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Fine Arts Studio
Are you an artist seeking to pursue your creative passion while enhancing your artistic skill set? Then take a closer look at the fine arts studio emphasis from Dordt. Will you gain a solid understanding of art and design? Yes. Will you learn from professors who are committed to teaching you from a Christian perspective? Yes again. Will you grow as an artist, as a Christ-follower, and as a person. Absolutely. It’s all part of earning your degree in fine arts.
Program Overview
Our fine arts program expands your creative abilities by offering classes with a broad spectrum of art subjects. Experienced professors help you gain technical skills, understand key concepts, and hone your professional portfolio. You’ll also have the ability to enter your art into local art shows, art magazines, and more.
What You'll Learn
Simply put, you’ll learn how to make a career of creating art and visual media. You’ll study and learn multiple art disciplines. You’ll refine your technique. And you’ll understand how God and your faith can be part of every masterpiece you create. Some of your course options include drawing, motion graphics, and sculpture, with a variety of other classes to consider as well.
What You Can Do With A Fine Arts Studio Emphasis
You may be surprised at the career opportunities available. Graduates will be equipped to pursue careers as art therapists, art gallery managers, graphic designers, advertising art directors, and more. And knowing how God can work through your passion and creativity will make your work even more fulfilling.
Music Director
A Music Director oversees all musical aspects of a theatre or opera production.
Photographer
A Photographer uses their technical expertise to capture images that serve as an aide to a story or event.
Illustrator
An Illustrator designs art for different purposes such as logos, t-shirts, children’s books, etc.
Career Preparation
Dordt University's 2024 Career Outcome Rate was 99.4%! “This data point tells us that Dordt graduates are prepared for the careers of their choosing,” said Amy Westra, director of Career Development. “A Dordt education provides students with industry-relevant courses and connections that make a difference.”
Students who choose the fine arts studio emphasis will complete various art courses and a philosophy course in addition to completing the general requirements for an art degree. Additionally, students will pick two art history courses, two first-level studio courses, two second-level studio courses, and one third-level studio course.
- Design Theory: Manipulation of two-dimensional design through the use of the basic art elements: line, shape, value, color, texture, and space. The course is intended to develop a visual vocabulary and an imaginative approach to design.
- Drawing I: Acquiring the basic skills of drawing through an objective investigation of reality. Common media and tools are used.
- Art History: Contemporary Art and Architecture: This is the third course in a historical survey of art and architecture. The course will begin with the foundations of modernism in the last half of the 19th century and then cover the plurality of styles in the 20th century.
- Sculpture I: An introductory course emphasizing 3-D design and utilizing a variety of materials including clay, wood, plaster, stone, and mixed media.
- Drawing II
- Senior Seminar in Art: A critical examination of contemporary problems and trends in the field of art. The course will include readings, discussions, a paper or presentation, critique of current exhibitions, and a senior art show.
- Art History: Ancient and Medieval: This course is the first of a three-semester survey of the history of the visual arts. It investigates the role of the visual arts in the historical and cultural development of world civilization between prehistory and the 14th century.
- Art History: 14th to 19th Centuries: This course is the second of a three-semester survey of the history of art. It covers the history of architecture, painting, and sculpture from the 14th century through the 19th century.
- Non-Western Art History: This course studies non-European art and culture including Islamic, Japanese, and Chinese art.
- Ceramics I: An introduction to clay and the basic process of slab, pinch, coil, and wheel-thrown constructions.
- Painting I: An introduction to painting, emphasizing techniques and methods of communicating ideas visually.
- Printmaking I: An introduction to some basic printmaking methods including serigraphy, linocuts, collographs, and intaglio.
- Photography I: An exploration of black and white photography as an art form. Students must provide their own 35mm camera.
- Graphic Design I: An introductory class in the use of the Macintosh computer, covering basic layout software, object-oriented drawing software, and a paint program for scanning, image manipulation, and their use in graphic design. Through assignments that address the functional and experimental aspects of typography, students explore the interaction of form and meaning in typographic design. This course provides an initial exploration of visual communication issues and applications along with design methodology.
- Sculpture II
- Ceramics II
- Painting II
- Printmaking II
- Photography II
- Graphic Design II: A continuation of Art 240, students apply their growing knowledge of the interaction between typography and visual form to specific design situations. Type/image relationships are important aspects of this course. Typographic syntax and arrangement are stressed. Design methodology, research, the development of a variety of ideas, and print production technology is emphasized.
- Motion Graphics: This course is an introduction to the art of 2-D and 3-D digital graphics animation and interactivity for video, Web, and DVD. Students will gain knowledge of digital animation and its history. Projects are centered on getting hands-on experience and will integrate learning with real-world video production. The course also focuses on planning, design, and production using lectures, demonstrations, workshops, and screenings. Students will focus on using the most popular software programs.
- Drawing III
- Sculpture III
- Ceramics III
- Painting III
- Printmaking III
- Photography III
- Graphic Design III: A continuation of Art 340, this advanced course presents complex design situations. Students are involved in extended projects such as identity systems with various components including website design, families of package design, utilitarian design or poster designs developed in a series. Students are expected to cultivate and demonstrate a high level of comprehension about the interrelationship between visual form and meaning.
- Aesthetics: A study of the aesthetic dimension of creation, the nature and qualifying function of artistic activity, and artifacts, and an introduction to general aesthetic theory and its history.
Ready to take the next step?
Faculty
With experience in a variety of fields, our faculty members are equipped and ready to help you succeed.
Student Stories
Dordt students and alumni use their gifts to make a difference in the world. Check out their stories to see how Defender Nation lives out our mission to work effectively toward Christ-centered renewal in all aspects of contemporary life.
Puzzle Pieces of Her Story
Allison (Wordes) TeveldeAllison was able to step out of her comfort zone at Dordt which helped her to grow and learn more about herself and others.
Allison (Wordes) Tevelde
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Looking the World Back to Grace
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