating their book-works. In addition students will be introduced to traditional methods of typesetting. To help acquaint the student with the long and on-going tradition of book arts in Italy, selected fieldtrips will be organized to visit contemporary artists (bookbinders, papermakers) in their studios as well as visits to museums and institutions in the area which maintain collections relevant to the art of the book. Slide presentations, sample works and lectures, will give an overview of the history of the book and its development in Western art.

Course Description: This course is intended for intermediate and advanced book arts students. In addition to learning three to four new book structures students will be given more complex projects and variations of structures learned in past semesters. More emphasis will be given to craftsmanship and creativity in completed projects. In the second half of the course students will project a book or series of books that will be completed by the end of the semester. In addition to the final book project students must complete research in an area of book arts to integrate into their final project. This research may be on ancient manuscripts studying calligraphy, illuminated manuscripts, ancient binding structures, typographic research or other areas relating to book arts.

Course Description: In this introductory oil painting course, students will learn the basic techniques of pictorial representation: color mixing; color composition; the depiction of light and form through painterly means; alla prima painting; under-painting and glazing. Through studio assignments, students will explore a variety of approaches to oil painting and gain competence using these techniques and materials. Studio assignments will be augmented by discussions, critiques, illustrated lectures, museum visits and the analysis of historic and contemporary paintings.

Prerequisites: Drawing I and Color Strategies

Course Description: This intermediate painting course builds upon the formal skills learned in Beginning Painting and cultivates further conceptual understanding. Through a series of studio projects based upon a variety of historical approaches to painting, students will strengthen their mastery of materials and techniques while developing an increased understanding of the relationship between form, subject and content. Museum visits, illustrated lectures, critical readings and critiques will supplement studio projects.

Prerequisites: Drawing I, Beginning Painting

Course Description: Painting III is an advanced painting course that provides students with a loosely structured sequence of conceptual painting problems based upon modern and contemporary artistic practices. Through studio projects that engage broad topics in painting, students will begin to define their own personal interests and develop an informed individual aesthetic. This course leads students to develop a greater level of conceptual knowledge and technical skill, which prepares them for the self-generated problems of Advanced Studio and independent professional practice. Studio projects will be augmented by critical readings, illustrated lectures and visits to contemporary art exhibitions.

Prerequisites: Drawing II, Painting II

Course Description: Through observational drawing, using black and white media, students learn the skills needed to realistically render 3-dimensional objects on a 2-dimensional surface. Renaissance systems of perspective and chiaroscuro drawing are explored along with the formal aspects of drawing such as line, tone, shape, rhythm, composition, space and proportion.

Course Description: While the emphasis remains on accuracy, clarity, observation and realistic rendering, individual creative solutions are encouraged in this class. Throughout the semester, students will be challenged to find their own creative means to eloquently express their ideas in drawing. In this class, there is a choice of various drawing media and color.

Prerequisite: Drawing I

Course Description: Using live nude and costumed models, on-site visits to draw from sculptures, and street life in Florence, students will study the anatomical and structural dynamics of the human figure. This course will emphasize the role of the human figure in both traditional and contemporary art. Materials used include pencil, charcoal, conte and wash drawing.

Prerequisite: Drawing I

The Italian Fashion Industry - Credit hours: 3--Contact hours: 45

Course Description: Using the Italian fashion industry as a model, students are introduced to the different workings and interrelationships of various industries and services that compose the fashion business. From textiles design and accessories to haut-couture and prêt-a-porter, students will explore the many aspects of the Italian fashion industry. Visits to design studios, fashion exhibits and textile factories introduce students to the industry first hand. The course looks at how trends are evaluated, fabrics are selected and final products find their way from the drawing board to the runway and clothing racks.

Prerequisites: Introduction to Fashion Design

Fashion Illustration I - Credit hours: 3--Contact hours: 90

Course Description: A thorough foundation in fashion illustration is established in this course, which covers fashion figure, and garment interpretation. Students study and develop the basic structure unique to fashion figure and its characteristics, history, stylization, influence, and use in fashion illustration. Students will learn to interpret draping quality and surface texture of fabric. Individual interpretation and creative drawing skills are emphasized.

