Art (ART)

The Western Colorado University Department of Art offers degree programs in multiple emphases that are grounded in the fundamentals of art and design. Western Art students are fully prepared to pursue advanced studies leading to a variety of careers.

This training begins with comprehensive Foundations classes in drawing, two-dimensional design and three-dimensional design. During this first year, students document their university artwork and produce professional portfolios to submit for formal admittance into the Art program.

In their sophomore year, formally-admitted Art students begin to specialize in their emphasis: Painting, Photography, Printmaking, Ceramics, Jewelry, Sculpture, Graphic Design, K-12 Art Education Licensure, Art History. Art majors and minors also take courses in other areas of interest. Degree-seeking Art students additionally have access to two computer labs with digital industry-standard facilities.

Students majoring in Art may select either a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Fine Arts degree.

The Bachelor of Arts degree is designed for the qualified student intending to graduate with a liberal arts background with an in-depth emphasis in Art. The Bachelor of Arts Degree consists of a Standard Major, or a Comprehensive Major which allows students to specialize in Studio Art (2-D: Painting, Photography, Printmaking; or 3-D: Ceramics, Jewelry, Sculpture), Graphic Design, K-12 Education licensure, and Art History.

The Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree is designed for the qualified student intending to become a professional artist or to pursue graduate study in Art, and is a Comprehensive Major specializing students in Painting, Photography, Printmaking, Ceramics, Jewelry, Sculpture, and Graphic Design.

In their senior year, Art majors exhibit their senior show in the Quigley Gallery, or present their senior art history thesis.  

Formal Admission to the Art Program

Students declare a major or minor in Art to enter into their first year in the program. Students apply for formal admission to the Art program when they have completed most of their Foundation requirements. All degree-seeking students who wish to major or minor in Art must be formally admitted to the Art program in order to take sophomore and upper level Art courses.  

To be formally admitted to the Art Program, a student must:

  1. submit an application for admission;
  2. have demonstrated a minimum competency by completing the following courses with a minimum grade of “C”:
    ART 000Exhibition and Convocation Attendance (Completed two semesters with a Satisfactory grade)0
    ART 119Foundation Drawing I3
    ART 171Foundation Design: Two-Dimensional3
    ART 172Foundation Design: Three-Dimensional3
    ART 173Foundation Design: Digital Art and Design3
    ART 219Foundation Drawing II3
  3. submit a portfolio of recent art work;
  4. submit a current transcript which shows an overall grade-point average of 2.000.

All  majors  must  have  an  overall  grade-point  average  of  2.500  or  above  in  order  to graduate.

Program Goals

  • To provide students with a fundamental understanding of the Formal Elements of Art and the Principles of Design and vocabulary and terminology therein. Along with those aforementioned formal elements, students should be able to physically demonstrate and reconcile an academic understanding of: color theory, rendering of human anatomy, an understanding and application of 3-D design principles, the visual implementation of linear perspective, along with the meaningful use of materials in the hope of demonstrating the ability to create artwork complete with meaningful subject and content alongside meaningful form.
  • To provide students with comprehensive studio Art training in the physical methodologies and practices intrinsic to specific artistic media both from a traditional and a contemporary standpoint.
  • To provide students with professional expectations and skill-sets congruent with contemporary practices in their chosen medium or artistic field and to engage professional outcomes and industry-standard practices and protocols therein.
  • To provide students with an understanding of Art as a discipline, a profession, and communicative tool in general.
  • To provide environments wherein student achievement centered around development, maturation, and progression is fostered and expected.
  • To foster citizenship and a level of professionalism in our students complete with a sense of responsibility to themselves and their community along with an adherence to deadlines Especially the name of professionalism, students should have the ability to present their respective work in a manner which is potentially commercially, academically, or intellectually viable and ultimately exhibition-ready. - Much of this revolves around attention to details, a standard of cleanliness, and a use of material in general.

