CRAFTS (ART 3833)

Sample Syllabus

(Check with instructor for updates.)

Instructor: Edna Williams Website: http://www.cameron.edu/~ednaw/ Email: ednaw@cameron.edu

Office: 124D Art Building Office Phone: 581-2450 Office Hours: By appointment

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

Crafts, 3 hours credit. A studio course that relates material to form and function, with an emphasis on one of several materials: weaving, beadwork, textiles, etc. May be repeated under a different subtitle. No more than 6 hours may be credited with a major/minor in Art. Laboratory 9 hours per week.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

1. To introduce the students to the basic concepts, media, and techniques involved in a variety of craft art forms.
2. To encourage students to become more aware of their environment and attempt to evoke from them an aesthetic response to their surroundings.
3. To develop a definition and philosophy of Crafts and Society.
4. To understand the evolution of the Artist-Crafter throughout history.
5. To acquire knowledge of the contributions made by the skilled craftsmen of the early settlers of America.
6. To learn and utilize all stages of the Creative Process: 1) Preparation, 2) Incubation, 3) Illumination, 4) Verification. (utilizing the computer to assist in designing).
7. To develop a sense of good design by studying basic design principles and by looking at the work of professionals in the crafts.
8. To develop concepts that will be influenced by the producer's knowledge, training, experience, and attitudes which presumably follow the principles of good design.
9. To develop careful work habits and procedures that will contribute to good craftsmanship.
10. To fabricate a variety of end products which will function as utilitarian and /or decorative objects and be aesthetically pleasing.
11. To design original concepts to be translated through the use of suitable materials into a tangible form.
12. To develop skill and dexterity with several craft materials.
13. To develop adequate knowledge of the properties, limitations, and integrity of those materials.

"An attempt to consolidate these premises into a workable definition might resuft in such a statement as: A producer (craftsperson) formulates a concept and, by exercising certain skills, uses the necessary tools to fashion from suitable materials an end product (crafted object) that will be meaningful to the user by fulfilling a need andlor evoking an aesthetic response. To resolve the art versus craft debate, we can feasibl substitute the words artist for y producer and work of art for product in list of basic premises. Quite a similar definition for ail would result: An artist formulates a concept and, by exercising skills, uses the necessary tools to fashion from suitable materials a work of art that will aesthetically communicate the artist's concept to a receiver."

--Virginia Irby Davis

Recommended TEXT:

Crafts, A Basic Survgy, Davis.

Other books on specific craft techniques (available at Cameron bookstore)

The Crazy Quilt Handbook, Judith Montano (ISBN #091488105)
Papermaking - The History and Technique of an Ancient Craft, Dard Hunter

Other papermaking books (available through Twin Rocker Inc. - see handout):

The Basket Book, Lynn Siler
Batik, Tie Dyeinci, Stenciling, Silk Screen, Block Printing, Francis J. Kafka
Batik and Tie Dye Techniques, Nancy Belfer
The New Candle Book, Gloria Nicol

AREAS OF STUDY:

1st 8 weeks - Quilt-making, Batik, Candle making

2nd 8 weeks - Stained Glass, Basket making, Papermaking

Within this sixteen week spring semester, I have organized the course into three to four week units for selected areas of focus.

To allow for individual progress and interest, additional time may be spent on selected craft techniques. Outside studio work will be necessary to complete your assignments.

The studio is available all day (8:00.- 5:00) on T TH. On MWF, it is open from 8:00 - 10:00 and 3:00 to 5:00 . During the 1st eight weeks the room can be opened from 6:30 - 9:00 p.m. on Monday and Wednesday evening.

STUDIO RULES:

CLEAN UP YOUR WORK AREA & SINK!! Tables must be left bare.

MATERIALS:

A material list will be provided for each craft unit. You are responsible for buying most of the necessary tools and materials needed for each unit. I will make group orders directly to the supplier to access volume and university discounts.

Cameron Art Dept. will provide some of the larger and more expensive equipment such as vats, and paper pulp (paper making), a few candle molds, glass grinders and cutting surfaces (stained glass). Stained Glass materials will be purchased separately from other supplies.

I will assemble individual beginner kits by ordering from Glass Crafters Catalog. Included are: soldering iron, solder, flux & brush, copper foil, copper foil shears, glass cutter, grozing pliers, running pliers. The cost of the full kit is approximately $125.00. Glass selections are separate from this and you can expect to spend about $20.00 minimum on the glass for two small projects.

NOTE: For those who cannot -afford to purchase an individual beginner set. The art department has two beginner sets which you can share collectively. You will still need to purchase the glass for your projects. ($20.00 minimum)

You will need a three-ring binder notebook (for handouts) with sketching paper for your concepts / or use a sketchbook. A carry - all would be handy for tools, etc.

REOUIREMENTS:

1. Keep a notebook of all craft assignments, instructions, ideation and research and submit with your demonstration models.
2. Select one craft craft movement or craftsperson to research and write an article about. Submit with notebook. - Computer Lab!!!!!
3. Create a resource file of crafts. (pictures, etc. of various craft objects) Computer Lab!!!! ESPECIALLY HELPFUL FOR FUTURE ART TEACHERS.
4. Attend all demonstrations, work independently during studio time to complete technique examples.
5. Participate in each unit and produce a product (artwork) representing each technique.
6. Complete a written vocabulary test for all techniques (at end of semester).

SOURCES FOR CRAFTS SUPPLIES: