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AREAS OF STUDY
Art History, Ceramics, Color Theory, Crafts, Design, Drawing, Enameling, Jewelry & Metalsmithing, Painting, Printmaking, Sculpture
The Art History Program is comprised of introductory Art Appreciation (AR 127), Art History I (AR 107), Art History II (AR108), History of Architecture I (AR 209), History of Architecture II (AR 210) and four specialty courses: Survey of Asian Art (AR 130), The History of Italian Renaissance Art (AR 131), American Art (AR 207) and Modern Art: Its Origins and Development (AR 231). Each of these courses is a lecture/discussion taught with visual images. Art Appreciation addresses art of all periods from around the world and introduces students to the methods, materials, symbols and meaning that one finds in the history of art. The art history courses are taught chronologically. Art History I examines art from cave paintings through the Gothic period. Art History II begins with the Renaissance and covers art to the present day. Art Appreciation, Art History I, and Art History II are offered every semester and summer session. The architectural history surveys are offered every term, one in the evening and one during the day; they alternate semesters. The specialized courses are offered in rotation with Asian Art in the fall of 2002 and Modern Art in the spring of 2003.
The following courses are offered in the Ceramics program: Ceramics I (AR 121), which is primarily devoted to handbuilding, Ceramics II (AR 122), which is primarily devoted to wheelthrowing, and Practicum I and II (AR 280D & 281D) which are special courses for students continuing their ceramic studies for credit.
All classes are oriented toward a creative problem solving process via the introduction of various ceramic skills needed to solve those problems. The development of critical thinking and writing skills are also an important element of each course. The intent of each ceramics course is to foster skill enhancement, idea development and an appreciation for ceramics as a significant expressive media. The full range of ceramic possibilities from pottery to sculptural expression is encouraged and supported.
The classes are taught in a lecture and studio session format. A limited amount of clay and glaze materials are available to each student. Each student enrolled in a course is expected to supply their own tools, however there are no studio fees. The facility is amply equipped with an extruder, a slab roller, kilns, wheels, tables, shelves and storage space for student work.
Color Theory and Application (AR 105) is a foundation art course that introduces students to the expressive and decorative aspects of color. The course is taught in a studio format where students learn to manipulate color through demonstrations of media technique and they discuss their projects in critique.
Crafts (AR123) is a survey course designed to introduce students to metalwork, enameling, weaving, hand made and molded paper, and textile design (batik, tie-dye, or block printing) through the production of a series of small projects in each of these areas.
Design is recommended to art students as one of their beginning courses of study. Two-Dimensional Design (AR 103), is for students who have had little or no previous art training. It is taught in a lecture and studio format. Students become involved with principles of organization and structure in two-dimensional works. Using line, shape, color, value and texture, students solve aesthetic problems with spatial relationships, experiment with different media, and most importantly, analyze, write about and discuss the decision making process in art. The student's portfolio reflects the conceptual and imaginative aspects of art as well as technical understanding of presentation and the media.
Three-Dimensional Design (AR 104), continues exploration and problem solving with elements of art and principles of design in the three-dimensional area. Students design projects dealing with mass, line, color and texture using simple materials such as paper, mat board, styrofoam, plexiglass, clay, plaster and wood. Students are encouraged to relate their experiments in three-dimensional design to their primary art interests - stage/set design, display, sculpture, architecture/interior design, landscape architecture or environmental art. The course addresses the portrayal of three-dimensional subject matter in two-dimensional art areas such as photography, advertising art and graphic design.
Students may continue to study two or three-dimensional design by enrolling in Individualized Art Workshop (AR 285) with the consent of the instructor.
The Art Department's design studio is located in room 135 of the Technical Building. It is well equipped with a variety of materials and equipment.
The Drawing area offers courses in still life, portraiture and the figure, with instruction focusing on representational drawing and skill building. Students are introduced to various media including charcoal, conté, pencil, pen/ink and wash. Assignments deal with proportion, perspective and visual elements of art such as line, value and shape.