Art Courses

ART 000.  Exhibition and Convocation Attendance.  (0 Credits)  

Monthly or bi-monthly department gatherings for presentations by exhibiting artists and scholars, or workshops, which enable students to develop their own work and their understanding of the discipline of art. Art majors are required to register for and attend Art 000 every semester of enrollment towards their Art degree; minimum 6 semesters of Satisfactory grade. Graded Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory only.

ART 105.  Introduction to Art (GT-AH1).  (3 Credits)  

An introduction to the visual arts, including consideration of the fundamentals of art making, artistic practice, design, art history, analysis, and interpretation. Students engage with art through a combination of lectures, demonstrations, gallery-based exercises, and/or hands-on studio projects. (Course does not count toward the Art major or minor.) GT-AH1

ART 119.  Foundation Drawing I.  (3 Credits)  

A foundation course in drawing with special attention to line, value, perspective, texture, and shape. Landscape, still life, and other forms are used as subject matter. The visual elements and principles of organization in relationship to perceiving both flat and illusionary space are explored. Black and white media are exclusively practiced.

ART 171.  Foundation Design: Two-Dimensional.  (3 Credits)  

An introduction to design organization with an emphasis on the exploration of line, value, texture, shape, and color.

ART 172.  Foundation Design: Three-Dimensional.  (3 Credits)  

A foundation course in design organization with emphasis on the exploration of mass, texture, process, and techniques in the three-dimensional area. Tools and materials are explored.

ART 173.  Foundation Design: Digital Art and Design.  (3 Credits)  

A foundation course introducing the digital medium as a tool in art making and gateway to the digital and virtual art world. Emphasis on the conceptualization and technical development of digital design. Development of the ability to differentiate between the areas of digital creation and practice, through familiarization with equipment, operating systems, and basic programs for word processing, image creation and manipulation, and graphic design. Consideration of the history of technology, theories that influence the development of the digital medium, and history of the art of digital design.

ART 197.  Special Topics.  (1-6 Credits)  
ART 203.  Introduction to Ceramics.  (3 Credits)  

An introduction to the basic techniques and processes of ceramics: pinch, coil, slab, and some wheelwork. Prerequisites: ART 171, ART 172, and ART 219; or instructor permission.

ART 219.  Foundation Drawing II.  (3 Credits)  

A foundation course in drawing, placing emphasis on composition. The study of the essential aspects of drawing (such as gesture, contour, proportions, anatomy, structure, textural surface, and articulation) and their synthesis into ,a coherent drawing attitude. Included in this course is the introduction of drawing the life form and color. Prerequisites: ART 119, or instructor permission.

ART 222.  Art History I.  (3 Credits)  

A survey of western and non-western art from approximately 30,000 years ago to the 14th century. Works of art and architecture are examined within the cultural and historic context for art-making through world human history. Prerequisite: ENG 102 with a minimum grade of C, and sophomore or higher status, or instructor permission.

ART 223.  Art History II (GT-AH1).  (3 Credits)  

A survey of western and non-western art from approximately the 14th century to the present. Works of art and architecture are examined within the cultural and historic context for art-making through world human history. Prerequisite: ENG 102 with a minimum grade of C, and sophomore or higher status, or instructor permission. GT-AH1

ART 230.  Introduction to Sculpture.  (3 Credits)  

An introduction to the various processes of sculpture: carving, modeling, and casting. Aesthetic qualities and craftsmanship of the sculptural forms are emphasized. Prerequisites: ART 171, ART 172, and ART 219; or instructor permission.

ART 235.  Introduction to Jewelry.  (3 Credits)  

An introduction to the creative use of silver and precious gemstones in the making of jewelry. Design and craftsmanship are emphasized. Prerequisites: ART 171, ART 172, and ART 219; or instructor permission .

ART 246.  Introduction to Photography.  (3 Credits)  

An introduction to contemporary photographic technique incorporating traditional black-and-white analogue photography alongside digital photographic practice and procedure. Lectures introduce topic areas that the student must exercise in lab sessions. Students must supply their own quality 35mm or 120mm camera. Prerequisites: ART 171, ART 172, and ART 219; or instructor permission.

