Painting is a medium that defines culture. It is simultaneously the embodiment of tradition and the home of the avant-garde. At SA/VS, we engage with contemporary practices and traditional processes. Painting is a way to bring the imagination to life. It is a forum for sharing ideas and shaping current conversations in visual art. It is a fulcrum point of social and historical contexts and prepares students to not only to realize their visions, but to become courageous voices in contemporary culture.
"Everything you can imagine is real.” Picasso
What You'll Study
Painting courses at SA/VS offer a strong foundation in technical skills while developing a range of approaches to contemporary image and object making. Students often use mixed media in combination with their painting and drawing talents, pushing the boundaries of traditional methods. Immersed in a dynamic hands-on environment, students learn to place their work in a contemporary context while developing technical proficiency and creative problem-solving skills.
Students begin in Foundations classes taking A-S 102 2D where they learn about composition and color theory, and A-S 130 Drawing where they hone their skills in line making and shading. The painting curriculum at SA/VS progresses through five levels; where students begin with observational studio work and build to more inventive and self-directed assignments in Painting II. In Advanced painting courses, students develop individual bodies of work meant to provide a substantial base for postgraduate engagement with the larger art world as well as strong portfolios for admittance to graduate schools.
Facilities & Equipment
SA/VS is the home to two large painting studios. The facilities are well-lit and well-ventilated active studios with large open areas and high ceilings which offer expansive walls for working and viewing artwork. Equipped with metal and wooden easels, paint carts, and canvas storage, the painting studios can accommodate many canvas sizes and approaches to painting practice.
Courses
A-S 310 Painting
Concentrated painting experience stressing enlargement of formal understanding and personal expression.
A-S 311 Painting II
A continuation of A-S 310; emphasis on building a body of work.
A-S 510 Painting III
Supervised individual development in painting.
A-S 511 Painting IV
Continuation of A-S 510; emphasis on professional awareness and development.
A-S 610 Painting V
Advanced studio investigation of current ideas in painting. Exploration of contemporary and traditional procedures, materials, and issues in a context of a group discussion and review.
