Visual Arts (510.A0)

Students are required to successfully complete four (4) English courses to obtain their DEC. Courses 603-102 and 603-103 may be taken in either order only after successfully completing 603-101. Course 603-200-MQ is the 4th and last English course required. Click here to view courses list.

Students need three (3) Humanities courses to complete their DEC. Courses 345-101-MQ and 345-102-MQ may be taken in either order, but both must be successfully completed before registering in 345-21_-AB. Click here to view courses list. 

Students are required to successfully complete three (3) Physical Education courses to complete their DEC. Courses 109-101-MQ and 109-102-MQ may be taken in either order, but both must be successfully completed before registering in 109-103-MQ. Click here to view courses list. 

This is a Studio Foundation course in Drawing. Drawing 1 will introduce students to various methods of rendering, drawing materials and pictorial composition. Basic exercises are designed to help the student acquire the necessary skills to draw from observation. Line drawings, gesture drawings and modeled drawings all combine to create a solid base in Studio Art. Upon completion of the course, students will be ready to comprehend and apply the different perspective systems discussed in the subsequent semester.

Introduction to Colour employs a “hands on” approach to learning. Students will be using acrylic paint and its mediums. Providing students with the opportunity to gain a deep and thorough understanding colour, this course will influence their knowledge in a variety of disciplines such drawing, printmaking and sculpture. The group will be introduced to the basics of colour theory and pictorial composition using various exercises such as: collage, still life and the human form. Topics will include: painting grounds, composition of paint, stretching canvas and different methods of painting. Upon completion of the course, first semester students will be ready to interpret an artwork and work with the figure in an extended project format.

The course introduces first semester students to sculpture and three-dimensional design. It initiates the beginner to the methods and procedures central to the field of three-dimensional art. The course will explore the means and techniques of sculpture while focusing on the development of formal and compositional skill. Expressive qualities through materials, volume and spatial relation are emphasized. Sculpture I is intended to prepare students for successive courses in the area of sculpture and design.

Relief printmaking involves the making of some kind of texture that is then covered with ink and transferred to a sheet of paper using a variety of means including a press or simply rubbing by hand. In this class students are introduced to the tools and materials of the printmaking studio. You can find relief printing used in the making of fabric design, the printing of books and posters with the traditional letter press, and fine art prints. While the methods learned in this class relate to these traditions the students will be applying their new knowledge to the making of contemporary art works and designs. The basic design skills learned in printmaking will form a foundation upon which the students will build their understanding of visual language as they progress through the Visual Arts Program.

This course is intended as a general introduction to the fundamentals of two-dimensional design and digital media. Through drawing and digital media, students will be introduced to a variety of design basics that guide the application of line, form, composition, and colour in any medium. The course will provide an introduction to basic digital information and image-processing techniques including Adobe Photoshop and digital scanning as well introduce students to stop motion animation. The course is intended to provide a solid foundation for creative development in the fields of drawing, painting, print media, and sculpture including the visual arts, industrial design, architecture, fashion, animation, film and television.

During their program, Visual Arts students will take three History of Art courses. The primary objective of this course is to train the student to see with sensitivity and historical comprehension, the painting, sculpture and architecture that surrounds him/her, and to develop a sense of the way in which different social, political and cultural milieu were directly responsible for moulding the creative individual we call artist. The student will be introduced to art, not as an isolated phenomenon but as a complex manifestation of the lives of people affected by time, place and circumstances. The student will develop the ability to interpret and analyze art works and ultimately be able to formulate a system of evaluation. The ultimate goal for the Visual Art student will be to expand one’s knowledge of creative experience and to apply that knowledge to the studio courses.

After successfully completing their 603-101 course, students may choose to take either a 603-102 or a 603-103 course. Click here to view courses list. 

Every student needs one of each of the Block “A” and Block “B” courses in order to complete their DEC. For each block, there are four levels of courses : Level 1 , Level 2 , Level 3 and Level 4

Click here to view courses list.

Students need three (3) Humanities courses to complete their DEC. Courses 345-101-MQ and 345-102-MQ may be taken in either order, but both must be successfully completed before registering in 345-21_-AB. Click here to view courses list. 

Students are required to successfully complete three (3) Physical Education courses to complete their DEC. Courses 109-101-MQ and 109-102-MQ may be taken in either order, but both must be successfully completed before registering in 109-103-MQ. Click here to view courses list. 

This is a hands-on intermediate level studio course in drawing. Students will learn to combine skills of rendering, self-expression and pictorial composition. The drawing situations, presented in each class, focus on issues of gesture, spatial relationships, shape, value, line, texture, perspective, and subjective interpretations. This class is designed to improve the ability to observe and develop visual organizational skills and has a strong emphasis on perspective and spatial illusion.

