Art


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Art

The goal of Hamilton's Art Department is to raise students to a level of self-sufficiency, independent critical thinking and proficiency in the creation and discussion of works of art in order that they might sustain a lively, generative and relevant practice outside of the College environment.

Overview

A society's artists may be its historians, its philosophers, its priests and confessors, its outlaws or its visionaries. Art may document the artist's world, it may imagine the past or future, or it may express an inner landscape that cannot otherwise be shared. At Hamilton, student and faculty artists explore this rich dynamic by both creating and critiquing works of visual art. More ...

Academic Program

Research Opportunities

Hamilton's art program introduces students to fundamental skills and concepts across multiple mediums and histories. Through intensive interaction with peers and faculty, students are encouraged to build a methodical studio practice. Discussions, critiques and readings teach uses of oral and written language that are both precise and descriptive. Through experimentation with various genres, styles and materials, students develop an increasingly advanced visual language. A generative studio practice refines our young artist’s ability to properly evaluate their own work and the work of others, and helps them to situate their work within its proper historic and contemporary contexts.

Many art majors take advantage of Hamilton's extensive study-abroad programs to spend their junior year in Italy, France, Spain, Great Britain or elsewhere. The adventure of studying great art in its own cultural setting, and of developing one's own skills and vision at the same time, can be a transforming experience for young artists.



The Senior Program

All senior art majors embark on an intensive two-semester senior project. The culmination of the year’s work is the annual spring student exhibition in Hamilton’s Emerson Gallery. As an entering senior concentrator students are assigned a semi-private studio space. The success of this program depends on rigorous pursuit of independent production of works of art, both object based and visual incidents.

Faculty and peers provide students with strategies for getting started and for maintaining stamina, but the responsibility for production rests with the student artists. Individual group critiques provide opportunities for students to discuss works-in-progress with their peers and faculty members. Studio work is further supplemented with lectures, technical demonstrations, discussions, research and engagement with visiting artists and those artists’ studio practices. More ...


Resources

The College's List Art Center and neighboring facilities house studios for ceramics, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, painting, photography and video. Senior art concentrators have private studio space.