Courses
Fine Art-2025/2026
| Year 1 | ||||
| Take all of the following Mandatory Courses: | ||||
| WRIT-1036 | Reason & Writing 1-Art & Design | 3 | ||
| This course introduces students to essential principles of reading, writing, and reasoning at the postsecondary level. Students will identify, summarize, analyze, and evaluate multiple short readings and write persuasive response essays to develop their vocabulary, comprehension, grammar, and critical thinking. | ||||
| ARTS-1110 | Perceptual Studies 1 | 4.5 | ||
| he elements and principles of art are introduced in this fundamental drawing course. Observational skills are developed through using the figure, still life, objects, the environment, and the studio space. Materials are manipulated to analyze and evaluate the visual world and observing and interpret visual impressions into basic two-dimensional form. Students are introduced to traditional and contemporary drawing media and approaches to mark-making | ||||
| ARTS-1111 | Painting 1 | 4.5 | ||
| This is an introductory painting course designed to introduce students to the basic principles and properties of fine art painting. Students will explore fundamental colour theory and a variety of introductory painting techniques. Knowledge of the tools of painting and their proper handling, as well as the language of painting will be introduced. Students will execute compositions in paint in differing scales and supports. Traditional observation and conceptual approaches are developed within painting themes. Lectures and demonstrations will provide students with an introductory overview of the history of painting. Acrylic paints will be the medium used in this course. | ||||
| ARTS-1112 | Sculpture 1 | 4.5 | ||
| This introductory course explores traditional and contemporary sculpture materials and processes. Studio-based projects will explore additive and subtractive methods of working, step processes and translations between sculpture media. The language and concerns of sculpture through applied technical skill development and understanding of physical and expressive possibilities of diverse materials are acquired. Lectures and demonstrations provide the historic, appropriate and safe use of tools and materials. | ||||
| ARTS-1117 | Intermedia | 3.5 | ||
| This course familiarizes students with the inter-disciplinary aspects of contemporary art through its introduction to moving image history and digital time-based media. Collaborative and independent projects, executed both in class and out-of-class, will involve visual, performance, spoken word and sound applications. Various techniques and methods of planning, recording, and editing video and audio projects using professional equipment and software will be explored. | ||||
| ARTS-1116 | Introduction to Photography | 3.5 | ||
| This introductory level course is structured to provide a balance between technical instruction. and demonstrations, out-of-class assignments, photographic lab practices, discussion of ideas and concepts related to the history of Fine Art photography. Digital cameras and digital editing tools will be introduced and utilized. A critical analysis of student's work and its connection to the subject of art will be thoroughly investigated. | ||||
| ARTS-1071 | Methods & Media in Drawing | 3 | ||
| Students will select a single theme (from a provided list - see Course Plan) to explore within the use of multiple drawing media. Historical and contemporary approaches to each drawing medium are introduced and research into material properties is applied through sketchbook activities and two-dimensional projects. Emphasis will be placed on constructing compositions and conceptual development in the creation of an introductory drawing portfolio. Basic colour theory, mark-making, assorted papers, and a range of subjects will be incorporated in studio-based projects. Critique discussion groups will encourage thematic growth and introduce visual language skills in an artistic practice. | ||||
| ARTS-1115 | Perceptual Studies 2 | 5 | ||
| This course builds on the techniques and materials explored in ARTS 1110 (Perceptual Studies 1). Students will further explore and evaluate the visual world with an emphasis placed on concept development, analysis and interpretation of perceptions. Students are encouraged to experiment with processes, scale and materials and will include expanded studies in life drawing. | ||||
| ARTS-1113 | Painting 2 | 5 | ||
| This course is designed to advance the basic understanding of colour theory and painting techniques acquired in ARTS 1111 (Painting 1). Expanded colour theory, increasingly complex techniques and compositional strategies are emphasized. Students will be introduced to the uses of various acrylic mediums and will explore a variety of supports/grounds and scales in their projects. The language of painting will continue to develop as well as an introductory understanding of concept-development, inspirations, and processes of painting throughout history. | ||||
| ARTS-1114 | Sculpture 2 | 5 | ||
| A continuation of ARTS 1112 (Sculpture 1) this course encourages development of sculpture's visual language through studio practice. Problem-solving in three dimensions and issues including perception, metaphor, communication, and composition will be discussed and explored through projects and presentations. Assemblage formats, including installation will further develop technical abilities. Various manipulation of media are explored while maintaining safe and appropriate use of tools and materials. | ||||
