Art
Ken Scaglia, Chair
scagliak@wcsu.edu
VPA 150D, Westside campus
(203) 837-3975
(203) 837-8031 (fax)
Victoria Hunter, Department Secretary
hunterv@wcsu.edu
VPA 143, Westside campus
(203) 837-8404
(203) 837-8912 (fax)
Lori Robeau, Visual Art Assistant
robeaul@wcsu.edu
VPA 143E, Westside campus
(203) 837-8403
(203) 837-8031 (fax)
Faculty
K. Scaglia, Chair, Foundation
D. Cardonsky, MFA Coordinator, MFA
S. Marques, Studio Art, MFA
D. Skora, Graphic Design
J. Tom, Illustration, MFA
C. Vanaria, Photography
T. Wells, Graphic Design
Adjunct Faculty
R. Ames, Foundations, Digital Photography
D. Boyajian, Foundations
R. Brewster, MFA
P. Carabell, Art History
L. Cober-Gentry, Illustration, MFA
B. Dunbar, Photography
D. Flook, Foundations
S. Kolbig, Foundations
J. Lanzrein, Ceramics
T. Laslo, Graphic Design, Digital Technology
C. McGuire, Painting/Foundations
J. Mueller, Art History
R. Nadeau, MFA
F. Patnaude, Foundations
A. Scoon, MFA
E. Shapiro, Photography
J. Sullivan, Gallery Studies
Overview
The Art major at WCSU provides challenging visual arts training within the context of a liberal arts education. This approach infuses in our students a broad, diverse range of knowledge and experience along with the ability to think critically and analytically. Our highly accomplished and diverse faculty create engaging and challenging learning environments for our students.
Department of Art faculty are professional art practitioners and nationally exhibiting artists. Their unique backgrounds and experiences create engaging and challenging learning environments for our students.
Our curriculum incorporates comprehensive instruction integrated with the development, encouragement and increased awareness of the creative process. This ensures that our Visual Art majors become proficient creative problem solvers capable of freely expressing themselves.
The Gallery at The School of Visual & Performing Arts serves as a venue for a broad range of professional and student exhibitions, while the Visiting Artist Lecture Series features an impressive array of practitioners. Bus trips provide our students the opportunity to visit galleries and museums each semester in the surrounding area, including Manhattan.
Mission
Western Connecticut State University’s visual arts curriculum incorporates a structure consistent with C.A.A. guidelines, based on classic design principles inspired by the Bauhaus and the exploration of traditional and emerging media. The areas of concentration are Graphic Design, Illustration, Photography and Studio Arts: Painting. All areas of emphasis share a common two-year foundation program leading into the technical specializations of the final two years. This foundation program is of critical significance as it instills in each student a comprehensive background in aesthetic form, structure and dynamics. Additionally, our students have the opportunity to participate in professional internships and the annual Senior Portfolio Exhibition.
The liberal arts component is vital; it promotes and develops a set of skills that are of fundamental importance to any citizen and critical for the successful artist or designer. These include the ability to think critically, the development and refinement of verbal and written skills, and the acquisition of a diverse and extensive visual vocabulary and knowledge base.
This combination of professional artistic training and acquired liberal arts skills enables visual artists to successfully develop, create and articulate their creative visual dialogues.
Learning Outcomes
All students pursuing the Bachelor of Arts in Art degree at WCSU will demonstrate the following upon graduation:
In General Education:
- The ability to think, speak, and write clearly and effectively, and to communicate with precision, cogency, and rhetorical force.
- An informed acquaintance with the mathematical and experimental methods of the physical and biological sciences, and with the main forms of analysis the historical and quantitative techniques needed for investigating the workings and developments of modern society.
- An ability to address culture and history from a variety of perspectives.
- Understanding of, and experience in thinking about, moral and ethical problems.
- The ability to respect, understand, and evaluate work in a variety of disciplines.
- The capacity to explain and defend views effectively and rationally.
- Understanding of and experience in one or more art forms other than the visual arts and design.
General Education for new students starting Fall 2016
All degrees require the completion of the university’s general education curriculum. For a complete description follow this link here.
Studies in the Visual Arts
- Understanding of basic principles of design and color, concepts, media and formats, and the ability to apply them a specific aesthetic intent. This includes functional knowledge of the traditions, conventions, and evolutions of the discipline as related to issues of representation, illusion, and meaning.
- Demonstrate critical analysis applied to their own work and the work of others.
- Capacity to be conversant with the historical record of art history and the works and philosophies of major artists/designers, and the ability to summarize contemporary thinking on art and design
- Progress toward developing a consistent, personal direction and style
Graduating majors participate in the annual Portfolio Exhibition, which serves as the capstone event, showcasing their acquired skill sets.
