The following are overall descriptions of courses offered in Studio Art at U.Va.  For an up-to-date course schedule, please consult the University of Virginia’s Course Offering Directory available on-line or at the Registrar’s office.

Drawing
Painting
Sculpture
Printmaking
Photography
New Media
Film
Advanced Studio Coursework/Distinguished Major

Drawing Courses

ARTS 161 - (3) (S)
Introduction to Drawing I
Introduces the materials and techniques of drawing, provides training in the coordination of hand and eye, and encourages development of visual analysis. Emphasizes understanding form, space, light and composition.

ARTS 162 - (3) (S)
Introduction to Drawing II
Prerequisite: ARTS 161.
 Continuation of ARTS 161 with projects emphasizing on drawing skills and analytical thinking. The majority of assignments will be concept-based  to encourage students to develop individual visual language.

ARTS 263, 264 - (3) (S)
Life Drawing I, II
Prerequisite: ARTS 161, 162.
 Creations of drawings of a living model in various media. Topics include artistic anatomy, figure and portrait drawing.

Painting Courses

ARTS 271, 272 - (4) (Y)
Introduction to Painting I, II
Prerequisite: ARTS 161, 162.
 Introduction to basic oil painting techniques and materials emphasizing perception and color. Assignments are designed to assist the student  in understanding the creative process and interpreting the environment through a variety of subject matter expressed in painted images. Encourages individual stylistic development.

ARTS 371, 372 - (3) (S)
Intermediate Painting I, II
Prerequisite: ARTS 271, 272.
 Exploration of contemporary painting materials, techniques, and concepts, as well as a continuation of basic oil painting processes. Assignments  are designed to assist the student in developing their perceptions and imagination and translating them into painted images. Direction is given to the formation of personal original painting styles.

ARTS 471, 472 - (3) (S)
Advanced Painting I, II
Prerequisite: ARTS 371 or 372.
 The capstone of a three year study in painting. Continues the investigation of oil painting as an expressive medium and stresses the development  of students’ ability to conceive and execute a series of thematically  related paintings over the course of the semester. Painting professors and  course content  vary from semester to semester.

Sculpture Courses

ARTS 281, 282 - (4) (Y)
Introduction to Sculpture I, II
Prerequisite: ARTS 161, 162.
Investigates the sculptural materials, processes, and methods through projects dealing with modeling, carving, fabricating, and casting. Examines traditional and contemporary concerns of sculpture through projects, demonstrations and by analyzing contemporary sculptures as well as the sculptures from our vast history. 

ARTS 381, 382 - (3) (S)
Sculpture
Prerequisite: ARTS 281, 282.
 Continuation of ARTS 281, 282 with greater emphasis on the special problems of the sculptural discipline and more emphasis on self directed problems.   More complex and unusual sculpture materials, techniques, procedures, and approaches are explored including welding and sewing, performance and installation.  

ARTS 481, 482 - (3) (S)
Advanced Sculpture I, II
Prerequisite: ARTS 381 or 382.
 Continuation of the sculpture sequence with greater emphasis on developing a student’s unique and individual voice. Advanced projects in mold making, metal casting, and non-traditional sculpture materials are assigned. The creation of a one-person sculpture exhibition is required.  Problems dealing with personal approaches are balanced by community-centered works created by collaborative teams.  Course content varies from semester to semester and is geared toward student needs and desires.

Printmaking Courses

ARTS 267, 268 - (4) (Y)
Introduction to Printmaking I, II
Prerequisite: ARTS 161, 162.
 Introduction to basic black and white etching techniques, basic black and white plate lithography, and techniques of stone lithography. Printmaking  professors and course content vary from semester to semester.

ARTS 367, 368 - (3) (S)
Intermediate Printmaking I, II
Prerequisite: ARTS 267, 268.
 Includes relief printing, advanced lithography techniques, including color lithography, color etching, monotypes, and further  development  of black and white imagery. Printmaking professors and course content vary  from semester to semester.

ARTS 467, 468 - (3) (S)
Advanced Problems in Printmaking
Prerequisite: ARTS 367 or 368.
 Designed for students who have completed two or more semesters of study of a specific printmaking technique (woodcut, etching, or lithography)  and wish to continue their exploration of that technique.