This is the second semester hands-on studio course in painting. Students will learn to combine skills of rendering, self-expression and pictorial composition with basic color and compositional theory acquired in the first semester. Students will gain broader knowledge and understanding of painting through the completion of a series of exercises and multiple week projects. These exercises and extended projects will challenge the student and aid them in the visual and conceptual interpretation, representation and observation of the world around them. Students will explore some basic theory to art historical concepts by interpreting an art historical work. This course is will prepare students for the more advanced painting courses in the second year. Experience gained here will serve to create a solid ground on which to build and allow moving on to any of numerous possible directions in painting.

This course continues to build upon the concepts and approaches introduced in 3D Studio Foundation I. It is intended to prepare students for successive courses in the area of sculpture and 3D design. Students will further explore materials and techniques while focusing on formal and compositional skills relevant to three-dimensional art practice. Course work is designed to encourage an integration of technical and artistic concerns and to expand the abilities of second semester students in regard to the planning, production and assessment of three-dimensional artworks. In addition to fostering further development of material and technical skills, the course prepares the students for more advanced studio courses by encouraging them to look and think critically and analytically when engaging with their own work and the work of their peers.

This is an Intermediate course that presents the traditional skills and techniques of intaglio and serigraphy. Students will become involved in aspects of print methods and the proper presentation of prints. Students will work on the techniques while investigating the possibilities in printmaking (the gathering and transformation of images, linear, textural and tonal techniques, paper, inking, and using color theory). Familiarity with process will lead to the conception and the development of a personal body of work in the form of printed editions. Print Media II is for those students who have taken Print Media I.

Student who takes three History of Art courses will have knowledge of stylistic and creative developments in the Visual Arts across a broad spectrum of historical time. This, the second, course will focus primarily on European content and will be related to study in other disciplines: philosophy, religion, literature, etc. The role of creativity, aesthetics, the relationship of form to content, the importance of the intellect as well as the eye and hand, is an important part of the course material.

After successfully completing their 603-101 course, students may choose to take either a 603-102 or a 603-103 course. Click here to view courses list. 

Every student needs one of each of the Block “A” and Block “B” courses in order to complete their DEC. For each block, there are four levels of courses: Level 1 , Level 2 , Level 3 and Level 4.
Placement in the appropriate level of French is determined by the students’ high school marks. The French Department reserves the right to change the placement of a student upon written notice. Students take the Block “B” course at the same level as the Block “A” course.
If placement determines that students do not have a college level of proficiency in French, students may be required to take remedial courses to upgrade their knowledge of the language. Click here to view courses list. 

Students need three (3) Humanities courses to complete their DEC. Courses 345-101-MQ and 345-102-MQ may be taken in either order, but both must be successfully completed before registering in 345-21_-AB. Click here to view courses list. 

Complementary courses provide an opportunity for students to explore subjects outside their field of concentration and are offered in six different areas. Except for Liberal Arts, Arts & Sciences and Double DEC programs, students must take two (2) complementary courses as part of their General Education requirement.
Students are encouraged to select courses from subjects that are outside their program of study;
Students can take a course from each ensemble of the same domain;
Or
Students can take a course from either ensemble of two different domains;
Or
Students can take a course from the same ensemble of two different domains;
Domain 1, Domain 2, Domain 3 , Domain 4 , Domain 5 and Domain 6

Click here to view courses list. 

In the third semester of the program, Drawing 3 is an advanced level studio course, building on technical, visual and analytical skills learnt in Drawing 2. Students will begin to think about drawing in an expanded form. They will explore drawing as a medium of interpretation and personal expression, situated in a current art context and informed by art history. Students will be introduced to new materials, tools and supports with emphasis placed on imaginative and innovative practices. A portion of the work produced will be self-initiated and directed. Sketches, preparatory work and experimentation with the expressive properties of drawing will prepare students to produce considered and sustained studies that explore a personal and thematic approach.

Students in the third semester will explore the creative process in painting. A thematic approach to painting will be investigated (grouping several pieces together through a common theme). Students will consider possible creative paths to their paintings by participating with both instructor and group/individual critiques. In these critiques, individuals will present their work in a more formal manner using art historical concepts and correct language. Students will identify potential ways of representing an idea considering current trends in painting. This course will prepare students for Painting 4 in which self-initiated projects are emphasized.

