Student Work
Do you know the name of that sculpture downtown in your city? Sculpture and functional art is all over. In museums and galleries. Public gardens and city centers. Homes and offices. Art in the third dimension begs us to touch it, climb it, use it. It’s created to interact with the masses and to engage the senses.
This program is about three dimensional creative problem solving. You’ll design, sculpt, cast, carve, fabricate one-of-a-kind objects in metal, wood, plastic, clay, and mixed media. Take advantage of the visiting artists series, field trips, lectures, and exhibition opportunities. Work in the sculpture studio, 3D design room, woodshop, and clay and plaster casting studios. Our faculty believe content is as integral as material and method. They’ll work to provide a contoured educational experience for you based on your aspirations.
Our Sculpture and Functional Art students have the use of five well-resourced studios for creating and fabricating their work.
More in our Facilities Directory
Sculptor, cabinet maker, woodworker, custom furniture maker, set designer, metal artist
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Supportive Studio
Furniture Detailing I (3) or Drawing Materials/Processes (3)
Digital Elective (choose one)* (3)
(*3D Modeling, Digital Portfolio Digital Photography, Digital Modeling)-
2D Design (3)
A problem-solving course covering the principles of composition and modular design systems. Uses predominantly abstract shapes, and black, white, and achromatic gray ranges. (Students who have earned credit for VISC 110, Design I, may not use credit earned in KCPA 110 to meet graduation requirements.) -
Color (3)
A problem-solving course that studies the properties and interactions of color and its resulting perceptual effects in pictorial space. -
Drawing I (3)
The process of drawing as observation and conceptualization through eye-hand coordination. Emphasizes linear construction with concern for accurate proportion and simple positive-negative/figure-ground relationships. Includes an in-depth study of linear perspective. (Students who have earned credit for VISC 112, Drawing I, may not use credit earned in KCDR 131 to meet graduation requirements.) -
Drawing II (3)
Emphasis on development of convincing illusion of three-dimensional objects, through the combined use of line, value, proportion, and composition. This course focuses on the further refinement of the concepts, processes, and techniques introduced in Drawing I. Expanded exploration of perspective, composition, color investigation, media exploration, and idea development within traditional subject matter will be emphasized.
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Figure Drawing I (3)
Emphasizes precise linear construction and structural aspects of the figure. Anatomical focus is on skeletal structure and its effect on surface form. Tonal construction introduced late in the semester. -
Introduction to Printmaking (3)
An introductory course which explores some of the following media: monotype, relief, intaglio, or lithography. Students gain proficiency in printing, proofing, and editing. -
Introduction to Painting (3)
The first course that deals exclusively with the medium of oil painting. Observation of nature and the depiction of solid three-dimensional form in illusionistic space are the central concerns. Emphasis is primarily on still life painting; some figure/portrait painting may be introduced. Also surveys Western painting and the traditional techniques pertaining to that history. -
Introduction to Photography (3)
An introduction to the fundamentals of photography and 35mm adjustable camera operation. This course includes beginning black and white film development and darkroom printing, as well as an introduction to digital capture and basic image manipulation controls.. The aesthetics of photography will be discussed in terms of its history, and artistic and technical advancements. (Students who have earned credit for VISC 212, Photography, may not use credit earned in KCPH 120 to meet graduation requirements.) Formerly KCFA 261 -
Detailing I (3)
Studies furniture construction methods, construction standards, and joinery using three-view working drawings. Emphasizes drafting techniques that include full-sized detail layout, notation and lettering, part and product dimensioning. -
Drawing Materials and Processes (3)
Emphasizes independent problem solving, refinement of technical skills, and the development of conceptualization processes. Examines contemporary issues, artists and the significance of content. -
3D Modeling (3)
A computer course that focuses on the creation of three-dimensional objects ranging from commercial products and objects of art to architectural interiors and exteriors. Formerly KCVC 232 -
Digital Portfolio (3)
Students will learn to create interactive portfolios of their work for delivery via CD-Rom and the Web. -
Digital Photography I (3)
An introduction to photography’s digital tools: digital cameras, manipulation, and output. Exploration of consumer and pro-sumer level digital cameras and digital lighting considerations. Introduction to PhotoShop, especially image compositing and manipulation. An introduction to film and flatbed scanning, resolution, color correction and digital output. The aesthetics unique to the digital environment, as well as its history will be examined. -
Digital Modeling (3)
The creation, manipulation, and application of three-dimensional, digital models in the industrial design process (was KCIN 320).
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Major Studio
Sculpture II (3) (should be taken prior to Junior year)
Functional Art II (3) (should be taken prior to Junior year)
Sculpture III (3) or Functional Art III (3)
Multimedia Times Art (3) or Sculpture IV (3) or Functional Art IV (3)-
3D Design (3)
To explore the elements, principles and aesthetic concepts integral to three-dimensional design and to consider relationships between concept, process, materials, tools and technical skills. (Students who have earned credit for ARTS 120, 3-D Design, may not use credit earned in KCSF 111 to meet graduation requirements.) -
Ceramics I (3)
Introduction to the medium of clay. Construction in hand-building and wheel-throwing. Investigation of glazing and firing. Comprehensive overview of historical and contemporary ceramics.
