46 courses with the subject ART, each shown exactly as we captured it from the college's catalog, with every element we hold. Where the wording looks broken, that is our reading of the catalog, not the college's text.
ART 100DRAWING I4
Drawing informs all the visual disciplines. This class focuses on drawing as an end of its own and as a way of planning for any creative endeavor. Students will complete studio exercises in varied representational modes and media, and so will learn how drawing is about seeing, feeling, and thinking through mark making. Illustrated lectures. Evaluation by portfolio. No prerequisite. See Tuition and Fees table for course fee. Offered both terms. Open to first-year students. (CRE, C&I)
ART 175INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY OF ARTS ADMINISTRATION4
What is happening behind the scenes at an art museum, an opera production, or a dance performance? This course explores the commonalities and peculiarities of the administration of various arts organizations through site visits, guest experts, and written projects such as grant proposals and strategic plans. Also listed and described as DANC 175, FILM 175, MUS 175, and THEA 175. No prerequisite. (r)
Drawing focused on the human figure, emphasizing observation, proportion, and an intuitive approach to human anatomy. Students will work directly from the skeleton and models to analyze the figure. Various media will be explored along with pictorial problem solving. Evaluation by portfolio with regular outside of class assignments. See Tuition and Fees table for course fee. Open to first-year students. Prerequisite: ART 100 or permission. (CRE)
Explore the fundamentals of black and white film photography and learn how to “draw with light!” This hands-on course will include an overview of manual camera controls, film processing techniques, and printing in a traditional darkroom. Composition and creative expression will be discussed in supportive critique sessions, and students will study contemporary artists working with film methods. Students are encouraged to bring their own Hollins University 2026–27 Undergraduate Catalog Page 111
This class introduces students to a range of sculptural forms, materials, concepts, and techniques (modeling, carving, and assembling) in the context of traditional and contemporary practice. See Tuition and Fees table for course fee. Open to first-year students. (C&I)
This beginning level ceramics class explores the techniques of making pots on the wheel. Students learn the sequences necessary to raise a simple lump of clay into a pot and begin to understand the processes of glazing and firing those pots. We discuss aesthetic, historical, and technical issues relating to wheel-thrown pottery and master the vocabulary of pottery terms and concepts. Students need to allow significant work time outside of class. No prerequisite and may be repeated for credit. See Tuition and Fees table for course fee. Open to first-year students. Offered both terms. (CRE)
This course explores various methods of hand building with clay. We use modeling, coil building, slab building, and plaster mold making to create pottery and sculptural objects with attention to the essentials of form and design. We learn various firing and glazing techniques and study pottery’s important role as one of the earliest and most enduring art forms. Students need to allow work time outside of class. See Tuition and Fees table for course fee. No prerequisite and may be repeated for credit. Open to first- year students. Offered both terms. (CRE, C&I)
This studio course builds a foundational understanding of shape, design, and color. From there, students will branch out into drawing beginning and advanced linear perspective, the golden ratio and logarithmic spirals, nonrepresentational drawing traditions, making paper kinetic sculpture and painting geometric abstractions in water-based media. We’ll ask ourselves how we define beautiful form, search for beauty in new places, and work to create beautiful things in the studio. Tuition and Fees table for course fee. Open to first-year students. Prerequisites: Art 100 or permission Hollins University 2026–27 Undergraduate Catalog Page 112
Screen printing is a popular ad direct method of printmaking. This course will introduce students to concepts and techniques of screen printing, including manual and photo-mechanical stencil-making through lectures, demonstrations, hands-on activities, and discussions. Evaluation by portfolio. See Tuition and Fees table for course fee. Open to first-year students.
