Are you a person that like to make things or build with your hands?
UK Sculpture is an internationally recognized program that is primarily housed in the Metal Arts Building, but also draws upon faculty and facilities elsewhere in the School. In the past 30 years hundreds of BA, BFA and MFA graduates are now professionally practicing as artists, educators, directors of sculpture parks and even heads of national sculpture organizations. Our sculpture program’s success is based on our excellent faculty, who teach a diverse range of media and technical practices. Art studio majors with an emphasis in sculpture enjoy a challenging program of study that prepares them professionally and artistically.
Art credit: Galdona Broche Sisters, installation view with Gestating Creatures
Courses Include
A-S 103 3-D
A-S 103 is an introductory course in compositional strategies within spatial forms for sculptural practices. This studio course is essential for any student who wants to visually communicate in art studio, design, digital media and art education. Students will work with a variety of contemporary art/design materials and approaches, while learning and integrating the basic vocabulary of composition in art and design. These works will be informed by a wide variety of contemporary artists and designers. Students will work in an iterative process to develop ideas, problem solve, enhance creativity and articulate personal expression.
A-S 350 INTRODUCTION TO FIBER
A survey of fiber art processes and textile techniques used to create sculptural forms. This includes, but is not limited to, looping, knotting, dying, hand and machine sewing, and woven and non-woven structures. This course focuses on experimentation with materials, while using history and theory to guide research.
A-S 351 SOFT SCULPTURE
Building on the skills developed in A-S 350, this course emphasizes development of conceptual and technical skills using textile techniques to guide research and build sculpture.
A-S 355 INTRODUCTION TO SCULPTURE
Emphasis is placed on learning diverse 3D techniques, tools and materials as students create sculptures dealing with movement, emotions, narrative and non-objective/abstract subject matters. Students experiment with mixed-media and surface finishing.
A-S 360 INTRODUCTION TO HOT METALS: FABRICATION
This is an introductory course in metal working skills, techniques and processes for producing sculptural forms based on traditional and contemporary ideas. Primary emphasis is placed on metal shop orientation: fabrication, forging and non-traditional materials and surfaces.
A-S 361 INTRODUCTION TO HOT METALS: CASTING
This is an introductory course in metal working skills, techniques and processes for producing sculptural forms based on traditional and contemporary ideas. Primary emphasis is placed on metal shop orientation: casting and non-traditional materials and surfaces.
A-S 365 INTRODUCTION TO DIGITAL FABRICATION
This intermediate level course allows students to explore a variety of 2D, “2.5D”, and 3D forms through digital modeling and design. The primary focus of this course will be laser cutting and etching as well as CNC routing to produce surface designs and complex compositions. Students will use current Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) technology in combination with traditional processes.
A-S 390 BLACKSMITHING
This introductory studio course explores the fundamentals of blacksmithing, metal casting, industrial design, and physical metallurgy. Basic concepts involving industrial design in visual art will be explored through discussions, and the creation of sculptural forms.
Facilities & Equipment
The UK Metal Arts Building is the place to facilitate both technical and conceptual practices in combination of multiple processes. The facility is equipped with Foundry areas for metal cast processes, Blacksmithing area, multiple Fabrication Stations, Mold Making area, and Metal Forming area. The shop is furnished with a Digital Swift Cut Plasma Bed, Edwards Iron Worker, Metal Roller, Big Blu Power Hammer, Multiple welders, Clark Forklift, and much more.
The Art and Visual Studies Building contains three large studios for introductory sculpture classes. Next to the sculpture studios is a full-service wood shop, with a complete array of table saws, drill presses, sanders, etc. Across the atrium is a full-service ceramics facility and upstairs is a fiber studio, complete with traditional tools for weaving fiber as well as a large format Jacquard loom for digital-based production. Also, upstairs in the SA/VS building is a “Fablab,” a digital fabrication studio complete with two laser cutters, multiple latest model 3-D printers and a variety of machine tools and other computer operated equipment.
