Overview

This course is designed for students with intermediate to advanced drawing skills who would like to explore image-making from contextual perspective. Students will have the opportunity to develop ideas based on their surroundings, explore their environment through imagery and create work that is self-expressive. This class will engage in the practice of visual research, where form, content and concept play important roles in the development of imagery. Short lectures and presentations will cover contemporary concepts in art and field trips will help students conduct research into their immediate environments. Students will be required to finish projects outside of regular class time in "open studio" sessions or once they return home because of the short duration of the Institute.

Details

The Visual Arts Portfolio Institutes include:

• intensive class sessions
• workshops and seminars focused on concepts of portfolio development
• daily presentations and portfolio reviews by college representatives
• open studio time for students to continue working on projects

Other subjects covered during the Institute include:

• how to research schools and programs to find the best match
• specific requirements for the application process
• how to present yourself and your work to a panel
• how to document your work

Facilities

In 2009, the visual arts programs will relocate to the new Dow Center for Visual Arts. This exceptional facility includes separate studios for ceramics, sculpture, painting, drawing, metals, digital arts, photography, printmaking and fibers. The light-filled complex also features a professional gallery space for exhibitions.

Prerequisite

Students must have prior experience in drawing, but no prior experience in printmaking is required. Students must bring documentation of finished works, which can be in the form of original work, photos or digital images of work. Care should be exercised in transporting original works. It is also recommended that students bring their sketchbooks.