Fine Arts – Drawing Focus
The Fine Arts program has several purposes: providing the student with a broad-based experience of the arts that includes exposure to all disciplines within the program; an opportunity to develop expertise in a single medium, focusing on painting, drawing, photography, printmaking, sculpture or functional art; and a solid introduction to aesthetics, criticism, and theory. The Fine Arts program is one that emphasizes conceptual development, critical thinking, and the creation of a cohesive body of work, resulting in the preparation of our students for a variety of careers in the visual arts.
The drawing focus initially emphasises an exploration of traditional drawing techniques, materials, and processes, with a later shift in emphasis to alternative and mixed-media drawing processes as potential elements in the advanced investigation of drawing as a vehicle for personal expression. Drawing, as a significant foundation of visual communication, is investigated as both an independent discipline and as a vital resource for the investigation of other disciplines. The dynamic union of technical, formal, and conceptual components is emphasized at the thesis level toward the development of a BFA thesis exhibition.
The senior year is a time to focus on the creation of a cohesive body of work for the BFA thesis exhibition, a requirement of graduation. A BFA candidate review occurs at the end of Thesis I and must be accompanied by a written artist’s statement. The purpose of this review is to advise students on the strengths and weaknesses of their work, with the intention of assisting the student in consolidating their aesthetic direction in preparation for the BFA thesis exhibition.
The BFA thesis exhibition is the culmination of each student’s art experience at Kendall, and is accompanied by an oral presentation and a written artist’s statement. Work for the exhibition must receive the approval of three faculty members who comprise the BFA critique committee, which is responsible for conducting the final critique of the BFA thesis exhibition. This final critique is open to all interested students and faculty. The BFA thesis exhibition functions as both a competitive portfolio of work for the student and a showcase of talent for the college.
