The Life of An Art Student

The Life of an Art Student

My Dorm Studio Last Year

Thinking about becoming an art student at SVSU? Or want to learn more about what we do? Here are 10 things you should know.

 1.     As an art student at SVSU you have the ability to work with many different types of media (tools to create art, or art forms) such as
-       Photography, Drawing, Painting, Graphic Design, Printmaking, Ceramics, and Sculpture.
-     Also, what can you major in? At SVSU you can major in Art, (Bachelor of Arts), BFA, (Bachelor of Fine Arts), Visual Art Education, or Graphic Design. You can also minor in art or graphic design. So, what if you want to major in Photography, or Painting? You declare your major as Art, but you focus mainly in your desired medium. Or want to learn more about BFA? And see if it’s right for you? Talk to Hideki Kihata, at kihata@svsu.eud. (Art Department Head)

2.    As an art student you will make many trips to local craft stores including Hobby Lobby and Michaels, there is a debate on which one is cheaper! Also, Lowe’s and Home Depot if in sculpture or 3-Dimensional Design.

3.    Be prepared to spend some money on supplies, I usually spend about $100 on each studio class buying supplies, paint, paper, markers, etc. Sometimes I spend more depending on how much paper and other non-reusable supplies I need.
(Note: Studio, refers to a class where you are actually creating art, like Intro to Painting or 2-Dimensional Design. Art classes that are not studio classes would mostly include Art History)

4.    Many students believe that art is an easy discipline, it is not. We spend many hours sketching, creating, redesigning, and working to create a finished product.

5.    So, how is work graded? Artwork is graded through critique. Critiques are lead by the instructor who gives students helpful feedback via constructive criticism. In most cases other students also give feedback on how the piece could be stronger. As an artist you have to have thick skin when it comes to critique, (Don’t take it personally, it’s not a personal attack!) Ask yourself, Can I defend my idea? Because it’s very important to take something away from critique, what can you do to make your work even better?

6.   A few things that are good to have, that you will use over and over again:
   -    Sketchbook and China marker (almost like a black crayon, with a string to pull off paper, that reveals more of the china marker) for fast sketching    -    Sketchbook and China marker (almost like a black crayon, with a string to pull off paper, that reveals more of the china marker) for fast sketching-       Tape and scissors, never know when you are going to need that!
-       Glue stick
-       X- Acto Knife and box cutter
-       Pack of good drawing pencils, I would suggest Prismacolor Turquoise, however professors will be more specific!
-       Bristol Board (like cardstock, so you can draw with markers and the ink won’t bleed through, also can be a good painting surface)
-       Portfolio, so all of your artwork stays safe and undamaged!
-       Tool box to carry supplies
-       Some safety equipment is also needed! Earplugs, gloves, and safety glasses are good starters! You may need other equipment depending on the media you are working with.

7.    So, where else do art students work? We spend many hours on campus in the studio, the darkroom, the computer lab, the lighting studio, the ceramics studio, or working with the printing press, perfecting our work. Sometimes we are also drawing or painting outside around campus or in the Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Museum.  

8.   So, how can you get involved? SVSU currently has a Graphic Design club as well as a Photography club that you can get involved in. Both plan on taking trips to conferences and exhibits to learn more about their craft.
-       CPSA- Cardinal Photography Student Association
-       AIGA- Graphic Design Student Group

9.   What else can you do? You can also experience our two on campus art galleries, Including The University Art Gallery, which hosts exhibits from artists all over the state, hosts 2 student shows for graduating BFA majors, one in the Fall and one in the Winter, and also hosts a show for all art majors to enter at the end of winter semester.
    You can also visit the Marshall M Fredericks Sculpture Museum, that features plaster casts created by the artist as well as a few of his finished bronze pieces that are located around campus. The Museum also features a changing gallery, with new exhibitions 3 to 4 times a semester.
    10.   One last thing you should know is how important it is as an art student, to go to exhibits, shows, festivals, and lectures to broaden your perspective on what kind of art other artists are making and to get inspiration for your own work!

 

Alison Bur
Gallery Assistant
University Art Gallery
Saginaw Valley State University