Sculpture
Art majors studying sculpture enjoy state-of-the-art studio facilities that support a variety of mediums.
Facilities
The department has well-equipped sculpture studio facilities that support a variety of mediums with dedicated wood-, stone- and metal-working areas. In addition to the 9,000-square-foot indoor space, there is a 15,000-square-foot outdoor work area, serviced by a 3-ton, 20’ high, 30’ x 60’ bridge crane and a 30” iron-melting cupola. Our resources continue to expand outside of the traditional studio facilities to include access to digital sculpting tools through 3D software and hardware.
Wood
The wood shop/studio (3,000 square ft.) is equipped with ventilation, compressed air and large stationary equipment. The large stationary equipment includes a planer, joiner, table saw, radial arm and miter saws, a large band saw and a 14 inch band saw, drill presses and belt and disc sanders. The studio has numerous handheld electric and pneumatic tools, such as belt and orbital sanders, drills, die grinders, saber and circular saws and chainsaws, along with the necessary chisels, clamps, glue guns, etc. This is a necessity for the sculptor working in wood.
Stone and Metal
These disciplines share a well-ventilated, 4000-square-foot common studio with access through an oversized, roll-up door which permits materials, supplies and sculptures to be moved in and out by truck. Just inside the entrance, a 2-ton electric hoist is mounted on a jib crane to facilitate loading and building large sculptures.
Available tools specific to stone working include pneumatic carving hammers, air and electric grinders, two hammer drills with assorted carbide bits for drilling and splitting with wedges and feathers, two circular saws with diamond blades to cut granite and marble and assorted hand chisels, hammers and rasps.
The metal shop/studio has four arc welders (MIG and water-cooled TIG), numerous oxy-acetylene cutting and welding units, a plasma arc cutter, a gas forge with dies, tongs and other forging tools, a power hacksaw and an abrasive chop saw, drill presses, sanders, a 10-foot sheet metal brake and numerous hand tools such as drills, grinders, etc. The welding stations are shielded with fireproof curtains and serviced by flexible fume exhausts.
The foundry is supported by both an indoor #125 crucible gas furnace and a 1000 pounds capacity iron melting cupola located in the sculpture yard with a 30’ x 60’ bridge crane. Molds are made with ceramic shell and resin bonded sand.
Courses Offered in Sculpture
ARTT 330: “Elements of Sculpture - Metal Casting”
Sculptural concepts and fundamental processes related to metal casting.
ARTT 331: “Elements of Sculpture - Steel”
Sculptural concepts and fundamental processes related to steel fabrication; torch cutting, welding, hot forging and finishing.
ARTT 333: “Elements of Sculpture - Wood and Mixed-Media”
Sculptural concepts and fundamental processes using wood and mixed media.
ARTT 438A: “Advanced Sculpture Studio - Metal Casting”
Multi-level sculpture studio; continuation of media-specific sculpture courses with emphasis on contemporary art issues and individual directions in metal casting.
ARTT 438B: “Advanced Sculpture Studio - Steel Sculpture”
Multi-level sculpture studio; continuation of media-specific sculpture courses with emphasis on contemporary art issues and individual directions in steel fabrication.
For a full list of courses currently being offered, please check the Testudo website.