Syllabus- Fall 2016

Class Syllabus Fall 2016

NWSA: Sculpture Portfolio I & II
Mon & Wed/1:10pm  - 3:45pm
Instructor: Don Lambert/Room 5112

Course Overview and Objective

Sculpture Portfolio presents an opportunity to explore the fundamentals of 3-D processes and techniques as you develop your conceptual skills and craftsmanship. The course will be partially self-guided in the sense that each student will meet with the instructor to determine 3 appropriate projects to be completed through the grading period. These projects will be re-worked through out the quarter and properly documented through writing and photography for presentation in your final portfolio. On-line documentation will be due at midterm and before semester juries. 

In addition to quarterly projects, each student will complete a written/oral presentation on a contemporary artist. Instruction will be given through tool demonstrations, investigation of various art-making processes and the exploration of current and historical artists within our field. Finally, walking field-trips will add a hands-on elements to our experience of other artists’ work. This course will help you develop your creative process starting with idea generation, and culminating in the execution of well-thought-out works of art.

Instructor

Don Lambert
Email: lambert.nwsa [at] gmail.com
Office: 5601-19

Required Materials

• Sketchbook (any size- for note taking and brainstorming)
• Personal Website dedicated to your art practice (wordpress, blogger, squarespace, etc).
• Closed-toe shoes (no sandals or flip-flops)
• Safety glasses (not required to purchase, but highly recommended)

Expectations and Grading Policy

Your final grade will be assessed on your progress and participation throughout the class. Here is a breakdown:

• 25%- Research (Completed all two-page project proposals with accompanying research) Research will be based on thoughtfulness of your ideas, depth of your research and presentation of your two-page project proposal. Printed out, includes images/sketches, references from your research of at least two artists, and/or source texts. 

• 25%- Process (Daily work ethic for studio days/shop maintenance) Comes to studio prepared to work by bringing: materials, a plan of action, and pertinent questions. Responds to instructor feedback/willingness to learn. Cleans up and worlds cooperatively to maintain our studio. Ability to follow directions as given in the syllabus, handouts and lectures. Good attendance and promptness. Completion of projects by the due date

• 25%- Materialization (Projects completed well and on-time. Work is technically and conceptually resolved) Projects will be evaluated according to:
• Technical mastery and application of the learned skills and principles
• Active participation in critiques and discussions
• Creativity and originality
• Craftsmanship and presentation
• Overall Improvement

• 25%- Communication (All projects and presentations posted to blog. Good participation in critiques/discussion) Communication will be evaluated based on helpfulness and thoughtfulness of comments during discussion/critique and the quality of content and presentation of project documentation and artist presentation. 

Documentation

Documentation requirements for all completed projects: 
Objects
3-5 photos (no more or less)- Front view, side view, rear/top view for static work saved as high quality jpg at a min of 800ppi in the smallest measurement. Good lighting and uncluttered background are required. 

Performance/Time-sensitive work
1-3 min video uploaded to Youtube or Vimeo. This can be a condensed version of longer video/media work. Video should open with a title and be shot on a tripod unless there is a conceptual/formal reason not to. 

Every project requires a brief (250 word) statement to accompany it. This can be a statement of intent, an explanation of the work, a explanation of process/experimentation, or a statement that gives context to your work in culture/art history. 

All documentation must be uploaded to your personal website/blog. In addition, you will create a blog post in the class blog with a link to your personal website. 

Artist Presentation

Each student will be assigned an artist to research and present to the class. Students will post their artist presentations to the class blog. Details on artist presentation requirements will be presented separately.

Critiques

You are expected to be an enthusiastic participant in this class and take ownership of your work and
development as a creative professional. The function of critiques is not only to receive feedback on your work, but to build essential skills of presentation, negotiation, and persuasion.
Projects must be ready for peer review BEFORE class or critique begins, unless otherwise specified.
Craftsmanship and presentation greatly affect your grade.

Sketchbook/Online Archive

Maintain a sketchbook that contains all of your research, work in progress, source materials, etc, in an easily accessible presentation that shows the sequence of your work. Document all your brain storms, questions, research, sketches, rough-drafts, etc. in a short document and save all materials gathered as part of your projects. Consider how to organize, plan and present this material professionally. For your online presence (website/blog) make it easy to go through, with individual exercises labeled clearly. In addition to keeping your website updated, bring your sketchbook to every class. This will serve as documentation of your thought process, and will be reviewed by instructor.

Final Portfolio and Exams

You are expected to take time throughout the semester to re-work your projects based on instructor and peer feedback. Individual conferences with the instructor are available throughout the course. If you would like a conference, set up a meeting with the instructor via email. Your final portfolio will consist of documentation of your finished projects online. 

Class and Shop Rules

Use of cell phones are strictly prohibited during class time. Internet usage should be limited to class-
related research (no checking email, social networking sites, etc). Continued use, after a warning, may result in disciplinary action. Specific Rules for RM5112:
• Food and Drink are not allowed in the wood shop.
• Spray paint, resin and mount adhesives must be used outside of the building.
• All materials and works-in-progress must be stored in closet. Anything left out will be discarded.
• Clean up after yourself.

Shop Policy

Our classroom consists of two rooms- the wood shop and plaster area. Students may do work outside of class-time in the plaster room, as long as there is no class in session or by obtaining permission from the instructor teaching at the time you wish to work. No one is permitted in the wood shop without instructor supervision. A lab computer is accessible during class hours; however files saved on the computer are not secure- plan accordingly. Access to certain shop equipment requires that you pass a safety orientation.

Attendance

Attendance which shall be required of all students during the days and hours that school is in session.
Students are expected to: attend class as scheduled; arrive at class on time; and demonstrate appropriate behavior and a readiness to learn. Students are responsible for catching up and getting any assignments, notes or readings missed because of absence.

• Class Attendance - Students are to be counted in attendance if they are physically present in
class for at least half of the class period, have been excused by the teacher on a class-related
assignment, or have been requested by a member of the school support staff for an approved
school activity.

• Tardiness – A student is considered tardy if he/she is not present at the moment the school bell
rings for the class assigned.

• Early Sign-outs - No student shall be released within the final 30 minutes of the school day unless
authorized by the school principal or principal’s designee, e.g., emergency, sickness.
Source: Miami-Dade Curriculum Bulletin. 

Students requesting to work in other areas must use the approved form. Attendance will be taken at start and end of class. 

Honor Code

Students are expected to follow the Honor Code of the New World School of The Arts. All assignments must be original and completed independently during the quarter.

Disabilities

Reasonable accommodations will be made for students with documented disabilities. Please contact the instructor to work out the details for any accommodations.

Disclaimer

This syllabus is subject to change at any time during the quarter. You will be notified of any changes or will be issued a new syllabus.