Core Portfolio Assessment Process
The Portfolio Assessment Process is implemented at the start of each spring semester to assure that art majors have attained an appropriate level of proficiency for their area of concentration and to ensure that the level of standards established by the Department of Art is maintained. The assessment process is faculty-monitored for all 2nd-semester sophomores prior to the fall course registration period. Faculty may confer regarding the student’s ability to proceed to the junior level courses for each concentration. An assessment matrix is used to monitor students’ progress in these categories: quality of concept, compositional skills, problem-solving ability, quality of craft, and quality of presentation. An individual assessment option by faculty will be implemented if warranted by the failure of the student to meet the criteria of the matrix. Students identified by faculty who fail to meet the assessment criteria must meet with the coordinator of their chosen area of concentration to develop a remedial solution.
Transfer Course Credits
All students wishing to transfer into the Art program at Western must meet the criteria listed for the program, including those currently attending institutions holding articulation agreements with Western.
Transfer Review Process and Transfer Articulation Policy (TAP)
Western Connecticut State University, as part of the Connecticut State Colleges & Universities (CSCU), accepts credits for non-art courses as per the Transfer Articulation Policy for students with an earned Associates Degree. Information regarding this specific classification of transfer credits can be found at the CSCU website.
Advanced Placement (AP) Credit
AP credits for Art courses are accepted by the Department of Art.
Awarding of Credit
Credit Hour: A semester hour of credit is an amount of work represented in intended learning outcomes and verified by evidence of student achievement that is an institutionally established equivalency that reasonably approximates not less than:
- One hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of two hours of out-of-class student work each week for approximately 15 weeks;
- or the equivalent amount of work over a different amount of time;
- or at least an equivalent amount of work as required in paragraph 1 of this definition for other academic activities as established by the institution including laboratory work, internships, practica, studio work, and other academic work leading to the award of credit hours.
BFA in Visual Arts
Concentrations:
Graphic Design
Illustration
Painting
Photography
Minor Programs
Art
Photography
Description: The Art major at WCSU provides challenging visual arts training within the context of a liberal arts education. This approach infuses in our students a broad, diverse range of knowledge and experience along with the ability to think critically and analytically. Our highly accomplished and diverse faculty create engaging and challenging learning environments for our students.
Department of Art faculty are professional art practitioners and nationally exhibiting artists. Their unique backgrounds and experiences create engaging and challenging learning environments for our students.
Our curriculum incorporates comprehensive instruction integrated with the development, encouragement, and increased awareness of the creative process. This ensures that our Visual Art majors become proficient creative problem solvers capable of freely expressing themselves.
The Gallery at The School of Visual, Performing, and Communication Arts serves as a venue for a broad range of professional and student exhibitions, while the Visiting Artist Lecture Series features an impressive array of practitioners. Bus trips provide our students the opportunity to visit galleries and museums each semester in the surrounding area, including Manhattan.
Degree Requirements
All degrees at WCSU require 120 semester hours (SH) that include major requirements, general education requirements, cognates (where applicable), and free electives. This structure provides room for minors, internships, and study abroad. Students must earn a minimum “C” grade in each Art department course that counts toward the major. Art courses with grades below “C” must be retaken to satisfy this requirement.
Required Courses in the Major: 49 SH.
| ART CORE | |
| ART 103 Art Seminar (FY) | 1 SH |
| ART 100 History and Appreciation of Western Art: Beginnings to Renaissance | 3 SH |
| ART 101 History and Appreciation of Art: Renaissance to the Present | 3 SH |
| ART 117 Intro to Digital Photography (CP) | 3 SH |
| ART 121 Fundamentals of Two-Dimensional Design (CP) | 3 SH |
| ART 130 Color Theory (CP) | 3 SH |
| ART 141 Drawing I (CP) | 3 SH |
| ART 150 Drawing II (CP) | 3 SH |
| ART 201 Non-Western Art History (IC) | 3 SH |
| ART 205 Media and Methods | 3 SH |
| ART 266 Fundamentals of Three-Dimensional Design | 3 SH |
| ART 448 Gallery Interactions (W3) | 3 SH |
| Art Electives | 15 SH |
| Minimum GPA for the BA in Art = 2.0. | |
General Education: All students must complete the General Education curriculum. General Education Requirements include both competency and breadth requirements. In some cases, major courses will satisfy competencies. These are indicated in the parentheses after the course title. For a complete description of the General Education program, follow this link. https://catalogs.wcsu.edu/ugrad/academic-programs-degrees/
Cognates: In some programs there are courses outside of the major that are required as pre-requisites or enhancements to the major course work. These courses may satisfy competencies and they will count toward the general education breadth requirement. If cognate courses are required, they are included in the list of courses required in the major.
Electives: All degrees require 120 semester hours. Elective credits are opportunities for minors, internships, study abroad, and just following general interests. We encourage all students to speak with their advisors about great opportunities for their elective courses.
