Art

Your Programs

You may choose from among three majors within the Art Department:

• Studio Art - with a concentration in painting, printmaking or graphic design.
• Art History - encompassing ancient, Greek, Medieval, European and American periods
• Interior Design - including courses in textile, residential, business practices, architectural and computer-assisted design plus history, historic preservation and selected studio art/art history topics.

Studio Art and Art History are also available as minors.

Art Education - New in the fall of 2010 is a licensure program in Art Education combining your major in art with courses through Salem's education department. 

Your Commitment

It goes without saying that you are creative and have a passion for the arts! You are also likely to be motivated, creative, independent and bring a solid work-ethic to the classroom. You will be encouraged to share your ideas and opinions as well as to seek out inventive ways of learning. You will take part in internships and special projects as well as study abroad in order to broaden your artistic horizons. While at Salem you will complete a require research project. You may also want to join one of two student arts organizations on campus, the American Society of Interior Design (ASID) or April Arts.

Your Faculty

Your professors in the art department are professionally active scholars whose talents and scholarly achievements are matched only by their dedication to classroom and studio teaching. In addition to their activities at Salem, our professors also lecture regularly to audiences outside the Salem community, have active exhibition schedules and coordinate the activities of the College Gallery.

Your Results

Thanks to the comprehensive, interdisciplinary nature of the department, you will graduate with a wide range of professional opportunities, such as graduate school or careers. Recent Salem graduates who majored in art went on to East Carolina University, Maryland Institute College of Art, Pratt Institute/ School of Art and Design; Rhode Island School of Design and Sothey's Institute of Art, London. Recent art majors are working as a design consultant at  Ethan Allen Inc; an historical programs assistant at the Maymont Foundation; an interior designer with the Group 3 firm; curator of education at Columbia Museum of Art; and a member of the Peace Corps in Zambia. 

The course offerings in the art department are designed to provide a broad background for both the major and non-major. A student may major or minor in studio art.  (See also the separate entries for art history and interior design.)

Studio Art Major (B.A.)

The department of art offers a major in studio art with a concentration in painting, printmaking, graphic design or teaching licensure. Students are urged to begin the studio core foundation program as early as possible, preferably during their first semester at Salem. The program has been planned to give the student a solid background. The course offerings in the art department are designed to provide a broad background for both the major and non-major. A student may major or minor in studio art.  (See also the separate entries for art history and interior design.) 

Students who seek licensure to teach art (grades K-12) should pursue the B.A. in studio art with a concentration in licensure (below).  Admission to teacher education is required.  Students seeking licensure will need to complete the required teacher education professional studies core courses and specialty area program courses. Teacher licensure programs at Salem College are approved by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI).  These accreditations make it possible for graduates to be licensed in most states.  See the entry under “Education” under “Courses of Instruction.”

Visual Arts Entrepreneurship Minor

The minor in Visual Arts Entrepreneurship is intended for students pursuing a B.A. in art history or studio art. See the Arts Management section of the catalog for details. A student may not minor in both Arts Entrepreneurship and Arts Management nor may she major in Arts Management and minor in Visual Arts Entrepreneurship.

Art Courses (ARTS)

020. Introduction to Two-Dimensional Design  One course

In-depth exploration of basic elements of two-dimensional design through multiple approaches to a wide variety of black and white media. Consideration of the influence of art and design within the context of the dominant culture as well as other cultures and periods. Six-hour studio plus outside assignments. No prerequisite. Fall and Spring.

025. Advanced Two-Dimensional Design One course

Building on experience in ARTS 020 and ARTS 111, students will explore conceptually sophisticated design problems. Introduction to and exploration of color theory. Six-hour studio plus outside assignments. Prerequisite: ARTS 020 and ARTS 111. Fall and Spring.

030. Three-Dimensional Design One course 

Exploration of a variety of issues dealing with three-dimensional form: What is the third dimension? Why do structures stand up? What can be created with limited materials? Prerequisite: ARTS 020 or ARTS 111. Fall.

040. Graphic Design and Communication One course

An introductory course in the history, concepts and techniques of graphic design and communication. Lectures will address topics in typography, illustration, book and magazine layout, advertising, marketing and packaging. Students will address exercises relating to the working fields of graphic design. Exercises will be used to educate the students’ ability to analyze problems, offer creative solutions with craft and present projects in a professional manner. Prerequisite: ARTS 020. Fall, alternate years.

110. Photography I One course 

A basic course in photography, including a history of photography, camera mechanics, camera techniques, composition, film processing, proofing techniques, enlarging procedures and methods of matting and mounting. No prerequisite. Offered as needed.

