California State University, Sacramento (Art Department at California State University, Sacramento)

The Art Department offers a wide range of courses in Art Education, Art History (American, Latin American, Native American, Asian, and European), and Studio Art (ceramics, collage, drawing, electronic art, jewelry, metalsmithing, painting, photography, printmaking, and sculpture). These courses serve to engage students in the study of fine arts within a liberal arts context and to promote appreciation of the fine arts in the general student population.

Scholarship assistance is available in the form of annual art awards. Undergraduate students may compete for the Raymond W. Witt Scholarship and Frederick M. Peyser, Sr., Prize; while graduate students in Studio Art may compete for the Increase Robinson Memorial Fellowship and the JAM, Inc. Studio Arts Award.

The Art Department maintains two separate studio and lecture facilities and three galleries. Sculpture, three-dimensional composition, and painting are taught in the Art Sculpture Lab at the south end of campus. Art education, art history, drawing, two-dimensional composition, ceramics, jewelry, metalsmithing, photography, and printmaking are taught at Kadema Hall, where the departmental offices also are located. Electronic art (formerly called computer art) is taught in Mariposa Hall, adjacent to Kadema Hall. The Robert Else Gallery and the Raymond Witt Gallery, used primarily for exhibitions of work by CSUS students, are located in Kadema Hall. In Spring of 2002, a new art gallery was opened on the first floor of the University Library. The Library Gallery has been the setting of several major exhibitions, including the “Society of Six” (Spring and Summer 2002), "The Transformation of Nature in the Art of Joseph Raffael and Frank Owen” (Fall 2002), “Postflesh: Visualizing the Techno-Self” (Winter 2002-03), and “Wayne Thiebaud: Works from 1955 to 2003” (Spring and Summer 2003). Each exhibition has been accompanied by a series of public events, including receptions and guest lectures.


Program Description

The Art Department at California State University, Sacramento (CSUS) introduces students to the expressive world of the fine arts. A wide variety of approaches to art based on both Western and non-Western cultures are integrated into courses that are orientated toward creativity, imagination and critical thinking. Students are able to explore art through courses in art education, art history, ceramics, electronic art, drawing, metalsmithing / jewelry, painting, printmaking, photography, and sculpture.

Studio experiences develop the creative and artistic skills necessary for mastery of established styles and for exploration of new ones. Art history classes provide an appreciation for and an understanding of our visual cultural heritage within a historical context. Both studio and art history classes reward students with an introduction to a lifetime appreciation of the arts.

Courses in art education provide an understanding of the behavioral aspects of art, with regard to the creator, the viewer, and the developing person.

Courses in the Art Department direct and foster creative and intellectual growth. Courses, programs, and exhibitions sponsored by the Art Department serve to engage students in the fine arts within a liberal arts context and to promote appreciation of the fine arts in the general student population.

Programs are offered that lead to the Bachelor of Arts degree in Art Studio, the Master of Arts degree in Art Studio, and the Art Minor ( three areas: Art Education, Art History, and Art Studio). The department also offers pre-credential preparation for the Single Subject Teaching Credential in Art.

CSUS is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design.


Art Education
The Art Department provides a subject matter preparation program in art education for students who want to become teachers in the public schools, teachers in after school programs, or art education facilitators in museums and art galleries. The art education courses and intensive studio art courses provide students with many opportunities to devote themselves to studio production, aesthetics, art criticism, art history, elementary and secondary curriculum development, assessment strategies, and diversity and equity issues.

Students completing the program receive a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art Studio (with course work in art education) and are eligible to apply to the Professional Education Program in the College of Education to complete additional teaching requirements. Upon completion of the Professional Education Program, students will receive a preliminary teaching credential in art.

Many graduates find teaching positions in elementary, middle and secondary schools within California, while others choose teaching positions in the private sector. Graduates also work in galleries, museums, or special education facilities, while others become entrepreneurs who open private art consulting businesses or art galleries.


Art History
The Art History curriculum provides a full range of courses in Western and non-Western art, criticism, and visual culture from pre-history to the present and from many perspectives, formal and contextual. Faculty members hold advanced degrees from a variety of distinguished universities. Each offers undergraduate surveys as well as upper-division courses in his or her particular field of expertise. Lecture/discussion classes, seminars, independent studies, fieldwork, and studio courses produce college-level visual literacy, multicultural awareness, art historical skills (research, writing, traditional methods, visual analysis and synthesis, critical thinking), and understanding of art making practices. Students focus on an area of interest, which is enriched by electives from outside art history in areas such as anthropology, history, and humanities and religious studies.

Art History is available as both a minor and, effective Fall 2004, as a concentration in the Art major. Art History courses also are taken by students majoring in entirely different subjects, and can be used towards the majors in Graphic Design, Interior Design, and Photography. Some lower division courses in Art History and Art Appreciation can be used to fulfill General Education requirements.


DRAWING AND PAINTING
Drawing courses introduce various techniques and approaches in drawing using pencil, charcoal and pastel. Courses include direct-observational drawing from the model, still life and landscape. Advanced classes continue the investigation of drawing.

Painting courses introduce various techniques and approaches in painting using oil, acrylic and watercolor media. Courses include direct-observational painting from the model, still life and landscape. Advanced classes continue the investigation of painting with opportunities for self-directed study.


ELECTRONIC ART
The Electronic Art program offers a series of courses in new media art. These are Art 97 (Beginning Electronic Art), Art 197 (Intermediate Electronic Art) and Art 198 (Advanced Electronic Art). The courses explore various approaches to digital imaging, time-based and interactive media. Each class is taught within the context of new media culture and contemporary art practice.

METALS AND JEWELRY
The small metals area incorporates several courses from beginning to advanced levels. Students work with traditional jewelers' tools and equipment. Students also have the option of working in a variety of semi-precious and precious metals. Open studios accomodate students who wish to develop their style and improve their technique.


PHOTOGRAPHY
Photography is a joint major, shared with the Department of Design. Details relating to the Photography area can be found on the Department of Design's website.


PRINTMAKING
Printmaking is a process for making multiples. This does not mean reproductions or copies, rather it means creation of artworks that incorporate the possibilities inherent in making more than one of something. Just as the recording of music allows mixing of tracks and the editing of elements, so printmaking deals with visual arts.

There are many variations within print media. Most are extensions of drawing, but some are sculptural in nature and others are closer to collage or stencil.

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