Programs
Ceramics
The BFA in Ceramics offers you opportunities to explore various ways of working with clay. Our program begins with ART 270: Ceramics I, which is a core course that concentrates on basic hand building and decorating techniques.
Subsequent Ceramics courses concentrate on:
- throwing techniques;
- glaze formulations;
- surface applications and decoration;
- problems relating to large scale work and;
- experimental techniques and/or research in glazing and firing.
After three courses in the sequence, you will enter the advanced section of the curriculum, where you are allowed to work more independently and one-on-one with the instructor. Specialized courses, for example in kiln design and construction, are also occasionally offered to advanced students.
Our Studio
Our Ceramics studio offers ample space and equipment for:
both wheel and hand throwing, including 10-12 electric potter’s wheels, three slab rollers, and two clay extruders;
rack storage for student work;
- facility for storing clay;
- equipment for mixing glazes;
- drying/kiln facility;
- electric and alpine gas kilns;
- outdoor firing facility with hand built kilns for primitive firings, a gas-fired salt kiln and a raku kiln and;
- adequate space for exerimental kiln building.
The Ceramics program at EKU emphasizes the importance of clay as a medium of artistic expression as well as craft. By studying its rich history, you are encouraged to become artists/crafts persons who experience a means to personal expression through your work. As a Ceramics student, you will be challenged by a range of past and present techniques and theories in order to define your own positions within the contemporary landscape of ideas and as a professional artist/craftsperson. The Ceramics program often arranges for visiting artists and adjunct faculty to participate in our program, sometimes for a few days, sometimes for as much as a full semester, in order to provide students with the opportunity to work with them on a firsthand basis. Practitioners and educators with national reputations who reflect a variety of ideologies and techniques are commonly guests.
By providing such a wide experience and strong foundation of study for our students we open opportunities for admission to graduate school, establishment of a private studio, work in a public art center, teaching, and a wide variety of other careers in their field.
Jewelry and Metals
The BFA in Jewelry and Metals provides you with an in-depth knowledge of history of metalsmithing as well as “hands on” use of the equipment and techniques used in the craft. You will begin your course of study with ART 240: Jewelry and Metalsmithing I where you are introduced to the use of metal as an expressive media and techniques and tools associated with the art form including piercing, sawing, embossing, soldering, simple stone setting, and casting.
As you continue through this BFA program, you gain knowledge and experience in:
- Wax carving and casting by both centrifugal and vacuum methods.
- Simple production methods, forging and forming.
- Fine jewelry fabrication techniques.
- Hollowware techniques and raising.
- Enameling, plating, mold making, stone setting.
- Various other historical and contemporary means of working with different media.
Many of our program graduates have gone on to own businesses which are located in the central Kentucky area and offer our students the opportunity to learn from their experience. This, coupled with the visiting artist program which brings artist-metalsmiths to campus for lectures and workshops, provides a rich learning environment for our students.
Our Studio
The Jewelry and Metals studio consists of a suite of five interconnecting rooms which allow the isolation of various procedures including, but not limited to:
- Large bench/design area which serves as a lectern as well as space for simple sawing, filing, sanding, etc.
- Soldering/casting area for work on large scale sculptural objects as well as jewelry.
- Space for heavy work such as forging, forming, raising, and milling.
- Buffing space for final finishing, wax carving, grinding, and drilling.
- Private work area for jewelry and metals BFA candidates with bench and storage.
- Access to wood-working shop and computer lab for the application of CAD.
Available Equipment:
- Gas burn-out and enameling kilns
- Kerr Handi-Melt furnace
- Large buffing machines and flexible shaft machines
- Draw bench, acid/pickle areas and soldering stations
- Rolling mills, large sheet-metal shear, Beverly shear
- Copper plating electroforming system ultrasonic cleaner
- Drill presses and 12-ton shop press
- Box/bending brake
- Vacuum investor/caster
- Anodizing system
- Ring sizer/stretcher
- Bead/sandblast cabinet
- Electronic scale
- Steam cleaner
- Wax injector
Photography
The B.F.A. in Photography will provide you with the ability to acquire knowledge about and experience in the technical and aesthetic matters specific to photography as well as develop your own personal photographic vision. This program begins with ART 280: Photography I where you will begin by learning basic photographic techniques using a manual camera and black and white film. This course introduces you to:
- The effects and uses of light, value, shape and form.
- Controlling motion and depth of field.
- Using a light meter to affect negative film density.
- Basic black and white film processing.
- Black and white printing techniques.
- Understand basic principles of photography and using these in alternative and experimental projects.
- Develop critical thinking abilities at each stage of making a photograph.
- Develop observational skills.
- Communicate design elements and principles through photography.