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Sculpture I (3)
Introduction of media and techniques in the sculptural processes, including but not limited to: welding (gas, MIG, TIG), subtractive carving, additive/constructive and molding and casting. Builds upon concepts and vocabulary from 3-D Design. Formerly KCFA 241 -
Functional Art I (3)
Design and construction opportunities and challenges presented by the addition of function to fine art are addressed through intensive study of studio woodworking techniques. An emphasis will be placed upon artistic expression that coincides with archival construction methods. Formerly KCFA 271 -
Sculpture II (3)
A further exploration of three-dimensional form-making. Enables the student to develop artistic expression and a greater understanding of contemporary sculpture. Emphasis may include permanent/nonpermanent materials: clay, plaster, metal, wax, fabric, wood, stone, or found objects. Both additive and subtractive methods will be employed. Formerly KCFA 242 -
Functional Art II (3)
The basic design and construction skills acquired in Functional Art I are expanded upon as more complex processes and concepts are explored. Other materials and processes and their visual and physical interaction with woodworking are introduced. Formerly KCFA 272 -
Sculpture III (3)
Individual work in various sculptural media to develop personal expression and refinement of technique. Students may select from various concepts, materials, and techniques explored in Sculpture I and II in order to begin a series of more personal, expressive sculptures. Additional media such as bronze casting or aluminum TIG welding as well as mixed-media or multi-media may be explored as time and facilities permit. (May be repeated once.) Formerly KCFA 343 -
Functional Art III (3)
A further extrapolation of Functional Art I and II in the form of a concentrated investigation of personal expression and function, culminating in unique objects. The course addresses the fine points of design with regard to a materials/skills foundation. Serial construction methods are encouraged to allow for an individual’s extrapolation of a singular investigation. Interdisciplinary and collaborative approaches are explored to broaden design sensibilities.
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Multimedia Time Arts (3)
Exploration of individual interests in the various arts, incorporating time, movement, sound, light, and space. Students will create three-dimensional works in environmental, installation, site-specific and process sculpture, kinetic works and/or performance art. Formerly KCFA 303 -
Sculpture IV (3)
Emphasizes the development of each student’s individual voice and vision. Students will be expected to work independently but with some supervision to gain control of their chosen sculptural media and to develop a personal aesthetic path that will lead them into their thesis year. Formerly KCF 344 -
Functional Art IV (3)
Individual advanced-level design and construction problems are addressed through group discussions and demonstrations, giving students exposure to a broad range of processes, techniques, and materials. Coursework places no emphasis on any singular material, but requires an understanding of the inherent physical and conceptual characteristics of various media.
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Professional Practices for Sculpture and Functional Art (3)
Exposes students to the lives and practices of working professional artists in the fields of sculpture, functional art and studio furniture. Lectures and demonstrations will include topics such as insurance/legalities, physical studio management, resume/CV writing, Photo and digital portfolio documentation, artist statements, client relationships/commissions, marketing opportunities, safe studio practices and health issues, retail opportunities, exhibition opportunities, graduate programs, and teaching opportunities. -
Sculpture and Functional Art Thesis I (3)
Emphasizes the production of a unified body of work emphasizing conceptual development and creative decision-making. Includes individual and group critiques. -
Sculpture and Functional Art Thesis II (3)
Emphasizes responsibility for the creation of a cohesive body of work that displays conceptual continuity and technical integrity. Includes individual and group critiques. The student is required to install a thesis exhibition of complete the BFA in fine arts.
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Art History
Art History Elective (3)-
Western Art I: Prehistoric through the Renaissance (3)
An overview of the Western Art tradition from prehistory through the Renaissance using a socio-cultural methodology in a chronological framework. (Students who have earned credit for ARTH 110, Prehistoric through Middle Ages, may not use credit earned in KCAH 111 to meet graduation requirements.) -
Western Art II: Baroque to the Present (3)
A survey of Western art from the Baroque to the present, this course will continue building upon the foundation of Western Art I; prehistoric through the renaissance, using a socio-cultural methodology in a chronological framework. (Students who have earned credit for ARTH 111, Renaissance through 20th Century, may not use credit earned in KCAH 112 to meet graduation requirements.) -
Modern Art and Modernism (3)
An examination of the concept of Modernism and how it is expressed in Western art and architecture from the mid-19th century to the mid-20th century.. (Students who have earned credit for ARTH 310, History of Twentieth Century Art, may not use credit earned in KCAH 311.) -
Contemporary Art (3)
An in-depth study of fine art and theory from 1960 to the present
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Liberal Arts and Sciences
Science Elective (3)
Math Elective (3)
Humanities Elective (6)
Social Science Elective (3)
300/400 Social Science Elective (3)-
Written Rhetoric (3)
Written Rhetoric provides students with practice in the art of writing well. Students who successfully complete the course will demonstrate competence in critical thought and expression and in the composition of expository prose. They will use writing both as a tool for discovery and communication, and they will shape their communication in response to audience and purpose. (Students who have earned credit for ENGL 150, English I, may not use credit earned in KCHU 120 to meet graduation requirements.) -
Oral Rhetoric (3)
Oral Rhetoric provides students with the skills and confidence needed to speak effectively in formal presentations. Course concentrations include the examination and practice of oral rhetoric, building on skills in common with Written Rhetoric. (Students who have earned credit for COMM 121, Fundamentals of Public Speaking, may not use credit earned in KCHU 121 to meet graduation requirements.) -
Aesthetics (3)
An exploration of the philosophical nature of beauty, art, and taste. -
Advanced Rhetoric (3)
Advanced Rhetoric provides students with practice in analyzing, developing, and organizing various forms of persuasive discourse, including written, oral, and visual. Building on the skills developed in the two prerequisites, students apply their understanding of rhetorical concepts to the study of various social issues and cultural texts.
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Studio Electives
Studio Electives (15)
(1 Sculpture/Functional Art required)
Download the catalog for the most recent course listings and prerequisites.