Monotype is a printmaking process in which ink is applied to a plate and then printed to paper. This course explores the many possibilities available, including multicolor printing. Experimentation and working in series with a common theme will be encouraged. Evaluation by portfolio. See Tuition and Fees table for course fee. Open to first-year students. Prerequisite: ART 100 or permission. (CRE)
Intaglio printmaking has inspired art since the 15th century and continues to be an exciting medium for visual expression. Through lectures, demonstrations, and hands-on applications, you will learn the history, techniques, and materials of traditional processes such as etching and dry point, as well as progressive techniques. Course projects encourage creative inquisitiveness, experimentation, and discovery. See Tuition and Fees table for course fee. Open to first-year students. Prerequisite: ART 100. (CRE)
Relief printmaking is a centuries old process used by artists today for its bold and graphic quality. In this class, we will begin with simple and direct processes and then develop our skills into more complex and larger scale approaches. We will carve wood, linoleum, and MDF, and will also look at examples of relief prints throughout history. Open to first-year students. Hollins University 2026–27 Undergraduate Catalog Page 113
ART 100. See Tuition and Fees table for course fee.
ART 230PAINTING4
Methods, materials, techniques of pictorial organization, from observation, using oil paint. Emphasis is on the construction of form by color. Class sessions are directed, and weekly outside paintings are required. Evaluation by portfolio. See Tuition and Fees table for course fee. No prerequisite. Open to first-year students. Offered Term 1. (CRE, C&I)
This class will focus on one of the most challenging subjects in representational art: the portrait. Through painting in oil, we explore the planes of the face and the expressive possibilities of our features while mastering the inner anatomical structure of the human head. See Tuition and Fees table for course fee. Prerequisite: Art 100 or ART 230 or permission. Open to first- year students. (C&I).
In this studio course, students will investigate multiple theories of color and place them in historical context, explore the history and social significance of specific pigments, and paint expressive and analytical color experiments. Students will encounter color as a physical effect of light on our retinas and a socially constructed system composed of our biases and our ideals. See Tuition and Fees table for course fee. Open to first-year students. (INQ).
This course will focus on small-scale works in water media, particularly gouache (opaque watercolor) and ink. These nontoxic, highly portable materials are full of expressive possibilities and are ideal for quick studies as well as serial explorations. Students will work in a range of modes - abstractly, from life, and from masterworks. Color and design will be primary considerations. Approved by: Tim Taylor, Interim Registrar · September 14, 2026
This course is helpful to students interested in arts management as well as anyone anticipating a career in the nonprofit sector. The two major components of the course are the understanding of philanthropy in the U.S. and the attainment of skills necessary to obtain philanthropic gifts. Assignments may include grant writing, site visits, and oral presentations. Also listed and described as DANC 276, FILM 276, MUS 276, and THEA 276. No prerequisite. Offered
Independent portfolio projects in various media below the advanced level. Application with faculty member required for registration. Prerequisite: prior course experience in media required or permission. Offered any term.
This course builds and expands upon prior experience within the ceramic studio through advanced clay, glaze, and kiln study. We will utilize the fundamental aspects of forming clay with the aim of purposefully merging glaze to form via fire. This course will cover glaze, kiln firing theory, and practice along with an overview of historical and contemporary trends within the field. See Tuition and Fees table for course fee. Prerequisites: ART 216 or 217. Open to first-year students.
Figure painting from life in oil paint. Through painting nude and clothed models, we will learn color theory, human anatomy, historical oil paint glazing techniques, and contemporary applications. This class will explore the discipline of observational painting in concert with challenging ideas of representations of the body. See Tuition and Fees table for course fee. Prerequisites: ART 100 or ART 230 or instructor permission.
This course will focus on developing a personal language of form in the terms of painting. The focus will be on work in oil paint, on a large scale, with appropriate studies and related works in other media. Students will work on increasing their effectiveness at translating observations into expressive forms. Evaluation is by portfolio. See Tuition and Fees table for course fee. Prerequisite: ART 230.
Prepares educators to design and assess visual arts instruction across K–12 settings. Emphasizes artistic inquiry, creative practice, and visual literacy. Develops inclusive curricula integrating digital media and interdisciplinary connections. Addresses classroom management, studio safety, and ethical considerations in art education. Includes studio work and lesson design supporting developmentally appropriate instruction. Lab fee required. Offered Term 2.
