Crafts

Nicholas Kripal, Chairperson

Tyler School of Art Building
Administrative Suite Room 210N
215-777-9168
nkripal@temple.edu

The Crafts Department encompasses the media disciplines of Ceramics/Glass, Fibers, and Metals/Jewelry/CAD-CAM. These disciplines are rooted in a rich history, developed and refined within a contemporary context, and practiced and experienced through a series of formal presentations and evaluations. The Crafts Department faculty endeavor to refine and interpret Crafts traditions, techniques, and concepts while also pursuing the frontiers of their disciplines through their studio practice.

Students are challenged to explore the broad cultural and historical contexts in which their disciplines are made, exhibited, and experienced. They are encouraged to pursue their individual visions with an attitude of curiosity and imagination. The end goal of the curriculum is the education of a Crafts artist who will be creatively active throughout their lives, contributing to the enrichment of not only the communities in which they live and work, but the world community as well.

Upon graduation, students go on to careers in art education, design, the arena of not-for-profit and commercial galleries, and the professional practice of a studio artist. Many students go on to graduate school in order to receive further training and research for their eventual professional careers.

Foundation Department

Gerard Brown, Chairperson
Tyler School of Art Building
Administrative Suite Room 210P
215-777-9170

gbrown@temple.edu

Studies for the B.F.A. degree at Tyler begin with a common freshman experience, the Foundation Year.  During this year, students are enrolled in studio courses in Drawing, 2-D and 3-D Principles, and Foundation Computer.  The Foundation Program is highly structured and intensive.  It forms the fundamental basis for studio practice, critical thinking, and the understanding and implementation of principles of visual art expression.  The program emphasizes creative and critical thinking, problem solving, visual thinking, perception and observation, as well as presents traditional vocabulary, theory, media, and techniques of artistic practice.  The Foundation Faculty is comprised of faculty from all major areas in the school, providing freshmen with a broad perspective and diverse points of view from which to build their experience as artists.

For curriculum, please see the Freshman year sequence on the B.F.A. Degree and B.F.A. with Teaching Certification page.

Ceramics/Glass

Nicholas Kripal, Area Head, Ceramics

Tyler School of Art Building
Rooms 150/160
215-777-9201
nkripal@temple.edu

Jon Clark, Area Head, Glass

Tyler School of Art Building
Room 120
215-777-9211
jonclark@temple.edu

In the Ceramics area, equipment is available for wheel work, mold making, and slip casting projects, as well as large kilns for hand building and sculpture. Processes include: wood firing, raku, salt glazing, stoneware, and porcelain. The glass curriculum incorporates glass blowing, casting, fusing, and kiln work.

Major Requirements for B.F.A. in Ceramics

SOPHOMORE PREREQUISITES:

JUNIOR REQUIREMENTS: 

SENIOR REQUIREMENTS: 

Major Requirements for B.F.A. in Glass  

SOPHOMORE REQUIREMENTS:

JUNIOR REQUIREMENTS: 

SENIOR REQUIREMENTS:

Fibers

Rebecca Medel, Area Head

Tyler School of Art Building

Room 250
215-777-9136
rmedel@temple.edu

The Fibers major includes equipment and classes in weaving, off-loom structures, fabric dyeing and surface processes, screen printing on fabric, digital printing, and the use of alternative materials. Once students acquire an understanding and proficiency of techniques and media, the program promotes experimentation and development of a personal direction.

Major Requirements for B.F.A. in Fibers

SOPHOMORE PREREQUISITE:

JUNIOR AND SENIOR REQUIREMENTS: 

Metals/Jewelry/CAD-CAM

Stanley Lechtzin, Area Head

Tyler School of Art Building 
Room 220
215-777-9129
stanlech@temple.edu

This program stresses the use of traditional techniques and materials in relation to their historical significance while encouraging the use of new technologies in the advanced courses. The assignments are focused on the design and creation of jewelry, functional forms, tableware, furniture, lighting, toys, and product design, to name a few. Along with teaching studio practices centered around the utilization of metal, plastics, and composite materials, the curriculum integrates the technologies of digital practices as they relate to three dimensional form realization, and include computer-aided-design, computer-aided manufacture and 3D printing technologies.  

Major requirements for B.F.A. in Metals/Jewelry/CAD-CAM

SOPHOMORE PREREQUISITE: 

JUNIOR REQUIREMENTS:

SENIOR REQUIREMENTS: