• student using a bandsaw

  • Sarah Wild

  • Melina Wilcox

  • Vinh Huu Le

  • Morgan Copas

  • Kynann Grinwis

B.F.A. with an Emphasis in Sculpture

 The sculpture program is committed to bringing students a wide range of effective study opportunities in the pursuit of their individual sculptural language. Our faculty is experienced in presenting forms of sculpture ranging from the traditional, such as bronze casting, welding and figurative work, to contemporary manifestations of mixed-media, installation and emerging digital technologies. All processes are presented through demonstrations, presentations and special workshops with safety as the top priority. Not only will students be expected to work on projects in a classroom environment and their individual studio settings, but they will also be given many opportunities to collaborate with departments inside and outside the arts. Sculpture can mean many different things, and the diverse paths our student makers have taken reflect that variety. 

 

APPLY TO WMU

Curriculum: B.F.A. in Visual Art with an Emphasis in Sculpture

Basic Studies requirement — 18 credits 

  • ART 1040 Object Drawing
  • ART 1050 Drawing Studio
  • ART 1070 Form and Surface
  • ART 1080 Form and Space
  • ART 2170 Writing About Art and Design 
  • ART 2360 Professional Practice

Art history — 12 credits

Two of the four 2000-level Art History courses (6 hours)

  • ART 2200 Caves to Cathedrals
  • ART 2210 Modern and Postmodern
  • ART 2220 Art of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas
  • ART 2230 Introduction to Asian Art History

And

Two additional Art History courses at the 3000 or 4000-level, or at the 5000-level with instructor approval.

Sculpture emphasis requirement — 22 credits

  • ART 2310 Sculpture I (3 credits) 
  • ART 3310 Sculpture II (3 credits) 
  • ART 3080 Topics in Sculpture (3 credits) – repeatable
  • ART 4500 3D Contemporary Practices (3 credits) 
  • ART 4700 Topics in Studio Art (3 credits) – repeatable 
  • ART 4830 Senior Project I (fall 3 credits) 
  • ART 4840 Senior Project II (spring 4 credits)

Art studio electives—33 credits

 

Summary of B.F.A. in Visual Art with an Emphasis in Sculpture

Art Major—85 credits

General Education—37 credits

Total Credit Hours—122 credits

Students should consult the WMU catalog for the sculpture program course descriptions and requirements.

WMU catalog

Visiting Artists 

The mission of Frostic School of Art’s Visiting Artist program is tri-fold: to provide students direct, meaningful contact with working artists, both established and emerging; to elevate the regional, national, and international profile of the Frostic School of Art and Richmond Center for Visual Arts; and to nurture a sense of community among students, faculty and staff within WMU’s College of Fine Arts. Recent visiting artists and scholars that supported the sculpture curriculum include; Chris Coleman, Jennifer Wells, Sherrill Roland, Richard Hunt, Sniedze Janson-Runge, Marc Chatterley, Dan Halter, Gabrielle Goliath, Jana Hanka, Jessica Hobbs, and Brent Harris.

Portfolio reviews

Portfolio reviews for admission into the B.F.A. program with an emphasis in ceramics will be held in the second week of November and March. 

Faculty

Technician

Facilities

The sculpture area is divided into several workspaces, each with a specific function to assist students in the visualization and construction of their work.  

Studio classroom spaces

All advanced students use this space as a community-working studio. This area contains a metal shop with a fabrication area, bronze pouring facilities and a burnout kiln.  There is also a laser cutter and 3D printer available to assist students in creating their projects. 

Courtyard

The courtyard area is primarily used for metal finishing, the opening of molds, carving and shipping and receiving.

Multi-purpose room

  • Clay figure modeling
  • Plaster casting and carving
  • Wood construction
  • Washing of plaster molds
  • Critiques of student projects
  • Process demonstrations

Wax room

The wax room is used for wax pouring and fabrications. 

Sculpture woodshop

This room supports all activities in the program. It is limited to a band saw and drill press. Numerous wood working tools are also stored here. 

Shell room

The shell room is used for the building of shell and sand molds. 

Paint room

This area is designed for the use of patinas and paints. 

B.F.A. studio area 

There are also several spaces are designated for advanced student to conduct individual research and art making.