- Alabama School of Fine Arts
- ASFA Visual Arts Department
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ASFA Visual Arts students engage in studio work in painting, sculpture, printmaking, filmmaking, photography, drawing, and art history. Each artist has access to community studio space where they can work alongside their peers. The first floor Vulcan Materials Gallery provides students the opportunity to view a variety of rotating exhibits, interact with visiting artists, participate in regular critiques, and as seniors curate their own work in a required senior exhibition.
The mission of the Visual Arts Department is to inspire and cultivate student creativity while providing dynamic instruction by professional studio artists who are accomplished and currently working in their field. Students learn creative problem solving and craftsmanship as they explore traditional and untraditional materials and techniques. Art Department Chair Darius Hill has recently installed a commissioned sculpture at the Birmingham Museum of Art and participates in numerous regional exhibitions. Faculty includes Anne Herbert, who recently participated in juried exhibitions at the South Eastern College Art Conference as well as national exhibitions; Cumbee Tyndal, who has worked in several prominent Manhattan galleries such as Michael Werner and Pamela Auchincloss, and Randy Gachet, who has received numerous honors and awards such as an Alabama State Council artists grant and a fellowship from the Surdna Foundation.
ASFA Visual Arts students have received many honors for their work such as Best in Show - 2018 Alabama Student Juried Art Exhibition, Gold Medal in the National Scholastic Art Competition, and first place in the Magic City Art Connection High School Sculpture Competition. The visual art student body is proud to be represented by a 2019 U.S. Presidential Scholar, receiving one of the most prestigious academic awards for high school graduates.
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ASFA Visual Arts Curriciulum
The Visual Arts Department of the Alabama School of Fine Arts offers an advanced course of study in traditional fine art mediums and the history of art. Instruction emphasizes visual awareness, original and creative thinking, critical analysis, and excellence of technique and craftsmanship. Students perform daily studio work including drawing, design, painting, print-making and sculpture. Upon completion of this program, a highly motivated student is prepared for higher educational institutions, universities, and art schools.
Visual Arts Curriculum:
Art Foundation (Grades 7-10) A four-year studio course deals with form and unity in regard to the structural, compositional and proportional organization of line, shape, value, texture and color. These fundamental elements of art are understood and explored through the manipulation of various materials and techniques.
Drawing (Grades 7-11) A six-year course that begins as an introduction to traditional drawing media and their use to achieve proficiency in rendering. The course moves incrementally to drawing as a means of communicating personal content and individual aesthetics in the upper levels.
Art History (Grade 11) One-year chronological survey of World Art History, Pre- history through Contemporary, taught during the junior year. The accompanying text is the university standard Gardner’s Art through the Ages, which is supplemented with additional readings. A requisite course for the visual arts major, it is open as an elective for all others.
Painting I (Grade 9) One-semester course introducing the fundamentals of water based media such as watercolor, India ink and acrylic paints.
Painting II (Grade 10) One-semester introduction into oil painting techniques as a means of investigating color, mark, material, subject matter, and content.
Painting III (Grade 11) One-semester course that emphasizes content, the formal and emotive aspects of painting and the interrelationship of form, matter, and content.
Sculpture I (Grade 9) One-semester course that emphasizes structure and volume through 3-D design.
Sculpture II (Grade 10) One-semester course with emphasis on problem-solving, formal concepts, and construction.
Printmaking (Grade 11) One-semester course that explores traditional and non-traditional materials, and the interrelationship of form, matter, and content.
Studio (Grades 11) Two-semester tutorial class that allows the student to explore and develop a personal aesthetic.
Senior Thesis (Grade 12) Two semesters of independent study. All seniors have the opportunity to explore the creative process, discovering their own artistic sensibilities. The course results in a substantial, cohesive body of work and a senior exhibition at the end of the year.
Admission Criteria:
The Visual Arts department determines an applicant’s eligibility to enroll in the program based on the follow-ing criteria:
- Portfolio, Technical Ability, Technical Versatility, Originality
- Audition Day Drawing, Compositional Awareness, Accuracy of Observation, Aesthetic Sophistication, Assignment Fulfillment
- Audition Day Interview, Responsiveness, Articulation, Self-motivation, Sincerity, Confidence, Respectfulness, Maturity, Independence
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Visual Arts Basic Supply Kit
Visual Arts students should expect to purchase the following supplies as their basic supply kit. If you have some of these items already, do not re-purchase as these supplies can be used for multiple classes. Students should put names on all supplies in permanent marker.
- Graphite Drawing Pencils 6B, 4B, 2B, B, 2H 4H, 6H (Usually comes in a set)
- Compressed Charcoal
- Set of Oil or Chalk pastels – student preference
- Black Drawing Ink
- Ink Pen Introductory set
- Acrylic Paint Set – Black, White, Red, Blue, Yellow, Green Students may purchas other colors but can also mix colors
- Palette Knife – can be plastic
- Disposable palette
- Sketchbook – 11 x 14
- Newsprint Pad 18 x 24”
- Kneaded Eraser
- Gum eraser
- Scissors
- Package of glue gun sticks for small glue gun
- 16 oz container of Modpodge
- 18” Ruler
- Drawing Board
- Package of assorted paint brushes (variations in size and flat vs round)
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Universities/Institutions Accepted Into:
Atlanta College of Art, Carnegie-Mellon University, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Cooper Union, The Corcoran School of Art, The Kansas City Art Institute, The Maryland Institute-College of Art, The Parsons School of Design, Pratt Institute of Art, Rhode Island School of Design, San Francisco Art Institute, Vassar College, Yale University, as well as numerous state universities and colleges.
Notable Visual Arts Alumni:
- Terry Beckham: Exhibit Designer at the Birmingham Museum of Art
- Monica Haslip: Arts and technology education advocate, founder Little Black Pearl, and chosen by President Barack Obama as 1 of 12 White House Champions of Change
- Rachel Mohler: New York University MFA candidate in video game design
- Willie Williams: Founder and owner of Birmingham's Studio 2500
- Celeste Pfau: Interdisciplinary artist, Magic City Art Connection’s Emerging Artist
- Kelsey Harrison: Documentary Production Specialist at Alabama Public Television (APT)
- Corey Dunlap: MFA and gallery artist