ART 257.  Introduction to Printmaking.  (3 Credits)  

An introduction to the basic techniques of printmaking including lithography, woodcut, etching, and the collagraph. Emphasis is on the traditional approaches in printmaking. Prerequisites: ART 171, ART 172, and ART 219; or instructor permission.

ART 270.  Introduction to Graphic Design and Illustration.  (3 Credits)  

An introductory course utilizing the basic fundamentals of art in a broad base of commercial applications. Design in the areas of corporate identity, packaging, illustration, and typography are explored. Illustration, new techniques, materials, and tools used by the designer are emphasized. Prerequisites: ART 171, ART 173 or instructor permission or a declared minor in Web Design and Development.

ART 271.  Typography.  (3 Credits)  

A study of individual letter forms as design elements that relate to user interface, experience and visual communication. Students can apply skills learned in this class in other areas including interaction and web design. Prerequisites: ART 171, ART 173 or instructor permission, or a declared minor in Web Design and Development.

ART 280.  Introduction to Painting.  (3 Credits)  

An introduction to oil painting, using basic tools, materials, techniques, and the development of compositional methods. Prerequisites: ART 171, ART 172, and ART 219; or instructor permission.

ART 286.  Introduction to Watercolor.  (3 Credits)  

An introduction to both the traditional and contemporary methods of watercolor. The various watercolor media are explored. Prerequisites: ART 171, ART 172, and ART 219; or instructor permission.

ART 297.  Special Topics.  (1-6 Credits)  
ART 303.  Intermediate Ceramics.  (3 Credits)  

An exploration of the expressive possibilities of individual ceramic direction. Students collaborate with the instructor to plan a suitable and particular direction for study. Prerequisite: ART 203 or instructor permission.

ART 319.  Intermediate Drawing.  (3 Credits)  

A study of figure drawing with an emphasis on structure, figure compositions, and portrait studies from the model using various drawing media and techniques. Prerequisite: ART 219, or instructor permission.

ART 321.  American Art: Colonial to Modern.  (3 Credits)  

A survey of the arts of America from the 17th century to the present. Emphasis is placed on uniquely American innovations and expressions, regional distinctions in American art, with a strong component in art of the American West; significant individual artists and trends; and the arts of the many diverse peoples that comprise America. Prerequisite: junior standing or instructor permission.

ART 324.  Art Criticism and Critical Theory in Contemporary Art.  (3 Credits)  

A survey of contemporary art and art practices through the discipline of art criticism. This seminar course prepares students for senior-level courses and advanced studies in art and art history at the graduate level. A survey of modern and contemporary art since the mid twentieth century is followed by seminar presentations on selected readings. Prerequisites: ART 222 and ART 223 or instructor permission.

ART 325.  Women Artists.  (3 Credits)  

A survey of women artists and their work from the 16th century (Renaissance) tocontemporary times. The contributions of women artists and the changing roles ofwomen in the western tradition of the visual arts are examined within relevant historical, political, social, theoretical, and gender contexts. Prerequisite: junior standing or instructor permission.

ART 330.  Intermediate Sculpture.  (3 Credits)  

An exploration of the expressive possibilities of individual sculpture direction. Students collaborate with the instructor to plan a suitable and particular direction of study. Prerequisite: ART 230 or instructor permission.

ART 335.  Intermediate Jewelry.  (3 Credits)  

Designed for exploration of the expressive possibilities of individual jewelry direction. Students collaborate with the instructor to plan a suitable and particular direction for study. Prerequisite: ART 235 or instructor permission.

ART 346.  Intermediate Photography.  (3 Credits)  

An intermediate course that explores the expressive possibilities of individual photography direction with an emphasis placed on digital photographic practices and principles. Students collaborate with the instructor to plan a suitable and particular direction of study. Prerequisite: ART 246 or instructor permission.

