3D Studio

Ceramics

The Texas State ceramics program is broadly based, encompassing both pottery and sculpture executed in a full range of construction techniques, ceramic materials and firing methods. Ceramics students employ clay and its processes to explore how objects communicate, visually and tactilely, and to realize their personal potential for creative thinking and expression. Advanced work in ceramics becomes progressively more self-initiated and individualized. Through a continuous critical and intuitive dialog with the work they produce, students gain increased self-knowledge and creative growth.

Career paths taken by graduates of the program have included studio art and pottery production, and teaching at the K–12 and college levels, in community art centers and in private studios.

Degree Outline for Ceramics (PDF, 39.3 KB)

Fibers

The Fibers program provides an opportunity for students to explore the many facets of this discipline. Beginning students are taught the fundamentals of various techniques such as surface design on fabrics, which includes direct painting, dyeing, discharge dyeing, printing and transfer imaging. Papermaking is also included in the curriculum. Weaving on four-harness looms is required for those students who are majoring in Fibers. Basketry and other non-loom processes are also taught to those who express an interest in learning these techniques. These studies are designed to prepare students for entry into graduate school, becoming professional artists, teaching professions, and design industries. Students are encouraged to participate in professional organizations and juried and invited competitions.

Degree Outline for Fibers (PDF, 39.3 KB)

Metals

The Metals program at Texas State University offers comprehensive technical, critical and conceptual curriculum in the field of metalsmithing. The program builds on metalsmithing's rich hybrid history based in fine art, studio craft and industrial design and encourages students to explore a wide range of conceptual avenues in the creation of jewelry, functional objects, design prototypes, installation, performance and sculpture. The undergraduate BFA program is highly individualistic according to students' needs and graduate level courses are also available for students working on masters' degrees in other areas.

The 4,100 sq. ft. state of the art Metals facility features dedicated studios for fabrication, casting and mold making, machining, etching and patination, enameling, soldering, raising and forming, with an additional 1,000 sq. ft. outdoor forging and welding patio and work area. Students have access to a substantial collection of tools and equipment for all basic and advanced metalsmithing techniques. In-studio Macintosh OS computers have comprehensive Adobe Creative Suite software. Well-known visiting artists in the field are invited to campus each year to augment and diversify the curriculum. Students are encouraged to participate in these and other professional experiences such as exhibition opportunities and professional conferences according to their interests.

Texas State University graduates specializing in Metals have a number of career options and are regularly accepted into respected graduate programs or move directly into jewelry and metalsmithing related employment and teaching.

Degree Outline for Metals (PDF, 39.8 KB)

Sculpture

The field of sculpture continues to undergo dramatic changes in conceptual approaches, materials and techniques. The sculpture area at TSU provides the student with an environment that is conducive to the exploration of ideas through contemporary and traditional approaches to making art. These include light, sound, performance and site specific, as well as the much-cherished use of the foundry, woodshop, welding and modeling facilities. The development of the student’s personal aesthetic is always coupled with their expansion into the ever-diversifying approaches to making sculpture. Our facility provides ample room for the student to experiment with large-scale works and to become technically proficient in a variety of media. The internship program places qualified students in the studios of professional artists that employ a variety of media including bronze casting and large-scale carving of Styrofoam. In addition, all of our 3D areas at TSU provide outstanding opportunities for the student to bridge their interests in sculpture with fibers, metals and ceramics.

Degree Outline for Sculpture (PDF, 39.3 KB)