Studio Art

Painting Program

The Painting Program at the University of Minnesota Morris offers students the opportunity to master the basic skills and techniques of the medium. Contemporary and traditional approaches to painting are investigated through participation in individual and class discussions of assigned problems.

The Beginning Painting courses are designed to strengthen the individual students’ awareness of the history and techniques of the craft of painting while exposing the student to contemporary styles and ideas about painting. This course is meant to aid in the development of the students’ technical and observational skills. The student will concentrate on the essential elements of painting, its materials, methods and craft. The structure of this course is centralized around a series of exercises that will prepare the student for higher levels of problem solving, increase their self-discipline, and develop and understanding of the articulation of brushwork, composition and color.integration of drawing and design skills with basic painting studio practices. Exploration of the skills and methods of the medium begins the evolution of a vision unique to the student's personal history.

Advance Painting courses provide students with the opportunity to develop a personal direction through painting as an artistic medium. Semesters are devoted to directed labor that should be viewed as an opportunity for self-discovery through rigorous and sustained experimentation, moving towards the making of a coherent and cultivated series of paintings. After the completion of two years of painting, advanced students are encouraged to study one or more of other media in the stuido arts. Painting students are also encouraged to enroll in independent studies where they can experiment with mixed media or research other contemporary methods of painting.

Media Studies classes are also randomly offered during Fall, Spring, and Summer sessions. These classes involve study of and practice in various contemporary methods in painting: application of drawing skills, color, composition, and personal expression to alternative painting techniques.

The Painting studio is housed in 130 on the first floor of the HFA Building and consists of a large classroom/studio with an abundance of natural light and artificail light.

Equipment : Each student enrolled in a painting class is provided with an easel and tabora. There is also a large amount locker and storage space along with vertical slots to store finished paintings and paintings that are in progress.

The facilties are equiped for oil painting through the use of a fire saftey cabinet along with other recepticals to dispose of hazardous materials. All waterbased paints and acrylics are also easily used and disposed of in the studio.

The studio is also equipped with a fair amount of hand tools and a Makita chop saw to provide support to students who build their painting stretchers. Nails, screws, staples and staple guns are also provided for classes.