Students in the Pre-College Program receive 130 hours of instruction and educational activities during the three week session. All students are enrolled in a Foundation Drawing class, and select two other courses from those listed below. Upon successful completion of all three courses, students are awarded three college credits and receive written evaluations from each course instructor.

Foundation Drawing
Foundation Drawing is a comprehensive course in observational drawing using various media. Concentrating on the formal elements of line, shape, value, texture and (limited) color in images drawn from observation, students focus on figure/ground relationships, relative position and proportion, perspective, and light in relation to volume. Students will participate in class critiques and independent work is assigned. Throughout the course, students engage with compositional issues, historic and contemporary references, and learn to find personal solutions to set problems. This course is taught five days a week.

Choose two Electives:

Painting
Students investigate color theory through studies in various media: the setting up of palettes, mixing mechanics, and prolonged painting while working from direct observation. Subject matter includes still life, interiors, portraiture and landscapes. Critique, research and slide presentations focusing on the relationships between historical and contemporary painting complement the studio work. Demonstrations on safe handling of materials and professional work habits are given.

Three-Dimensional Design
Students are encouraged to develop their creative voices as they explore a number of three-dimensional concepts. Work on modeled and constructed forms, relief, freestanding or kinetic work, and assemblage using an array of materials such as plaster, wire, metal, wood, glass and found objects. Technical and creative processes of sculpture are learned in the studio. Individual students are encouraged to involve performance work, installation pieces, and/or collaborative works of art.

Illustration
This course is designed to give the student an introduction to the illustration industry. A variety of different media are used in order to obtain proficiency in the creation of drawings and paintings for the purpose of communicating. Students explore processes and media associated with the illustration field by applying fine art and design principles. This course encourages students to develop their creativity and problem-solving skills along with their drawing, painting and media skills.

Computer Art & Design
Students will explore the relationship of the computer to the visual arts through a variety of projects. Through exploration in both Graphic Design and Digital Illustration, students will gain valuable knowledge of current programs and their effectiveness in the artistic market. The work involved will explore the fundamentals of art concept, composition, color, craft and how they can be helped through digital mediums and manipulation. Each student will walk away with an understanding in the processes involved in digital art from the first sketch to the final printing and production.

Digital Photography
This course introduces the basic tools, techniques and concepts of photographic media. Students are introduced to a variety of photographic methods for generating and outputting images, with a primary emphasis on lens-based representation and production. Students explore the aesthetic aspects of photography while they complete a series of assignments geared towards developing their technical and conceptual abilities. Issues related to camera vision, representation and picture interpretation are also explored. Each student must arrive equipped with a digital SLR camera with manual features.

Printmaking
Explore the various processes used when making multiples, including methods of woodcut and etching. Students are encouraged to experiment with contemporary practice while learning traditional methods. Processes covered include direct ink application and registration, hand cutting techniques, and etching plate preparation. These methods are supported by instruction in design, drawing, and color with an emphasis on independent work. Students are introduced to specialized printmaking equipment and presses. Demonstrations on safe handling of materials and studio safety are given.

---

Faculty
Pre-College faculty are college instructors and professional artists who teach at Montserrat College of art or other art schools. Visit our website for their bios.

For Artists/Faculty Bios please click here.