Instructor: Nick Barbee
Office hours: By appointment
E-mail: robert.barbee@hccs.edu
Learning Web: http://learning.cc.hccs.edu/members/robert.barbee
Telephone: 713.718.6600
Course information: ARTS 2326 -0100(CN 65634)
MW 5:30-9:30
FAC 110
SCULPTURE 1
Textbook
None required.
Catalog description
Sculpture 1: This studio course will introduce the student to various materials, processes and elements
of design. Media may include plaster, wood, clay, and found materials.
Credit: 3 (2 lecture, 4 lab).
Course purpose
This course is a hands-on exploration of sculptural techniques, concepts, and materials. Projects are
designed to provide ongoing experience in additive (construction), subtractive (carving), modeling,
casting, and assemblage (found object) techniques. Each student will gain confidence from learning
how to operate various tools and translating an idea into an object. An historical perspective on art and
sculpture will be drawn as students are introduced to various media and styles
Core Competencies
This course meets the basic intellectual competencies for core courses including reading, writing,
speaking, listening, critical thinking, and computer literacy.
Course objectives
1. To learn the basic methods of creating sculpture: additive (construction), subtractive (carving),
modeling, casting, and assemblage.
2. To experiment with various media: wood, plaster, clay, wire, cardboard, and found objects.
3. To explore the elements and principles of design as they relate to working in three-dimensions.
4. To gain a working knowledge of how to operate power tools and shop safety.
5. To develop original and exhibition quality artworks that reflect your unique experiences and
perspectives.
6. To learn the vocabulary associated with sculpture.
7. To develop critical thinking skills so as to intelligently discuss and analyze artworks in a critique with
peers.
8. To conduct research in an effort to gather images or develop concepts.
Student requirements
1. Create a sculpture that uses clay
2. Create a sculpture that uses plaster
3. Create a sculpture that uses wood
4. Create a sculpture that uses found materials
5. Complete a minimum of 1000 words in writing assignments
6. Demonstrate safe studio habits, materials handling, and equipment operation
7. Demonstrate knowledge of sculptural presentation including: free standing in-the-round forms,
pedestal works, bas-relief, installations, outdoor works, and site-determined works
8. Demonstrate knowledge of various processes of sculpture: additive, subtractive, modeling, casting,
kinetic, environmental, etc.
9. Prepare one work for an exhibition and participate according to instructor or Individual College
10. Participate in end of semester studio clean up
11. Explore a variety of subject matter
12. Explore a variety of styles (representational, abstract, non-representational)
13. Demonstrate knowledge of the medium from art historical and cultural contexts
14. Demonstrate proficiency with the processes and techniques presented in the class
15. Participate in class critiques and in the analysis of their work and the work of other students
16. Participate in trips to area museums or sculpture gardens
17. Attend class regularly, missing no more than 12.5% of class time
18. Arrive at class promptly, and bring all required materials for that day?s session
GRADING AND EVALUATION
3 critiques
45%
Final
15%
Paper
10%
Participation
30%
Sculpture projects students will create eight art projects over the course of the semester. Each project
will be related to concepts and media introduced in class. These projects will be accomplished in the
classroom and under the supervision of the instructor.
Each project will be accompanied by a rubric. Projects will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
* fulfillment of project requirements
* experimentation of process and exploration of the media
* craftsmanship and mastery of technical processes
* originality
* level of ambition
* degree of completion
* aesthetics and attention to the elements and principles of art
* participation in individual and group critique
Museum assignment
Students will visit various art venues in Houston and write about what they saw in an informal, journal
format. The grade will be determined by the thoughtfulness of the writing and participation in class
discussion. Students will need to keep evidence of their visits for later inclusion in their journals. Please
read the assignment carefully for information about the venues and the required format.
Class Critiques
Critiques a vital aspect of any studio course. All students are required to participate in the class critique,
by having work ready for the critique and by engaging with peers during the critique. Attendance is
mandatory for all class critiques. Class critiques will be scheduled on the same day that the work is
due.
Student show
Art studio students are required to participate in the end-of-semester Student Exhibition by submitting
one exhibition-quality artwork. Work will be delivered to the gallery ready to hang on the wall or be
installed on the floor or a pedestal, or hang from the ceiling. See the calendar for date to drop off work
at the gallery and for the date of the opening reception. Please plan to attend.
