College of Fine Arts and Design

The UCO Department of Art offers three Bachelor degree programs: Bachelor of Arts Education (B.A.Ed) in Art Education, Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Art History and Studio Art. Information on the Department of Art's current web course offerings can also be found here. Many of our graduates are accepted into prestigious graduate programs across the United States, art educators, and professional studio artists.

Foundation Coursework

The art core curriculum is a comprehensive foundation program for all art programs. The core is comprised of five fundamental studio courses (Drawing I, Life drawing, 2-D design, 3-D design and Color), two art history survey courses and a sophomore capstone course for each area program; Art Education-Introduction to Art Education, Art History-Research Techniques, and Studio Art- Sophomore Portfolio. The required foundation courses introduce students to the investigation of visual art practices and theories. These courses prepare students for the study of art by providing an intellectual framework that supports all the degree programs. Students are exposed to a wide range of media and processes where they are able to explore the vocabulary of the visual language in 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional projects.

Students in the Studio Art program may then choose to focus in six areas of advanced study; ceramics, jewelry/metalsmithing, sculpture, painting, photography and drawing.

Art Education (B.A. Ed.) detailed degree information available here

The Art Education program at the University of Central Oklahoma offers students a curriculum leading to certification for teaching art in (K-12) public school systems. The core of the program is centered upon mastering a variety of studio art disciplines and is reinforced with professional experiences in art history, criticism and philosophy/ aesthetics.

Additional coursework in studio art, art history and education comprise one of the most comprehensive and respected teacher education programs in the Southwest. 

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Art History (B.F.A.) detailed degree information available here

The Art History program offers students the opportunity to study a wider range of artistic traditions than most traditional programs. While building on the base of Art History survey courses, students take courses that concentrate on ethnic and gender specific art. Multicultural art, African art, Native American art, and Art by Women are offered each semester with new courses added to this strong base of non-western Art History. Research courses involve the student in preparing their presentations for electronic media. Many of the courses are offered through the Internet, which offers the student constant access to the lecture material. Courses on special topics are presented as a combination web course and study tour. UCO Study Abroad programs place students where they can experience the art firsthand and are offered each year to enrich their understanding and appreciation of the art.

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Studio Art detailed degree information available here

The major part of the program consists of studio work and includes instruction in the principles of design and the use of various media. Students examine influencing and prevailing social issues, and study how to reflect the energy of contemporary society. Taken in combination with lectures and seminars in Art History this offers a link to both historical cultures and contemporary means of expression.

Concentrations: Ceramics, Jewelry/Metalsmithing, Sculpture, Painting, Photography, Drawing

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Area 1: Ceramics

The mission of the ceramics program is to support students in the skill-based, intellectual and personal development necessary for professional artists. Undergraduate courses in ceramics include hand building and wheel throwing, clay and glaze chemistry as well as individual research.

The curriculum addresses the importance of technical information and skill, and requires rigorous ideation and critique processes through which students train to articulate their visual conceptual language.

The ceramic facilities accommodate all aspects of the ceramic processes. It is equipped with a car loading soda-kiln and hire fire reduction kiln, as well as several electric kilns.

• Brent Potter's Wheels (14 ct.)
• Pacifico Potter's Wheels (2 ct.)
• Brent Manual Clay Extruder
• Scott Creek Pottery Manual Clay Extruder

Clay Mixing Room

• Peter Pugger PM100 - Mix, Pug, Extrude
• Soldner Clay Mixer

Glaze Room

• Spray Booth, Gun, and Air Compressor System
• DeWalt Electric Drill and Mixer (for glazes)

2 Kiln Rooms (Indoor and Outdoor)

• Soda Gas Car Kiln
• Gas Car Kiln
• L&L Electric Kilns (5)
• L&L Eleectric car kiln
• Paragon Janus 273 Electric Kiln

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Area 2: Jewelry/Metalsmithing

The Jewelry/Metalsmithing program at UCO is one of only two programs in the state of Oklahoma. Students learn basic jewelry and metalsmithing techniques as well as more advanced techniques that included casting, die forming, silversmithing, color applications with enameling, chemical patination electroplating, and etching.  Our program prepares students for careers as studio artists as well as admission to graduate schools.