Introduction to Drawing (AR 101) is concerned primarily with still life and is followed by Intermediate Drawing (AR 114) which emphasizes more complex problem solving, or Figure Drawing 1 (AR 115) which focuses on the human figure; students work from nude models. Figure Drawing 2 (AR 215) also focuses on drawing from models and emphasizes more complex problem solving and media use. Further credit course work in drawing is provided through various Practicum courses (AR 280A & 281A) for example, Portrait Drawing and Pastel. There are three drawing studios that offer both natural and controlled artificial lighting.
In Enameling I & II (AR 124 & 125), students learn to create functional and non-functional objects using traditional and contemporary enameling techniques, including electro-forming. No previous enameling experience is needed.
Contemporary Jewelry and Metalsmithing (AR 229) is designed for beginning students. Students learn basic metal techniques such as sawing, silver soldering, metal forming and raising, to create functional and non functional objects (ex: jewelry, bowl, chalice). Students also learn how to set gem stones, design and create ornamental objects to wear or produce sculptural and decorative work. No previous experience is needed.
The Jewelry and Metalsmithing Practicum (AR 280G & 281G) courses are designed for students continuing to study for credit. Students learn to explore and create traditional and contemporary wearable-ornamental objects, tableware (spoons, salt and pepper shakers, coffee/tea pots, bowls and plates), sculptural objects (mirrors, wall sculptures, hand bags, chains, bracelets, belt buckles, rings, watch bands), or other decorative objects with stone settings.
The Painting program offers students instruction in oil, watercolor, acrylic, egg tempera and monotype, in realist and abstract styles. Courses build upon skills learned in Drawing and Design. The painting classes are taught in studios which are well furnished with both equipment and supplies.
The materials and techniques used with oil are introduced in Painting I (AR 201). Instruction in proper sizing and priming of a canvas is given. Some sections of Painting I are devoted entirely to acrylic technique. Painting II (AR 202) is a further development of the skills learned in Painting I with an emphasis on more complex assignments.
Watercolor I (AR205) is an introduction to the materials and techniques of transparent watercolor painting. Assignments are given in dry brush, wash and wet in wet techniques. Watercolor II (AR 206) is a further development of the skills learned in Watercolor I with an emphasis on more complex assignments.
The printmaking area offers courses in the following disciplines: intaglio, relief, lithography and monotype. These courses employ both traditional and contemporary processes.
Students are encouraged to explore their own personal imagery while addressing particular technical challenges. Group and individual critiques insure a continual dialogue with faculty and other students. Class participants are informed about the advantages of producing multiple original prints and learn professional presentation methods. Practicum (AR 280C, 281C & 285) students may pursue independent directions with the consent of the instructor.
The printmaking facilities include three etching presses and four lithographic presses situated in a safe and well maintained print shop. Students enjoy a large collection of quality lithographic stones, a well ventilated acid etching room and a separate plate cleaning and processing area. The printmaking area boasts the recent addition of three G4 Macintosh computers with large studio monitors, a large format scanner, CD writer/recorders, and two large format printers. All of the computers have direct Internet access and are used to compliment the traditional printmaking processes.
Monotype Workshop (AR 226) is an exploration of the monotype process with an emphasis on individual experimentation and expression. There are Practicum courses (AR 280B & 281B) in portraiture, landscape and figure painting.
A monitor system is used to allow students additional access to the print shop. Field trips, slide lectures and visiting artist programs further inform students about printmaking and enrich their experience.
The Sculpture area offers students the opportunity to work with a wide range of materials and techniques. The studio is well equipped and many supplies are provided for students.
Students in Sculpture I (AR 221) work with additive and subtractive processes, learning techniques for mold making, casting and carving. Materials used are clay, plaster, wood and stone. Sculpture II (AR 222) students work in clay from a nude model, in both quick and sustained poses. As an alternative, students may work in other media such as plastics, metals and casting in bronze. Practicum I & II (AR 280E & 281E) afford students an opportunity to develop skills using materials and techniques they may not have worked with in previous classes. It provides an opportunity for students to develop a personal approach to their chosen medium, subject and style.
