Arts

An associate degree in Art at LRCC offers a choice of two concentrations: Art Education and Studio Art. They share a core of 4 classes in studio foundations and history. Both tracks offer a strong arts foundation for entry into the field and several options for transferring to 4-year programs.

The Art Education track provides students with a survey of studio art courses and art education courses. Students will spend time in elementary, middle or high school art classrooms, observing and interacting with students and teachers. Upon completion of the degree students will be prepared to teach art in a private setting or to transfer to a 4-year institution to complete their Bachelors in Art Education and earn their teaching certificate.

Students who complete the program will:

  • translate the 3D world onto a 2D surface through drawing, painting, or digital media,
  • utilize the elements of composition, 2D design, 3D design and color theory,
  • realize and create a cohesive body of work, photograph and organize this work into an online portfolio and layout and hang this work in a professional manner,
  • understand and discuss current trends in the art world,
  • communicate effectively both orally and in writing as well as through artistic communications,
  • explore diverse ideas and emotions, as expressed through art history, to evaluate the effect of historical trends, events, institutions, and social systems as applied to the arts,
  • perform mathematical operations basic to functioning in present and future disciplines or occupations and to prepare for further education,
  • demonstrate scientific thought both quantitatively and qualitatively by learning to recognize and formulate questions for analysis of human and technical problems.

Degrees and Certificates

Courses

ARTS111L: Introduction to Drawing

This course is an introduction to drawing from observation. We will cover several “tools for seeing” or ways of translating the 3-Dimensional world onto our 2-Dimensional page. We will work on ways to overcome our preconceived ideas of what something looks like and to truly see it. Tools to be covered are sighting and measuring, negative space, summarizing value and 1-point perspective. This class will work primarily in black in white and from observation of still lives and the landscape. Drawing as a mode of self-expression will also be explored throughout the course.

ARTS116L: Drawing: Personal Voice

The projects in this course are aimed at helping the student find their “personal” drawing Voice. They will explore what they are using art to say and how they are saying it. An introduction to color theory is covered and a variety of both black, white and color drawing media are used. Assignments involve synthesizing from observational drawing and imagined drawing, working in diptychs and series, working from written prompts as well as process-oriented prompts. Assignments encourage both observational and abstract work.

ARTS120L: 2-D Design

This course offers an introduction to the basic two-dimensional design concepts of color, composition, and the organization of pictorial space. A variety of design media will be explored which includes drawing, painting, and collage.

ARTS125L: 3-D Design

This course offers an introduction to three-dimensional concepts and sculptural materials that are involved in the creation and appreciation of functional and nonfunctional sculptural form. A variety of sculptural media, materials and techniques will be explored including clay, plaster, wire, cardboard, and mixed media.

ARTS131L: Art History: Prehistoric to Gothic

This course covers the principal movements and trends in painting, sculpture, and architecture from the prehistoric period through the Gothic period. The course will utilize digital images, interactive 3D reproductions, short films, historical texts, and a course textbook as well as opportunities for student reflection.

ARTS136L: Art History: Renaissance to Modernism

This course covers the principal movements and trends in painting, sculpture, and architecture from the Renaissance through Modernism. The course will utilize digital images, interactive 3D reproductions, short films, historical texts and a course textbook as well as opportunities for student reflection.

ARTS140L: Exploration in the Visual Arts

This course is designed to provide an overview of the visual arts, its traditions, history, and techniques as part of our general education offerings. This course will fulfill a Liberal Arts elective requirement but will not be appropriate for students pursuing the Associate Degree in Fine Arts.

ARTS145L: The Clay Experience I

This course offers an overview of the basic techniques and processes of working with clay. Topics include hand-building and wheel-throwing methods, glazes, and firing. This course will fulfill a humanities or liberal arts requirement for all majors.

ARTS146L: Clay Handbuilding: Techniques and Exploration

This course offers an overview of the basic techniques and processes of working with clay.  Topics include hand-building methods, glazes, and firing.  By the end of the course, students will have a collection of finished ceramic works that demonstrate both technical proficiency and personal artistic style.

ARTS147L: Clay Throwing: Techniques and Exploration

This course is designed to introduce and advance students in the art of wheel-throwing, focusing on both functional and artistic ceramic forms.  Students will learn the fundamental techniques of centering, pulling, and shaping clay on the wheel to create vessels such as bowls, cups, and plates.  The course will also cover surface decoration, trimming, and glazing techniques to enhance the final pieces.  Emphasis will be placed on precision, form development, and creative expression through clay.  No prior wheel-throwing experience is required, and students will progress from basic to more complex forms throughout the semester.  By the end of the course, students will have a collection of finished ceramic works that demonstrate both technical proficiency and personal artistic style.

