Skip to main content

ARTS 241

ARTS 241: Jewelry and Metalworking (3-D)

Credit Hours: (3) One hour lecture, demonstration or critique; three hours studio

Introduction to techniques such as forming, stone setting, surface embellishment and casting. Emphasis on creative design and craftsmanship.

Note(s): Students cannot receive credit for both ARTS 241 and ART 303.

 

Detailed Description of Content of Course

Lectures and visual presentations will encompass technical information on materials and processes as well as examples of historic and contemporary jewelry styles. Demonstrations will illustrate many of the processes used in the class. The content of Art 303 will include but not be limited to:

1. Historic and contemporary jewelry.
2. Design, creativity, and significance.
3. Properties of jewelry materials.
4. Basic techniques including sawing, filing, forming, finishing, stone setting, surface embellishment, and lost wax centrifugal casting.
5. Craftsmanship.
6. Safety in the studio.
 

Detailed Description of Conduct of Course

This course will emphasize the demanding and delicate relationship between design and craft. This requires the development of a knowledgeable visual vocabulary and the mastery of technique.
An exhaustive exploration of design is encouraged through sketches and design exercises. The development of technique is accomplished through a series of demonstrations and required project assignments.
 

Goals and Objectives of the Course

Upon satisfactory completion of this course, the student will:

1. Demonstrate appropriate use of basic design concepts in jewelry designs (as illustrated in various historic and contemporary examples).
2. Demonstrate creative approaches to design and use of materials.
3. Demonstrate basic metalworking techniques in the completion of projects.
4. Demonstrate an appropriate balance of good design and craftsmanship in the creation of metal projects.
 

Assessment Measures

Assessment of the student is based upon:

• Studio performance (project grades): approximately 50% on design and 50% on craftsmanship. The quantity and quality of the projects is also weighed against the complexity of the projects, and the level of difficulty involved in the techniques used.
• Sketchbooks.
• A final exam, and any quizzes given.
• Critiques.
 

Other Course Information

Art 303 may be taken once. Additional semesters of can be taken as Art 403: Advanced Jewelry & Metalworking, which may be repeated.
 

Review and Approval

October 2, 2012

March 18, 2005 Reviewed by Steve Arbury, Chair