CORE STUDIO CLASSES

The CORE STUDIO program in the UNO Fine Arts Department Makes up the first year experience for Studio Art students at UNO.  These classes are designed to address targeted aspects of art and design as they relate to drawing, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture and digital arts.  This program is constructed to give Studio Art majors as much exposure as possible to the focus areas within the department. 

These classes are also open to non-majors.  Any student on campus should feel comfortable enrolling in one of these classes without any previous art experience.  Below are brief descriptions of each class.  If you have any questions regarding any of these classes please contact the Program Coordinator: Jeff Rinehart at jrineha1@uno.edu.

FA 1001 CORE STUDIO I - Surface / Color / Practice

This is a studio course designed to introduce to the student various methods and materials traditionally used in drawing and early painting.  Emphasis is placed on the learning of correct observation and on the translation of that observation accurately on to a flat surface by means of the non-verbal language of line and value (lightness and darkness).  Because correct observation requires so much contact with actual objects, we will address a rich variety of actual objects and environments for utilization in your drawings, paintings and mixed-media work.  Each drawing session may be followed with brief discussion of the work.

FA 1002 CORE STUDIO II - Objects / Materials / Environment

This class will introduce students to fundamental topics in three-dimensional design. Students explore the principles of visual perception and the meaning of form, space, function, and structure as they relate to three-dimensional design through a clear sequence of assignments and projects. At all levels of instruction emphasis is placed on the efficacy of communication through three-dimensional form, utilizing the most appropriate methodology and material available. Course work focuses on the preparation and presentation of discrete design projects that emphasizes understanding of formative processes that will lead the designer toward solutions. To facilitate this approach, we introduce students to a wide breadth of materials and processes and cultivates a thorough understanding of contemporary developments through sustained research.  The class is structured with visual presentation/lecture, class assignments/projects and critiques.

FA 2001 CORE STUDIO III - Process/ Ideas / Communication

One of the biggest challenges for creative people is taking an idea envisioned in the mind and turning it into reality. Ideation introduces students to techniques for bringing ideas to life. In this course, students will be introduced to a variety of techniques and concepts that focus on the generation, development and communication of new ideas. Core Studio III emphasizes developing ideas in critical thinking with mechanical processes in art.  Students will explore compositional fundamentals related to “image” using digital photography, drawing, typography and more.  Work will then be refined using mechanical processes related to screen printing and traditional darkroom practice and digital photography fundamentals.

FA 2002 CORE STUDIO IV - Time / Motion / Narrative

This course is an introduction to the world of linear art making.  Students will explore animation and video art through a wide range of input devices and processes.  Students will use a variety of industry-standard software to experiment with animation concepts and time-based mediums like film, video, and narrative.  The class will unpack how history, access, culture and technological shifts have influenced and affected how artists and filmmakers work with video and film. Lectures and projects will help students come to understand the multimedia world that encompasses video art and experimental animation as a flexible tool that is able to communicate ideas through a large variety of conceptual, technical, and aesthetic strategies.