Associate of Fine Arts in 3D Fine Arts

North Seattle College

This pathway meets requirements for the Associate of Fine Arts (AFA) with a concentration in 3D - Sculpture or Ceramics. Completion of this pathway is designed to build a strong portfolio in 3D arts as well as prepare you for further education in the visual arts such as a Bachelor of Art (BA) with Studio Art or Art History emphasis, a Bachelor of Fine Art (BFA) or Master of Fine Art (MFA) in Visual Art, and/or entering the creative economy with a dynamic portfolio. North Seattle College has three classroom studios dedicated to ceramic and sculpture. The Ceramics program introduces students to hand building and wheel throwing processes for both functional and conceptually based work. Facilities include large tables for hand building, 21 electric wheels, a slab roller, extruder, four electric kilns, a pug mill for clay reclaim, and a glazing studio with an extended set of standard studio glazes available for student use. The Sculpture program introduces students to wide variety of processes including woodworking, mold making and slip casting, reductive carving, and low-tech processes in cardboard construction, found object assemblage, paper mache, and installation-based work. Facilities include handheld power tools as well as larger equipment including a saw stop table saw, bandsaw, miter saw, belt sander, router, scroll saw, and drill press. Students in this pathway will also demonstrate collaborative attitude, skills, and knowledge in 3D art media, and will learn how to effectively critique and document work through a contemporary lens. Studio health and safety awareness is paramount to the Art program at North. North Seattle College's Art Program provides a solid foundation in visual art that emphasizes craft, concept, and critical analysis. North's art faculty are all accomplished, exhibiting studio artists with a passion for teaching and connecting the classroom to the local and national arts scenes. Students can choose from a variety of affordable classes including ceramics, drawing, painting, digital art, photography, 2-D and 3-D design, printmaking, book arts, mural art, jewelry, metal design, sculpture, and art history as well as art business. In addition to our course offerings, North offers a robust visual culture that includes a contemporary art gallery, a student exhibition space, visiting artist lecture series, and a student-led art group. While in the program, students have many opportunities to gain professional experience as working artists including showcasing and selling art, installing, exhibiting, and documenting work, and submitting to literary and arts publications. Every AFA graduate leaves with a curated portfolio of their work and is prepared for transfer as well as other professional opportunities in a creative economy. North emphasizes health and safety best practices in the studio.