VCU Courses

School of the Arts :: Craft and Material Studies

CRAF 201-202 Metalsmithing

Continuous courses; 2 lecture and 6 studio hours. 4-4 credits. Prerequisite: successful completion of the Art Foundation program or permission of instructor. Investigation of metal forming processes such as forging, raising and construction. Research in contemporary and historical metal forms.

CRAF 211 Jewelry

Semester course; 2 lecture and 6 studio hours. 4 credits. Prerequisite: successful completion of the Art Foundation program or permission of instructor. Investigation of basic jewelry making processes such as construction, chasing, surface embellishment and basic stone setting. Research in contemporary and historical jewelry forms.

CRAF 221 Woodworking Techniques

Semester course; 2 lecture and 6 studio hours. 4 credits. May be repeated for a maximum of 8 credits with permission of department chair. Prerequisite: successful completion of the Art Foundation program or permission of the instructor. Introduction to techniques of woodworking. Includes the use of hand tools; hand and machine joinery; shaping and carving; finishing; and techniques involving jigs and fixtures. Students participate in studio work.

CRAF 240 Introduction to Ceramics

Semester course; 2 lecture and 6 studio hours. 4 credits. Prerequisite: successful completion of the Art Foundation program or permission of instructor.Introduction to beginning processes of wheel throwing and hand-built construction techniques, design, aesthetics and the creative development of clay objects examining cultural, historical and personal modes of expression. Demonstrations and slide presentations are given for assignments along with handouts to assist in illustrating techniques and processes. Students will be introduced to various ceramic aesthetics in contemporary, social and historical context.

CRAF 241 Ceramics: Handbuilding

Semester course; 2 lecture and 6 studio hours. 4 credits. Prerequisite: successful completion of Art Foundation program or permission of the instructor. Basic construction techniques for fabricating ceramic objects. Includes mold-making, slip casting and press-molding as well as the use and application of low-fire slips, underglazes, glazes and the firing of these objects in kilns.

CRAF 242 Ceramics: Wheelthrowing

Semester course; 2 lecture and 6 studio hours. 4 credits. Prerequisite: successful completion of the Art Foundation program or permission of the instructor. Introduction to the use of the potter's wheel. The objective is to develop the skill, dexterity and coordination required to use the wheel as one tool of the ceramic forming process. Includes the properties and uses of high-fire clays and glazes. Students participate in kiln firings.

CRAF 251, 252 Introduction to Glassworking

Semester courses; 2 lecture and 6 studio hours. 4, 4 credits. Prerequisite: successful completion of the Art Foundation program or permission of instructor. An investigation of techniques, tools, equipment, materials involved in hot and cold glassworking processes. First semester covers basic molten-glass furnace techniques such as blowing and casting, mold-making and Pate de Verre (fusing crushed glass in a mold). Second semester explores colored glass fusing, use of enamels and glazes, mold-making for slumped forms and stained glass.

CRAF 253 Introduction to Glassworking: Lampworking

Semester course; 2 lecture and 6 studio hours. 4 credits. Prerequisite: successful completion of the Art Foundation program or permission of instructor. An investigation of techniques, tools, equipment and materials involved in glass lampworking processes. The course covers basic melting, shaping and blowing with a glass torch working process.

CRAF 261, 262 Beginning Textiles

Semester courses; 2 lecture and 6 studio hours. 4, 4 credits. Prerequisite: successful completion of the Art Foundation program or permission of instructor. An introduction to basic textile techniques, tools and materials. CRAF 261 introduces tapestry, feltmaking, basketry and related techniques. CRAF 262 focuses on embroidery, silk painting, piecing and quilting, and related techniques. The history and modern application of each technique will be examined through lectures, demonstrations and studio work.

CRAF 282 Orientation to Craft/Material Studies

Semester course; 1 lecture hour. 1 credit. Discussion of a variety of approaches to study within the craft media, stressing elements of creative activity, which are basic to making visually oriented objects.

CRAF 301, 302/401, 402 Advanced Metalsmithing or Jewelry

Semester courses; 2 lecture and 6 or 12 studio hours. 4 or 6 credits. Each of the courses may be repeated up to a maximum of 12 credits. Prerequisite: CRAF 211. These courses offer opportunity for specialization and development of techniques.

CRAF 320 Furniture Design

Semester course; 2 lecture and 6 studio hours. 4 credits. May be repeated for a maximum of 8 credits. Prerequisite: CRAF 221. The course explores the development of ideas through drawings, mock-ups and the planning and execution of a small furniture object utilizing basic and specialized woodworking techniques.