ARTS150L: Introduction to Art Education

This course offers an introduction to the art teaching profession. The course also provides an overview of issues concerning the theory and practice of art education, as well as possible career paths in art education. Topics include but are not limited to: history of art education in American schools; theory and practice in art education; child development in art; life in the art classroom; and career paths in art education. Twenty hours of classroom observation in an art(s) program is required.

ARTS163L: Screen Printing

This course introduces the student to screen printing techniques. Areas of emphasis include: types of frames, terminology, fabric selection, stencil preparation, fabric stretching techniques, screen printing inks, and squeegee selection. Projects are selected and designed by each student. Classroom theory will be supported by lab demonstrations. Credit will not be given for more than one of the following courses: ARTS163L or GRA271L.

ARTS212L: Introduction to Digital Photography

This course is designed for students with minimal experience in photography. Students will learn the basics of photographic techniques, both technical and artistic. Lighting, camera settings, simple Photoshop processes, and composition will be covered, as well as moving images from the camera to computer, printer, web, or presentation. Students must provide their own camera with minimum requirements: point and shoot camera or equivalent, built-in flash, zoom lens, different scene modes, and 2-4g memory card. Optional equipment: tripod.

ARTS213L: Advanced Digital Photography

This course builds on skills covered in ARTS212L and is the choice for the more advanced student. Technical skills using a wide variety of camera settings are covered, as are more advanced Photoshop techniques. Students will develop a keener artistic eye, greater creative capacity, and a broader range of photographic skills, such as nighttime-exposure photographs. Students must provide their own camera with minimum requirements: fixed lens (FLO DSLR camera) with light metering ability, built-in flash, auto focus system, and manual mode. Optional equipment includes: tripod, zoom or multiple lenses, external flash, and multiple storage cards.

ARTS216L: Drawing: Figure in Value

This is an introductory level figure drawing course. Students will draw primarily from the nude model. They will learn to draw the model from observation using line and value. Students will work primarily in black and white however there will also be opportunity to use a value range within a limited color palette. A variety of wet and dry drawing media will be explored.

ARTS221L: Drawing: Figure in Color

This course builds from the basic figure drawing covered in Drawing: Figure in Value. Students will work primarily in color. Using color in an observational and expressive manner. A variety of wet and dry drawing media will be explored.

ARTS235L: Art History: 20th Century

This course provides an introductory survey of the styles and conventions of the principle artistic movements and trends of the late 19th through 20th century.

ARTS240L: Painting I

This course offers an introduction to the basic principles, media, and techniques of painting in oils and acrylics. The development of understanding color mixing, exploration of form, content and space is emphasized while working from abstract and realistic subject matters. The course synthesizes composition, creative thought, and critical thinking.

ARTS245L: The Clay Experience II

This course offers a continuation and expansion of concepts and skills established in ARTS145L. This course will explore both functional and non-functional forms in clay, introducing the students to more sculptural and conceptual methods of producing clay objects and to thinking of clay as a personally expressive medium.

ARTS251L: Issues in Contemporary Art

This course offers an exploration of current topics, trends, issues, and artists in the contemporary art world. This course will be taught in a seminar format, supplemented with slides, film and video, computer presentations, and visiting artists. When possible, field trips to area galleries, museums, exhibitions, arts events, or studios may be taken.

ARTS255L: Printmaking

An introductory studio course in the methods and materials of printmaking, building on principles and concepts of design established in 2-D Design. A variety of printmaking techniques will be introduced including woodblock printing, etching, linocut-printing, embossing and collagraph.

ARTS266L: Portfolio

In this course students create a personal website of their work. They learn to photograph their work and to edit the photos to upload to their website. They develop an artist statement. They also learn and practice the process of matting and hanging their work.

ARTS270L: Painting II

Further development of skills introduced in Painting I. Primary focus is on observational painting from landscape, still-life, and an introduction to painting the figure. The course will include analysis of the painting styles of the past and emphasis upon the role of the artist in contemporary society.

ARTS275L: Independent Study in Fine Arts

The Independent Study in Fine Arts is designed for those students who either want to delve more deeply into a particular aspect of art, or who have a personal project they would like to explore. Students are expected to have enough art experience to formulate their own interests and goals, as well as work independently to completion.

ARTS280L: Creative Entrepreneurship

This course addresses the unique needs of creative people in the creative professions. Students will explore all aspects of living the creative life and building a creative work life through hands-on projects, discussion, and simulation. Topics will include, but are not limited to, the following: assessing your creative personality, exploring career possibilities, and creating a plan, business essentials, and branding yourself in the marketplace.