Sample Four Year Plan: BA Art
Four-year plans are suggestions. Plans change. Consult your advisor to adjust your plan.
| Semester 1 | SH | Semester 2 | SH |
| ART 103 Art Seminar (FY) | 1 | ART 101 Hist & App. Western Art: Renaissance to Present | 3 |
| ART 100 Hist. & App. Western Art: Beg to Renaissance | 3 | ART 130 Color Theory (CP) | 3 |
| ART 121 Fundamentals of 2D Design (CP) | 3 | ART 150 Drawing II (CP) | 3 |
| ART 141 Drawing I (CP, Rpt. 1) | 3 | Gen Ed: Quantitative Reasoning (QR) | 3-4 |
| WRT 101 Composition I (W1) | 3 | Gen Ed: Oral Communication (OC) | 3 |
| Free Elective | 3 | ||
| Semester 3 | SH | Semester 4 | SH |
| ART 117 Intro to Digital Photography (CP) | 3 | ART 201 Non-Western Art History (IC) | 3 |
| ART 266 Fundamentals of 3-D Design | 3 | ART Elective | 3 |
| ART 205 Media and Methods | 3 | Free Elective | 3 |
| Gen Ed: Breadth Elective | 3 | Gen Ed: Scientific Inquiry (SI) | 4 |
| Gen Ed: Critical Thinking (CT) | 3 | Gen Ed: Writing Intensive Tier II (W2) | 3 |
| Semester 5 | SH | Semester 6 | SH |
| ART Elective | 3 | ART Elective | 3 |
| Gen Ed: Intercultural Competency (IC, Rpt. 2)* | 3 | Free Elective OR Gen Ed: Intercultural Competency (IC)* | 3 |
| Gen Ed: Information Literacy (IL) | 3 | Gen Ed: Repeat Breadth | 3 |
| Gen Ed: Repeat Competency 3 | 3 | Gen Ed: Breadth | 3 |
| Gen Ed: Health and Wellness (HW) | 2 | Free Elective | 3 |
| Semester 7 | SH | Semester 8 | SH |
| ART 448 Gallery Interactions (W3) OR Gen Ed: Culminating Experience (CE) | 3 | ART 448 Gallery Interactions (W3) OR Gen Ed: Culminating Experience (CE) | 3 |
| ART Elective | 3 | ART Elective | 3 |
| Free Electives | 9 | Free Electives | 8 |
| Total Credits Required for the BA in ART = 120; Minimum GPA 2.0. | |||
* All Bachelor of Arts degrees at WCSU require that students complete a language at or above the elementary II level. Students who have completed three years of a foreign language at a minimum of a C average in high school have met this requirement. However, they must still complete at least one Intercultural Competency course.
BFA in Visual Art: Graphic Design
Description: Western Connecticut State University’s visual arts curriculum incorporates a structure consistent with C.A.A. guidelines, based on classic design principles inspired by the Bauhaus and through exploration of traditional and emerging media. The areas of concentration are Graphic Design, Illustration, Photography and Studio Arts-Painting. Each concentration’s objective is to develop technical knowledge and expertise appropriate to each medium. All areas of emphasis share a common two-year foundation program leading into the technical specializations of the final two years. This foundation program is of critical significance as it instills in each student a comprehensive background in aesthetic form, structure and dynamics. Additionally, our students have the opportunity to participate in professional internships and the annual Senior Thesis Exhibition.
The Graphic Design concentration is a comprehensive program that serves to foster growth in an intuitive, conceptual approach to visual communication problem solving. Our students learn that graphic design is not technology, but is, and always has been, the convergence of art, business, and technology to produce meaningful, successful visual communication.
After freshman and sophomore foundation courses, Graphic Design students embark on a two-year experience in specific concentration courses. The curriculum includes typography and creative problem solving, along with the application of both traditional and digital processes and techniques. Juniors and seniors participate in a rigorous program through direct engagement. The process of design encompasses:
- Research
- Critical analysis
- Concept development
- Experimentation
- Design and production
Students will gain a strong understanding of design methods. The high quality of the Graphic Design program at WCSU is reflected in the student work displayed in the annual Senior Thesis Exhibition. Graphic Design students graduate from the program with a strong portfolio and visually effective self-promotion pieces.
Degree Requirements
All degrees at WCSU require 120 semester hours (SH) that include major requirements, general education requirements, cognates (where applicable), and free electives. This structure provides room for minors, internships, and study abroad.
Required Courses in the Major: 80 SH.
| ART CORE | |
| ART 100 History and Appreciation of Western Art: Beginnings to Renaissance | 3 SH |
| ART 101 History and Appreciation of Art: Renaissance to the Present | 3 SH |
| ART 103 Art Seminar (FY) | 1 SH |
| ART 205 Media and Methods | 3 SH |
| ART 117 Intro to Digital Photography | 3 SH |
| ART 121 Fundamentals of Two-Dimensional Design | 3 SH |
| ART 130 Color Theory | 3 SH |
| ART 141 Drawing I (CP) | 3 SH |
| ART 150 Drawing II (CP) | 3 SH |
| ART 201 Non-Western Art History (IC) | 3 SH |
| ART 266 Fundamentals of Three-Dimensional Design | 3 SH |
| ART 448 Gallery Interactions (W3) | 3 SH |
| ART 472/474/476/478 Portfolio (Sections aligned with options). (CE) | 3 SH |
| Concentration: Graphic Design | |
| ART 202 History of Design | 3 SH |
| ART 274 Bookmaking | 3 SH |
| ART 302 Graphic Processes | 3 SH |
| ART 310 Typography | 3 SH |
| ART 315 Communication Design I | 3 SH |
| ART 332 Digital Production: InDesign | 3 SH |
| ART 352 Digital Production: Web Development | 3 SH |
| ART 432 Communication Design II | 3 SH |
| ART 442 Communication Design III | 3 SH |
| Art Electives | 16 SH |
| Minimum GPA for the BFA in Art = 2.0. | |
General Education: All students must complete the General Education curriculum. General Education Requirements include both competency and breadth requirements. In some cases, major courses will satisfy competencies. These are indicated in the parentheses after the course title. For a complete description of the General Education program, follow this link. https://catalogs.wcsu.edu/ugrad2021/academic-programs-degrees/
Cognates: In some programs there are courses outside of the major that are required as pre-requisites or enhancements to the major course work. These courses may satisfy competencies and they will count toward the general education breadth requirement. If cognate courses are required, they are included in the list of courses required in the major.
