The studio art program at Hamilton College is unique among liberal arts colleges of our size given the wide range of media and approaches to the study and practice of art that we pack into a small department. At Hamilton, you can study drawing, painting, printmaking, photography, sculpture, ceramics, video, and digital arts, or some combination of any of these.
Our six full-time faculty represent a diverse range of personal backgrounds, technical experitse, philosophical viewpoints, and conceptural processes. Studio courses are designed to challenge students to think about their creative process and to make connections with the wider world of ideas and experiences. Art students at Hamilton learn to regard art as, not only an expression of creative imagination, but also an expression of clearly formulated ideas.
Any student who chooses to concentrate in art embarks on a two-semseter senior project. With intense supervision from one or more faculty members, each student independently develops a body of creative work based on a central theme, idea, or process. This year's work clulminates in an exhibition in the college's Emerson Gallery as part of the annual spring senior projects art exhibition.
Hamilton's art program is one of the strongest in the College, and its reputation extends beyond the campus. The study and production of art at Hamilton provides the foundation for countless careers and professions. Our graduates have chosen to continue their studies with advanced degrees, and have become working artists, designers, filmmakers, educators, attorneys, and professionals of every type.
When you choose to come to Hamilton, your relationship with us does not end with graduation. Faculty and former students regularly continue relationships as mentors and life-long friends.
104F,S Introduction to Drawing.
Study of the basic elements of drawing, including line, texture, mass and composition. Students work from the model during class time, do outside assignments and participate in group criticism.
Maximum enrollment, 20.
Kuharic, Muirhead or Salzillo.
105F,S Design.
Introduction to the visual language in two and three dimensions. A series of projects exploring basic formal and expressive elements, color, composition, space and time relationships, and structural stress.
Maximum enrollment, 20.
Muirhead or Salzillo.
106F,S Introduction to Ceramics.
Introduction to three-dimensional design concepts related to ceramics. Emphasis on a series of projects, followed by group criticism and technical aspects of ceramics. Not open to seniors.
Maximum enrollment, 16.
Murtaugh.
109F,S Introduction to Sculpture.
Basic methods in dealing with problems of form, technique and concept. Explores sculptural possibilities of traditional and non-traditional materials and techniques. Group critiques. Not open to seniors.
Maximum enrollment, 10.
Murtaugh.
113F,S Introduction to Photography.
Fundamentals of 35mm photography, black-and-white film processing, print enlargement and development. Exploration of development and control of technical skills, and understanding of standards within the field of photography. Emphasis on use of camera as a tool for creative exploration. Must have own 35mm camera with manual settings. Not open to seniors.
Maximum enrollment, 16.
Almanas.
115S Introduction to Digital Photography.
Exploration and control of technical skills and understanding of the traditions of image making. Students will learn scanning, the fundamentals of Photoshop and calibrations of images for printing. Emphasis on expressive use of the medium and the development of a portfolio.
Maximum enrollment, 12.
Almanas.
160F Figure Drawing.
Application of basic drawing principles to the representation of the human figure, with emphasis on anatomy and proportion. Examination of related topics such as the figure in the environment and portraiture.
Maximum enrollment, 20.
Kuharic.
203F,S Introduction to Painting.
Introduction to the study of the methods and techniques of oil painting, with emphasis on still-life, figures and landscape. Not open to seniors.
Maximum enrollment, 16.
Kuharic, Muirhead or Salzillo.
213F Introduction to Video.
Exploration of traditional and non-traditional uses for video. Emphasis on developing ideas and conveying meaning through video work. Fundamentals of camera and editing for videography. Introduction to theory and history of experimental video. Not open to seniors.
Maximum enrollment, 12.
Gant.
[233]
Introduction to Printmaking.
Introduction to the basic principles and techniques of printmaking as traditionally employed in intaglio and stone lithography. Includes brief discussions of the history of printmaking, printing editions, matting, paper conservation and safety. Not open to seniors.
Maximum enrollment, 12.
235F Intaglio Printmaking.
Study in the process of intaglio printmaking, including etching, engraving, dry point, and hard and soft ground techniques. Students expected to participate in group criticism. May be repeated for credit at increasingly advanced levels. Prerequisite, 104.
Maximum enrollment, 12.
Muirhead.
302F,S Advanced Photography.
Advanced investigation and study of the creative tools of black-and-white and color photography. Continued exploration of personal vision with emphasis on social and cultural contexts for photography. May repeat for credit at increasingly advanced levels. Prerequisite, 113 or 115.
Maximum enrollment, 16.
Almanas.
304F,S Advanced Painting.
Further exploration of concepts and techniques presented in Introduction to Painting with emphasis on landscape and interiors as subject matter. Reinforcement of oil painting skills and introduction to egg tempera and acrylic. May be repeated for credit at increasingly advanced levels. Prerequisite, 203.
Maximum enrollment, 16.
Kuharic, Muirhead or Salzillo.
307S Advanced Three Dimensional Studies.
Advanced study of materials such as clay, wood, metal, plaster and plastic utilizing processes such as casting, fabrication, carving and construction. Prerequisite, 106 or 109. May be repeated for credit at increasingly advanced levels.
Maximum enrollment, 16.
Murtaugh.
313F,S Advanced Video.
Advanced investigation and study of video production. Special topics such as video history, activism, censorship, installation work.
Advanced exploration of personal vision with emphasis on social and cultural contexts for video. May repeat for credit at increasingly advanced levels. Prerequisite, 213.
Maximum enrollment, 8.
Gant.
[315]
Advanced Drawing/Painting.
Advanced problems in drawing and painting. Concepts and material studies related to trompe l'oeil, photographic, nonrepresentational, collage and serial formats. Emphasis on creative interpretation. Prerequisite, 203 or consent of instructor.
Maximum enrollment, 16.
350F Junior Seminar.
Addresses themes and topics in contemporary studio practice through a mix of production, classroom discussion, readings and written assignments. Required of junior concentrators. Prerequisite, one introductory studio course.
Maximum enrollment, 16.
The Department.
[377]
Electronic Arts Workshop.
Emphasis on collaborative work among computer musicians, digital photographers and videographers in the creation of visual/musical works. Other projects will include transmedia installations or performance art pieces. Prerequisite, Art 302 with consent of instructors, Art 313 or Music 277.
(Same as Music 377 and .)
Maximum enrollment, 14.
501F Senior Project I.
A required one semester course for senior concentrators. To be followed by 502 upon successful completion and approval of the senior project advisor.
The Department.
502S Senior Project II.
A required one-semester course for senior concentrators working toward honors and the senior exhibition. Prerequisite, 501F and permission of the senior project advisor. The Department.
