Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey

Searchable Course Catalog

header image

BLST0175A-S24

Notes from the Woodshed
Please register via ART 0175A

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.
Course Reference Number (CRN):
22608
Subject Code:
BLST
Course Number:
0175
Section Identifier:
A

Course

BLST 0175

All Sections in Spring 2024

Spring 2024

BLST0175A-S24 Lecture (Schrader)