Philosophy 

Today’s art program should provide options for individual self-development. We recognize that the artist’s role has become more complex; technology has opened new frontiers, and divisions between mediums have all but disappeared. During the graduate years, students are expected to work as maturing artists motivated by independent ideas. In the sculpture area at USC, students find an atmosphere of stylistic freedom, which allows the realization of their visual concepts.

Facilities

Sculpture at USC occupies more than 4,000 square feet of studio and shop space. Graduate student studios are in a building separate from the undergraduate area. Each graduate student has approximately 400 square feet of individual studio space. Additionally, due to the generally mild climate, students take advantage of the large covered outdoor working area. Graduate students have 24-hour access to their studios and studio equipment. The sculpture facilities include equipment appropriate for most sculptural techniques.

Equipment

Our 3-D Workshop  and sculpture areas are equipped with tools to help students accomplish their projects: table saws, band saws, scroll saws, radial arm saw, gliding compound miter saws, drill presses, belt and disc sanders, planer, four mobile oxyacetylene rigs, mig and arc welders, plasma cutter, bench grinders, foundry and mold making area, large metal cutting horizontal band saw, various pneumatic tools, large sandblasting cabinet and mobile pressure pot, forge with treadle hammer, paved, lighted and covered outdoor work area, fork lift, and most major hand and power tools.

Visiting Artists

The faculty is committed to an ongoing program of visiting artists. This policy gives our students exposure to the realities of the professional art world along with a chance to exchange ideas with some of today’s top artists. Visiting artists have included:

Jason Ferguson, James Surls, Greg Elliott, William Martin, Nam June Paik, Leo Castelli, William Wegman, Gregory Armanoff, Alfred Leslie, Shaun Cassidy, Robert and Paula Winokur, Norwood Viviano, Bernadette Vielbig, James Alexander, John Douglas Powers, to name a few.

Learn more about the sculpture program at USC.

Our program offers a B.F.A, M.A. and M.F.A. degrees in Ceramics. Ceramics students' personal interests vary from a strong vessel orientation to sculptural and conceptual art forms in clay. Students are encouraged to develop a sense of ceramic history and contemporary art issues through graduate seminars, guest speakers and Art History classes. The size of our program allows for considerable interaction between students and faculty. The M.A. degree is a two year program and involves a minimum of 30 hours of course credit. the M.F.A. degree is a three year program and involves a minimum of 60 credit hours.

Learn more about the ceramics program at USC.

The drawing program is designed to provide a wide range of drawing experiences and approaches. Introductory courses (100 level) heighten visual awareness and develop traditional drawing skills. Figure Structure is offered at the 200 level with the option of taking subsequent classes. Inter-mediate level courses (300 level) introduce more physical and tactile materials and techniques as well as theoretical and expressive concepts. Drawing projects are set up to make you more aware of your culture with an emphasis placed on personal creative thinking. Advanced courses (400 level) offer the opportunity to learn to be more independent and creative through mentored personal investigations and thematic drawing series leading to portfolio preparation for career opportunities after graduation. Class enrollments are limited to ensure lots of one-on-one instruction.

There are three dedicated drawing studio classrooms (two for general drawing and one for figure drawing) that are available for students both during classes and during off class hours. Each studio has a high ceiling, lots of windows and overhead specialty lighting.

The drawing faculty are all exhibiting professional artists and excellent teachers who look forward to working with you to achieve your creative potential. Numerous visiting and adjunct faculty also teach in the drawing area.

Learn more about the drawing program at USC.

It is the mission of the USC graphic design faculty to make our students as competitive and prepared for the working world as possible. We want this transition from student to professional to be seamless.

The graphic design program teaches the theory, history and practice of visual communications design by providing students a firm foundation in formal and conceptual design. Our courses cover publication and editorial design, logo design and branding, packaging, illustration, poster design, multimedia, motion graphics and interactive design.

Graphic design, at its most effective, should communicate intelligently and appropriately to the intended audience. Solving client-based requirements is a major component of the designers' task in our program and in the profession.

The graphic design program has three full-time faculty and several instructors that work professionally in the field. Columbia is also home to the South Carolina Chapter of The AIGA, a national organization for professional graphic designers. AIGA SC offers a wide variety of programming that includes internationally- renowned guest speakers, workshops, and special design related events such as a summer design film series.

Learn more about the graphic design program at USC.

The painting program's focus is to create a community in which students can develop as serious committed artists who express themselves through painting. Our objective is to expose students to the history and aesthetic breadth of the medium, to challenge them to develop their own initiatives and to pursue excellence. Our focus is broad and interdisciplinary, it follows no ideological agenda, yet remains centered in a celebration of the medium of painting.

The photography program at USC is run by Professor Kathleen Robbins. We offer a classroom with print finishing and display areas, two black and white darkrooms with a total of 20 enlargers (including 3 new Saunders 4x5 VCCE's), a film developing area, and a fully equipped lighting studio. Digital facilities include: film and flatbed scanners, large-format inkjet printers, piezography and archival inkjet output, a comprehensive ICC profile library, and 20 calibrated E-Mac workstations. A selection of cameras and equipment are available for check-out through Media Services. 

In the Studio Art photography program, emphasis is on personal exploration of ideas within the context of contemporary art and critical theory. BFA photography students will explore a variety of techniques & concepts including: advanced black & white printing, medium & large-format, studio lighting, digital imaging, non-silver, early processes, critical theory, and career practices. At the 400-level, students pursue individual projects in depth and work to create a course web gallery and an editioned portfolio project. Additionally, 400-level students complete an individual portfolio and group exhibition.The photography concentration in Studio Art prepares students for a variety of careers including: fine art photographer, educator, curator, critic, gallery owner, and arts administrator.

The M.F.A. degree in photography consists of a 60 hour program of study, which typically takes three years to complete. Successful completion of the program requires an understanding of one's work within the context of critical theory and contemporary art. Upon completion of the degree requirements, students are expected to demonstrate expertise within the field of photography through the exhibition of a substantial body of work.

Learn more about the photography program at USC.

The printmaking program is coordinated by Professor Mary Robinson. Our facilities are equipped for all the major printmaking processes: relief, intaglio, serigraphy, lithography, and digital imaging. There are two hand-driven lithograph presses (and many stones to go with them), three hand-driven etching presses, a large vacuum table for screen printing, an exposure unit for large-format screen printing, and a photographic plate maker. There is also a well-equipped computer lab with a large plotter printer.

 In addition to the facilities in McMaster College, there is a variety of letterpress and papermaking equipment in the new USC Studio for Book Arts. Along with the presses, there is another large vacuum table for screen printing and a motorized fiber beater for papermaking.The creative atmosphere is one of tradition, experimentation, and variety in terms of format and technique. In addition to creating prints in traditional methods, many students create installations and combine printmaking processes with photography, drawing, painting, or three-dimensional work. There is a strong communal aspect among students and faculty, and a great deal of interaction with the other areas and programs in the School of Visual Art and Design.

Learn more about the printmaking program at USC.