SPRING 2027 COURSES
The following courses are offered SPRING 2027 in Fine Arts. Advisors are ready to assist you with choosing the most appropriate class for you. If you have specific questions about course content, please contact Jaime Knight, Department Chair - jaimecknight@unm.edu, or the instructor for the course directly. Faculty bios and emails can be found here.
Contact an advisor directly at (575) 737-3698 or click HERE to register.
Under certain circumstances, prerequisites may be waived. You must contact an advisor directly to facilitate this request.
SPRING 2027
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
The 2027 spring session runs January 18th through May 15th
Semester Breaks are: March 14-21 (Spring Break)
Art Practices I - ARTS 1230
w/ Christopher Schuldt
Face to Face - Thursdays, 9:00AM-2:30PM
Klauer Campus - Fred Peralta Hall - Room 221/223
This is an interdisciplinary course, exploring the processes, ideas, and diverse media of visual arts. The course addresses the thematic concepts that are central to the nature of art making today. This second semester's assignments will investigate issues of MOTIVE and CHANGE. Students will complete projects in a variety of media, including works on paper, sculpture, photo, and video, and short response paper/artist statement will accompany each project. In some cases, students are encouraged to approach each project with the materials they feel are most appropriate. Visual problem solving will be emphasized throughout the course, in addition to the nature of artistic meaning.
Drawing II - ARTS 1610
w/ Christopher Schuldt
Face to Face - Tuesdays, 9:00AM-2:30PM
Klauer Campus - Fred Peralta Hall - Room 221/223
This course introduces color and colored media as an element of composition while emphasizing descriptive and perceptual drawing skills and conceptual approaches to contemporary drawing.
This course is a survey of the basic techniques, materials, theory, vocabulary, and overall practice of observational drawing. Because abstraction is an exaggeration or alteration of reality, it is important to first learn to draw from life; therefore, the projects will be interpreted from a variety of natural forms including interior/ exterior space, still-life, self-portrait, the skeleton, and an artist copy. These drawings will be executed using a variety of traditional drawing materials such as charcoal, pastel, Conté, pencil, and ink. With these materials, students will develop an understanding of technical variety in mark-making using perspective, proportion, scale, volume, texture, contrast, value, line and shade. Toward the end of the semester, students will be introduced to color and collage and create more experimental works on paper. Each session will be devoted to studio work with some art historical discussion and/or critique.
Painting II - ARTS 2630
w/ Gary Cook
Face to Face - Tuesdays, 9:00AM-2:30PM
Prerequisite: ARTS 1630 (Painting I)
Klauer Campus - Fred Peralta Hall - Room 221/223
Painting II continues and investigation of the traditions of painting as a medium for artistic expression. Students will investigate materials, tools, techniques, history and concepts of painting. Emphasis is placed on developing descriptive and perceptual skills, color theory, and composition.
This course introduces intermediate concepts and develops technical and perceptual skills using acrylic or oil (preferred). Students will learn the fundamentals of observational oil painting, focusing on representational paintings of a variety of subjects including still-life, landscape, and self-portrait. We will discuss the visual information in painting, the dialogue surrounding painting and its formulas, and when it is appropriate to abandon those formulas. Students will make several short-session paintings throughout the semester, rather than focusing on one or two highly polished works, and learn of a variety of techniques accumulating in a confident, contemporary painting style.
Introduction to Ceramics - ARTS 1310
w/Megan Bartley-Matthews
Face to Face - Tuesdays, 9:00AM-2:30PM OR Fridays, 9:00AM-2:30PM (Dual Enrollment Priority)
Klauer Campus - Fred Peralta Hall - Room 214
This course introduces the technical processes and conceptual concerns of working with ceramic material. Various methods of forming functional and expressive works out of clay are explored. Methods used include hand building and throwing, basic clay bodies, slip and glaze, and atmospheric firing.
