Sculpture_Bachelor of Fine Arts
Department of Art and Design
The University of Southern Mississippi

Sculpture Program - Objective
Sculpture Program - Facilities
Sculpture - Student Works
Sculpture - Sample Degree Plan
Sculpture - Print Version
Sculpture Program - Blog

Sculpture - B.F.A._Degree Program

The Sculpture Program at Southern Miss is expanding at an exceptional rate. Spearheaded nearly 25 years ago by Harold (Skip) Van Houten, it has grown to earn a national reputation for turning out well educated 3D artists.

Sculpture students at Southern Miss learn strong technical skills within a balanced Art and University Core Curriculum.

Facilities:

The Sculpture Facilities at Southern Miss are strengthening regularly with many valuable improvements. In the fall of 2003, the program held a grand opening celebration for its new addition, the Structural Steel Services 3D Arts Building. This new space compliments the already existing ceramics lab, metal shop, and foundry with a state of the art wood shop, plaster working room, 3D studio, small machine shop, kiln shed, and the Price sculpture studio. Also located within the new expansion is a window-lined critique/exhibition space with clear visibility from the pedestrian and auto traffic. A generous contribution from Mr. Tommy Dulaney of Structural Steel Services has allowed us to purchase many of the necessary tools and equipment to outfit the new space and has made possible an endowment for future maintenance and graduate assistantships.

In the spring of 2006, the Sculpture Program proudly unveiled one of the largest university run cupolas in the United States. With its stack rising over 30 feet, it taps out close to a ton of molten iron. The new cupola is the most recent generous gift from our friends at Structural Steel Services. The addition of the new cupola continues a long tradition of developing innovative approaches to pour technology and mold making practices.



3D Studio
Facilities Include:

WOOD- Five HP table saw, radial arm saw, compound miter saw, 8" joiner, 14” planer, stand band saws, wood lathes, drill press, disc and belt sanders, oscillating sander, compressor, power and hand tools, and state of the art dust collection system.

METAL- Two-ton hoist, plasma cutter, arc and wire feed welders, lathe, milling machine, sheet metal tools, drill press, stationary and angle grinders, chop saw, compressor, casting equipment for iron, bronze, and aluminum, and several cupolas.

CERAMICS - Gas kilns, electric kilns, raku kiln, electric wheels, pug mill, slab roller, power and hand tools, and glaze mixing and application area.

OTHER- Dedicated 3D studio for 3D classes, ceramics studio, kiln shed, plaster room, wood shop, metal shop, foundry, Price sculpture studio, lavatories with showers, critique room and exhibition space with lighting and an outdoor sculpture patio suitable for outdoor exhibition of work.

Program Objective:

The objective of the Sculpture Program is to offer students a complete and well-rounded curriculum in the 3D arts. Creative problem-solving in three-dimensional design is a primary emphasis. It is important for the artist/student to be proficient in a wide range of materials and techniques. Concurrently, the student must endeavor to invent and build a unique language as an expressive tool for art-making. Sculpture students are exposed to a variety of materials, processes, and techniques in clay, wood, metal, stone, plaster, and multimedia. Students are engaged in additive, subtractive, casting, relief, installation and environmental approaches within the program. Finding the balance between technique and craft, as well as concept and context,is an important mission that all 3D artists must accomplish

Students are required to complete the university academic core, the art foundation program, and upper-level art studio courses. The final requirement for the degree is a senior project composed of a written proposal--approved by the faculty and an exhibition of the student's work.

For more information on the Bachelor of Fine Arts with a Sculpture emphasis at Southern Miss, contact:

Department of Art and Design
The University of Southern Mississippi
118 College Drive #5033
Hattiesburg, MS 39406-0001
Telephone (601) 266-4972
Fax (601) 266-6379
E-mail: visual.arts@usm.edu

3D Studio
Tel: 601-266-6032

The University of Southern Mississippi Department of Art and Design is a fully accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) and the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).

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