ART 357.  Intermediate Printmaking.  (3 Credits)  

An exploration of the expressive possibilities of individual printmaking direction.Students collaborate with the instructor to plan a suitable and particular direction ofstudy. Prerequisite: ART 257 or instructor permission.

ART 370.  Intermediate Graphic Design.  (3 Credits)  

An exploration of digital technology as it relates to visual communications in print, and interactive based design. Students will develop an understanding of design terminology, language and process related to current user interaction applications. Prerequisites: ART 270 and CS 160; or instructor permission.

ART 375.  Intermediate Magazine Production.  (3 Credits)  

An integration of journalism and art course work into a study of magazine production. Faculty supervise students in design and production work leading to the publication of the Western Pathfinder Magazine, in both print and online versions. Prerequisite: ART 370 and instructor permission.

ART 380.  Intermediate Painting.  (3 Credits)  

An exploration of the expressive possibilities of individual painting direction.Students collaborate with the instructor to plan a suitable and particular direction ofstudy. Prerequisite: ART 280 or instructor permission.

ART 386.  Intermediate Watercolor.  (3 Credits)  

Designed for exploration of the expressive possibilities of individual watercolor direction. Students collaborate with the instructor to plan a suitable and particular direction for study. Prerequisite: ART 286 or instructor permission.

ART 390.  Workshop in Art.  (3 Credits)  

A review and critique of advanced problems in art: two-dimensional, three-dimensional, or design. May be repeated for a maximum of nine credits (three per semester). Prerequisites: junior or senior status and instructor permission. Students must have completed 300-level course in their chosen emphasis.

ART 392.  Directed Study.  (1-6 Credits)  
ART 397.  Special Topics.  (1-6 Credits)  
ART 398.  Field Study in Art.  (1 Credit)  

A 7-10 day course offered at differing national or international sites by Art faculty. Field study classes offer a variety of educational experiences, including workshops, museum/gallery/artist studio visits, study of art historically significant sites, in combination with course lectures and assignments. May be taken up to three times for credit as an Art elective by Art majors or minors. Prerequisite: students must have taken minimally one university-level Art course or instructor permission.

ART 400.  Artist's Portfolio/Senior Exhibition.  (3 Credits)  

A Capstone Course in which students develop a portfolio of recent work which enhances preparation for the Senior Exhibition, a career in art, gallery representation, or application to graduate school. Prerequisite: senior standing or instructor permission.

ART 403.  Advanced Ceramics I.  (3 Credits)  

An advanced exploration of the expressive possibilities of individual ceramic direction. Students collaborate with the instructor to plan a suitable and particular direction of study. Prerequisite: ART 303 or instructor permission.

ART 404.  Advanced Ceramics II.  (3 Credits)  

An advanced exploration of the expressive possibilities of individual ceramic direction. Students collaborate with the instructor to plan a suitable and particular direction of study. Prerequisite: ART 403 or instructor permission.

ART 405.  Advanced Ceramics III.  (3 Credits)  

An advanced exploration of the expressive possibilities of individual ceramic direction. Students collaborate with the instructor to plan a suitable and particular direction of study. Prerequisite: ART 403 or instructor permission.

ART 419.  Advanced Drawing.  (3 Credits)  

An advanced study in figure drawing with emphasis on the figure, expanding visual awareness by developing control of drawing as a tool for research and invention. Problems progress from simple structural analysis to more sophisticated exploration of subject matter, and finally to individual interpretation. Prerequisite: ART 319 and B.F.A. candidate, or instructor permission.

ART 421.  Art of Mesoamerica and the Andean of South America.  (3 Credits)  

A survey of the arts of the Pre-contact civilizations in Middle America and the Andes. The art and architecture of these ancestral peoples are examined within their cultural contexts. Prerequisite: junior standing or instructor permission.

ART 422.  Native American Art of North America.  (3 Credits)  

A survey of the arts of the indigenous (First Nations) civilizations of North America, from antiquity to the present era. The art and architecture of these peoples and artists are examined contextually. Prerequisite: minimum junior standing or instructor permission.