Jewelry & Metalsmithing studio equipment:

• Durston Rolling Mills (3 ct. - 1 combination rod & sheet-6in surface)
• Rio Grande Vic 12 Vacuum
• Centrifical Caster
• Vulcanizer
• Table top drill press
• 8 flexshafts
• Buffer, tumbler, and new Raytech vibrating unit
• Soldering stations all ventilated
• Table top belt sander
• Great selection of stakes and hammers

 Kilns

• Swest Kburnout kiln
• 3 Vcella enamelling kilns; models 11, 12, 16

The visiting artist program offers workshops and artist lectures for students each semester.  Past artists include:

• Mary Donald, Jewelry, Fall 2011
• Helen Shirk, Color on Metal, Spring 2011
• Jesse Mathes, Textile Technique in Metals, Fall 2010
• David Huang, Metalsmithing, Chasing & Repousee, Spring 2010
• Sarah Perkins, Enameling, Fall 2009
• Andy Cooperman, Imaginative Captures, SNAG workshop grant, 2006
• Arline Fisch, Textile Techniques in Metal, 2005

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Area 3: Sculpture

The Sculpture program at UCO is a comprehensive program that encourages students to investigate historical and contemporary issues, traditional and alternative materials and processes fused with personal expression. Students learn woodworking, metal fabrication and forming, mixed media, and mold making. Jewelry and Metalsmithing can be incorporated into this area for a uniquely designed emphasis.

Sculpture studio equipment:

Metal Working

• Thermal Dynamics Cutmaster 38 Plasma Cutter
• Lincoln Electric Power MIG 255 Welder
• 4 sided Welding Screen
• Welding Hoods (I will be testing and repairing these shortly)
• Porter Cable Model 1400 Abrasive Chop Saw
• Wysong 48" Break Press (manual)
• Wysong 36" Slip Roll (manual) 14-16 ga. max with rod rolling capability

• Wysong 37" Foot Shear 16 ga. max

Wood Working

• Band Saw (2 ct.)
• Drill Press (2 ct.) adjustable speed settings
• Saw Stop Table Saw
• Plainer
• Jointer
• Radial Arm Saw
• Compound Miter Saw (sliding arm)
• Panel Saw
• Compound Miter Saw
• Tilt Table Mortiser (w/ stand)

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Area 4: Painting

Painting has traditionally been defined as wet paint on a flat surface, but this definition continues to evolve to include a variety of experimental media and techniques.  At the introductory level the painting program works to install a strong foundation in the history and techniques of traditional painting methods. Upper level coursework advocates the personal exploration of non-traditional methodologies and imagery as the students advance. Studio work is supplemented with contemporary theoretical readings, research assignments and art historical lectures relevant to each class's development.

 

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Area 5: Photography

The photography program is one that considers traditional and digital photography as a fine art. Historical and contemporary formats are explored through coursework and lectures. Silver and non-silver processes are explored. Students are given a strong art background to compliment their creative photographic eye.

Photography Studio equipment: (also see our Technology list)

• nuARC Light Table (3'x4')
• Boston 2624 Paper Cutter
• Seal Sealector III Tacking Iron
• Seal Commercial 210M Dry Mounting/Laminating Press

Dark Room

• Beseler 23CII 35mm Enlarger (6 ct.)
• 45 4x5 Enlarger (2 ct.)
• Frigidaire Model FDB50R1 Dehumidifier (2 ct.)
• Arkay RC 2100 Print Dryer

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Area 6: Drawing

The development of the drawing student begins as a traditional approach and progresses as the student is introduced to conceptual problem solving with regard to contemporary drawing issues related to the figure, landscape, still life and the question of abstraction/non-objective are explored. Critical thinking and discussions are a crucial component the student's development in drawing. 

Drawing equipment: (also see our Technology list)

• Smartboard
• Writing Tablets
• HD Video cameras

Printmaking courses fill the student's needs for art electives and courses that expand the 2D vocabulary.  Course offerings include; Digital Printmaking, Etching, Relief printmaking and Serigraphy. 

Our Printmaking studio is well equipped with the following:

For Digital Printmaking:

• 20 Mac Books w/ CS5 software
• Cannon Scanner

For Traditional Printmaking:

• nuARC Light Table (3'x4')
• 24" x 48"(bed) French Press
• Vertical and Spray Etching Tanks
• Global Equipment Corporation Screen Drying Cabinet (GSD2736-1)
• Global Equipment Corporation Exposure Unit (GX150-2-CL)
• Delta 1 Convection Air Drying Cabinet
• Serigraphy Baseboards and Hinges
• Boston 2624 Paper Cutter
• IDEAL 1043 Paper Cutter (Kutrimmer)
• Matt Cutter
• Railcut Safety Trimmer
• EPSON Stylus Pro 7800 & 9800 printers (Both compatible with current Mac in the lab)
• Mac Portable Work Station
• Drying Racks (1@44x55", 1@24x32", 3@33x48")
• Takach Press Sink and Power Washer

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Additional Course Offerings

Printmaking courses are offered to fill the student's needs for art electives. Course offerings include, Digital Printmaking, Etching, Relief Printmaking and Serigraphy.

Web Courses 

Our art program at the University of Central Oklahoma is unique in offering our students flexible scheduling and location with web-based courses such as West African Art, Art by Women, Methods of Teaching, Art History and Criticism of Art for more information contact Art Historyt at cweidell@uco.edu

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