EasternConnecticutStateUniversity|DepartmentofArt&ArtHistory|FineartsInstructionalCenter(FAIC)|DepartmentOfficeFAIC317

ART130:EXPLORINGTHECREATIVEPROCESS|SPRING2017

Professor: AllisonConley Room: FAIC326

Email: conleya@easternct.edu ClassTime: Wednesdays9:00-11:45
OfficeHours: Monday&Wednesday3-5FAIC247 January18-May3

COURSEDESCRIPTION

This course will help students explore their creative process and acquire the tools for self-discovery
and self-expression. Students will create visual journals and altered books to explore personal
narratives. In addition students will be introduced to avarietyofmixedmedia,includingpenandink,
watercolorpainting,drawing,collageandprintmaking.

LACTIERIARTSANDHUMANITIESINCONTEXT-3CREDITS

Students learn about one or more arts disciplines, with an emphasis on general concepts and
terminology, and within historical and social contexts. Upon completionofthisrequirementstudents
willbeableto:

Acquirekeyconcepts,terminology,andmethodologiesregardingthestudyofaparticularartisticfield
(lectures,demonstrations,classprojects)
Understandthefunctionoftheartsinsocietythroughhistoryandinthepresent(lectures,class
discussions)
Beabletosituateartworkswithinhistorical,social,political,andculturalcontexts(lectures,readings)
Becomeknowledgeableaboutcriticalapproachestothearts(lectures,readings,videos)
Criticallyassessmovements,artworks,performance,andotherartisticexpression(classdiscussions,
critiques)
Developknowledgeandskillsinanareaofartistic,literaryorothercreativeactivity,withanemphasis
onexpression(classprojects,finalproject).

Theethicsofthecreativeprocesswillbediscussedcontinuouslythroughoutthecourse.Studentswillbe
introducedtoissuesinthearts,bothpastandpresent.Theywillevaluatetheseissuesbylearningabout
thesocialandhistoricalcontext,whilecompletingprojectsthatcomplimentthesubject.Newmediums
willbeintroducedtocompleteprojectswithincreasingcomplexity.Studentswillgainvocabularyand
skillsastheydiscusstheproblemstheyencounteredduringthecritiques,andhowtheseissuescanbe
expandedintotheirpersonalareaofstudy.

CLASSOBJECTIVES

This class will explore the process of art making,fromtheconceptionofanideatothefinalproduct.

Whilestudyingasurveyofartistsandtheirmethods,youwillusedifferentmediumsandtechniquesas
a vehicle to evoke the creative process.Youwillbeaskedtoexperimentaggressivelyandembracethe
new mediums in unfamiliar ways. The completion of this class will leave you with projects that
chronicleyourjourneyandanincreasedsensitivitytoyourpersonalcreativeprocess.

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STUDENTRESPONSIBILITIES

Attendance- This class will only meet 15 times this semester, includingourfinal.Muchofclasstime
will involve a discussion, lecture, demonstration, or activity that is difficult to make up on your own
time. Because of this, a maximum of 2 absences will be tolerated. Each additional absence will take
offahalflettergradeperdayonyourfinalgrade.Youdonotneedtotellmewhyyouareabsent.

Homework- Homework will be given every week and reviewed the next class. Assignments will
include extensions of exercises learned in class, projects,sketches,collaborations,gatheringmaterials,
andothereffortstobediscussed.

Enthusiasm, EffortandParticipation-Cometoclassfullypreparedtoengage.Iexpectdistractions
to be minimized (phonesareputaway)andattentiontobedirectedtowhateveractivity,discussionor
demonstration we are doing. Artwork can be very time consuming; do not expect to complete an
assignmentinlessthanafewhours.Alwaysbewillingtoexperiment.

Ethics and Classroom Conduct- We will be very experimental during this semester. Many people
will feel uncomfortable and vulnerable trying new materials or methods. Please give your classmates
full support when they are working. There is a certain amount of failure expected in art, but this
should not discourage anyone from experimenting. We want an atmosphere of complete security
where no one has to feel self-conscious of their working styles. Critiques of artwork should be
discussedtruthfully,respectfully,andwithoutpersonalbias.
Also,pleaserespecttheclassroombyusingthefurnituregentlyandcleaningupafteryourselves.

