Graduate Programs in Jewelry/Metals/Enameling

The School of Art offers both the Master of Arts and Master of Fine Arts degrees in Jewelry/Metals/Enameling. Both programs emphasize intensive personal investigation and the development of strong aesthetic and conceptual understanding. As part of the graduate experience, the production of a coherent body of work that serves as a springboard for a career in teaching or studio craft is stressed. Investigations of inter-media and interdisciplinary relationships are part of the curricular focus. 

From a strong emphasis on critical thinking, students are expected to see their work within the context of craft as well as contemporary art. In addition to time in their own studio, graduate students have opportunities to enhance existing skills and knowledge by observing undergraduate class demonstrations and critiques. 

Master of Arts Program Outline             

              23 hours - studio studies                                                       

                3 hours - Art History                                                                                                                                6 hours - ART 67199, M.A. Thesis

              32 total

                                                                                                                                                                                      Master of Fine Arts Program Outline             

              36 hours - studio studies

                9 hours - electives             

                9 hours - art history

                6 hours - ART 69199, M.F.A Thesis

              60 total             

Faculty             

Kathleen Browne, Program Head, holds an MFA degree from Southern Illinois University.

bio / website

Admission Requirements

Applicants are expected to have a BFA or BA in jewelry/metalsmithing or equivalent experience or skill, with a 2.75 overall grade-point average (3.0 in the art major).

Facilities             

The studio is equipped for a wide range of technical processes. Among the tools are a vertical mill, a screw-cutting lathe, a 20-ton hydraulic press, a power rolling mill, a 15-gallon copper Electro-forming bath and aluminum-anodizing set-up. Facilities for all types of hammer work, vacuum and centrifugal casting, rubber mold making, soldering and most other standard metal working processes are also available. Graduate students have their own bench space in locked rooms as well as access to a larger general studio. 

The metals program is also equipped for enameling and has a satellite facility that houses an industrial enamel kiln for enameling panels up to 4' x 6' in size. This is the largest kiln housed at an educational facility in this country.

General             

The faculty in Jewelry/Metals/Enameling has been strong since the beginning of the program in 1950. Over the years, Mary Ann Scherr, Paul Van Dynwick and Bruce Metcalf were program heads. For many years, Mel Someroski headed the enameling area.

Due to an active workshop program and the summer Blossom-Kent program, the Jewelry/Metals/Enameling area has been able to bring to campus such well known visiting artists as Harlan Butt, Ben Cunningham, Martha Glowacki, Daniel Jocz, Leslie Leupp, Tom Muir, Fred Nelson, Sarah Perkins, Joanne Tanzer, Billie Jean Theide, Kate Wagle, Amal Ghosh and Elizabeth Turrell.