Electives: All degrees require 120 semester hours. Elective credits are opportunities for minors, internships, study abroad, and just following general interests. We encourage all students to speak with their advisors about great opportunities for their elective courses.
Sample Four Year Plan: BFA in Visual Art – Graphic Design
Four-year plans are suggestions. Plans change. Consult your advisor to adjust your plan.
| Semester 1 | SH | Semester 2 | SH |
| ART 103 Art Seminar (FY) | 1 | ART 101 Hist & App. Western Art: Renaissance to Present | 3 |
| ART 100 Hist. & App. Western Art: Beg. to Renaissance | 3 | ART 130 Color Theory (CP) | 3 |
| ART 121 Fundamentals of 2D Design (CP) | 3 | ART 150 Drawing II (CP) | 3 |
| ART 141 Drawing I (CP, RPT 1) | 3 | MAT 100(P) Intermediate Math OR Quantitative Reasoning (QR) | 3-4 |
| WRT 101 Composition I (W1) | 3 | Gen Ed: Oral Communication (OC) | 3 |
| Semester 3 | SH | Semester 4 | SH |
| ART 117 Intro to Digital Photography | 3 | ART 201 Non-Western Art History (IC) | 3 |
| ART 266 Fundamentals of 3-D Design | 3 | ART 302 Graphic Processes | 3 |
| ART 202 History of Design | 3 | ART 274 Bookmaking | 3 |
| ART 105 Media and Methods | 2 | Gen Ed: Scientific Inquiry (SI) | 4 |
| Gen Ed: Critical Thinking (CT) | 3 | Gen Ed: Writing Intensive Tier II (W2) | 3 |
| Semester 5 | SH | Semester 6 | SH |
| ART 310 Typography | 3 | ART 315 Communication Design I | 3 |
| ART 352 Digital Production: Web Development | 3 | ART 332 Digital Production: InDesign | 3 |
| Gen Ed: Information Literacy (IL) | 3 | Gen Ed: Repeat Competency 3 | 3 |
| Gen Ed: Repeat Competency 2 | 3 | ART Elective OR Quantitative Reasoning (QR) | 3 |
| Gen Ed: Health and Wellness (HW) | 2 | ART Elective | 4 |
| Semester 7 | SH | Semester 8 | SH |
| ART 432 Communication Design II | 3 | ART 442 Communication Design III | 3 |
| ART 448 Gallery Interactions (W3) | 3 | ART 472 Portfolio (CE) | 3 |
| ART Electives | 6 | ART Electives | 9 |
| Gen Ed: Breadth | 3 | ||
| Total Credits Required for the BA in ART = 120; Minimum GPA 2.0. | |||
* All Bachelor of Arts degrees at WCSU require that students complete a language at or above the elementary II level. Students who have completed three years of a foreign language at a minimum of a C average in high school have met this requirement. However, they must still complete at least one Intercultural Competency course.
Description: Western Connecticut State University’s visual arts curriculum incorporates a structure consistent with C.A.A. guidelines, based on classic design principles inspired by the Bauhaus and through exploration of traditional and emerging media. The areas of concentration are Graphic Design, Illustration, Photography and Studio Arts-Painting. Each concentration’s objective is to develop technical knowledge and expertise appropriate to each medium. All areas of emphasis share a common two-year foundation program leading into the technical specializations of the final two years. This foundation program is of critical significance as it instills in each student a comprehensive background in aesthetic form, structure and dynamics. Additionally, our students have the opportunity to participate in professional internships and the annual Senior Thesis Exhibition.
The Illustration concentration provides students with the technical skills, conceptual understanding, and practical experience to become effective, creative communicators and visual storytellers. The goals of the Illustration concentration are to:
- Encourage conceptual and visual problem-solving.
- Encourage creativity, innovation, and experimentation in a variety of illustration media.
- Explore historical and contemporary trends in illustration.
- Inform students on professional business practices and ethical standards.
- Fuel passion for the image-making process.
Our program understands that tomorrow’s skilled illustrators will need to craft images that may elicit an intellectual and emotional response and connection. Our full-time and adjunct professors, who manage successful artistic careers alongside their teaching, provide a challenging, yet nurturing environment for illustration students.