Grade scale
90-100 A (Excellent)
80-89 B (Above average)
70-79 C (Average)
60-69 D (Below average)
Below 60 F (Failing)
Incomplete
The grade of (incomplete) is conditional and rarely given. A student receiving an I must arrange with the
instructor to complete the course work within one semester of the end of the incomplete term. After the
deadline, the I becomes an F. Upon completion of the coursework, the grade will be entered as I/grade
on the student transcript. All Is must be changed to grades prior to graduation. A grade of I is given only
under unusual circumstances beyond the control of the student towards the end of the semester.
Attendance
Attendance is mandatory. Absences will be excused only if the student has made prior arrangements
with the instructor. Unexcused absences will negatively affect your participation grade.
Cell phones, Ipods, and other electronic devices are not allowed in the classroom. Students found
using these will be asked o leave the class and will be marked absent.
Withdrawals
The state of Texas has begun to impose penalties on students who drop courses excessively. This has
caused HCC to no longer allow the grade of W to be given by an instructor after the last official date of
withdrawal. It is your responsibility to officially withdraw from a class and prevent an F from appearing
on your transcript. When considering withdrawal from a course, remember that:
1. No grade is given and your transcript reflects no record of the course if you withdraw before the
Officia lDate of Record.
2. A W (indicating withdrawal) appears on your transcript if you drop a course after the Official Date of
Record and before the final deadline.
3. The final deadline to drop a course is four weeks before fall or spring semester finals and one week
before summer semester exams. You will need to look on the semester calendar for the specific date.
4. There are two ways to withdraw from a course:
a. Complete an official withdrawal form available at any campus.
b. Write a letter stating your request to withdraw to the Office of Student Records.
5. The effective date of your withdrawal is the postmarked date of your letter.
Students with visas, or those receiving financial aid are expected to understand the consequences of
receiving a grade of W, I, or F. In some cases, such a grade could cause the loss of financial aid, or a
change in student visa status.
Late work
It is important that each student completes his or her work in time for the announced critiques.
Consequently, projects will be marked down ten points (out of a possible 100) for each class day they
are late. Students are encouraged to rework any projects that have been submitted in order to achieve
a higher grade. The higher grade will be the final grade for the project.
STUDIO POLICY
Work outside of class
Students are expected to work on their projects outside of class in order to satisfactorily complete the
assignments. It is unrealistic to expect all of the work necessary to complete the project can be done
only in the time allotted for the class to meet.
Lockers
Small lockers are available for materials and supplies. Students are required to furnish their own locks.
Any lockers not emptied at the end of the semester will have their locks cut and contents thrown out.
Studio keys and pass
To enter a locked studio, students will need to present a studio pass to the fine arts office secretary in
exchange for a key. In addition to a studio pass, you will need to present your student I.D. When a
student checks out a studio key, they are not permitted to loan the key to other students. Should the
key become lost, there will be a charge of $65.00 to cover the cost of re-keying the locks. For security
reasons, it is recommended that students do not prop a locked door open when they temporarily leave
the studio. Any students who plan to work in a studio that has already been unlocked are asked to
check in at the art office prior to entering the studio.
In order to check out keys for the large power tools, students must present a studio pass that has been
stamped. A stamped pass indicates that the student has been checked out by the instructor and had
been trained in the safe operation of these types of tools.
Art office and open studio hours
Art office hours: M-Th from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.; F-S from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. closed Sunday
Open studio hours: M-Th from 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.; F-S from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. closed Sunday
If there is a class being held in the studio you must obtain that instructors permission to work during
there class time.
Studio policies
The following policies are dictated by safety and health:
* students must follow all safety rules and adhere to power tool instructions
* students are responsible for cleaning their work areas
* no smoking, food, or drink in the studio or courtyard
* studio tools and equipment are to be used only by students enrolled in the class
* students must only use clays that are approved by the ceramics department
* students are not allowed to operate power tools until properly trained in use
* no children in the studio or courtyard
* students are required to wear dust masks when working near sawdust or plaster dust
* students are required to wear protective goggles when operating power tools (no exceptions)
* no cell phones, personal stereos, or unauthorized recording devices
Any student who consistently disregards these studio policies could be dropped from the course.