This course continues to build upon the concepts and approaches introduced in first-year sculpture courses. It is intended to prepare students for Sculpture 4: Advanced Projects. Students will further explore various materials and techniques while considering formal and conceptual skills relevant to contemporary sculpture. Course work is designed to encourage an integration of technical and artistic concerns and to expand the abilities of third semester students in regard to the planning, production and critical analysis of sculptural works. The course prepares students for their final semester by encouraging self-direction, sustainable working methods, formal resolution and self-evaluation.

This course addresses the technical, aesthetic, and conceptual challenges implicit with digital photography. The class is structured on a studio model, in which most of class time is spent working on projects under the supervision of the teacher. Students will build skills and techniques in digital photography and image processing for digital printing, the web and interactive multimedia. Emphasis is placed on acquiring digital photographic skills through the appropriate use of software and image editing tools. In addition, students will leave the course with a greater understanding of design fundamentals. This course is linked to the fundamentals of design course in first semester, where image making techniques, using a variety of source material, are further explored using digital applications and digital processing. This course is a prerequisite for Print Media 3.

Visual arts students who have taken three Art History courses will have a knowledge of stylistic and creative development in the visual arts across a broad spectrum of historical time. In this, the third course, the student will continue to work on his/her ability to analyze, interpret and discuss works of art and ultimately will be able to formulate a system of evaluation. This course, the last of the three Art History courses, will focus on the ideas, creation, and display of the Contemporary Art. The ultimate goal for the Visual Arts student will be to expand his/her knowledge of creative experience and to apply that knowledge to the studio courses.

After successfully completing their 603-102 and 603-103 courses, students must choose a 603-200 course. Click here to view courses list. 

Students are required to successfully complete three (3) Physical Education courses to complete their DEC. Courses 109-101-MQ and 109-102-MQ may be taken in either order, but both must be successfully completed before registering in 109-103-MQ. Click here to view courses list. 

Drawing 4 is an advanced level studio course and the final drawing course in the Visual Arts Program. Students will already have a good understanding of the variety of tools, methods, supports and visual exploration associated with traditional and contemporary drawing. This course will build on this understanding to emphasize self-direction and a personal approach to mark making. The projects introduced by the instructor will allow students to exercise self-direction and to integrate learning across the various sub-disciplines in the visual arts. Students will also be encouraged to incorporate the knowledge gained across the various studio courses into their drawing practice. At the end of the semester the student will have a body of resolved and finished drawings suitable for submission to the selection committee of the Graduate Exhibition.

Painting 4 is an advanced level studio course and the final painting course in the Visual Arts Program. Students will already have a good understanding of colour theory, composition, painting methods, supports and visual exploration associated with traditional and contemporary painting. This course will build on this understanding to emphasize self-direction and a personal approach to painting. The projects introduced by the instructor will allow students to exercise self-direction and to integrate learning across the various sub-disciplines in the visual arts. Students will be encouraged to incorporate the knowledge gained across the various studio courses into their painting practice. At the end of the semester the student will have a body of resolved and finished paintings suitable for submission to the selection committee of the Graduate Exhibition.

Sculpture 4 is an advanced level studio course and the final sculpture course in the Visual Arts Program. Students will draw from technical, material and visual exploration undertaken in previous sculpture courses to create more advanced 3-dimensional works. Students in this course will have a good understanding of formal issues related to sculpture, expertise manipulating materials, and comfort with technical procedures. This course will build on this understanding to emphasize self-direction and a personal approach to sculpture. Projects introduced in this course will provide students with the opportunity to synthesize learning gathered across disciplines in the Visual Arts Program and create a more personal mode of expression. At the end of the semester, students will have resolved and finished sculpture works to submit to the Selection Committee of the Graduate Exhibition.

This course addresses the technical, aesthetic and conceptual challenges particular to contemporary Printmaking. Emphasis will be placed on acquiring new skills in advanced digital printmaking techniques, namely photographic intaglio and screen print processes. Students will expand on skills learned in previous Print, Photography and Digital Media courses to gain a greater understanding of digital imaging and photographic print processing. At the end of the semester students will have a body of resolved and finished prints suitable for submission to the Selection committee of the Graduate Exhibition.

Exhibition Project focuses on aspects of an artistic practice that exist both within and beyond the studio. This course covers the steps that lead toward an exhibition of artwork: conception, creation, critical evaluation, documentation, curating. The course culminates in the mounting and take down of a public exhibition. Students will evaluate their own production in their advanced studio classes and the work of their peers using terminology and insight gained over the four semesters of the program. This evaluation period will help students identify their stronger works which they will then submit to a Selection Committee for consideration. This committee will be comprised of faculty and will make the final selection of works to be included in the Graduate Exhibition. In this course students will be guided through all aspects of a public exhibition.