After students complete their foundation core courses, they progress to the Illustration concentration requirements which include traditional and digital illustration. These courses help fine-tune their advanced image problem-solving skills. As seniors, students create their capstone portfolio pieces and tailor a series of artworks demonstrating their unique talents, style, and vision for the Senior Thesis Exhibition.
Degree Requirements
All degrees at WCSU require 120 semester hours (SH) that include major requirements, general education requirements, cognates (where applicable), and free electives. This structure provides room for minors, internships, and study abroad.
Required Courses in the Major: 80 SH.
| ART CORE | |
| ART 100 History and Appreciation of Western Art: Beginnings to Renaissance | 3 SH |
| ART 101 History and Appreciation of Art: Renaissance to the Present | 3 SH |
| ART 103 Art Seminar (FY) | 1 SH |
| ART 205 Media and Methods | 3 SH |
| ART 117 Intro to Digital Photography | 3 SH |
| ART 121 Fundamentals of Two-Dimensional Design | 3 SH |
| ART 130 Color Theory | 3 SH |
| ART 141 Drawing I (CP) | 3 SH |
| ART 150 Drawing II (CP) | 3 SH |
| ART 201 Non-Western Art History (IC) | 3 SH |
| ART 266 Fundamentals of Three-Dimensional Design | 3 SH |
| ART 488 Gallery Interactions (W3) | 3 SH |
| ART 472/474/476/478 Portfolio (Sections aligned with options). (CE) | 3 SH |
| Concentration: Illustration | |
| ART 202 History of Design | 3 SH |
| ART 330 Figure Drawing | 3 SH |
| ART 304 Illustration I | 3 SH |
| ART 317 Illustration II | 3 SH |
| ART 324 Digital Illustration | 3 SH |
| ART 333 Intro to Animation | 3 SH |
| ART 342 Intro Digital Imaging and Production | 3 SH |
| ART 434 Adv. Digital Illustration | 3 SH |
| ART 444 Illustration III | 3 SH |
| Art Electives | 16 SH |
| Minimum GPA for the BFA in Art = 2.0. | |
General Education: All students must complete the General Education curriculum. General Education Requirements include both competency and breadth requirements. In some cases, major courses will satisfy competencies. These are indicated in the parentheses after the course title. For a complete description of the General Education program, follow this link. https://catalogs.wcsu.edu/ugrad2021/academic-programs-degrees/
Cognates: In some programs there are courses outside of the major that are required as pre-requisites or enhancements to the major course work. These courses may satisfy competencies and they will count toward the general education breadth requirement. If cognate courses are required, they are included in the list of courses required in the major.
Electives: All degrees require 120 semester hours. Elective credits are opportunities for minors, internships, study abroad, and just following general interests. We encourage all students to speak with their advisors about great opportunities for their elective courses.
Sample Four Year Plan: BFA in Visual Art – Illustration
Four-year plans are suggestions. Plans change. Consult your advisor to adjust your plan.
| Semester 1 | SH | Semester 2 | SH |
| ART 103 Art Seminar (FY) | 1 | ART 101 Hist. & App. Western Art: Renaissance to Present | 3 |
| ART 100 Hist & App Western Art: Beginning to Renaissance | 3 | ART 130 Color Theory (CP) | 3 |
| ART 121 Fundamentals of 2D Design (CP) | 3 | ART 150 Drawing II (CP) | 3 |
| ART 141 Drawing I (CP, Rpt. 1) | 3 | Gen Ed: Oral Communication (OC) | 3 |
| WRT 101 Intro to Composition/Rhetoric | 3 | Gen Ed: Quantitative Reasoning (QR) | 3-4 |
| Gen Ed | 3 | ||
| Semester 3 | SH | Semester 4 | SH |
| ART 117 Intro to Digital Photography | 3 | ART 201 Non-Western Art History (IC) | 3 |
| ART 266 Fundamentals of 3-D Design | 3 | ART 330 Figure Drawing | 3 |
| ART 202 History of Design | 3 | ART Elective | 3-4 |
| ART 105 Media and Methods | 3 | Gen Ed: Scientific Inquiry (SI) | 4 |
| Gen Ed: Critical Thinking (CT) | 3 | Gen Ed: Writing Intensive Tier II (W2) | 3 |
| Semester 5 | SH | Semester 6 | SH |
| ART 304 Illustration I | 3 | ART 317 Illustration II | 3 |
| ART 342 Intro Digital Imaging and Production | 3 | ART 332 Digital Illustration | 3 |
| Gen Ed: Information Literacy (IL) | 3 | Gen Ed: Repeat Competency 3 | 3 |
| Gen Ed: Health and Wellness | 2 | ART Elective | 3-4 |
| Gen Ed: Repeat Competency 2 | 3 | ART 333 Intro to Animation | 3 |
| Semester 7 | SH | Semester 8 | SH |
| ART 434 Advanced Digital Illustration | 3 | ART 474 Portfolio (CE) | 3 |
| ART 448 Gallery Interactions (W3) | 3 | ART Elective | 3 |
| ART 444 Illustration III | 3 | ART Elective | 3 |
| ART Elective | 4 | ART Elective | 3 |
| Gen Ed: Breadth | 3 | Gen Ed: Breadth | 4 |
| Total Credits Required for the BFA in ART = 120; Minimum GPA 2.0. | |||
* All Bachelor of Arts degrees at WCSU require that students complete a language at or above the elementary II level. Students who have completed three years of a foreign language at a minimum of a C average in high school have met this requirement. However, they must still complete at least one Intercultural Competency course.
