Fashioning Metals Into Art
The jewelry and metalsmithing program offers Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) and Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degrees. The curriculum centered on jewelry, hollowware and metal sculpture encompasses a breadth and depth approach to technical and aesthetic study, art history, and marketing processes. In addition to the jewelry and metalsmithing program, the nationally recognized SIUE sculpture program also provides graduate metal students with the opportunity to utilize techniques common to both areas and adaptable to large scale works, such as blacksmithing, foundry-casting and Damascus steel.
A variety of techniques are included within the program supported by a state-of-the-art facility. They encompass ancient and contemporary metals and processes such as fabrication, small- to large-scale forming, bowl raising, hydraulic deep draw press forming, vacuum and centrifugal casting, rubber mold making, vibratory polishing, enameling, granulation, reticulation, perforation, anodizing, patination, kum-boo, silver and gold leaf, stone-setting, and electroplating. Metals include pewter, iron, titanium, aluminum, gold, silver, copper, nickel and copper alloys, with a focus on the unique metalworking possibilities of each material.
Course levels are Introduction to Metals, Intermediate, Advanced and Graduate. The Summer Arts Program offers extensive workshops for credit, utilizing a guest artist program. Throughout each year two to three guest artists are funded through Student Government, Friends of Art, and the Department and University as a whole. All studio areas are equally active in the guest artist programs.
