Hampshire College

The Sculpture Program offers courses in drawing, sculpture, and digital animation. The Sculpture curriculum is based on the integration of production, scholarly research, and rigorous critique. A practice-centered approach to learning allows students to use form and image making as a means of exploring and clarifying their own artistic intentions. Experiential learning in the studio becomes a catalyst for related scholarship in a wide range of fields including computer science, animal behavior, architecture, film/photo/video, creative writing, theater, music, art history, physics, computer science, industrial design, philosophy, and poetry. As sculpture is a non-medium specific art form, a vast range of materials and methods become part of the contemporary discourse in this field. Materials as disparate as light, chocolate, and gold have influenced the direction and content of contemporary sculpture. Well-equipped sculpture facilities support student work in traditional media such as clay, wood, plaster, concrete, found objects, as well as less conventional materials. In close collaboration with the Lemelson Center students are able to access extensive metal and plastic working facilities.

Drawing courses form an essential complement to work in three dimensions. Perceptual theoretical and imagination based working methods are integrated within drawing courses at the beginning, intermediate, and advanced levels. A professional level computer animation lab offers access to “Softimage XSI,” and Alias Wavefront's MAYA. Three-dimension modeling is taught as a sculpture medium and as a demonstration tool for the discussion of sculptural attributes including content, form, space, color, motion, surface, material, scale and site.

 Introductory sculpture courses introduce students to core historical, theoretical and structural concerns. Team-taught courses encourage students to pursue connections between studio production, performance, and text. Intermediate level sculpture and drawing courses often mix traditional and digital elements, allowing students to explore computer generated form and space in relation to their work in “traditional” media. Advanced level courses support the transition to independent work within the Division III thesis project, introducing non-linear methods of working with digital materials and environments, critique and theory-based courses that support the development of independent work, and allowing students from Hampshire and other colleges to work together.