CRAF 321, 322/421, 422 Advanced Woodworking and Furniture Design

Semester courses; 2 lecture and 6 or 12 studio hours. 4 or 6 credits. Each of the courses may be repeated for up to a maximum of 12 credits. Prerequisites: CRAF 221 and 320. Advanced design and construction investigation of varied materials and machine processes.

CRAF 341, 342/441, 442 Advanced Ceramics

Semester courses; 2 lecture and 6 or 12 studio hours. 4 or 6 credits. Each of the courses may be repeated for up to a maximum of 12 credits. Prerequisites: CRAF 240 is the prerequisite for 341 and 342; CRAF 341 and 342 are the prerequisites for 441 and 442. Advanced problems in the design and production of functional and nonfunctional ceramic products.

CRAF 351, 352/451, 452 Glassworking

Semester courses; 2 lecture and 6 or 12 studio hours. 4 or 6 credits. Each of the courses may be repeated for up to a maximum of 12 credits. Prerequisites: CRAF 251 and 252. Opportunity for further investigation and specialization in glassworking design and technical mastery.

CRAF 353 Glassworking: Lampworking

Semester course; 2 lecture and 6 studio hours. 4 credits. May be repeated for up to a maximum of 12 credits. Prerequisites: CRAF 251 and 253 or permission of instructor. Provides an opportunity for further investigation, specialization and technical mastery in glass lampworking design.

CRAF 361 Intermediate Textiles: Tapestry/Weaving

Semester courses; 2 lecture and 6 or 12 studio hours. 4 or 6 credits. May be repeated up to a maximum of 12 credits. Prerequisites: CRAF 261 and 262 or permission of instructor. An introduction to the floor loom with an emphasis on tapestry weaving. Concentrated studio work in contemporary and traditional loom techniques along with continuing individual investigation of other textile techniques.

CRAF 362 Intermediate Textiles: Pattern Weaving

Semester course; 2 lecture and 6 or 12 studio hours. 4 or 6 credits. May be repeated up to a maximum of 12 credits. Prerequisites: CRAF 261 and 262 or permission of instructor. An introduction to the floor loom with an emphasis on pattern weaving. Concentrated studio work in contemporary and traditional loom techniques along with continuing individual investigation of other textile techniques.

CRAF 363, 364 Fabric Design I and II

Semester courses; 2 lecture and 6 studio hours. 4, 4 credits. Each of the courses may be repeated for up to a maximum of 12 credits. Prerequisites: CRAF 261 and 262 or permission of instructor.Exploration of dye and pigment techniques for fabric along with pattern development and conceptual use of fabric.

CRAF 367, 368 Tapestry

Semester courses; 2 lecture and 6 studio hours. 4, 4 credits. Origins of tapestry forms and execution of techniques.

CRAF 369 Ancient Peruvian Textile Techniques

Semester course; 2 lecture and 6 or 12 studio hours. 4 credits. An examination of textile techniques perfected in ancient Peru and their application to contemporary fiber work. Pre-Columbian cultures will be studied to understand textile development. Course includes student duplication of techniques to better understand "structure" and the production of a personal object(s) utilizing these techniques and information.

CRAF 382 Intermediate Craft/Material Studies Seminar

Semester course; 1 lecture hour. 1 credit. Explores contemporary developments in the field of crafts, utilizing essays, periodical articles and exhibition catalogues as catalysts for discussions involving issues such as tradition and innovation, process and materiality, functionality, decoration, containment, metaphor, figuration, and installation.

CRAF 409 Summer Metal and Jewelry Workshop

Semester course; 3, 6 or 9 studio hours. 1, 2 or 3 credits. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: permission of instructor. Exploration of specific metal processes and techniques such as fabrication, forging, forming, casting, enameling and electroforming. See the Schedule of Classes for specific topics to be offered each semester.

CRAF 429 Summer Woodworking Workshop

Semester course; 3, 6 or 9 studio hours. 1, 2 or 3 credits. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: permission of instructor. Exploration of specific woodworking processes and techniques such as joinery methods, laminate bending, steambending, etc. See the Schedule of Classes for specific topics to be offered each semester.

CRAF 446 Glaze Technology

Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Development, formulation and application of ceramic glazes. The technology includes high, medium and low firing ranges as well as color and analysis of glaze materials.

CRAF 447 Ceramic Technology: Clay, Claybodies and Slips

Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Study of clay from geological origins to practical application. Course includes development and application of clay bodies in different firing ranges, englobes and slips.

CRAF 448, 449/548, 549 Ceramic Workshop

Semester courses; 9 studio hours. 3, 3 credits. Exploration in specific ceramic techniques such as raku, salt glaze, primitive firing and low temperature glazing.

