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This program is for the student looking to further develop their visual arts skills, explore a variety of media, and dive deep into exploration of art as a means of communication.
At Iowa Conservatory we believe that studying visual art can change the way in which you see, communicate, and express yourself. Our program emphasizes fundamentals as well as individuality and expression. Core elements addressed in each Icon visual art class are technique, design, art history, and story-telling. Throughout their time here at Iowa Conservatory students are encouraged to experiment and take risks in order to grow their art making and develop their individual style, leading to a portfolio and thesis exhibit. Unique to Iowa Conservatory, visual art students also participate in set painting and collaborative projects with other majors within the school.
Visual Arts students will participate in a curriculum of interdisciplinary arts education, utilizing a project-based instructional approach. They will work collaboratively with dance, music, and theatre students on student-led/teacher-student co-directed creative works and productions.
Students do not choose a concentration for their art major, but instead receive a comprehensive education that allows them to explore a wide variety of mediums. Classes include…
0.25 Credit | 1 Semester
This class is an introduction to Drawing. Drawing teaches us not only how to see and interpret the world around us, but additionally how to communicate our ideas in visual form. This course will cover many techniques of drawing with an emphasis on observational drawing, edge transitions, and intentional mark making. Media will be focused on graphite, charcoal, and pen. This class is a prerequisite for most other VA classes.
*VA Required.
0.25 Credit | 1 Semester
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0.25 Credit | 1 Semester
This class is an introduction to drawing the human head. We will start with learning a “map” and structure of the head and features. As we move forward we will get more specific into features and variations of the portrait adding more storytelling through pose and choices with technique, elements, and principles. We will experiment with different drawing media, and look at past and present artists. Class will be structured for students to have three/four long term drawings with exercises and demonstrations interspersed as assessed. Weekly sketchbook entries as well as presentation and critique are a vital part to this class. Drawing Experience Required.
*VA Elective
0.25 Credit | 1 Semester
As an artist we can make artistic choices with our subject matter, composition, medium, and techniques that contribute to a story, a feeling, an emotion. While the process of drawing and taking risks can bring welcome changes and surprises, we will be focusing on how to draw with intention and with the goal of communicating. Drawing Experience Required
0.25 Credit | 1 Semester
This class is an introduction and exploration of many drawing techniques and media. Drawing teaches us how to see and interpret the world around us and is a fundamental part of all visual art. As we learn to draw we can make choices in mark marking, design, subject matter, etc.. that allows for expression of ourselves. Throughout this course students will be asked to take risks and experiment thus allowing them to grow and become intentional in their artistic choices. Presentation and critique of artwork will be a regular part of our artistic process.
0.25 Credit | 1 Semester
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0.25 Credit | 1 Semester
With a good understanding of drawing foundational skills already established, students will be asked to explore and experiment in depth with their mark-making, composition, and message in depth. Observational drawing skills, creating form, and other drawing concepts will be revisited but with an emphasis on the student’s artistic choice as they come to understand the effect these choices have on of mood and story. Class will be structured for students to have four or more drawings to complete from design to sketch to exploration to final. Weekly Sketchbook and Evaluation/Critique will be a vital part of this class. Advanced. Typically taken junior/senior year. Two or more drawing classes and approval are prerequisite.
0.25 Credit | 1 Semester
An introduction to Art History, students will learn the significance of knowing the work and artists that came before them and how they affect art today. Students will analyze, write about, and copy significant works of art.
0.25 Credit | 1 Semester
Studying art and artists that came before us is a significant part of being an artist as we can learn so much about why and how art came to be, and can find lessons and inspiration through this knowledge. This course introduces how to use elements of art and principles of design to study art, specifically to Modern Art through video, text, and lecture. Beginning around the 1800’s with Realism and Impressionism, this time of art is particularly significant as it is when artists first began to include themselves and observations/feelings into their art. Students will create their own art history journal in which they collage images, notes, and analysis, both written and drawn, for each movement. Students will be introduced to terms and techniques for written analysis of art, as well as be asked to copy certain master works through drawing or painting.
*VA Required
0.25 Credit | 1 Semester
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0.25 Credit | 1 Semester
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0.25 Credit | 1 Semester
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0.25 Credit | 1 Semester
This is a beginning digital Photography course, using a camera as an art-making tool. Emphasis will be placed on composition, light, story, and expression. Projects will be in both black and white and color photography. Students will be introduced to equipment and processes of photography as well as history and photographers past and present. While students will be introduced and taught how to use a DSLR camera, this course can be taken with any camera including phones and is meant to empower students to create with whatever tools they have.
*VA Required
0.25 Credit | 1 Semester
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0.25 Credit | 1 Semester
As an artist we have the elements of art as our building blocks and the principles of design as our arrangement and organization. In Visual Art Exploration we will explore a variety of materials and concepts that draw our attention to the choices that we get to make as artists. With each project there will be objectives that highlight certain elements/principles. Additionally, with each media, different fundamentals and technical skills will be introduced and incorporated into the longer term projects with that art form. Class will be structured for students to have three/four long term assignments with exercises and demonstrations interspersed as assessed. Weekly sketchbook entries as well as presentation and critique are a vital part to this class. This is a beginning/entry level class that explores a variety of media.
*VA Required.
0.25 Credit | 1 Semester
Students choose long-term 2D media projects that are of interest to them and present to VA instructor and then VA instructor and student set goals and timeline together. Student works somewhat independently, but with check-ins as instructor guides them with technique and theory in achieving set outcome. This class usually takes place junior/senior years.
0.25 Credit | 1 Semester
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0.25 Credit | 1 Semester
This class is an introduction to color theory and painting techniques and processes. Emphasis will be placed on mixing colors, tints and shades, and choosing colors with purpose. A variety of paint applications and brushstrokes will be introduced often based on a master painter of the past or present. On completing this class students will have a good understanding and hands on experience in painting fundamentals and color theory. Drawing Prerequisite or Approval
*VA Required.
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