Students may earn an Associate of Arts degree with a concentration in Art Education, Art History, or Studio Art. Students in these programs fulfill the general education requirements of the foundation years leading to a liberal arts degree in these areas. Many students transfer with their associate degree to art schools or other four year institutions. A recommended semester by semester course of study is outlined in the college catalog. Students should consult with an art faculty member for advising when choosing classes to fulfill their degree requirements.
The Studio Art Certificate is available to students who want to concentrate on art courses only. Students take eighteen credit hours of foundation art including three credits of art history, then twelve credit hours of studio art electives, for a total of thirty credit hours. The requirements are listed in the college catalog. A certificate student may elect to continue to study toward an associate degree.
The Specialized Art Certificate Option is available to students who want to concentrate in one area of studio art. Students take twelve hours in one area of art (drawing, painting, printmaking, ceramics, sculpture, or jewelry/metalsmithing) and complement that study with one art history course, for a total of fifteen credit hours. The requirements are listed in the college catalog. A certificate student may elect to continue to study toward an associate degree.
ADVISING
The Art Department faculty members on the Rockville campus have a strong commitment to student advising and are the principal advisors to students in Art History, Art Education and Studio Art. Each student taking an art course is encouraged to ask one of the full-time art faculty to be his/her academic advisor. In addition to discussing and planning a sequence of study for each semester at Montgomery College with their advisor, many students see art faculty on a regular basis to discuss their progress. Throughout the year, students work closely with their advisors and select their best works from each studio area of study for inclusion in an art portfolio, used to help the students quality for scholarships, employment, and transfer.
ARTSYS provides articulation information on transferability of courses from Montgomery College to other educational institutions in Maryland.
Here are instructions for using ARTSYS:
Go to http://www.montgomerycollege.edu/transfer
Click on ARTSYS >
Search for Majors >
Enter search word "art", select institution from the pop up menu, then scroll lower and click on Look Up Course >
Enter Montgomery College course number (AR101), click go, and see results listed (transferability and equivalency).
To see other courses, click on Next Course and it will automatically take you to AR102, etc.
If you need further clarification on transferability of a course, the college or university to which you wish to transfer should be contacted.
The Art Department of Montgomery College, Rockville Campus, is committed to the establishment of a vibrant visual arts program for students and members of the community. In that capacity the Art Faculty guide students in their artistic development in the areas of Studio Art, Art History, Art Education. This is accomplished through an active and dynamic dialogue between faculty and students.
Specifically, the Art Department has defined ten purposes of the program that will produce a sound foundation in the visual arts by emphasizing originality, visual creativity, artistic self-expression and the development of the skills and techniques necessary to manifest the students’ artistic vision and aesthetic education. These ten purposes are as follows:
1. To meet the varied expressive needs of a diverse student body that includes art majors, non-art majors, students with special needs, and non-traditional students.
2. To provide a solid foundation in Art History and of the diverse techniques and skills in the visual arts including drawing, design, painting, sculpture, jewelry/metal, ceramics, and printmaking.
3. To enhance students’ knowledge and abilities through a wide variety of teaching methods including lecture, demonstration, discussion, independent research, museum/gallery excursions, multi-media presentations, and internship opportunities.
4. To encourage and support the appreciation of the broad range of historical, contemporary, and multi-cultural visual arts and crafts from around the world.
5. To utilize a range of ideas and materials to explore solutions to visual problems and in so doing to build a portfolio of professional work by fostering self-motivation, self-expression, and originality, while encouraging imaginative and critical thinking.
6. To encourage experimentation with new technologies, new materials, new methods and unique ways of expressing visual ideas, emotions and concepts.
7. To prepare students for a range of career possibilities in art through varied and diverse degree and certificate programs (with scholarship opportunities available) as well as to prepare students for transfer to other educational institutions.
8. To maintain a vibrant exhibition and visiting artist program via gallery exhibitions and invited artists, lecturers and critics.
9. To liaise with secondary schools in the area to promote the Art Department’s program to interested, talented, and motivated high school students.
10. To maintain and improve departmental physical facilities including equipment, supplies, and digital technologies.
