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The Spectator
Wait, So What Does an Art Major Do?
An inside look into the mind of one of Hamilton's own budding artists
by Louisa Savage '13Arts and Entertainment Writer
October 30, 2009
So just what does it take to be a studio art major? We've all probably walked by the List on their pieces. But how many of us, unless you're a studio art major yourself, really understand what goes on behind the mysterious concentration of "Studio Art"studios and glanced inside at the diligently working artists so intently focused?
By choosing to be a studio art major, you are enrolling yourself in an experience of self-chosen creativity, interpretation and expression. For these students, their studios are their classrooms and their pieces are their papers. Gone are the days of lecture halls and purely academic papers—studio art majors must instead focus more on themselves and their own beliefs, which they must then translate into their art. While art history courses certainly play a large part in a studio art major's understanding of art and his or her ultimate creations, typical academic traditions and settings are, for the most part, a thing of the past. Majors must complete 11 courses in the arts: two in the Department of Art History (one must be pre-1900 or non-European), Intro to Drawing, Junior Seminar, and an additional seven courses in Painting, Printmaking, Ceramics, Sculpture, Photography and Video. Majors must also complete a 300-level course by the end of their junior year in the same area as their senior project and, in addition, complete either the two-semester Senior Experience or the one semester Senior Experience with another 300-level course. Then, of course, there's the senior project, which is the art-equivalent to a thesis. Majors must create a series of works in their chosen mediums based on a central, controlling theme. For studio art major Michael Bourbeau '10, this means putting in 30-40 hours of work a week—minimum. For anyone who thought Studio Art Majors had it easy… think again.
Bourbeau decided he wanted to be a studio art major when he realized that art was his best subject at Hamilton: "I was struggling with every other class, but art was the only place that I could challenge myself and still succeed." To Bourbeau, creating art never feels like work because he genuinely loves it. Though he realizes he may not have chosen the most financially sound major, he truly loves and appreciates art, and can see himself doing it for the rest of his life.
Influenced by his father, who is an architect, Bourbeau began drawing at a young age and continued on in high school, even developing a passion for ceramics. Now, however, he is creating a senior project focused on painting. "Artistically," said Bourbeau, "I don't think there are any requirements for the major other than the willingness to put an effort into your work and make something that you are happy with."
After college, Bourbeau plans to go to grad school to continue learning about art and its many facets.