GRADINGANDEVALUATION

Because this class is concerned with the process of art making, rather than just the final product,
much of your grade will be based on effort and time spent developing projects.Iamnotlookingfor
drawings reproduced in a perfect photographic likeness, rather I want to see you openly experiment
with the materials and activities. Time and effort will be fully considered when reviewing your
projects, even iftheworkshowsastruggle.Ofcourse,thefinalproductwillindicatetomehowmuch
time and effort you put in, so completed projects are still very important. Final grades will be a
culmination of: effort, engagement, creativity, experimentation, final product, contribution to
critiques, and attendance. You will be given a tentative midterm grade halfway through the semester
thatwillindicatewhereyouneedtoconcentrateyoureffortsfortheremainderoftheclass.

FinalGradeBreakdown:
50% ClassProjects(everythingwecritiqueasidefromthefinalprojects)
25% Participation(enthusiasm,experimentation,contributingtocritiques)
25% FinalProject

ARTMATERIALS

Required

Drawingsupplies
9x12Sketchbook(30pages,nonewsprint)
Pencils
Eraser
Blackpen

PaintingSupplies
Watercolorpaper,2(9x12sheets)
Watercolorset(inatrayorpalette,notintubes)
Brushes

Other
Glue
Scissors
Book
Magazines

Youarewelcometoincorporateothermaterialsintoyourprojects.Iencourageyoutousethingsyoualready
haveorcaneasilyfind.

 TENTATIVECOURSETOPICSCHEDULE

JANUARY18 Introductiontoclass,discusssyllabusandmaterialslist
VijaCelmins:Findingpoetryintheworld

JANUARY25 ChuckClose:Experimentingwiththegrid
Gridproject

FEBRUARY1 ScientificIllustration:Explainingtheworld
Illustrationandwatercolorproject

FEBRUARY8 Woodcuts:Expressionsthroughthedirectcut
Woodblockedition

FEBRUARY15 AbstractExpressionism:MakingintheMoment
Papermarbling

FEBRUARY22 PerformanceArt:ExperiencingtheAct
Groupdrawingtool

MARCH1 DadaArt:PoliticalNonsense
Dadapoetry

MARCH8 Midterm

MARCH22 Photomontage:Usingmassprintforart
Montageproject

MARCH29 Erasing:Theartofobscuringinformation
Erasing,concealingandwrappingprojects

APRIL5 Obsession:Turningcompulsionsintoart
4hourdrawingproject

APRIL12 Installations:Reimaginingaspace
Installationexercise

APRIL19 Finalproject:Thealteredbook
Preliminaryworkonfinal

APRIL26 Openworktime

MAY3 Finalcritique

DISABILITIES

Eastern Connecticut State University is committed to following the requirements of the Americans
with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation. If you are a student with a disability (or
think you might have a disability) and require accommodations or assistance evacuating abuildingin
the case of an emergency, please contact the OfficeofAccessAbilityServices(OAS)at860-465-0189
to discuss your request further. Any student registered with theOASshouldcontacttheinstructoras
soonaspossibleforassistancewithclassroomaccommodations.Pleasenotethataccommodationsare
not retroactive and must be communicated through a Letter of Accommodation,whichisdraftedby
theOAS.

ACADEMICMISCONDUCTPOLICY

Students are expected to take personal responsibility for their intellectual work and to respect and
acknowledge the ideas of others. Academic honesty means doing ones own work and giving proper
credit to others whose work and thought are drawn upon. It is the responsibility of each student to
become familiar with what constitutes academic dishonesty and plagiarism, and to avoid all formsof
cheating and plagiarism. Students may not engage in any form of academic misconduct, and are
responsible for learning how to present the ideas of others in their own work, and avoid all other
forms of academic misconduct. For current documentation practices, consulttheinstructororastyle
manual(e.g.,APA,MLA).

DEPARTMENTOFARTANDARTHISTORYPOLICYONRETURNINGARTWORKANDOTHERASSIGNMENTS

Assignments will be returned during scheduled class time, instructors office hours, or by special
arrangement with the instructor. The instructor willholdassignmentsforsixweeksfollowingtheend
ofclass.Assignmentsnotpickedupduringthisperiodwillbecomepropertyoftheuniversityandmay
bediscarded.

ACADEMICSERVICECENTER

Students are encouraged to usethesupportofferedbytheAcademicServiceCenter(ASC)locatedon

the ground floor of the Library. Advising Services and tutoring in math, writing, and other subjects,
including supplementary instruction, are available.TheASCalsooffersassistanceinstudytechniques,
time management and understanding learning styles. For further information and open hours, call
465-4310orchecktheASCwebsiteatwww1.easternct.edu/asc/.