West Virginia Wesleyan College // School of Fine Arts & Humanities
Department of Art
Spring Term 2015 // Senior Seminar // ART425
Classroom: McCuskey Room 107
Mon/Wed 6-8:30pm
Professor: Ellen Mueller // Office: McCuskey Room 105
Office Hours: Mon/Wed, 12-2:30pm & by appointment
Email: mueller_e@wvwc.edu
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course further develops materials produced in ART 415: Portfolio Prep, culminating in senior exhibitions (artists) and portfolio reviews (freelancers). This course will be a rigorous — yet rewarding — exercise in developing a professional practice. The following items are to be expected of/by all students:
- Be prepared to spend roughly one to two hours working outside of class to every hour spent inside of class. (About 5-10 hours / week.)
- Come to class prepared with all materials and supplies. Failure to have proper supplies will result in a lower attendance grade for the day.
- Work independently outside of class by continuing research and exploration outside of scheduled class meetings.
- Develop intelligent, informed decisions when producing and discussing work.
- Maintain a timeline / schedule for the timely completion of assignments.
- Maintain a level of professionalism both inside and outside the classroom.
OBJECTIVES:
During the course, students will complete a variety of projects related to the completion of their senior year and will demonstrate the following:
- Basic understanding of marketing an exhibition through the development of a marketing strategy for their exhibition.
- Ability to write a basic press release.
- Development of a single body of work as evidenced in their final exhibition.
- Ability to use available resources to complete various tasks such as self-publishing a catalog and giving an artist talk.
NOTES ON PERSEVERANCE:
We will encounter frustrations as we deal with unexpected road-blocks, and create workarounds that fit within our timeline. These are important skills to practice, as you will do the same when you leave school and enter the world of professional artistic practice. Our weekly discipline will include a variety of activities which may include, but are not limited to, discussion, presentations, and scheduled readings/writings. Please note that an instructor cannot force the effort required to practice art or design. It must come from a desire and aptitude for struggle. Dedication and willingness to create will ensure your success in this class.
NOTES ON RESPECT:
The work created in the course may be of a personal and/or controversial nature. Please respect your colleagues and give their work your best attention. If you disagree with a work or its content, remember that when engaging with others’ work you must be a responsible and professional critic, and as such must work to make your criticism constructive and descriptive.