Art & Creative Media Department
Department Mission
The Department of Art & Creative Media offers rigorous experience-based instruction in the practices of studio art, creative media, art history and art education. A full-time faculty of working artists and scholars along with accomplished visiting professionals are dedicated to the development of emerging creatives who enrich our society with thoughtful insight, valuable skill sets and an understanding of the responsibilities that come with visual literacy.
Creativity and critical insights are essential to any academic inquiry. As such, the Department is committed to being accessible to students from a variety of University disciplines, our vibrant Pueblo culture and the Southwest United States. Art, history and education are fundamental to a community’s identity; they are a reflection of its values and are key to fostering a diverse culture of lifelong learners.
Department Goals
- Prepare students in the practices of Studio Art, Creative Media, Art History, and Art Education toward the achievement of personal creative goals, art-related careers or further academic and professional education.
- Provide relevant studio and laboratory opportunities within well-appointed facilities that are conducive to creative growth and the development of fundamental skills across a range of formal topics.
- Nurture an environment that encourages professional curiosity, collaboration and respect for diverse and multiple viewpoints.
- Provide services and experiences to a variety of University disciplines as well as local, regional and national communities, fostering a culture of lifelong learning and global citizenship.
Department Student Learning Outcomes
Outcome 1 Exploration of the Creative Process: Experiment with and adopt a variety of processes, methods, and interpretations to explore innovative solutions to creative challenges.
Outcome 2 Development of Skills & Techniques: Exhibit sufficient fluency in one or more media to craft work that meets appropriate professional standards for the scale and scope of a project. Demonstrate an ability to adapt techniques and formal methods to serve the objectives of the work.
Outcome 3 Communication of Ideas & Context: Clearly articulate visually, orally, and in writing the content and context of art historical research and creative work.
Outcome 4 Demonstrate Awareness & Intellectual Maturity: Display a willingness to question one’s own perspective. Approach the creative and scholarly process with curiosity and persistence. Take initiative in working independently or collaboratively to achieve stated objectives.
General Program Requirements
- The art faculty firmly believes that a quality undergraduate art program must be built from the strong foundation of basic concepts and techniques provided by the required ART CORE courses. Art history, drawing and design combined with an introduction to the basic art processes, provide the necessary background of information and skills for individual artistic growth and maturity. A strong grounding in the fundamentals of art, as provided in the ART CORE, indicates the department’s insistence upon respect for and commitment to the academic discipline of art as a professional career.
- Art majors must complete the required courses known as the ART CORE, before proceeding into the beginning courses.
- No grade lower than a C will count toward either an art major or minor.
- BFA candidates must maintain a 3.0 in the art major.
- Students are required to take 30 hours of major courses in residency.
Co-Curricular Requirements
The faculty supports and encourages the involvement of art majors and minors in the Art Club and related activities specific to each studio.
Academic Programs
Undergraduate Programs
- Art & Creative Media, Bachelor of Arts
- Art & Creative Media: Art History Concentration, Bachelor of Arts
- Art & Creative Media: Creative Media Concentration, Bachelor of Fine Arts
- Art & Creative Media: K-12 Teacher Preparation Concentration, Bachelor of Art
- Art & Creative Media: Studio Arts Concentration, Bachelor of Fine Arts
Minors
ART
Fall, Spring, Summer.
Appreciation and understanding of visual experiences and techniques reflecting the cultural dynamics of creativity.
Prerequisite: None.
Corequisite: None.
Registration Information: None.
(Gen Ed: H, GT-AH1)
As Needed.
Guided development of individual job objectives.
Prerequisite: None.
Corequisite: None.
Registration Information: None.
As Needed.
Explore the foundational elements of two-dimensional and three-dimensional design and their intersections in the visual art design process.
Prerequisite: None.
Corequisite: None.
Registration Information: None.
As Needed.
An introduction to digital tools in visual art and design practices.
Prerequisite: None.
Corequisite: None.
Registration Information: None.
Fall.
Development of perception and technical skills in rendering.
Prerequisite: None.
Corequisite: None.
Registration Information: None.
Spring.
An introduction to observational seeing through photography. The class focuses on composition within the camera frame and selecting the photographs that most effectively convey the objectives of each experiment.
Prerequisite: None.
Corequisite: None.
Registration Information: None.
As Needed.
Basic problems in sculpture relating specific concerns of visual form and process.
Prerequisite: None.
Corequisite: None.
Registration Information: None.
Spring.
Continued development of perception and technical skills in rendering, utilizing the human figure. Detail investigation of the skeleton and muscle forms are explored.
Prerequisite: ART 141.
Corequisite: None.
Registration Information: None.
Fall, Spring, Summer.