Description: Western Connecticut State University’s visual arts curriculum incorporates a structure consistent with C.A.A. guidelines, based on classic design principles inspired by the Bauhaus and through exploration of traditional and emerging media. The areas of concentration are Graphic Design, Illustration, Photography and Studio Arts-Painting. Each concentration’s objective is to develop technical knowledge and expertise appropriate to each medium. All areas of emphasis share a common two-year foundation program leading into the technical specializations of the final two years. This foundation program is of critical significance as it instills in each student a comprehensive background in aesthetic form, structure and dynamics. Additionally, our students have the opportunity to participate in professional internships and the annual Senior Thesis Exhibition.
The Studio Art: Painting concentration is a comprehensive program that serves to foster growth in an intuitive, conceptual approach to complex image making. At the core of instruction are individual and group critiques conducted by faculty. The Painting faculty are dedicated educators, accomplished artists, and respected scholars known for being actively engaged in helping each student develop her/his ideas, technical skills, confidence, and professional knowledge. Our students are a diverse group of artists who excel at visualizing their distinctive experiences, cultures, and voices. Students develop habits and problem-solving skills that will inform a lifetime of creative endeavors. Our students become active participants in Studio Arts uniquely vital and continually strong presence in the contemporary art world.
The goals of the Studio Arts concentration are to:
- Acquire a knowledge and understanding of concepts, and techniques as used to create artworks
- Demonstrate through the creation of a body of work an understanding of the painting process and its use as a medium for communication
- Develop the capability to creatively express one’s personal experience and thought with visual skill and clarity
- Develop a critical appreciation of historical and contemporary painting
- Develop expertise applicable to professional practice as evidenced within an art portfolio
Once students complete their foundation curriculum, the core of the upper-division studies is the completion of a portfolio of paintings/sculptures during the Senior year for their Senior Thesis Exhibition. The experience of creating a body of work will develop personally significant ideas that reference the Studio Arts rich history and contribute to its lively contemporary conversation.
Degree Requirements
All degrees at WCSU require 120 semester hours (SH) that include major requirements, general education requirements, cognates (where applicable), and free electives. This structure provides room for minors, internships, and study abroad.
Required Courses in the Major: 80 SH.
| ART CORE | |
| ART 100 History and Appreciation of Western Art: Beginnings to Renaissance | 3 SH |
| ART 101 History and Appreciation of Art: Renaissance to the Present | 3 SH |
| ART 103 Art Seminar (FY) | 1 SH |
| ART 205 Media and Methods | 3 SH |
| ART 117 Intro to Digital Photography | 3 SH |
| ART 121 Fundamentals of Two-Dimensional Design | 3 SH |
| ART 130 Color Theory | 3 SH |
| ART 141 Drawing I (CP) | 3 SH |
| ART 150 Drawing II (CP) | 3 SH |
| ART 201 Non-Western Art History (IC) | 3 SH |
| ART 266 Fundamentals of Three-Dimensional Design | 3 SH |
| ART 448 Gallery Interactions (W3) | 3 SH |
| ART 472/474/476/478 Portfolio (Sections aligned with options). (CE) | 3 SH |
| Concentration: Painting | |
| ART 203 Survey of Contemporary Art | 3 SH |
| ART 208 Painting I | 3 SH |
| ART 268 Alternative Creative Process | 3 SH |
| ART 330 Figure Drawing | 3 SH |
| ART 274 Bookmaking | 3 SH |
| ART 309 Sculpture I | 3 SH |
| ART 318 Painting II | 3 SH |
| ART 329 Painting III | 3 SH |
| ART 438 Painting IV | 3 SH |
| Art Electives | 16 SH |
| Minimum GPA for the BFA in Art = 2.0. | |
General Education: All students must complete the General Education curriculum. General Education Requirements include both competency and breadth requirements. In some cases, major courses will satisfy competencies. These are indicated in the parentheses after the course title. For a complete description of the General Education program, follow this link. https://catalogs.wcsu.edu/ugrad2021/academic-programs-degrees/
Cognates: In some programs there are courses outside of the major that are required as pre-requisites or enhancements to the major course work. These courses may satisfy competencies and they will count toward the general education breadth requirement. If cognate courses are required, they are included in the list of courses required in the major.
Electives: All degrees require 120 semester hours. Elective credits are opportunities for minors, internships, study abroad, and just following general interests. We encourage all students to speak with their advisors about great opportunities for their elective courses.