| COMM-3074 | Communications for Design | 3 | ||
| This course, designed for students who plan to work in the field of art and design, focuses on professional written and verbal communication skills. Students learn to prepare a variety of work-related documents. In addition, students learn about research methods and documentation formats. The principles of effective writing - organization, grammar, style, clarity, and tone - are reinforced throughout the course. The goal of the course is to prepare students for the communication tasks and considerations they will encounter in the workplace in order to meet the needs of employers and/or the communities they will serve. | ||||
| HIST-1046 | Ancient Origins to High Renaissance | 3 | ||
| This course introduces students to the history of Western art and architecture by examining key works within the intellectual and social context that they were created. Because art does not develop in a vacuum, the philosophical, religious, scientific, etc., background of each period will be examined in order to gain a fuller understanding of important artistic trends. The overall goal of this course is to provide a working knowledge of the history of Western art and architecture as well as a foundation for critical thinking about art's history. | ||||
| HIST-3028 | European Art: Mannerism to Contemporary | 3 | ||
| This course continues students' education of the history of Western art and architecture by examining key works within the intellectual and social context that they were created. Beginning with Mannerism which wind downs the Renaissance period and points to heralding the birth of the Modern era, students will learn about the technological and intellectual advances that will shape and inform some of the most radical changes in Art History, including the foundation of abstraction, the birth of photography and the move into the post-modern era. The background of each period will be examined in order to gain a fuller understanding of important artistic trends. The overall goal of this course is to provide a working knowledge of the history of Western art and architecture as well as a foundation for critical thinking about art's history. | ||||
| ARTS-1118 | Introduction to Print Making | 3 | ||
| In this foundation course students will be introduced to various traditional and contemporary approaches to printmaking. Relief processes, monoprints, hand printing, mechanical and digital printing methods will be demonstrated and explored through studio projects examining both unique and multiple production processes. Critique will further develop conceptual, technical, and expression related to print production. | ||||
| Year 2 | ||||
| Gen Ed-Take two 3 credit General Education elective courses. Take all of the following Mandatory Courses: | ||||
| ARTS-3050 | Visual Research 1 | 5 | ||
| This intermediate level course is experimental and open-ended and utilizes drawing to measure perceptions of the world and discover new ways of seeing. A wide range of materials, tools and drawing supports are employed to investigate the extended range of drawing approaches. | ||||
| ARTS-3051 | Three Dimensional 1 | 5 | ||
| This level 3 course investigates sculpture as practice at an intermediate level with an emphasis placed on acquiring a working knowledge of various materials and processes. Three-dimensional projects combine the application of these new techniques while also building concentration on conceptualization. Students will continue to learn and apply the safe-handling of tools and materials. | ||||
| ARTS-3005 | Canadian Art | 2 | ||
| This intermediate level art history course provides a survey of Canadian Art History from pre-European contact to Canadian Contemporary Art. The artistic growth is aligned to the growth of Canada's historical and cultural development, specifically First Nations, French, and English cultures to an emerging international country. Artifacts, painting, sculpture, photography, and avant-garde artwork will all be addressed. | ||||
| ARTS-3052 | Printmaking 1 | 5 | ||
| This intermediate level course will examine traditional methods of printmaking in a contemporary art context. Many variations of relief and intaglio printing techniques will be explored to a high degree of experimentation and resolution. Technical competence and conceptualization will be expected from the student. Students will learn and apply the safe-handling of printmaking equipment and materials. | ||||
| ARTS-3053 | Fine Art Studio 3 | 10 | ||
| This second-year intermediate level course builds on the creative and technical skills obtained in the first year. The course takes the form of a series of group and individual projects, each specifically dealing with the links between concept, materials, and process. Working across media in multiple ways, students learn to reflect and recognize individuality in their own artistic direction. | ||||
| ARTS-3054 | Fine Art Studio 4 | 10 | ||
| This intermediate level course builds on the relationship of concepts to materials and process explored in Fine Art Studio 3 (ARTS-3053), placing emphasis on working in both tactile and digital media. The course takes the form of a series of individual and group projects that stress the development and deconstruction of conceptual ideas. Students experience the creation, preparation, installation, and promotion of a group exhibition in a public space. | ||||
| ARTS-3055 | Visual Research 2 | 5 | ||