Students will work with a combination of “non-traditional” drawing media and surfaces, including image transfers, paper cutting, stenciling, collage, and sewing. Emphasis will be placed on the exploration of both conceptual and technical issues in contemporary two- dimensional art. See Tuition and Fees table for course fee. Prerequisite: ART 100. Hollins University 2026–27 Undergraduate Catalog Page 115
Explore color photography from a contemporary art perspective, utilizing both color film and digital capture methods. Students will be provided with a digital SLR camera, a film SLR camera, and various plastic film cameras for more experimental work. Importing and organizing digital image files, film scanning techniques, and editing in Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom will be covered, with an emphasis on learning photographic adjustments such as exposure, contrast, and color balance to create high-quality image files for printing. We will also research both historic and contemporary photographic artists, and student work will be discussed in supportive critique sessions. See Tuition and Fees table for course fee. Prerequisite: ART 203
A two-credit course taught by the Frances Niederer Artist-in-Residence each year. Lectures and/or studio work. Prerequisite: one studio art course or art history course or permission of department. See Tuition and Fees table for course fee. Offered Term 2.
In this experiential photography course, expand your knowledge of making photographs in the darkroom and digital lab while developing your personal creative vision through projects tailored to your interests. Advanced darkroom skills, along with color film techniques, film scanning, digital editing and archival printing will be covered. Work will be discussed in supportive critique sessions, and we will study a variety of exciting photographic artists. Prerequisite: ART 203. See Tuition and Fees table for course fee.
Paper and books, which we often take for granted, have a rich history and wealth of creative potential for artists today. In this class, we will have the hands-on experience of making paper and learning how to bind books, while also exploring the role of both in other cultures and in the artist’s hands. We will look at rare books in the library and talk about how format transforms and creates meaning. This is a class for folks not afraid of rulers, sewing needles, and getting your feet wet! See Tuition and Fees table for course fee. Prerequisite: ART 100. (CRE) Hollins University 2026–27 Undergraduate Catalog Page 116
Advanced independent portfolio projects in various media with departmental faculty. Lab fee required. Prerequisite: prior course experience in media required or permission. Application must be made with faculty prior to registration. Offered any term.
Students work independently in their studio, but in close consort with faculty, to develop a personal body of work. Art must be presented during regular monthly critiques with all Studio Art faculty. The course culminates in a written Senior Project Proposal. Preparatory course for senior project; required of seniors. See Tuition and Fees table for course fee. Offered Term 1.
Each senior will develop a coherent body of 2D or 3D work and will exhibit a selection of this work according to museum standards for her senior thesis in May. Professional practice and career development will be covered in lectures and readings. Evaluation by portfolio and exhibit. See Tuition and Fees table for course fee. Prerequisite: ART 470. Offered Term 2. (ELR)
Students will continue to study a variety of contemporary children’s book media and illustrators, and a few advanced techniques will be demonstrated to the class. Students will further develop characters, improve environments, compose narratives, and design with color to build effective storytelling concepts, with the aim of applying these concepts in their chosen medium for a professional portfolio. Additional topics include business, networking, and social media/website presentation. Class time will include Power Point presentations, in-class demonstrations, book and resource reviews, critique and discussion time. Studio time will place an emphasis on hands-on exposure to more advanced approaches to image making. Students will focus on their medium of choice and create three to four finished illustrations for a professional portfolio, as well as designing a professional postcard and business card showcasing their best work. See course fee, in fee table. ART/ENG 589 Creating Graphic Novels (4 credits) In this introductory course, students explore the fundamentals of comics through basic storytelling and narrative structures, key comics theory and terminology. Emphasis is placed on simple narrative structures, panel composition, pacing, and the relationship between text and image. Through guided exercises and short assignments, students develop ideas from concept to thumbnail and rough pages. The course focuses on clarity over polish, culminating in the creation of a short mini-comic that demonstrates an understanding of core comics principles. See course fee, in fee table.
