Introduction to Basic Crafts
Art 140
3 credits
Jim Bailey, Hartnett Hall 221E
Phone: 858-3414 Leave a Message!
e-mail: jim.bailey@minotstateu.edu
Office hours: Mon &Wed 12:00-1:00 pm
or by appointment.
Course Description, Goals and Objectives:
An introduction to the history of various crafts highlighting the knowledge and
production of craft techniques, coupled with specific projects that will provide students
with the creative ability to continue artistic expression beyond the completion of their
class. Students will cultivate their ability to make critical judgments and develop their
personal expression. The five strands of thought that permeate this course are Historical,
Cultural, Esthetic, Factual and Critical.
Student Outcomes:
In this introductory course to arts and crafts, the beginning student will:
• Master terminology associated with various craft media.
• Design and produce projects in various craft media.
• Explore various crafts media, including but not limited to weaving, jewelry, enameling,
stained glass, batik, basketry.
• Demonstrate mastery of fundamental concepts and techniques of varied craft media.
• Begin self-critique and discussion of their work.
• Investigate craft media and techniques, develop personal expression, and establish the
basis to continue the artistic experience beyond the class.
Time Commitment:
Six hours per week in class, 6-10 hours per week out of class.
Supplies:
Vary depending on projects, (dye, yarn, cloth, metal, string, thread, etc.) To an extent the
student has control over the cost of their projects.
Container for bringing equipment and supplies to class
Drawing tablet- 9 x 12 inches, all purpose
Pencils and erasers
Small scissors, Exacto knife and blades
Black felt tip pen
Course Outline of Projects:
1. Tie Dye
2. Wax Resist Batik
3. Prepared Shape Copper Enamel
4. Unique Shape, Cloisonné, or Soldered Copper Enamel
5. Smaller Suncatcher
6. Major Stained Glass Project
7. Basketweaving Techniques
8. Four Harness Loom Sampler
9. Weaving Project
10. Investigate a craft project not covered in class. Prepare and perform a project and
demonstration/presentation.
11. Write journal responses to the assigned readings text. Complete four art
assessment written documents.
12. Complete a midterm and a final test.
Required and Recommended Text:
Crafts: A Basic Survey, Virginia Irby Davis, A copy of this text will be on reserve in the
Library. Additional research on specific crafts is recommended.
Building Hours:
Monday through Friday: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Requirements:
Meet all deadlines. Complete the projects, assignments, art assessment documents and
reading journal. A midterm and a final test will be given. Keep all your work. At the
close of the semester I review all work in a final Portfolio Review.
Attendance and Late Work:
Art classes are lab classes, and attendance is required for lab classes. Students must
attend all classes. After four missed classes the student will be docked one letter grade;
after five; two letter grades, etc.
You are responsible for any missed material, contact your instructor before or directly
after an absence for a brief discussion about missed material. For extended absences,
bring a written doctor's excuse. Be sure to contact the instructor before the absence if
possible.
Late projects are docked one letter grade for each day late.
Be here on time and be here the entire time (3 lates/leave earlies equals 1 absence).
It isn't enough, however, just to be here. Complete all projects on time. Energy,
ambition, motivation, originality, interesting images, creativity, composition and
technique are important. Read the book; keep a journal on your thoughts about what the
author says. Read other crafts books. Assist with studio duties. Clean up after yourself
and others if you have to. All work must be finished and presented by the due date. Note
that hard work and diligence are expected.
Independent Research Project and Presentation:
Choose a craft not covered in class. From that research, produce a small project and
develop a 10-20 minute presentation/demonstration for the class with visual aids. Visual
aids may be projected examples, diagrams, or whatever matches the topic researched. A
project partially completed, as well as samplers, are excellent vehicles for your craft
presentation and demonstration.
Assessment of Student's Performance:
Portfolios and tests are graded on the 4-point scale: A, B, C, etc. Remember a C is
average, all students are average until they establish themselves as higher or lower. A C
is not a bad grade; indicating average grasp of craft procedures and average skill. A B is a
good grade, above average, indicating a definite ability to use the skills and techniques to
good advantage. An A is a sign of excellence indicating that the student has created
excellent craft projects and presented them positively.
Special Fees:
Upon registration, covers some classroom supplies and equipment maintenance. The
student using excessive supplies may be assessed an additional fee.
Class Safety:
Some of the tools used and techniques learned in this class require the added safety
measure of having someone around during the time you use certain tools. Please follow
the advised procedures for your own safety.
