Painting Studio: Visual Inquiry in Context

PAI4220.01
Course System Home Terms Fall 2025 Painting Studio: Visual Inquiry in Context

Course Description

Summary

This intermediate level painting course will take as its platform the investigation of writing by artists about art and artists. While developing their own self-defined studio practices, students will engage with primary documents of art history - artists' essays, letters and sketchbooks. Students will work to establish a sense of historical context for their own endeavors in the studio through examining both the impetus behind artists' work and also the connections and interactions between artists, designers, writers, and performers.

In addition focused individual work in the studio, shared reading and discussion, students will create visual presentations, and conduct a research project which traces a lineage from their own studio projects, back through time, creating a kind of personal 'story of art'. A high degree of motivation is expected.

Learning Outcomes

  • Experience of ambitious, fully dedicated engagement with studio practice.
  • Increased sophistication with ability to contextualize individual studio work verbally and in writing.
  • Increased ability to participate constructively in collective energy and shared responsibility for a supportive group learning environment.
  • Focused practice with inclusive classroom conversation particularly as it pertains to the discussion of the artwork of classmates as well as to the analysis of contemporary art.
  • Increased ability to become constructively self-critical and to incorporate feedback of others into analysis of one鈥檚 own studio work

Prerequisites

A minimum of two previous courses in visual art, including a 2000 level painting course, and permission of instructor through application process.

To apply for this course: Starting May 06th, please email apibal@bennington.edu with PAINT STUDIO in the subject line. Submit a brief paragraph outlining 1/ your interest in the course, 2/ how it fits into your Plan of study, 3/ previous courses in visual art at Bennington, 4 /your current term, as well as 5/ the other courses you intend to register for in VA next term. Note: Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Corequisites

Students are required (unless formally excused due to schedule conflict) to attend the Visual Arts Lecture Series.

Instructor

  • Ann Pibal

Day and Time

TU 2:10pm-5:50pm

Delivery Method

Fully in-person

Length of Course

Full Term

Academic Term

Fall 2025

Area of Study

Credits

4

Course Level

4000

Maximum Enrollment

14

Course Frequency

Every 2-3 years