CRAF 455, 456 Survey of Glass

Semester courses; 3 lecture hours. 3, 3 credits. An examination of significant technological developments in glass from the past to present. First semester: ancient to 16th century. Second semester: 17th century to contemporary. Illustrated lectures.

CRAF 459 Summer Glassworking Workshop

Semester course; 3, 6 or 9 studio hours. 1, 2 or 3 credits. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: permission of instructor. Exploration of specific glassworking processes, such as forming molten glass, casting and coldworking techniques. See the Schedule of Classes for specific topics to be offered each semester.

CRAF 461, 462 Advanced Textile Studio

Semester courses; 2 lecture and 6 or 12 studio hours. 4 or 6 credits for each course. Each course may be repeated for a maximum of 12 credits. Prerequisites: CRAF 361 and 362 or permission of instructor. Emphasis on investigation of advanced technical skills along with development of a personal style.

CRAF 463, 464 Advanced Fabric Design

Semester courses; 2 lecture and 6 studio hours. 4, 4 credits. Prerequisites: CRAF 363 and 364 or permission of instructor. Development of a personal direction with advance examination of dye applications.

CRAF 482 Senior Seminar

Semester course; 2 lecture hours. 2 credits. Resume and portfolio preparation, promotion of creative work and selling, exhibition opportunities and process, career options, setting up a studio and other subjects appropriate to the artist/craftsperson. Writing intensive.

CRAF 491 Topics in Craft/Material Studies

Semester course; 1-3 credits. May be repeated for a maximum of 9 credits. Prerequisite: permission of instructor. A seminar or workshop on a selected issue or topic in the field of crafts. See the Schedule of Classes for specific topics to be offered each semester.

CRAF 492 Independent Study

Semester course; 1-3 credits. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credits. Prerequisites: senior standing in the major and permission of the instructor. The student will pursue advanced, individually directed study on a subject to be formulated in writing by the student and instructor.

CRAF 493 Fieldwork

Semester courses; 135 clock hours. 3 credits. Prerequisites: senior standing in the major and permission of department chair. Opportunity for practical work experiences. Senior students are placed with professionals who offer supervised work or research experience appropriate to their major interests. Participation requires the approval of both the department chair and field supervisor. Students must work 135 clock hours and maintain a daily log of their experiences. Field supervisor will plan student's work and evaluate performance.

CRAF 494 Fieldwork

Semester course; 270 clock hours. 6 credits. Prerequisites: senior standing in the major and permission of department chair. Opportunity for practical work experiences. Senior students are placed with professionals who offer supervised work or research experience appropriate to their major interests. Participation requires the approval of both the department chair and field supervisor. Students must work 270 clock hours and maintain a daily log of their experiences. Field supervisor will plan student's work and evaluate performance.

CRAF 547 Ceramic Technology

Semester course; 3 lecture hours. May be repeated. See the Schedule of Classes for specific topics to be offered each semester.

CRAF 591 Special Topics and Practicum

Semester course; 1-3 credits. May be repeated. Prerequisite: permission of instructor. A topical seminar/workshop offered in a variety of craft subjects or issues not included in the regular curriculum. See the Schedule of Classes for specific topics to be offered each semester.

CRAF 601 Metal or Jewelry

Semester course; 9, 18 or 27 studio hours. 3, 6 or 9 credits. May be repeated. Personal investigation of materials, processes, and attitudes relating to the creative production of metal and/or jewelry forms.

CRAF 621 Furniture Design

Semester course; 9, 18 or 27 studio hours. 3, 6 or 9 credits. May be repeated. Design, research, and experimentation in wood and varied materials, relating to a body of work demonstrating the student's mastery of material.

CRAF 641 Ceramics

Semester course; 9, 18 or 27 studio hours. 3, 6 or 9 credits. May be repeated. Problems in the design and production of functional and nonfunctional ceramic objects as well as study of experimentation in ceramic technology and kiln design.

CRAF 651 Glassworking

Semester course; 9, 18 or 27 studio hours. 3, 6 or 9 credits. May be repeated. Prerequisite: permission of instructor. Investigation of and experimentation with the ideas, material, and processes relative to the production of glass forms.

CRAF 661 Textiles

Semester course; 9, 18 or 27 studio hours. 3, 6 or 9 credits. May be repeated. Work in contemporary and traditional textile techniques.

CRAF 690 Graduate Seminar

Seminar course; 1 or 3 lecture hours. 1 or 3 credits. May be repeated. Degree requirement for graduate students in the Department of Crafts. A weekly seminar for the purpose of discussing contemporary issues in the arts as they affect the artist-craftsperson.

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