| This intermediate level course builds on Visual Research 1 (ARTS 3050). Aesthetic and perceptual development is applied to social contexts in projects which explore a wide range of materials. Drawing may be extended into untraditional media including painting/mixed media, time-based media and drawing in three-dimensional space. | ||||
| ARTS-3056 | Three Dimensional 2 | 5 | ||
| This course extends sculptural investigations begun in Three Dimensional 1 (ARTS-3051). Observational concepts are further displayed through several extensive projects. The notion of sculpture is realized and extended through material processes and explorations of construction and deconstruction. Students will continue to learn and apply the safe-handling of tools and materials. | ||||
| ARTS-3011 | Cubism to Abstract Expressionism | 2 | ||
| This course covers the history of art primarily in the United States, Canada, and Europe since 1910. Topics include exploration of Abstract art in the forms of Cubism, Dada, Surrealism, Social Realism, DeStijl, etc to Abstract Expressionism. Through the course we will consider the social position of the artist, how the two Great Wars affected art and society. Lectures will have a particular focus and will be explored with historical currents. | ||||
| ARTS-3057 | Printmaking 2 | 5 | ||
| This intermediate level course will examine traditional and contemporary methods of printmaking in a contemporary art context. Many variations of digital and silkscreen printing techniques will be explored to a high degree of experimentation and resolution. Technical competence and conceptualization will be expected from the student. Students will learn and apply the safe-handling of printmaking equipment and materials. | ||||
| Year 3 | ||||
| Take all of the following Mandatory Courses: | ||||
| ARTS-5036 | Fine Arts Studio 5 | 18 | ||
| Building upon the satisfactory completion of work covered in the prerequisite studio courses, students enter into an advanced level program of semi-independent research in a variety of media, as defined and developed by the faculty using tutorial methods and group critiques. Emphasis is towards ongoing displays and exhibitions. | ||||
| ARTS-5027 | Pop Art to Post Modern | 2 | ||
| This course covers art history primarily in the United States, Canada and Europe, since 1960. We will explore a variety topics from different regions in the context of formalism, gender, ethnicity and history. Through the course we will consider the social position of the artist, the emergence of art markets, the intersection of popular culture and art, and how art has changed since 1960. As this is a particularly large topic, lectures will have a particular focus and will be explored with historical currents. | ||||
| ARTS-5035 | Fine Arts Studio 6 | 16.5 | ||
| Students continue into an advanced level program of semi-independent research in a variety of media, as defined and developed by the faculty and individual students using a semi-tutorial method and group critiques. The emphasis is towards ongoing exhibitions, Satellite Project Space involvement and graduation exhibition. This course includes practical experience on business aspects of art: e.g. designing and printing a catalogue, research and writing about artwork, documenting artwork, making professional presentations, organizing, selecting and hanging exhibitions. Graduating students are required to participate in a group public exhibition. If a student is missing a course or courses and will not be graduating, he/she will not be allowed to exhibit in this event but must participate in the preparation and installation of the exhibition. | ||||
| ARTS-5034 | The Professional Artist | 2 | ||
| This course is designed to assist graduating students to meet their objectives as practicing artists. The series of lectures will provide information relevant to the pursuit of becoming a professional artist in Canada. Course content will include grant writing, documentation of work, portfolio presentation, exhibition and curatorial practices, and preparation of public relations materials, as they relate to an individual professional artist. This course is a co-requisite for ARTS-5019 (Fine Art Studio 6). | ||||
| ARTS-5038 | Exploring Exhibitions | 2 | ||
| In preparation for Creating Exhibitions Level 5 students will examine and visit professional art exhibitions both through local field trips and nationally and globally through virtual exhibitions. Lively discussions surrounding exhibition curation, installation and presentation will encourage critical thought and dialogue. This course is a co-requisite for FAS Studio 5. | ||||
| ARTS-5039 | Creating Exhibitions | 4 | ||
| In consultation with faculty, the study of exhibition practices has students and peers investigating to organize and curate small group exhibitions in a variety of gallery situations. The practical experience of a professional artist such as: creating exhibitions through organizing/curating/selecting and installing exhibitions, research/critiques/writing and talking about their artwork, digitally documenting their artwork, designing and printing exhibition poster and graduation catalogue, will generate an art industry experience within this course. This course is a co-requisite for FAS Studio 6. | ||||
| Gen Ed - Electives | ||||
| Take 6 General Education Credits - Normally taken in Year 2 | ||||
| Program Residency | ||||
| Students Must Complete a Minimum of 40 credits in this program at Fanshawe College to meet the Program Residency requirement and graduate from this program | ||||