Foundations

While not a major in itself, the Foundations curriculum is highly structured and intensive, introducing students to principles and theories in studio art and visual thinking. The courses present and explore many concepts and skills used by artists and designers. The foundations curriculum is fundamental in forming sound studio practice. Critical thinking is encouraged through the explanation of core visual expression, discussion, and writing. Students must complete these courses before moving on to upper level classes. Moreover, all foundation level courses are required for acceptance into the BFA program.

Drawing Fundamentals and Drawing Concepts

Foundations Drawing emphasizes art-making as an ongoing discipline rooted in rich history. We provide our students with a rigorous experience of disciplined observational drawing coupled with aesthetic, technical, and conceptual instruction. The program also challenges students to push beyond traditional drawing techniques.

Drawing Fundamentals (ART 1307)

Foundations Drawing emphasizes art-making ask an ongoing discipline rooted in rich history. We provide our students with a rigorous experience of the disciplined observational drawing coupled with aesthetic, technical, and conceptual instruction. The program also challenges students to push beyond traditional drawing techniques.

2D Design (ART 1305)

2D Design uses the process of investigation and analysis of the formal qualities, principles, and elements of art/design to develop depth and rigor of thinking skills. Additionally the course directs and supports students to develop a strong sensibility to clearly, cleverly, and beautifully merge concept with aesthetic. The course is designed to alter and enhance the ability to think as much as it is to exposes students to the terminology, principles, and elements of design.

3D Design (ART 1306)

This class is intended to develop critical thinking skills as they pertain to contemporary sculptural theory and practice. Specifically, three-dimensional design principles will be explored to expand knowledge of various materials and strategies at the service of each student’s creative expression.

Digital Media (ART 2304)

Art 2304 engages students with a variety of Digital Media techniques including both hardware and software exploration. Additionally this course encourages students to hybridize digital techniques with more traditional analogue techniques in order to discover unique niches within their discipline. Though there is a strong technical component to this course great emphasis is placed on concept development and aesthetic treatment of the intended message of all artwork and designs.

**Some concentrations have required courses that will be used for 2D and 3D Studio and Media Foundations**

Art Essentials (ART 1300)

This is a required course intended to establish a solid overview of the Art and Art History Department for all first semester UTA students who intend to declare a studio art or art history major.


Foundations Faculty

Matt Clark

Associate Professor of Practice

Coordinator Of Entrepreneurship

Angela Kallus

Distinguished Senior Lecturer

Christine Heimerman

Senior Lecturer

Fred Miller

Adjunct

Rachel Herod

Senior Lecturer

Foundations Coordinator

Courses

This is a required course intended to establish a solid overview of the Art and Art History Department for all first semester UTA students who intend to declare a studio art or art history major. Topics for the class can include: visiting artist speakers, attendance of exhibitions, writing assignments, surviving the advising process and concentration portfolio review, and library resources. Other topics may be discussed. This course may only be taken once for credit.

The principles and elements of two-dimensional design as expressed through concepts and problems with various media and techniques. Lab fee: $35

Three-dimensional design principles will be explored to expand knowledge of various materials and develop an awareness of spatial elements as a creative expression. Formerly listed as ART 1303. Credit will not be granted for both 1303 and 1306. Lab fee: $35
Basic drawing principles and elements in varied media including such concepts and skills as hand-eye coordination, perceptual acuity, spatial organization, and interpretation of directly observed subjects.
This course introduces students to a variety of digital software and hardware as applied to design and artistic concepts.
  • Art 2308 Drawing Concepts
  • Art 2371 Painting
  • Art 3343 Printmaking
  • Art 3340 Kiln Formed Glass
  • Art 3341 Sculpture
  • Art 2342 Glassblowing
  • Art 3363 Clay
  • Art 2354 Typography
  • Art 2358 Intro to Cinematic Arts
  • Art 2359 Intro to Photography/Art 2360 Intro to (Digital) Photographic Concepts
  • Art 3352 Digital Imaging
  • Art 1309 Art of the Western World I
  • Art 1310 Art of the Western World II
  • Art 1317 Art of the Nonwestern World

(only 2 of the 3 are required)

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