Middlebury

ART 0175

Notes from the Woodshed

Notes from the Woodshed: Sculpture, Abstraction, and Improvisation
This class takes its title from a book of writing by the black American visual artist Jack Whitten (1939-2018). Whitten’s title itself borrows from a tradition in jazz music, ‘the woodshed’ was a metaphorical place to practice, experiment and develop new ideas before taking them public. We engage the classroom as our own ‘woodshed’, creating sculptural form through close looking, response, and improvisation. Students will develop the basic skills and visual language for creating sculpture using wood, foam, Magic-Sculpt, and found materials. We will read Whitten’s book ‘Notes from the Woodshed’, and other texts that contextualize the rich histories of abstract sculpture made by black Americans in the 20th century. No former experience with art is necessary to take this class.
Subject:
Studio Art
Department:
Program in Studio Art
Division:
Arts
Requirements Fulfilled:
AMR ART HIS

Sections

Spring 2025

ART0175A-S25 Lecture (Schrader)

Spring 2024

ART0175A-S24 Lecture (Schrader)