As you progress through the B.F.A. program in Photography, you will further develop skills in:
- Digital photography.
- Color photography.
- Experimental photographic techniques.
- Using computer software programs such as Adobe Photoshop to manipulate and enhance your photography.
- Digital photographic printing techniques.
- Using natural and artificial light in your photography.
- Communicating your personal style through the use of the photographic medium.
- Critiquing photographic works and helping other B.F.A. students create their portfolio.
- Developing your own portfolio and preparing for a gallery show.
Our Studio
The photography studio at EKU is comprised of a large lecture room/studio and darkroom. Students entering the B.F.A in Photography also have access to:
- Darkroom equipment including:
- Developing and enlarger stations for black and white photo processing.
- Print washers and dryers.
- Access to storage lockers for chemicals and equipment.
- Studio lighting systems.
- View cameras.
- Tripods
- Epson photo printers for digital imaging.
- Use of the departments computer laboratory for photo editing.
Studio Arts
Upon completion of the Bachelor of Science Degree (B.S) in Art/Design Studio, students will gain a broad knowledge of a variety of media and techniques, will be able to apply elements and principles of art and design, be more aware of the influence of perception and observation, and communicate ideas effectively and expressively. Students will apply critical and creative thinking through making, research, analysis, and writing to demonstrate an awareness of historical and contemporary concepts, theories, and styles across global cultures and time periods. Students pursuing the B.S. in Art/Design Studio will have the opportunity to explore multiple disciplines beyond the Department of Art and Design.
Graphic Design
The BFA in Graphic Design program provides rigorous study and training in the various aspects of graphic design in order to prepare you to enter into a professional employment field upon graduation. Our program begins with DES 250: Introduction to Graphic Design where you are introduced to the field of graphic design and its conceptual and technical makeup. It is within this course that your portfolio is reviewed to determine enrollment for upper level graphic design courses and subsequent acceptance into the BFA in Graphic Design program.
Subsequent courses build on the core classes and introduce:
- The use and history of typography (letterforms).
- Exploration of visual communication issues and application in graphic design and print production.
- Integration of various techniques and materials to promote an understanding of the importance of imagery in graphic design.
- Professional standards and practices in the field of graphic design.
- Artistic and technical issues of multimedia (Web and Animation).
- The development of analytical faculties used in problem-solving design.
- Historical awareness of design and direct the student towards challenging ideals of the role of the designer in society.
- Portfolio strategies in print and digital media.
Through the Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Graphic Design program, you develop your creative talents and technical skills to become a graphic designer in advertising agencies, design firms, in-house art departments of magazines and newspapers, book publishers, commercial printing firms, freelance and open opportunities for admission to graduate school and other creative venues.
Please refer to the University Catalog for more information on this program.
Our Studios
The graphic design studios are centrally located on the second and third floor of the Burrier building with a combined Mac Lab/traditional studio space equipped with:
- Up-to-date, state-of-the-art, high-powered Mac computer stations fully loaded with all current graphic and web design programs.
- Network access via Ethernet and Wireless.
- Flat bed Epson scanners.
- Pantone Reference Library.
- Black and White/Color lasers.
- Epson large format printers.
- Color projector with a Smart Board for viewing digital work and lecturing.
- Large tables for drafting and traditional studio work.
Students master creative problem solving, conceptual and aesthetic skills, and the use of computer technology as a design tool through instruction from highly experienced faculty and from hands-on experience in studios and laboratories.
Painting
The B.F.A. in painting provides you with an in-depth knowledge of painting using both traditional and contemporary techniques. You begin your course of study with ART 210: Painting I where you will be introduced to basic painting techniques and concepts, perceptual skills and the use of color. As you progress through your B.F.A. program, you will be required to take supporting courses in order to build on your personal style and artistic philosophies, as well as advanced painting courses which will expand your abilities in:
- Figure painting.
- The use of varying types of media.
- Appropriateness of media and technique and how it relates to imagery and content.
- Personal expression through imagery and technique.
- Professional development with the preparation of an exhibit of your work, writing of a thesis and portfolio development.
You will also subjected to individual and group critiques of your work as you progress through the program as a form of evaluation. This helps to prepare you for juried exhibits and a professional career in painting.
Our Studio
Our Studio facilities include:
- Dedicated studio spaces with both natural and artificial light sources.
- Easels and storage space for student work and materials;
- Equipment clean up areas.
- Space for work on large canvases and for setting up complex subjects or figure poses.
- Wood-working shop for frame building.
- Spray room.