Essential skills in ceramic processes; emphasis on form and function as related to students' needs and creative intent.
Prerequisite: None.
Corequisite: None.
Registration Information: None.
As Needed.
Introduction to multiple image production utilizing relief printing including woodcut, linocut and collagraph. Introduction to shop techniques, safety procedures and history of the medium.
Prerequisite: None.
Corequisite: None.
Registration Information: Art core or permission of instructor.
Fall.
Explore the fundamental characteristics of light & its effect on the photographic image. Use the 5 characteristics of light to direct every aspect of the process from basic studio sets to large scale location works.
Prerequisite: None.
Corequisite: None.
Registration Information: None.
Spring.
Exploration of Graphic Design Theory and the Basic Principles for the effective use of color, dynamic type layout, branding & logo design as well as page & screen design.
Prerequisite: ARC 174.
Corequisite: None.
Registration Information: None.
As Needed.
Special Topics.
Prerequisite: None.
Corequisite: None.
Registration Information: Repeatable (99).
As Needed.
This course introduces the classic writings in ancient and modern philosophy theory and criticism informing American and European art of the late twentieth century.
Prerequisite: None.
Corequisite: None.
Registration Information: None.
As Needed.
Art & Creative Media majors prepare and present a portfolio of their creative and art historical work that showcases their development in foundations and other courses.
Prerequisite: None.
Corequisite: None.
Registration Information: Art Core must be completed prior to students registering for this course.
As Needed.
Creating sculptural elements whose form and content are a response to its site and context.
Prerequisite: ART 233.
Corequisite: None.
Registration Information: Repeatable (9).
Fall.
Techniques in oil and acrylic emphasizing the application of materials to subject matter and composition.
Prerequisite: ART 234.
Corequisite: None.
Registration Information: None.
Fall, Spring, Summer.
In-depth development of specific ceramic techniques; skills and personalization of style. Students will load and fire all the kilns as well as mix glazes.
Prerequisite: ART 247.
Corequisite: None.
Registration Information: Repeatable (9).
As Needed.
Introduction to traditional and non-traditional methods of Intaglio printing including line etch, aquatint, dry point, resist methods, photo processes and color printing.
Prerequisite: ART 270.
Corequisite: None.
Registration Information: Repeatable (9).
As Needed.
Produce exhibition quality prints from the same historical processes that defined the very invention of photography. Experiment with 19th century recipes & precious metals to craft exquisite photographic prints.
Prerequisite: None.
Corequisite: None.
Registration Information: None.
Fall.
Students focus on how design methodologies and branding influence an audience. Client relations and design communication are a primary emphasis in this process-oriented course.
Prerequisite: ART 281.
Corequisite: None.
Registration Information: None.
As Needed.
Communication and design principles applied to the display of objects. Special attention to museum and gallery installations.
Prerequisite: None.
Corequisite: None.
Registration Information: Permission of instructor.
As Needed.
Advanced studio offerings for students who have completed all other course offerings in a specific discipline. Scheduled concurrently with lower-division studios.
Prerequisite: None.
Corequisite: None.
Registration Information: Permission of instructor. Repeatable (9).
As Needed.
Graduating Art & Creative Media majors prepare resumes; artist’s statements, teaching statements, or research abstracts; and present their creative portfolio or art history research in the Senior Show.
Prerequisite: None.
Corequisite: None.
Registration Information: Senior standing.
As Needed.
Examine what it means to create exhibitions of Latinx/Chicanx/Indigenous art in museums and galleries. Bridging theory and practice, the course explores the history of exhibiting Latinx/Chicanx/Indigenous Art.
Prerequisites: None.
Corequisites: None.
Registration Information: None.
As Needed.
Explore new art practices that engage with communities around them. Create and design projects that involve social interaction and participation as a mode of expression and activism.
Prerequisites: ARC 310.
Corequisites: None.
Registration Information: None.
As Needed.
Advanced projects in Site Art that involve the presentation and creation of site specific sculptural forms.
Prerequisite: ART 333.
Corequisite: None.
Registration Information: Repeatable (9).
Fall.
Advanced painting with an emphasis on individual development. Focus pertains to formal, pictorial and technical problems met in developed personal imagery.
Prerequisite: ART 334.
Corequisite: None.
Registration Information: Repeatable (9).
Spring.
Emphasis on development of individual skills of perception and exploration of new techniques and materials.
Prerequisite: ART 342.
Corequisite: None.
Registration Information: Repeatable (9).
Fall, Spring, Summer.
This course explores advanced theories and techniques involved in working with clay: forming, firing, glazing, kiln design and construction.
Prerequisite: ART 274.
Corequisite: None.
Registration Information: Repeatable (9).
As Needed.