Disabilities
Any student with a documented disability (e.g. physical, learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing, etc.) who
needs to arrange reasonable accommodations must contact the Disability Services Office at the
respective college at the beginning of each semester. Faculty is authorized to provide only the
accommodations requested by the Disability Support Services Office.
Academic dishonesty
The HCCS policy on scholastic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to cheating on a test, plagiarism,
and collusion:
1. Cheating on a test includes:
a. Copying from another student's test paper; using during a test, materials not authorized by the
person giving the test;
b. Collaborating with another student during a test without authorization;
c. Knowingly using, buying, selling, stealing, transporting, or soliciting in whole or part the contents of
an unadministered test;
d. Bribing another person to obtain a test that is to be administered.
2. Plagiarism means the appropriation of another's work and the unacknowledged incorporation of that
work in one's own written work offered for credit. This is especially true of work taken from sources via
the Internet.
3. Collusion means the unauthorized collaboration with another person in preparing written work offered
for credit.
Possible consequences for academic dishonesty may include a grade of 0 or F on the particular
assignment, failure in the course, and/or recommendation for probation or dismissal from the College
System.
Student insurance
The Fine Arts Department at Central College strongly recommends that all HCCS students carry some
form of medical insurance to cover illness and injury, both on and off campus. Information regarding
low- cost insurance for students is available in the Fine Arts office. Under Texas state statute, HCCS is
immune to liability in the event of accident or injury.
Academic advising
Academic advisement concerning specific Fine Arts courses and degree plans for Art is available to
Central College students during the academic semesters. Please sign up in the Fine Arts office, FAC
101, to speak to a full time instructor in your area of interest.
Repetition of courses
Students who repeat a course for a third or more time may soon face significant tuition and/or fee
increases at HCC and other Texas public colleges and universities. Please ask your instructor or
counselor about opportunities for tutoring and other assistance prior to considering course withdrawal
or if you are not receiving passing grades. Studio courses are exempt from this policy.
Restriction on the use of electronic or recording devices
Students are not permitted to use recording devices in the studio without permission from the instructor.
This includes such things as video recorders, cameras, cell phones with cameras, and voice recorders.
Exceptions to this restriction are students with disabilities who require such devices or students who are
documenting the progress of their projects or are otherwise using the devices for legitimate studio
purposes.
Writing tutoring
Students are encouraged to take advantage of tutoring services offered by the English Department
located on the third floor of the Fine Arts Center next to the English office. Tutors will assist writing
assignments and are especially helpful for students when English is a second language. In addition,
online tutoring is available 24/7 at www.askonline.net. Submissions are returned within 24 hours or
less.
MATERIALS LIST
Students will spend $300 (average) on supplies for this class.
Required
Lock for locker
Van Aken Plastilina (oil-based) clay, neutral color, 4.5-9 lbs
bristol board 20 9x 12 sheets
Pencil
Compass
Bass Wood 1/8 x 1/8
utility blade or sharp knife
Mask suitable for particulate, used for sanding not for vapors (get a large box)
Plaster of Paris 25-50 lbs.
Cheesecloth, 100% cotton (not polyester)
latex gloves
3-5 gallon bucket
bucket
6 4 foot 1 x 3 (no pressure treated wood is allowed in the wood shop)
As Needed
Found objects
Cardboard
Tape (masking, duct, transparent)
StringWire
Adhesives
Fasteners (nails, screws, hinges, nuts, bolts, hangers)
Paint
Stain
Vendors
Lowe?s
Home DepotSouthland Hardware
1822 Westheimer, 713-529-4743
Texas Art Supply2001 Montrose Blvd., 713-874-57832237 S. Voss Rd, Houston, 713-780-0440
Art Supply2711 Main, 713-652-4984Ceramics Store
1002 W. 11th St., (713) 864-6442
CALENDER
class 1
class 2
class 3
class 5
class 6
class 7
intro, syllabus
shapes out of bristol board
organic shapes out of plasticine
balsa wood geometric shapes
Critique 1
Plaster/wood
spring break
class 8
class 9
class 10
class 11
class 12
class 13
class 14
class 15
class 16
class 17
lcass 18
class 19
class 20
class 21
plaster/ wood
MFAH field trip
plaster/ wood
plaster/ wood
critique 2
scale
Scale
Scale
Critique 3
final introduced
final work day
final group critiques
final individual critiques
studio clean up