Studio time will place an emphasis on hands-on exposure to more advanced approaches to image making. Students will focus on their medium of choice and create three to four finished illustrations for a professional portfolio, as well as designing a professional postcard and business card showcasing their best work. Prerequisites: ART 527S and ART 568S. Taken in conjunction with ART 30
In this introduction to children’s book media, we will place an emphasis on hands-on FUN with different media and weekly illustration projects that enhance storytelling and reward inventiveness. We’ll play with media including inks, watercolors, gouache, acrylics, colored pencils, markers, crayons, chalk pastels, and oil pastels; we’ll experiment with a variety of tools; and we’ll explore techniques including collage, printmaking, stenciling, straight-up drawing and painting, and even some digital stuff, too. Students will discover which media they love most and then use those media to complete a final picture book-adjacent project. By the end of the 57
Studio time will place an emphasis on hands-on exposure to color theory and basic media skills for creating picture books for children. Both black-and-white and color media will be covered, such as pen and ink, watercolor, gouache, scratchboard, colored pencil, collage, and an introduction to mixed media/digital techniques. Class time will include critique and discussion time. Taken in conjunction with ART 527 Illustration Media.
This is an advanced level clay, glaze, and kiln study course. Emphasis is on technical processes that support and advance individual expressions in clay. Both functional and sculptural considerations will be addressed within the broader context of contemporary ceramics. Lab fee required, approximately $110. Fall Term
Topics vary in this course depending on the specializations of the instructor(s) teaching it and may include course such as creating graphic novels or printmaking. CROSS DISCIPLINARY COURSES:
This is an advanced level clay, glaze, and kiln study course. Emphasis is on technical processes that support and advance individual expressions in clay. Students will identify ceramic processes of personal interest which will guide research and development of artistic growth. Lab fee required, approximately $110. Spring Term 22
In this course, students will build upon the drawing skills they bring to class. And, while basic drawing technique will be addressed, emphasis will be placed on helping each student utilize their own style, encouraging them to weave in newer drawing techniques as the course develops. Students will learn to develop convincing characters and environments, learning to create them ‘from the inside out’. In addition, we’ll develop a manner of drawing that considers word to image translation, page composition, methods for maintaining character consistency, etc.. We will also study varied approaches to drawing for picture books by celebrated illustrators, from today and yesterday. While this is neither an anatomy nor a perspective drawing course, we will take a look at using anatomy to help us render our characters and perspective to in helping us render our environments. Class time will include Powerpoint presentations, in class demonstrations, review of books and resources, critique and discussion time as well as, of course, plenty of time to work on illustration assignments. Studio time will place an emphasis on developing dynamic drawing skills for all aspects of picture book design. Students will focus on developing their own drawing style while investigating alternative illustrative drawing styles. Studio hours will be spent working one on one on both in-class and homework assignments with critique and discussion time as well. Prerequisite is: ART 527. See course fee, in fee table.
Studio time will place an emphasis on developing dynamic drawing skills for all aspects of picture book design. Students will focus on developing their own drawing style while investigating alternative illustrative drawing styles. Studio hours will be spent working one on one on both in-class and homework assignments with critique and discussion time as well. Taken in conjunction with ART568 Illustration Drawing.
This class will cover the theory and practice of 2-D design for children’s book illustration, using both traditional and digital methods. The elements of successful design in a wide variety of published picture books and (some) graphic novels and illustrated novels will be examined. Students will build on the skills they have developed in ART 527 and ART 568 in a variety of challenging exercises and assignments to solve problems of visual organization while considering the interplay of text and pictures. Studio time will place an emphasis on hands-on exposure to basic and more advanced approaches to 2-D design. Every class will include 58
Studio time will place an emphasis on hands-on exposure to basic and more advanced approaches to 2-D design. Every class will include critique and discussion time, and students will be expected to participate in critiques in a constructive manner. Students will be asked to do required reading and an in-depth presentation on the design of an illustrator or picture book of their choice.
ART 527S and ART 568S. Taken in conjunction with ART568 Illustration Drawing.
ART 590INDEPENDENT STUDY (2) Manning
Students work independently in their studio, with faculty oversight to develop a personal body of work, with access to the ceramics’ studio spaces. Progress must be presented during mid- semester and final critiques with Studio Art faculty and Visiting Artist. Lab fee required. Offered January term only.