Sample Four Year Plan: BFA in Visual Art – Painting
Four-year plans are suggestions. Plans change. Consult your advisor to adjust your plan.
| Semester 1 | SH | Semester 2 | SH |
| ART 103 Art Seminar (FY) | 1 | ART 101 Hist & App Western Art: Renaissance to Present | 3 |
| ART 100 Hist & App Western Art: Beginning to Renaissance | 3 | ART 130 Color Theory (CP) | 3 |
| ART 121 Fundamentals of 2D Design (CP) | 3 | ART 150 Drawing II (CP) | 3 |
| ART 141 Drawing I (CP, Rpt. 1) | 3 | Gen Ed: Oral Communication (OC) | 3 |
| WRT 101 Intro to Composition/Rhetoric | 3 | Gen Ed: Quantitative Reasoning (QR) | 3 |
| Semester 3 | SH | Semester 4 | SH |
| ART 117 Intro to Digital Photography | 3 | ART 201 Non-Western Art History (IC) | 3 |
| ART 266 Fundamentals of 3-D Design | 3 | ART 330 Figure Drawing | 3 |
| Art 203 Survey of Contemporary Art | 3 | ART 208 Painting I | 3 |
| ART 205 Media and Methods | 3 | Gen Ed: Scientific Inquiry (SI) | 4 |
| Gen Ed: Critical Thinking (CT) | 3 | Gen Ed: Writing Intensive Tier II (W2) | 3 |
| Semester 5 | SH | Semester 6 | SH |
| ART 274 Bookmaking | 3 | ART 329 Painting III | 3 |
| ART 318 Painting II | 3 | ART 309 Sculpture I | 3 |
| Gen Ed: Information Literacy (IL) | 3 | Gen Ed: Repeat Competency 3 | 3 |
| Gen Ed: Health and Wellness (HW) | 2 | Gen Ed: Breadth | 3 |
| Gen Ed: Repeat Competency 2 | 3 | ART 268 Alternative Creative Process | 3 |
| Semester 7 | SH | Semester 8 | SH |
| ART 438 Painting IV | 3 | ART 478 Senior Thesis (CE) | 3 |
| ART 448 Gallery Interactions (W3) | 3 | Gen Ed: Breadth | 3 |
| ART Elective | 3 | ART Elective | 3 |
| ART Elective | 3 | ART Elective | 3 |
| Gen Ed: Breadth | 4 | ART Elective | 4 |
| Total Credits Required for the BFA in ART = 120; Minimum GPA 2.0. | |||
*All Bachelor of Arts degrees at WCSU require that students complete a language at or above the elementary II level. Students who have completed three years of a foreign language at a minimum of a C average in high school have met this requirement. However, they must still complete at least one Intercultural Competency course.
Description: Western Connecticut State University’s visual arts curriculum incorporates a structure consistent with C.A.A. guidelines, based on classic design principles inspired by the Bauhaus and through exploration of traditional and emerging media. The areas of concentration are Graphic Design, Illustration, Photography and Studio Arts-Painting. Each concentration’s objective is to develop technical knowledge and expertise appropriate to each medium. All areas of emphasis share a common two-year foundation program leading into the technical specializations of the final two years. This foundation program is of critical significance as it instills in each student a comprehensive background in aesthetic form, structure and dynamics. Additionally, our students have the opportunity to participate in professional internships and the annual Senior Thesis Exhibition.
The Photography concentration provides students with the technical training and critical framework to begin a creative life with photography at its center. Photography is understood as a broad range of practices and the medium’s image-making possibilities are meaningfully explored throughout the curriculum. The Photography program seeks to educate students so that they graduate with a refined understanding of the various dimensions that shape their practice. Upon program completion, students are expected to demonstrate:
- Knowledge of a diverse set of industry-standard photographic and related technical practices engaged with commercial, fine art, and digital media
- Fluency in the visual, technical, conceptual, and professional vocabulary necessary to succeed in the field of choice including commercial, fine art, and digital media
- Ability to expand photographic learning into cultural/social/political contexts
- Ability to navigate the commercial and contemporary marketplace with core knowledge of professional practices in the areas of commercial/studio, advertising, production, and editorial
Once students complete their foundation curriculum, they progress from traditional analog photographic processes to digital media. Courses cover a mixture of experimental analog photography, digital software, and alternative photographic processes. Seniors then focus on developing and refining their portfolio for their Senior Thesis Exhibition and future careers.
Degree Requirements
All degrees at WCSU require 120 semester hours (SH) that include major requirements, general education requirements, cognates (where applicable), and free electives. This structure provides room for minors, internships, and study abroad.
