The Studio Art program fosters creative growth and critical discourse across multiple media areas. Students create their own concentrations by selecting courses from a variety of options, and are encouraged to translate their ideas into different mediums or work across studio areas. We embrace the liberal arts ethos of cross-disciplinary inquiry.
We have 8 dedicated studios in Melchers Hall, each devoted to a specific medium:
Ceramics
The Ceramics studio at UMW is well equipped with kilns and equipment for a variety of forming and firing methods, including wheel-throwing, hand-building and a fully stocked glaze lab. We have multiple electric kilns, a gas reduction kiln, a raku kiln and Virginia’s only wood-fired kiln at an institution of higher education. For more details, visit www.umwceramics.org
Design
The Design studio hosts all sections of our foundations course: ARTS 105: Design Principles. The space features a critique wall, adjustable drawing tables and flat file storage for student work and materials.
Digital Art
The Melchers Digital lab is outfitted with fifteen iMac work stations– each containing a full suite of graphic design, animation, image, audio and video editing software including Final Cut Pro X and the full Adobe Creative Cloud. Professional multimedia equipment including cameras, tripods, digital drawing tablets, microphones, lights and iOS devices are available for loan to students.
Drawing
Our Drawing studio features mobile drawing tables, benches and display stands for a variety of approaches to the medium. North facing skylights and abundant windows provide ideal natural lighting.
Painting
The Painting studio is composed of several spaces on the third floor of Melchers Hall. Movable easels and tabourets, north facing skylights and plentiful storage create a dynamic and flexible space for exploring all aspects of painting.
Photography
The Photography studio at UMW has a class meeting/work space, a chemical darkroom with 12 enlargers and a smaller space for film loading and experimental processes. Photo courses also utilize our Digital lab to learn Adobe photoshop and other digital photography tools.
Printmaking
Printmaking courses share the class meeting space with Photography, and the studio features a printing press and exposure unit, along with materials and tools for screen, relief and plate-based processes. All of the inks and materials used are water soluble.
Sculpture
The Sculpture studio features a fully equipped wood shop along with areas and tools for mold making, plaster work and alternative processes. Wood machines include: table saw, bandsaw, mitre saw, drill press, belt sander, jointer, planer and panel saw.