Contemporary movements in sculpture are examined through slide lectures and attendance at visiting artist lectures and visits to exhibitions. This course uses wood as a primary medium. Emphasis is placed on individual concept and design. Students learn the use of hand and power tools as well as techniques of joining, laminating, fabricating and carving. The course focuses on work in fabricated and welded steel and cast bronze sculptures.
Students learn basic welding techniques using oxygen and acetylene, arc and heliarc welding.
Moldmaking, work in wax, and metal finishing techniques are also explored. Metal is the medium of choice in this course designed to explore three-dimensional design with a variety of projects grounded in historical precedents. Students become familiar with as many metalworking techniques as time and safety allow, such as gas and arc welding, basic forge work, and several methods of piercing, cutting and alternative joinery. This course concentrates on modeling from the figure. Work is predominately in clay, but mold-making and casting techniques are also explored.