Printmaking
The B.F.A. in Printmaking is designed to allow you to establish a focused and specialized education in the discipline of Printmaking as well as access, through unrestricted electives, to additional studio disciplines within the department of Art and Design. You will begin your B.F.A. program by taking required supporting courses in order to broaden your creative and technical skills. The first course in Printmaking is ART 230: Printmaking I where you learn the basic concepts and techniques of the printmaking craft. In subsequent courses you will develop a solid foundation for independent exploration and aesthetic development as it pertains to the discipline of printmaking. You will also be exposed to a variety of printmaking techniques such as:
- Intaglio and relief printmaking processes
- Lithography
- Collagraphy
- Monotyping
- Silk-screening
- Book arts
Our curriculum strongly encourages you to independently explore the studied mediums and techniques on assigned projects in personalized ways. You will become versed with the medium, techniques, and vocabulary associated with all these techniques and the professional standards of the printmaking discipline. We have further developed our curriculum to:
- Establish a learning environment that is challenging, supportive, nurturing, and comfortable.
- Provide a mentor relationship between faculty and students in order to establish a heightened level of trust and respect.
- Challenge students on multiple levels – technically, conceptually and aesthetically.
- Provide students with creative problem-solving skills through investigation of various techniques and processes.
- Foster a nurturing and supportive academic environment with special attention to unconditional mentoring, individual attention, and active participation.
- Help students to develop your own portfolio and prepare for a gallery show.
Our Studio
Our studio is located on the 4th floor of the Jane F. Campbell Building. It is physically outfitted to instruct non–toxic applications in the four primary fine art printmaking processes and is comprised of a large studio/lecture facility and rooms for spray-out and cleaning of silk-screens and etchings. Our program strives to provide you with the requisite equipment and materials you need in order to take more chances in your independent exploration of an idea or aesthetic and includes:
- Intaglio, combination, and lithographic presses of varying types and sizes.
- Hotplates for wing of plates.
- Large library of lithographic limestone’s ranging up to 30″ x 40″ in size.
- Wide variety of hand and handheld power tools, brayers and rollers of varying sizes.
- Plumed eye station and shower in spray-out and silk-screen/etching cleaning rooms.
Teacher Art Education
It is an exciting time to be an art teacher! In a nation that no longer produces ‘things’, we are realizing what we do best; embracing our ability to be creative and innovative producers of new ideas. The recognition of the importance of art in education is art classes that act as the schools Centers for Innovation. Our young artists design the future.
EKU programs in art education embrace the notion of the artist-teacher allowing future leaders to develop a strong sense of studio practice, while preparing to teach art in a K-12 public and private schools, museums and community settings. We strive to nurture effective artists and designers who become creative thinkers, and able advocates for the art and design education. Our mission is to prepare our future teachers to be life long creative learners, reflective practitioners, researchers in all creative branches of art, futurists, visionaries and agents of change.
In the BFA program students will foster a strong foundation in critical thinking, design exploration, innovative practice, and visual literacy.
The MA* (masters) program is geared towards working art teachers and students with varied art backgrounds who want to grow as a teacher-leaders.
*The Department’s graduate degree program administered by the College of Education leads to a Master of Arts in Education Degree.
The requirements for admission to the Teacher Education Program can be found on the College of Education website.
With nurturing support, resources, and exhibition opportunities from start to completion, our Art Education program will produce independent artists and confident art teachers, credentialed with art teaching certificates K-12. Art education equals jobs and our graduates successfully compete as public and private school teachers, find work as artists in community arts organizations, as art educators in museums, consultants in art, and leaders of art organizations.
Throughout the program students are involved in working with children and students of all ages in many clinical setting from schools to private art classes. The department maintains a close collaboration with local school districts and art organizations and involves each art education student in community arts projects, art sales and exhibits. Students work in exciting community based arts fairs, exhibits, , using art skills in hospital settings, with children and seniors, Participating in therapeutic situations and art enrichment programs. Each student works extensively in art studios, developing their potential in many areas of art and design, building impressive teaching portfolios for jobs and for Kentucky Teacher Certification that is accepted in most states.
Art education students attend state and national conventions, take field trips to major museums and participate in study abroad opportunities with their art education professor. Students are carefully mentored in a program of preparation for the art and art education examination, practicing for the PRAXIS, the National Teacher Examination. We have an exceptionally high rate of success in this project.
Degree Options
The School of Art and Design at Eastern Kentucky University offers a wide variety of degree options. For a detailed listing of the degree requirements needed to complete a degree, please refer to the University catalog.
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Art / Design Studio with concentration in:
-
Studio Arts
Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A) in Art / Design Studio with concentrations in:
-
Teacher Art Education
-
Graphic Design
-
Studio Arts ( Emphasis in Ceramics, Metals, Painting, Printmaking)
We also offer minors in:
-
Art History
-
Studio Art