Terminology, concepts, historical and technical information will be presented. Techniques will include the hand building techniques of pinch, coil, slab and molding. Wheel projects will include cylinders, bowls and mugs. Individual creative development is encouraged. There will be both self-selected and assigned projects.
Ceramics I - ARTS 1320
w/Megan Bartley-Matthews
Face to Face - Thursdays, 9:00AM-2:30PM
Prerequisite: ARTS 1310 (Introduction to Ceramics)
Klauer Campus - Fred Peralta Hall - Room 214
An introduction to the medium of clay incorporating hand building and wheel throwing to introduce the student to both the sculptural and utilitarian uses of clay. The student will also be introduced to a variety of glazing and firing techniques.
Continuation of Arts 1310 with an emphasis placed on the mastery of forming, surfacing, and firing processes. Intermediate hand building and wheel throwing techniques will include projects with lids, spouts and decorating. Making and formulating glazes, as well as variety of firing techniques will also be presented. Expanded critical awareness and the development of a personal aesthetic will be encouraged. There will be both self-selected and assigned projects.
Introduction to Printmaking - ARTS 1710 (Dual Enrollment priority)
w/ Jaime Knight
Face to Face - Friday, 9:00AM-2:30PM
Klauer Campus - Fred Peralta Hall - Room 229
This course provides direct experience of exploring basic printmaking processes, including relief, intaglio, and monoprint processes, as well as the investigation of materials/media, tools, techniques, history, and concepts of printmaking. Emphasis is given to solving problems through thematic development while producing a portfolio of prints.
Fundamental techniques in Introduction to Printmaking are presented and practiced in a survey format. Methods and expressive potentials of the major printmaking processes are taught. Instruction includes lecture, demonstrations, practice, and critique. At the conclusion of this course, the student will develop awareness of the unique properties of a wide variety of print processes and the historical development of printmaking and it’s influences on contemporary works; develop technique and the proper use of tools and materials within the print shop as a collaborative working space; Utilize a journal/sketchbook as a documentation process, to develop concepts, generate source material and aid in self-criticism and exploration; increase understanding of his/her own aesthetic aspirations and how these objectives can be expressed using the print media; and create a foundation for more advanced study of print media.
Topics: Monoprint - ARTS 1165L
w/ Gary Cook
Face to Face - Wednesdays 9:00AM-2:30PM
Prerequisite: ARTS 1710 (Introduction to Printmaking)
Klauer Campus - Fred Peralta Hall - Room 229
Monotype explores the addition and subtraction methods of monotype printmaking to produce exciting images. Monotype is an old method that has received new attention in today's society. Students explore its relationship to other contemporary forms of art and develop a personal direction in their work.
Topics: Book Arts - ARTS 1996 - Moveable Book Structures
W/ Jaime Knight Face-to-Face - Mondays, 9:00AM-2:30PM
Klauer Campus - Fred Peralta Hall - Room 229 and 230
This version of the Book Arts class will cover moveable and novel book structures. Students will learn technical skills to create several different moveable book structures including but not limited to: Flexagons, Magic Wallets, Pop up Structures, Carousel and Tunnel Books. Students will consider how the form and content of the books interact, and will participate in critique sessions of a variety of structures to develop and tune their personal artistic voice in the medium. Students will have an opportunity to participate in a paper marbling workshop to create their own decorative paper. Previous book making experience is encouraged, but not necessary.
Jewelry & Small Metal Construction I - ARTS 1810
w/ Kimberly Thompson
Face to Face - Fridays, 9:00AM-2:30PM
Klauer Campus - Fred Peralta Hall - Room 211
This course introduces the basic techniques, materials, and tools traditionally used in the creation of jewelry and/or small-scale sculptural objects. Students will explore fundamental fabrication practices and demonstrate proficiency in skills and a comprehension of visual vocabulary. Coursework will include examination of the history and practices of jewelry-making and metal casting within a global perspective. Techniques covered may include soldering, stone setting, lapidary, and casting.