ART 424.  Modern Art History, Aesthetics, Theory, and Criticism.  (3 Credits)  

An exploration of trends and developments in the Western tradition of the visual arts from the mid-nineteenth century to the present, considering Modernism, Post-Modernism, and recent tendencies. The visual arts of these periods are viewed through the lens of theories and ideas that have powered change in Western art, including current revisionist and theoretical considerations in Art and Art History. Prerequisite: minimum junior standing or instructor permission.

ART 425.  History of Graphic Design.  (3 Credits)  

An exploration of the history and evolution of design from its origins to the present. Examines design in its fullest understanding, including architecture, furniture, applied arts, and graphic design. The discipline of graphic design is also analyzed and formally compared to the production trajectory within its historical, cultural and political framework. Junior or Senior status required; or instructor permission.

ART 430.  Advanced Sculpture I.  (3 Credits)  

An advanced exploration of the expressive possibilities of individual sculptural direction. Students collaborate with the instructor to plan a suitable and particular direction of study. Prerequisite: ART 330 or instructor permission.

ART 431.  Advanced Sculpture II.  (3 Credits)  

An advanced exploration of the expressive possibilities of individual sculptural direction. Students collaborate with the instructor to plan a suitable and particular direction of study. Prerequisite: ART 430 or instructor permission.

ART 432.  Advanced Sculpture III.  (3 Credits)  

An advanced exploration of the expressive possibilities of individual sculptural direction. Students collaborate with the instructor to plan a suitable and particular direction of study. Prerequisite: ART 431 or instructor permission.

ART 435.  Advanced Jewelry I.  (3 Credits)  

An advanced exploration of the expressive possibilities of individual jewelry direction. Students collaborate with the instructor to plan a suitable and particular direction for study. Prerequisite: ART 335 or instructor permission.

ART 436.  Advanced Jewelry II.  (3 Credits)  

An advanced exploration of the expressive possibilities of individual jewelry direction. Students collaborate with the instructor to plan a suitable and particular direction for study. Prerequisite: ART 435 or instructor permission.

ART 437.  Advanced Jewelry III.  (3 Credits)  

An advanced exploration of the expressive possibilities of individual jewelry direction. Students collaborate with the instructor to plan a suitable and particular direction for study. Prerequisite: ART 436 or instructor permission.

ART 446.  Advanced Photography I.  (3 Credits)  

An advanced exploration of the expressive possibilities of individual photography direction. Students collaborate with the instructor to plan a suitable and particular direction for study. Prerequisite: ART 346 or instructor permission.

ART 447.  Advanced Photography II.  (3 Credits)  

An advanced exploration of the expressive possibilities of individual photography direction. Students collaborate with the instructor to plan a suitable and particular direction for study. Prerequisite: ART 446 or instructor permission.

ART 448.  Advanced Photography III.  (3 Credits)  

An advanced exploration of the expressive possibilities of individual photography direction. Students collaborate with the instructor to plan a suitable and particular direction for study. Prerequisite: ART 447 or instructor permission.

ART 457.  Advanced Printmaking I.  (3 Credits)  

An advanced exploration of the expressive possibilities of individual printmaking direction. Students collaborate with the instructor to plan a suitable and particular direction for study. Prerequisite: ART 357 or instructor permission.

ART 458.  Advanced Printmaking II.  (3 Credits)  

An advanced exploration of the expressive possibilities of individual printmaking direction. Students collaborate with the instructor to plan a suitable and particular direction for study. Prerequisite: ART 457 or instructor permission.

ART 459.  Advanced Printmaking III.  (3 Credits)  

An advanced exploration of the expressive possibilities of individual printmaking direction. Students collaborate with the instructor to plan a suitable and particular direction for study. Prerequisite: ART 458 or instructor permission.

ART 470.  Advanced Design and Illustration I.  (3 Credits)  

An advanced exploration of the expressive possibilities of individual graphic design direction. Students collaborate with the instructor to plan a suitable and particular direction of study. Prerequisite: ART 370 or instructor permission.