Clothing and Society - Credit hours: 3--Contact hours: 45

Course Description: The first part of this course focuses on the socio-cultural significance of dress. Course offers students a framework for interpreting the meaning and use of dress in their personal lives as well as in the lives of others. Upon completion, students should be able to analyze dress as a communication system. Special emphasis will be on the socio-cultural differences between Italian dress culture and that of the United States.

Garment Construction I - Credit hours: 3--Contact hours: 90

Course Description: This course is an introduction to basic sewing and construction skills. Fabric definition, construction, and function are studied. Students learn hand sewing and finishing, body measurements, pattern use, fabric layout and cutting, and machine operation. Students are required to create and complete garments.

Course Description: This course presents more complex and specialized manufacturing techniques in clothing construction. Applications of skills, organization, and evaluation of the manufacturing process, and acquired methodology are developed, discussed, and demonstrated. Emphasis is on the development of a quality product.

Prerequisites: Garment Construction I

Millinery: Hats and Beyond - Credit hours: 3--Contact hours: 90

Course Description: This course introduces students to the design and construction of hats. 3D design principles and hat-making techniques are studied and applied to wearable and non-wearable creations. Students learn basic skills of millinery construction through the methods of patterned and blocked forms.

Textile Design: Batik -Credit hours: 3--Contact hours: 90

Course Description: The word “batik” (pronounced “ba-teek”) is Indonesian word meaning “wax writing”. This process involves brushing or applying melted beeswax to fabric. The waxed fabric is then submerged in wet dyes. The waxed areas resist the dyes creating designs in the fabric. These fabrics are recognized for their crackle or veining that appears in the design. This course covers the dyeing techniques of wax resist, silk painting, and the tied and shaped resist processes of Shibori. Projects are designed to teach ways of controlling the image making process through solving color and design problems with the manipulation of the resists and dye bath sequences. The course also includes emphasis on dyes and fiber techniques for the finishing and embellishment of fabrics such as quilting and sewing.

Fabric Design: Silk Screen - Credit hours: 3--Contact hours: 90

Course Description: Silkscreen-textile printing and design is an introduction to the various techniques and processes of silkscreen printing as well as textile design course. Silkscreen techniques cover, paper, and lacquer cut stencils, direct block out; and an emphasis on photographic emulsion techniques using both hand drawn acetates and photographs with lithfilm or diffusion transfer film and photocopy collage. Instruction is given in procedures and equipment use; darkroom procedures, color theory and ink mixing, registration techniques for printing on fabrics. Assignments are oriented toward textile surface design problems; covering various systems for design repetition. Weekly homework assignments are given on different design themes, all put into repetition and, from these, the designs for actual printing will be selected. A notebook of design resource is kept.

Fabric Design: Weaving - Credit hours: 3--Contact hours: 90

Course Description: This course is an introduction of the traditional art of weaving fabrics. In this beginning weaving course students work on four harness weaving looms. The basic loom techniques include: weaving terminology; textile analysis and pattern drafting; preparation of wrap; dressing and operating the loom. Weaving techniques covered are: twills, basket, satin rep, double weave. Hand manipulated techniques studied are: tapestry, inlay, pick-up, brocade, rug knots, leno and lace, and belt weave. This course is intended for fashion design and textile design students.  

Beginning Jewelry - Credit hours:3--Contact hours: 90

Offered: Spring & Fall

Course Description: Through hands-on experience, students will be introduced to all of the basic elements of design and fabrication of contemporary and traditional jewelry. This course will give a solid foundation in workshop practices while placing emphasis on both the quality of design and craftsmanship.

Jewelry II - Credit hours: 3--Contact hours: 90

Course Description: This course is designed to give beginning jewelry students direct practical experience in the design and fabrication of contemporary and traditional jewelry. Students are introduced to workshop safety, use of tools and materials, and aims to provide a solid foundation in workshop practice. Emphasis is placed on both design and craftsmanship.