Reading Journal:
Read the book; keep a reading journal on your thoughts about what the author says. Do
not take notes on the text. Think about what you have read and write your own thoughts.
Read other crafts books. Complete your reading journal: The journal will be checked at
the most convenient date following the due date indicated on the semester timeline.
Incomplete journals receive an F. A person working for an A must have an adequate
reading journal. Read periodicals and other books on craft projects from the library to
receive additional credit.
Statement of Academic Integrity:
Minot State University is committed to academic integrity. Incidents of academic
dishonesty may be documented by the faculty member with a copy of the documentation
maintained by the department/division chair. A letter of explanation will be sent to the
student. Cheating may affect the student in accordance with the faculty members grading
policy. The student may appeal the faculty member’s penalty to the department chair.
Student disciplinary action may result in accordance with the Student Conduct Policy.
Academic dishonesty would include, but is not limited to, the following types of
behaviors:
1. Misrepresenting another individual’s work as one’s own, e.g. plagiarism from
hard copy or the Internet.
2. Copying from another student during an exam.
3. Altering one’s exam after grading for the purpose of enhancing one’s grade.
4. Submitting the same work to more than one class without prior approval of the
instructors.
5. Use of any material or device not approved by the instructor during an exam.
6. Turning in reports to be based on field collection data, but, which are, in fact not.
7. Failure to respect the confidentiality of persons served or studied and to maintain
the professional standards for ethical conduct as set forth in the National
Association of School Psychologists.
Disability Services
In coordination with Disability Support Services, reasonable accommodations will be
provided for qualified students with disabilities (LD, Orthopedic, Hearing, Visual,
Speech, Psychological, ADD/ADHD, Health Related and Other.)
Please meet with the instructor during the first week of class to make arrangements.
Accomodations and alternative format print materials (large print, audio, disk
or Braille) are available through Disability Support Services, located in the lower level
of Lura Manor, phone number (701) 858-3371. E-mail evelyn.klimpel@minotstateu.edu
The MSU art department is not responsible for student projects, equipment or
materials left in room 233W after May 31, 2010.
Cell phone Policy -It seems in this day and age that it is now necessary to instruct people
in proper cell phone etiquette.
-First and foremost they should be turned off and out of sight during your time in the
classroom.
-If they indeed must be on (family emergency, sick child etc.) please place them on
vibrate.
-If you need to answer your phone during class, then get up and leave the room with
the least amount of disruption possible. Talking softly as you do of course.
-Do not make or answer calls during the lecture or studio portion of the class.
-Do not text message during class.
Ipod Policy – It goes without saying that the use of Ipod’s during class time is also
discouraged.
Listening to your tunes does not allow you to participate properly in the class.
ART GALLERY VISIT
Each student is required to make five gallery visits during the semester. Divide your
visits between any of the following commercial and nonprofit galleries:
The Library Gallery, Gordon B. Olson Library, Northwest Art Center, MSU
Hartnett Hall Gallery, Hartnett Hall, Northwest Art Center, MSU
Wild Things Gallery, Dakota Square
Taube Museum of Art, 62 Doors, Artmain, Gallery 18, Downtown on Main
Minot Public Library, along 6th street
If you are going out of town, you may visit a gallery elsewhere.
You may follow a format similar to this, or devise one to suit your needs. You may not
necessarily answer these specific questions or even use a question/answer format. I have
designed this to get you thinking about the exhibit you will be seeing. If you are
comfortable just writing about the exhibition, just do so. After visiting the gallery and
seeing the works displayed, pick one of the following questions:
1. Why do you think the artist chose the title of the exhibit (if they have one)? In a
paragraph of 30 words or more explain your answer.
2. Choose one piece from an artist (a series may be included as one piece) and critique it.
Write down what you think about the composition, balance, color and content. Did the
artist follow the principles of design? If not, did the piece(s) still look like good art to you
or not? What would you have changed? How does the form match the content?
3. What did you think of the general way that the whole exhibit was presented? How
important is setting and presentation in an art show? Explain, do not just give one word
answers.
4. Read the artist statement (if there is one). Did (does) they (it) represent the theme(s)
that are developed in the artist(s) work? What purpose does the artist’s statement serve in
an art show?
5. Sketch and give the title and artist of your favorite piece from the show. Why do you
like this particular piece?
6. Choose one artwork you like, one you don’t like, and one you don’t understand.
Describe each one. Why do you like or dislike each? What don’t you understand?