About the Sculpture Minor
The sculpture minor gives students a well-rounded education in visual arts and an
advanced understanding of sculpture techniques and materials.
Students additionally have the opportunity to travel to conferences, makers fairs
and metal pours across the country to network and improve their expertise, so that
every student is ready to start their dream career upon graduation.
Admission Requirements
Students pursuing a B.A. in Art History may minor in a studio discipline. However,
students pursuing a B.A. or B.F.A. in Studio Art or a B.A. in Art Education cannot
minor in a specific studio discipline. Students should plan on a minimum of five semesters
to complete a sculpture minor due to upper-division course prerequisites. Please note
that all courses require a minimum grade of C to earn a sculpture minor.
Sculpture students have access to a variety of specialty facilities, including:
- A fully equipped wood shop
- Steel fabrication shop
- Fundry for bronze and aluminum casting and blacksmithing
- Lost wax ceramic shell room
- Plaster mold making studio
- 3D printers
- Laser cutter engraver
- Burn out kilns
- Iron furnaces
- Two-ton capacity bridge crane
- 24-hour-access to a large work room
What can you do with a Sculpture Minor?
Studying sculpture means mastering the art and science of materials, techniques and equipment. It opens doors to diverse careers like construction, industrial design and fabrication. Sculptors blend STEM with creativity, using modern technology like 3D printing and CNC routing. Math and engineering are integral to crafting our creations. With these skills, one can thrive in fields like film, theater, automotive design and animation. Sculpture isn't just about art; it's about designing a life fueled by creativity.
Some of the titles our graduates currently hold include:
- Sculptor/Artist
- Fabricator
- Welder
- Art Instructor
- Art Technician
- Blacksmith
- Foundry Worker
- Model Maker
- Industrial Designer
- Museum Preparator
- And more!
UW fine art and art education grads are getting creative at the following places:
- Topo Designs
- University of Hartford School of Art
- Western Confluence Magazine
- University of Wisconsin
- Glassell School of Art
- Art League Houston
Many students pursue additional education after graduation. Sculpture graduates have recently been accepted to the following prestigious programs:
- Virginia Commonwealth University
- Carnegie Mellon
- Arizona State University
- School of the Art Institute of Chicago
You'll learn how to create three-dimensional artworks using a variety of materials such as clay, wood, metal, plaster and found objects. You’ll explore techniques like carving, modeling, casting and assembling, while also studying form, space, balance and texture. Many of our courses also introduce digital tools or contemporary practices, and you’ll gain experience in both conceptual development and hands-on craftsmanship.
"The way Professor Carlisle teaches sculpture is empowering. I believe that having the confidence to pursue your wildest ideas is the first step. The sculpture facilities at UW offers a wide range of sculptural processes that have pushed me to consider what it means to be a contemporary artist. Through taking sculpture at UW I have built my confidence in materials and myself as an artist. I recommend this program to every young artist because sculpture is a combination of all mediums, it is drawing, painting, printmaking, but in three dimensions."