ART 471.  Advanced Design and Illustration II.  (3 Credits)  

An advanced exploration of the expressive possibilities of individual graphic design direction. Students collaborate with the instructor to plan a suitable and particular direction of study. Prerequisite: ART 470 or instructor permission.

ART 472.  Advanced Design and Illustration III.  (3 Credits)  

An advanced exploration of the expressive possibilities of individual graphic design direction. Students collaborate with the instructor to plan a suitable and particular direction of study. Prerequisite: ART 471 or instructor permission.

ART 475.  Advanced Magazine Production I.  (3 Credits)  

An advanced integration of journalism and art course work into a study of magazine production. Faculty supervise students in design and production work leading to the publication of the Western Pathfinder Magazine, in both print and online versions. Prerequisite: ART 375 and instructor permission.

ART 476.  Advanced Magazine Production II.  (3 Credits)  

An advanced integration of journalism and art course work into a study of magazine production. Faculty supervise students in design and production work leading to the publication of the Western Pathfinder Magazine, in both print and online versions. Prerequisite: ART 475 and instructor permission.

ART 477.  Advanced Magazine Production III.  (3 Credits)  

An advanced integration of journalism and art course work into a study of magazine production.Faculty supervise students in design and production work leading to the publication of the Western Pathfinder Magazine, in both print and online versions. Prerequisite: ART 476 and instructor permission.

ART 480.  Advanced Painting I.  (3 Credits)  

An advanced exploration of the expressive possibilities of individual painting direction. Students collaborate with the instructor to plan a suitable and particular direction for study. Prerequisites: ART 380 or instructor permission.

ART 481.  Advanced Painting II.  (3 Credits)  

An advanced exploration of the expressive possibilities of individual painting direction. Students collaborate with the instructor to plan a suitable and particular direction for study. Prerequisite: ART 480 or instructor permission.

ART 482.  Advanced Painting III.  (3 Credits)  

An advanced exploration of the expressive possibilities of individual painting direction. Students collaborate with the instructor to plan a suitable and particular direction for study. Prerequisite: ART 481 or instructor permission.

ART 486.  Advanced Watercolor I.  (3 Credits)  

An advanced exploration of the expressive possibilities of individual watercolor direction. Students collaborate with the instructor to plan a suitable and particular direction for study. Prerequisites: ART 386 or instructor permission.

ART 487.  Advanced Watercolor II.  (3 Credits)  

An advanced exploration of the expressive possibilities of individual watercolor direction. Students collaborate with the instructor to plan a suitable and particular direction for study. Prerequisite: ART 486 or instructor permission.

ART 488.  Advanced Watercolor III.  (3 Credits)  

An advanced exploration of the expressive possibilities of individual watercolor direction. Students collaborate with the instructor to plan a suitable and particular direction for study. Prerequisite: ART 487 or instructor permission.

ART 490.  Workshop in Art.  (3 Credits)  

A review and critique of advanced problems in art: two-dimensional, three-dimensional, or design. May be repeated for a maximum of nine credits (three credits per semester). Prerequisites: senior standing and instructor permission. Students must have completed a 400-level course in chosen emphasis.

ART 491.  Seminar in Art.  (3 Credits)  

An investigation and evaluation of contemporary topics in art. Students are exposed to artistic expression through visiting artist programs, exhibitions, and workshops. Students develop individual research topics. Prerequisites: B.F.A. candidate and senior standing; or instructor permission.

ART 492.  Directed Study.  (1-6 Credits)  

Individualized instruction for advanced students who have taken all the courses in aparticular art area and wish to pursue the area further. Prerequisite: junior or senior status with at least 15 credits in Art; or instructor permission.

ART 497.  Special topics.  (1-6 Credits)  
ART 499.  Internship in Art.  (1-12 Credits)  

Supervised practical experiences in art for advanced students. With faculty approval, credit earned in this course may be applied to the Major or Minor in Art. Prerequisite: instructor permission.