111. Drawing One course 

Introduction to basic elements of drawing through a wide variety of drawing experiences utilizing black and white media. Emphasis on descriptive techniques, introduction to the figure and perspective. Six-hour studio plus outside assignments. Fall and Spring.

112. Figure Drawing  One course 

Beginning with an anatomical survey, students will build an understanding of the human form, based on research and regular sessions with the model. Six-hour studio plus outside assignments. Prerequisites: ARTS 020 and ARTS 111. Spring, alternate years.

113. Introduction to Oil Painting One course 

Students will develop an understanding of the oil medium and its manipulation to achieve descriptive results through a directed series of problems. Emphasis is on the act of painting. Six-hour studio plus outside assignments. Prerequisite: ARTS 020 or ARTS 111. Fall.

114. Advanced Painting One course

Continued study of painting problems begun in ARTS 113. Students will work on a variety of directed and independent projects to encourage individual stylistic growth. Six-hour studio plus outside assignments. Prerequisite: ARTS 113 and ARTS 025. 

135. Introduction to Printmaking One course 

Various relief and intaglio processes for black and white and color printmaking. Will include experiences with linoleum and woodblock printing, collagraphs, drypoint and etchings. Prerequisite: ARTS 020 or ARTS 111. Spring, alternate years.

200. Independent Study in Studio Art One-quarter to one course

Independent study under the guidance of a faculty advisor. Open to students with a 3.0 cumulative average and permission of the chair of the department. Independent study may take the form of readings, research, conference, project and/or field experience. Independent study may be taken for a total of two courses, the maximum in any one term being one course credit. Offered on demand.

211. Sculpture I  One course

Introduction to relief sculpture, skeletal structure, carving, kinetic motion, modeling and casting. Six-hour lab. Spring, alternate years.

212. Sculpture II  One course

Continued introduction to relief sculpture, skeletal structure, carving, kinetic motion, modeling and casting. Six-hour lab. Prerequisite: ARTS 211. Spring, alternate years.

214. Senior Tutorial One-half course

The class, comprised of all senior students in the studio program, participates in a seminar meeting once a week discussing readings of contemporary criticism and professional practices in their chosen area of concentration. Students begin to define issues and methods of working with an eye toward their Senior Thesis Exhibition. Spring.

220. Special Topics in Studio Art One course

This course provides the student with the opportunity to explore aesthetic and technical issues presented by faculty or visiting instructors.

230. Photography II One course 

An intermediate course in photography beginning with a review of techniques in Photography I. Greater emphasis will be placed on the aesthetics of photography and more advanced techniques and processes will be explored. Prerequisite: ARTS 110 or permission of the instructor. 

233. Ceramics  One course 

Introductory instruction in clay technology, clay body preparation, wheel throwing, coiling, slab building, loading and firing kilns. Discussions also include design instruction and exposure to historical and contemporary pottery and ceramics. Offered as needed. 

235. Advanced Printmaking One course 

Various advanced printmaking processes including soft ground, aquatint and monoprints will be presented. Prerequisite: ARTS 135. 

261. Computer Graphics Application One course

An introduction to Macintosh computer skills and terminology as related to the graphic design field. The use of word processing, drawing, painting, page layout and illustration software will be emphasized. Prerequisite: ARTS 040 or the permission of instructor. Fall, alternate years.

270. Internship in Studio Art  One-half to one course

An opportunity to use the knowledge and skills the student has learned. 

290. Honors Independent Study in Studio Art One course

Advanced independent study under the guidance of a faculty advisor. Normally open to juniors and seniors with a 3.5 average in art. Subject to the approval of the department chair. Honors work may be taken for a maximum of two courses.

310. Senior Studio  One course

During the fall semester of the senior year, the class, comprised of all seniors in the studio art program, will work with a variety of media and technique based on their individual style. Students will begin to define issues important to them and establish a personal point of view. Students will learn to position their art in relation to current trends and methods of working with a theme to allow them to develop a consistent body of work to be exhibited in the spring of their graduating year. Six-hour studio/seminar plus outside work. Prerequisite: Two levels of courses in the student’s concentration and senior status. Fall. 

390. Senior Seminar in Studio Art  One-half course

This course is designed to prepare the senior student for professional practices in the student’s chosen area of concentration. The student will be informed of job possibilities, gallery representation and exhibition opportunities and will be required to prepare a professional packet consisting of resume, artistic statement, slide presentation and/or portfolio to aid the student in preparation for graduate school and/or professional representation in the art world.

Dr. Kimberly Varnadoe