Textiles

With a focus on fine art and craft applications of textile-related techniques, processes, and ideas, courses in Textiles encourage technical and material exploration as well as the critical thinking necessary to develop and grow as an artist. Introductory, intermediate, and advanced courses cover a wide range of textile techniques and topics including weaving, pattern design, printing, direct and resist dyeing, felting, single line and pieced construction.

MFA Textiles Program

The MFA Textiles Program stresses a concern for the graduate student’s personal growth and exploration in textile imagery. The textile department is currently composed of two areas: woven and constructed; and printed and dyed. Beginning graduate students are encouraged to work in all of the areas initially so that they can enjoy the widest experience of visual and technical skills. The area and degree of specialization is the prerogative of the student in consultation with the faculty and can be decided at any point during the three-year MFA program in textiles.  The MFA is a 60 credit hour degree. The student’s specific curriculum is planned in consultation with the textile faculty. A student should plan his or her course work so that no fewer than four credit hours per semester will be taken while expecting to use the graduate facilities and textile area studios. After a student has completed approximately 40 credit hours toward the degree and has assembled a representative body of work, the textile faculty, in consultation with the student, will schedule the oral exam. One or two semesters after successfully completing the oral exam, the Thesis Exhibition will be scheduled in consultation with the textile faculty.  Each area has a cooperative buying fund in which students may choose to participate. The funds are for the procurement and stocking of fiber, fabric, dyes, and chemicals. In addition to this source, students are encouraged to investigate other materials.