Required Courses in the Major: 80 SH.
| ART CORE | |
| ART 100 History and Appreciation of Western Art: Beginnings to Renaissance | 3 SH |
| ART 101 History and Appreciation of Art: Renaissance to the Present | 3 SH |
| ART 103 Art Seminar (FY) | 1 SH |
| ART 205 Media and Methods | 3 SH |
| ART 117 Intro to Digital Photography | 3 SH |
| ART 121 Fundamentals of Two-Dimensional Design | 3 SH |
| ART 130 Color Theory | 3 SH |
| ART 141 Drawing I (CP) | 3 SH |
| ART 150 Drawing II (CP) | 3 SH |
| ART 201 Non-Western Art History (IC) | 3 SH |
| ART 266 Fundamentals of Three-Dimensional Design | 3 SH |
| ART 448 Gallery Interactions (W3) | 3 SH |
| ART 472/474/476/478 Portfolio (Sections aligned with options). (CE) | 3 SH |
| Concentration: Photography | |
| ART 145 History of Photography | 3 SH |
| COM 146 Basic Video Production | 3 SH |
| ART 207 Photography I | 3 SH |
| ART 210 Fundamentals of Imaging Software I | 3 SH |
| ART 316 Photography II | 3 SH |
| ART 326 Alternative Photographic Process | 3 SH |
| ART 346 Color Photography | 3 SH |
| ART 356 Advanced Photographic Methods | 3 SH |
| ART 436 Photography III | 3 SH |
| Art Electives | 16 SH |
| Minimum GPA for the BFA in Art = 2.0. | |
General Education: All students must complete the General Education curriculum. General Education Requirements include both competency and breadth requirements. In some cases, major courses will satisfy competencies. These are indicated in the parentheses after the course title. For a complete description of the General Education program, follow this link. https://catalogs.wcsu.edu/ugrad2021/academic-programs-degrees/
Cognates: In some programs there are courses outside of the major that are required as pre-requisites or enhancements to the major course work. These courses may satisfy competencies and they will count toward the general education breadth requirement. If cognate courses are required, they are included in the list of courses required in the major.
Electives: All degrees require 120 semester hours. Elective credits are opportunities for minors, internships, study abroad, and just following general interests. We encourage all students to speak with their advisors about great opportunities for their elective courses.
Sample Four Year Plan: BFA in Visual Art – Photography
Four-year plans are suggestions. Plans change. Consult your advisor to adjust your plan.
| Semester 1 | SH | Semester 2 | SH |
| ART 103 Art Seminar (FY) | 1 | ART 101 Hist. & App. Western Art: Renaissance to Present | 3 |
| ART 100 Hist & App. Western Art: Beginning to Renaissance | 3 | ART 130 Color Theory (CP) | 3 |
| ART 121 Fundamentals of 2D Design (CP) | 3 | ART 150 Drawing II (CP) | 3 |
| ART 141 Drawing I (CP, Rpt. 1) | 3 | Gen Ed: Oral Communication (OC) | 3 |
| WRT 101 Intro to Composition/Rhetoric | 3 | Gen Ed: Quantitative Reasoning (QR) | 3 |
| Semester 3 | SH | Semester 4 | SH |
| ART 117 Intro to Digital Photography | 3 | ART 201 Non-Western Art History (IC) | 3 |
| ART 266 Fundamentals of 3-D Design | 3 | ART 210 Fundamentals of Imaging Software I | 3 |
| ART 145 History of Photography | 3 | COM 146 Basic Video Production | 3 |
| ART 205 Media and Methods | 3 | Gen Ed: Scientific Inquiry (SI) | 4 |
| Gen Ed: Critical Thinking (CT) | 3 | Gen Ed: Writing Intensive Tier II (W2) | 3 |
| Semester 5 | SH | Semester 6 | SH |
| ART 207 Photography I | 3 | ART 316 Photography II | 3 |
| ART 346 Color Photography | 3 | ART 356 Advanced Photographic Methods | 3 |
| Gen Ed: Information Literacy (IL) | 3 | Gen Ed: Repeat Competency 3 | 3 |
| Gen Ed: Health and Wellness (HW) | 2 | Gen Ed: Breadth | 3 |
| Gen Ed: Repeat Competency 2 | 3 | ART Elective | 3 |
| Semester 7 | SH | Semester 8 | SH |
| ART 436 Photography III | 3 | ART 476 Portfolio (CE) | 3 |
| ART 448 Gallery Interactions (W3) | 3 | ART Elective | 3 |
| ART 326 Alternative Photographic Methods | 2 | ART Elective | 3 |
| ART Elective | 3 | ART Elective | 4 |
| Gen Ed: Breadth | 4 | Gen Ed: Breadth | 3 |
| Total Credits Required for the BFA in ART = 120; Minimum GPA 2.0. | |||
* All Bachelor of Arts degrees at WCSU require that students complete a language at or above the elementary II level. Students who have completed three years of a foreign language at a minimum of a C average in high school have met this requirement. However, they must still complete at least one Intercultural Competency course.
Minor in Art (18 S.H.)
Eighteen semester hours are required. Please see your advisor to review all program requirements.
Required Courses (12 SH):
ART 100 History & Appreciation of Art I
ART 101 History & Appreciation of Art II
ART 121 Fundamentals of Two-Dimensional Design
ART 141 Drawing I
Select any two 3-credit courses offered by the Department of Art, for which the student has proper prerequisites (6 SH).
Minor in Photography (18 S.H.)
Eighteen semester hours are required. Please see your advisor to review all program requirements.
Required Courses (18 SH):
ART 121 Fundamentals of Two-Dimensional Design
ART 207 Photography I
ART 316 Photography II
ART 356 Advanced Photographic Methods
ART 346 Color Photography
ART 436 Photography III