Photography Courses

ARTS 251 (4) (Y)
Introduction to Photography I
Prerequisite: ARTH 257 or 268
Beginning photography focuses on gaining a working understanding of black and white photo processes and, most importantly, opening up a dialogue about photography. In addition to assignments designed to help students understand the visual language of photography, the course looks at examples from the historical and contemporary worlds of fine art.

ARTS 252 (4) (Y)
Prerequisite: ARTS 251
Introduction to Photography II
Continuing from the beginning class, this course expands the technical and aesthetic potential through the introduction of color photography, digital printing methods, and medium format cameras. Focused assignments explore specific genres and philosophies in fine art photography.

ARTS 351, 352 - (3) (S)
Intermediate Photography I, II
Prerequisite: ARTS 252.
These courses expand on the aesthetic possibilities available to students by introducing large format cameras and alternative techniques. Assignments are based on exploration of a given process. Non-silver and historical printing processes and artist books will be practiced as a class.

ARTS 453, 454 - (3) (S)
Advanced Photography I, II
Prerequisite: ARTS 351 or 352.
These courses assist students in preparing a structured body of photographic work, most often their required thesis exhibitions. Emphasizes new solutions to new problems. Additionally, students learn how to document their work and to present it professionally. Graduating fourth-year students are expected to complete a quality slide portfolio, resume, and artist statement in conjunction with the thesis.

New Media Courses

ARTS 222, 223
Intro to New Media
Prerequisite: Arts 161, 162
Project based introduction to tools and methods of digital media in the context of fine art.  The class encourages creative and sometimes unconventional approaches to the use of standard design and media production software, including Photoshop and Final Cut Pro.  Students should note that while they will build digital skills in the course, it is primarily an art class rather than a technical workshop.

ARTS 322, 323
Intermediate New Media
Prerequisite Arts 222, 223
Project based course delving deeper in to digital processes including experimental video, animation and sound, web based media and imaging for print.

ARTS 422, 423
Advanced New Media
Students will be encouraged to design and execute projects as individual development suggests.  Collaborative and long term projects may be explored as student interest dictates.

Film Courses

ARTS 291, 292 - (4) (Y)
Installation and Performance Art I, II
Prerequisite: For ARTS 291: ARTS 161,162 or permission of the instructor. For ARTS 292: ARTS 161,162,291 or permission of the instructor. This course introduces new art genres including installation, performance, and video documentation to the student's art practice. Includes contemporary Art History, theory, and the creation of art made with non-traditional materials, methods and formats.

ARTS 296, 297 - (4) (Y)
Introduction to Film I, II
Prerequisite: For ARTS 296: ARTS 161,162 or permission of the instructor. For ARTS 297: ARTS 161,162,296 or permission of the instructor. The course introduces experimental 16mm film production as a practice of visual art. These courses include technical, historical, and theoretical issues that apply to cinematography and its relationship to the traditional visual arts.

ARTS 397, 398 - (3) (Y)
Intermediate Film I, II
Prerequisite: ARTS 161, 162, 297, 298 or instructor permission. Course continues the practice of 16mm experimental film production with an increased emphasis on audio and digital video motion picture making.  Student will complete assignments based on genres of experimental film making such as expressionism, naturalism, and realism.

ARTS 497, 498 - (3) (Y)
Advanced Film I, II
Prerequisite: ARTS 161, 162, 297, 298, 397, 398 or instructor permission. Course continues the practice of 16mm film or digital video experimental production with an emphasis on a completed piece for public screenings or exhibitions.

Advanced Studio Coursework/Distinguished Major

ARTS 407 - (1-4) (Y)
Advanced Project in Art
Prerequisite: Instructor permission.  Investigation and development of a consistent idea or theme in painting, sculpture, or the graphic arts. May be taken more than once under  the same course number(s) by students who are sufficiently advanced in studio work. This course is not intended to be used for major credit.

ARTS 451, 452 - (3) (Y)
Distinguished Major Project
Prerequisite: Admission to the Distinguished Major Program. Intensive independent work using either sculpture, photography, printmaking, cinematography, or painting as the primary medium, culminating  in a coherent body of work under direction of a faculty member.

Banner artwork Eric Schmidt, "Retreat"
Photo above top: William Wylie, untitled
Video above bottom: Michael Thurston, unititled, single channel video, 2006