Course Syllabus
Course: ART 2610
Division: Fine Arts, Comm, and New Media
Department: Visual Art
Title: Frame Making Fundamentals
Semester Approved: Fall 2019
Five-Year Review Semester: Summer 2025
End Semester: Summer 2025
Catalog Description: This eight-week course is designed for student artists who desire to learn the skills necessary to fabricate professional level picture frames using inexpensive raw lumber stock. Participants will learn the proper safety and use of various carpentry hand tools and power equipment required for the construction of wood frames including, the table saw, miter saw, pneumatic sanders, and nail guns. Professional matting practices, glazing options, archival image mounting, frame assembly, hanging hardware, and gallery-hanging practices will be included. At the completion of the course, students will have multiple exhibit-ready matted, glazed, and framed works produced at a fraction of the cost of relying on retail frame shops. A lab fee is required.
Semesters Offered: Spring
Credit/Time Requirement: Credit: 1; Lecture: 1; Lab: 1
Justification: Art Students create an immense amount of work in studio courses. Much of the emphasis in a studio environment is consumed with creative production. Snow College Visual Arts promotes exhibition opportunities both on a national, regional, and on campus in student gallery spaces and in the annual student exhibition, Artists in Residence/Works in Progress. This course will promote professional practices in preparing 2D works for exhibition in any professional arena. Students who complete this course will be better prepared for transfer to baccalaureate programs and to exhibit their work to a wider arena. It is highly recommended for Students who are in their final year of AFA study.
Student Learning Outcomes:
Material Proficiency: Students will be exposed to a variety of wood species and finishes with which to construct frames to house 2D works of art. Instruction will include gaining a proficiency using power tools to fabricate custom frames and strategies for archival matting and mounting, glazing and hanging devices. Students will complete this course having finished multiple exhibition-ready pieces and with the working knowledge and skill to independently frame work for in the future.
Critical Theory: Students will learn framing tool and material vocabulary and experience the practical application of various framing practices. Each student will practice good craftsmanship as directed by the instructor. Analysis of wood, color matting choices, and spatial awareness will be integral to this course and will be a catalyst for critical feedback for identifying weaknesses, and to foster improvement in current and future work.
Content:
Through practical application, students will learn aspects of the frame making process from raw lumber to a finished product.
· Identification of wood species when selecting lumber for framing.
· Demonstrations using the table saw to rip frame stock from raw lumber, cutting angles on the miter saw, nailing corners using a brad nailer, and pneumatic sanders for preparation of wood surface for finishing.
· Discussions and application of wood finishes.
· Demonstrations of matting, mounting, and glazing 2D work in preparation for installing work in frames.
· Practical application of hanging hardware and discussion of measuring and hanging work in a gallery setting.
· A focus on maintaining a high level of craftsmanship in production.
Key Performance Indicators:
Each student will be evaluated on the following:
Production of finished product 80 to 90%
Attendance and Participation 10 to 20%
Pedagogy Statement:
This course will include demonstrations, class discussions, critiques, and applied studio projects as they apply to preparing 2D work for exhibition.
Instructional Mediums:
Lecture/Lab
Maximum Class Size: 12
Optimum Class Size: 12
