Department of Art

Studio

Soft Tub

Fiber Art

homeundergraduate degreegraduate programfacultyfacilities

Department of Art - BFA Fibers

Tom Lundberg - Area Coordinator - Portfolio
Borrowed Space Tom Lundberg and Madeline Weisz

The Visual Arts Building is a well-equipped complex built in 1975. Strictly devoted to the visual arts, areas of concentration are housed in individual wings along a central throughway. Divided into a fabric printing area and a weaving area, fibers occupies 3,400 square feet of studio space. Adjacent to the printing area is a dye room equipped with eight burners, six industrial sinks, a washer-dryer unit, and a vent-hood work area for batik and air brush. The weaving area includes 44 floor looms, of which three are 45" Macombers with 16 harnesses and two are 45" Cranbrooks. In addition, we have two upright tapestry looms and a Schacht Combby loom with computer interface. The facilities described above are used both by undergraduate and graduate students. Graduate students occupy a semiprivate studio (two to four individuals per studio) in a neighboring wing of the building. Also near the fibers area is a well equipped wood shop.

Click here to view Foundations Area Prerequisites

ART 250, Fibers I Spring and Fall Semesters
Fibers I provides a foundation in the fundamentals of weaving. While mastering the basics of hand-woven textiles, students research the aesthetic potential of fiber materials and structures. Communication skills are developed using the language of weaving. Slide lectures introduce world traditions and movements in contemporary fiber. Studio projects focus on fabric's unique ties to perception, memory and the physical environment. Prior foundation coursework or related background expected.

ART 350, Fibers II Fall Semesters
This course introduces fundamentals of fabric dyeing, painting, printing and design. While mastering the basics of dyes and textile pigments, students research the aesthetic potential of fabric in one-of-a-kind works and limited editions. Studio projects focus on color mixing, pattern, visual layers and fabric movement. Slide lectures examine contemporary art and surface design against the backdrop of world textiles and ornament.
Prerequisite: ART 250 or instructor permission.

ART 351, Fibers III Spring Semesters
Loom-woven structures are investigated in relation to resist-dye techniques, ikat, warp painting and embroidery. Students develop textile patterns using weaving software. Research of historic textiles and contemporary artists provides the foundation for individual projects.
Prerequisite: ART 250 or ART 350.

ART 450, Fibers IV Fall Semesters
This class emphasizes research and studio work in the medium of fiber. Students present slide lectures on individual research topics and develop personal studio directions. Readings focus on contemporary issues in fiber. Students develop professional skills such as photography of work and preparation of portfolios.
Prerequisite: ART 351

ART 451, Fibers V Spring Semesters
Students continue to research and develop studio projects leading to senior exhibitions. Each student presents a slide lecture related to their influences and studio directions. Readings in contemporary issues continue, along with documentation of senior portfolios.
Prerequisite: ART 351 or ART 451

ART 487, Internship Fall, Spring and Summer Semesters
Supervised work experience in approved work locations. Fibers students work at such businesses as Interweave Press in Loveland, Schacht Spindle Company in Boulder and with local artist-entrepreneurs.