THE EXPERIENCE:
Create.

In a room covered in clay dust and slip stains, fifteen people stand in a circle around a reclining male model. As students move their rolling carts around the figure, the occasional sound of steel casters on the floor cuts through the otherwise quiet room. Modeling and shaping tools in hand, the sculptors begin transforming lumps of clay into creative visions of the human figure.

Surrounding them, figure sculptures line the shelves, their clay bodies glowing cadmium orange and burnt sienna hues. Some are still in rough form with their welded wire armatures exposed. Others are finished and have been fired in one of the many kilns; they are miniature life-like nudes, captured in elegant poses. Serving as reference, anatomy charts grace the walls, reminders of how the trapezius muscle pulls on the scapula, or where the hamstring muscle attaches to help bend the knee.

In the adjacent sculpture studio, a student uses power tools to grind down a raw block of granite to a chiseled, smooth self-portrait. In another area, the welding of a metal sculpture creates an arc of incandescent orange-blue sparks. Around the large, open space, tools and supplies for wax casting and mold making are waiting to turn concepts into unique, three-dimensional representations. The foundry allows students to cast work, whether it's traditional figure pieces or parts of conceptual installations, in bronze or aluminum.

Combine.

As a sophomore Sculpture Major at MIAD, you'll begin learning some of the many techniques sculptors use, such as casting and carving and working metal and wood constructions. You'll take figure sculpture both semesters, to hone your abilities depicting the human figure. Your engagement with your classmates is critical to your learning experience, and you'll spend a large amount of your time in the large sculpture studio area working with the various tools available to you. As a junior and senior, you'll take alternative media courses working with found objects and mixed media. You'll pursue and further your knowledge of techniques in advanced courses, choosing to continue with figure sculpture, alternative media, public art or foundry courses. One-on-one conferences with your instructor, small group discussions, and class critiques will help expand, enrich, and solidify your work. You'll spend most of the senior year creating a cohesive body of artwork in preparation for the Senior Thesis Exhibition.

Graduating from MIAD's Sculpture program, students go on to fulfill commissions for private and public sculptures, and show work in prominent galleries around the world. Students create unique identities for themselves, and are strong advocates for their work. Many students further their education in graduate school, and pursue job opportunities in museums, galleries, education, and as art directors for businesses and public spaces.

The Sculpture Major at MIAD is about choices. Pursue your vision.