Meets New Mexico General Education Curriculum Area 7: Arts and Design.
Jewelry & Small Metal Construction II - ARTS 2810
w/ Kimberly Thompson
Face-to-Face - Thursdays, 12-5:30pm
Prerequisite: ARTS 1810 or by instructor permission
Klauer Campus - Fred Peralta Hall - Room 211
Fabrication skills are further developed and refined while additional advanced fabrication methods are introduced. Emphasis is placed on developing a deeper understanding of form and content as it relates to creating on an intimate scale. This course builds on concepts learned in Jewelry and Small Metal Construction I and allows the student an opportunity to expand upon basic concepts, techniques, and processes of jewelry making, and miniature sculpture. Students will explore alternative casting methods, advanced soldering applications, and intermediate level stone setting techniques.
Sculpture I - ARTS 1840
W/ Izumi Yokoyama Face-to-Face - Wednesdays, 9:00AM-2:30PM
Klauer Campus - Fred Peralta Hall - Room 221/223
This course introduces the student to a variety of medium and techniques used in the production of sculpture; along with the historic, conceptual, and esthetic foundations of the sculptural process.
Meets New Mexico General Education Curriculum Area VI: Creative and Fine Arts: Arts and Design.
Introduction to Photoshop - FDMA1515
w/ Adrian Pijoan
Online, asynchronous
In this course, students will learn how to use the tools in Adobe Photoshop to create new images and edit existing images. Tools used will include selections, layers, and adjustments, among other pixel editing tools. Basic composition and output will be emphasized in all projects.
Modern Art - ARTH 2130 - IN PERSON CLASS
w/ Katy Ballard
Takes place at the Harwood Museum Arthur Bell Auditorium
238 Ledoux St, Taos, NM 87571
Tuesdays, 3:00-5:30
This course is an overview of European and American art and architecture during the Modern era. Students will analyze the various movements in art as they relate to the historical settings in which the works were created. Emphasis will be placed on the relationship of artworks to political, social, spiritual, intellectual and cultural movements as they affected and were affected by their creation and development.The course offers a creative project.
Meets New Mexico General Education Curriculum Area VI: Creative and Fine Arts: Arts and Design
Introduction to Art - ARTH 1120
w/ Paula King
Online, asynchronous
This foundation course introduces and explores the visual arts on a personal, societal, cultural, and historical level. An excellent course for someone new to the study of art or the experienced artist, students learn about all art-making processes, art materials, and techniques used by artists, designers, and architects. Studies feature iconic artists throughout history and major art movements. Students will build on a broad knowledge base to practice the skill of formal analysis, in order to expand an art appreciation and grow a personal aesthetic. The course offers a creative project using basic photography.
Canvas Online Course. This course is completed 100% online, therefore access to a computer and the internet are required. Designed with Quality Matters Standards, ARTH 1120 provides an excellent learning experience and offers flexibility for busy students. Support with the technology of the course is provided on campus, by email, and by phone by the HELP support staff of UNM. Pacing may be accelerated for early completion.
Inclusive Access for this course: This course has been set up for inclusive access delivery, this means your materials will be accessible through UNM Learn when classes begin. You do not need to shop for the ‘title of the book’ ahead of time. You do not need to pay by credit card or any other method, you should not see a prompt for payment at all when using the inclusive access materials. Your specially discounted price will be billed to your UNM Bursar Account AFTER the add/drop deadline. Additionally, McGraw-Hill Connect Access will be required (includes ebook, Smartbook, course learning activities, and exams).
Meets New Mexico General Education Curriculum Area VI: Creative and Fine Arts: Arts and Design
Typography - FDMA2375
w/ Gatis Cerulis
Online, asynchronous
This course introduces students to the history of typography and its emotive, symbolic and communicative aspects. Students learn how to use type in a creative and aesthetic way and develop an understanding of page composition that incorporates concept and design. Experience with personal computers required.

