More About Metals

Metals Department Mission
Our mission is to prepare students for a career in metals. The students are taught the traditions and history of metalworking and encouraged to use this information creatively. They are shown images for each project from traditional culturally diverse range of work, side by side with contemporary interpretations.

The students are challenged with increasingly technical endeavors that they are asked to put their own slant on. Individual expression is essential to success as an artist in this field. They are encouraged through a positive work environment and around the clock access to one of the best facilities in the nation.

Bachelor of Fine Arts and Certificate Programs
The degree in Metals is granted in Jewelry, Blacksmithing, or Hollowware. Emphasis is placed on traditional techniques with a contemporary approach.

All the students begin with foundation classes in drawing and design. The first metals class for most students is Introduction to Metals Jewelry. This class is focused on jewelry fabrication. All the other classes are based on the knowledge gained in this class.

Blacksmithing is an introductory class that can be taken at the same time as intro to jewelry or at another time. This is a class in traditional smithing starting with fire control and simple manipulation of forged steel. More than half the class will be devoted to making traditional projects like hooks, and fireplace tools. The student will individually design the final project. This is a larger project usually a window grill, gate, table, or sculptural piece.

The student can continue to take more classes in blacksmithing and will be working on improving skills and developing a personal vision in their work.
All metals students will take at least two metals classes and one blacksmithing class before they start to specialize. Both the Metalsmithing and Blacksmithing classes are repeatable. Content will vary from term to term.

In advance metal classes student will begin to explore casting techniques, continue in more advanced jewelry techniques as well as exploring hollowware, box construction. Personal expression is necessary in the student’s development. Occasionally specialty classes will be offered with a specific technique or concept being explored.

Independent studies classes are for the more advanced students who wish to explore a specific technique or concept. Entrance into this class is at the discretion of the faculty, and will be based on the students written proposal.

The BFA program culminates in the student’s thesis project and exhibition. This is agreed upon between the student and their primary faculty. A committee will be formed of the Metals Faculty and 2 other members of the Faculty or the Artist in Residents. Some times committee members are drawn from the outside artistic community.

Students receive throughout their tenure individual attention and support while working closely with the faculty. Students also have access to weeklong intensive workshops that can be taken as noncredit classes or for college credit during the summer.