Introduction to lithography printing using stones, aluminum plates and photo processes in black and white and multiple color techniques.
Prerequisite: ART 370.
Corequisite: None.
Registration Information: Repeatable (9).
As Needed.
Project proposal and exploration course with particular emphasis on process strategies for developing dynamic time based, film, photographic or other creative media related projects.
Prerequisite: ART 274 or ART 276 or MAE 240 or MAE 251.
Corequisite: None.
Registration Information: Repeatable (6).
As Needed.
Project proposal and exploration course with particular emphasis on process strategies for developing dynamic projects through traditional and non-traditional studio art practices.
Prerequisites: ARC 310.
Corequisites: None.
Registration Information: None.
Spring.
Experience what professional designers do on a daily basis. Students will be challenged to conduct research, reflect, make, and communicate, both individually and in small teams.
Prerequisite: ART 381.
Corequisite: None.
Registration Information: Repeatable (6).
As Needed.
Explore the rich visual history of game environments and the influences that inform their themes and styles while building the necessary components for your own unique 3D worlds.
Prerequisites: ART 274 or ME 251.
Corequisites: None.
Registration Information: None.
As Needed.
Special Topics.
Prerequisite: None.
Corequisite: None.
Registration Information: Repeatable (99).
As Needed.
Off-campus individual experience providing transition from classroom instruction to on-the-job experience.
Prerequisite: None.
Corequisite: None.
Registration Information: Senior standing and permission of instructor. Repeatable (6).
As Needed.
Individual tutorial experience.
Prerequisite: None.
Corequisite: None.
Registration Information: Junior or senior standing. Permission of instructor.
As Needed.
Cooperative Education Placement.
Prerequisite: None.
Corequisite: None.
Registration Information: Permission of instructor.
As Needed.
Advanced sections of studio offerings.
Prerequisite: ART 397.
Corequisite: None.
Registration Information: Permission of instructor. Repeatable (99).
As Needed.
Using materials and techniques based on advanced concepts and ideas.
Prerequisite: None.
Corequisite: None.
Registration Information: Graduate standing and permission of instructor. Repeatable (99).
As Needed.
Graduate-level discussion of major developments in art theory and criticism.
Prerequisite: None.
Corequisite: None.
Registration Information: Permission of instructor. Repeatable (99).
As Needed.
Advanced study in contemporary art and associated criticism, aesthetics and the philosophy of art through the end of the twentieth century.
Prerequisite: ART 212.
Corequisite: None.
Registration Information: Permission of instructor.
As Needed.
Graduate level work in sculpture/public art including explorations in content, context, critique and techniques.
Prerequisite: None.
Corequisite: None.
Registration Information: Three semesters of undergraduate sculpture or permission of instructor. Repeatable (99).
As Needed.
Explore principles, theories, and techniques in contemporary painting: content/imagery, materials and paint handling, work in a series, exhibition, historical research, aesthetic discussion and critiques.
Prerequisite: ART 242 and ART 434.
Corequisite: None.
Registration Information: Admission to graduate Teacher Education Program. Repeatable (99).
As Needed.
Professional drawing practices utilizing quality papers and display presentation.
Prerequisite: ART 412.
Corequisite: None.
Registration Information: None.
As Needed.
Graduate level work in clay including explorations in ceramic content, context, critique and techniques (forming, firing and glazing).
Prerequisite: None.
Corequisite: None.
Registration Information: Three semesters of undergraduate ceramics or permission of instructor. Repeatable (99).
As Needed.
Graduate students will develop their personal, creative approach to image making through innovative exploration of relief, intaglio or lithography.
Prerequisite: ART 470.
Corequisite: None.
Registration Information: None.
As Needed.
Explore principles, theories, and techniques in contemporary digital art: content/imagery, work in a series, exhibition, historical research, aesthetic discussion and critiques.
Prerequisite: ART 242 and ART 334 and ART 474.
Corequisite: None.
Registration Information: Admission to graduate Teacher Education Program. Advisor approval required for prerequisite equivalents. Repeatable (99).
As Needed.
Explore principles, theories, and techniques in contemporary photography: content/imagery, programs, appropriate media output, work in a series, exhibition, historical research, aesthetic discussion and critiques.
Prerequisite: ART 374 and ART 476.
Corequisite: None.
Registration Information: Admission to graduate Teacher Education Program or permission of instructor. Advisor approval required for prerequisite equivalence. Repeatable (99).
As Needed.
Special Topics.
Prerequisite: None.
Corequisite: None.
Registration Information: Graduate standing and permission of instructor. Repeatable (99).
As Needed.
Graduate level studies.
Prerequisite: None.
Corequisite: None.
Registration Information: Permission of instructor. Repeatable (99).