Bachelor of Fine Art in Metal
The Metal program is directed by Professor Jamie Bennett and Professor Myra Mimlitsch-Gray, and includes John Cogswell and Arthur Hash as prominent faculty. The rigorous curriculum explores the technical, aesthetic and conceptual aspects of contemporary jewelry and metalsmithing. Coursework is supplemented by field trips and participation in professional conferences. Given the college's proximity to major cultural cities, we take advantage of their offerings by frequent visits to museums and expositions. There is an extensive visiting artist program within the Metal program. Recent participants include: Peter Balhuis, Lola Brooks, Simon Cottrell, Bob Ebendorf, Iris Eichenberg, Lisa Gralnick, Barbara Seidenath, Sarah Turner, Tracy Steepy, Veleta Vancza and Andrea Wagner. We have also invited numerous writers, critics and curators, including: Ken Ames, Mary Douglas, John Stuart Gordon, Dave Hickey, Sienna Patti, David Levi Strauss, Ken Trapp, among others. Our students are actively committed to involvement in the Student Art Alliance, which supports visiting artists, travel and other creative projects. The SAA creates greater opportunity for interdisciplinary exchange.
The strength of this BFA Metal curriculum is that it gives students an opportunity to work in a state of the art facility with faculty that are actively engaged artists who exhibit and lecture internationally. The program is designed to give students both breadth and depth, at the point in time they are prepared for it. They also benefit from being in a program with one of the largest graduate metal programs in the country, which is highly regarded by the profession and given #1 ranking by US News and World Report.
