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This research surveys ideology and iconology in the presentation of the autobiographical and biographical female nude as envisioned by American women artists in the painting, drawing and printmaking media from 1969 to 1983. Contemporary dialogue by critics, artists and feminists on the definition of feminine content led to the articulation of the undraped nude torso as the central icon of the study. This static icon was pushed through a variety of styles into multi subtleties of iconology. The female nude by women artists is autobiographical even in biography emphasizing self-identification and authenticity. General constraints were placed on the survey the definability or explicit articulation of the female torso as opposed to suggestive imagery, the time frame in which the nude was created, and the chosen media for study. Art historical methodology was employed to descriptively examine image and intent of the nude presentations in references through time as well as visual traditions of symbology. This survey began at the turn of the century for historical background to emphasize the greater proliferation of the nude from 1969 to 1983. There were limitations specifically associated with the earlier time frame (1900-1969)--the lack of art educational opportunities for the female student, the socio-political …

The purpose of the study was to (1) identify pedagogical touring competencies needed by volunteer docents in art museums, (2) catalog the competency statements into major competency categories, (3) validate the list of competency statements, and (4) compare priority designations awarded each statement by the individuals within the two major subgroups: museum staff and volunteer docents. In conclusion, many of the needs represented by the highest ranking competencies in each category are seldom addressed in the traditional volunteer docent training program. This study showed that abilities to help the child feel comfortable in the museum and combinations of abilities to help the docent make judgments regarding the presentation of the material require attention and, at the very least , special training. It is recommended that training personnel in art museums identify the needs of volunteer trainees and design training programs less on traditional guidelines and more on the specific needs appropriate to the task.

This thesis investigates how the visual arts philosophy promulgated in the 1960s by the Second Vatican Council of Roman Catholic Churches is manifested by commissioned artists for a particular parish. The primary data were the new sanctuary and the artworks, which include stained glass by Lyle Novinski, a carved-glass Marian Shrine by Claire Wing, bronze Stations of the Cross by Heri Bartscht, and wooden medallions depicting two saints carved by Don Schol. This paper reviews pertinent ecclesiastical doctrines along with interpretational publications, physically and iconographically describes the sanctuary and artwork, and considers aspects of the relationship between patron churches and the artists they commission.

This study examines the development of Edward Larrabee Barnes's design concepts for the Dallas Museum of Art, from preliminary concepts and program statements by Director Harry Parker and Dallas Museum trustees, through initial planning and architect selection, to site selection, the Program and Space Study, Barnes's early conceptual plans, and his Dallas Arts District master planning. Influences on Barnes's work and his career development leading to the Dallas commission, his most ambitious museum to date, are examined. Discussion and documentation of design development is based on schematic studies, presentation drawings, models, and trustees' minutes. Design changes during construction and all phases of expansion planning are also discussed. The conclusion summarizes historical influences on the design and Barnes's fulfillment of program concepts.

This thesis concerns the utility of including the art of hand lettering in a curriculum of a university advertising art program. Data secured from 155 questionnaires sent to 266 advertising firms in five states were analyzed by simple descriptive statistics including frequency counts and percentages. Two hypotheses were examined, and it is concluded that hand lettering is still needed in advertising art and should be taught in university art programs.

This study examines the county courthouses of Arkansas with the purpose of discovering certain qualities which they possess as architecture. Stylistic influences are identified, as are influential architects, periods of building activity, and characteristics of age and condition. An historical overview provides information concerning nationwide trends in public architecture over the last century, allowing observations as to the effects which national and regional tastes had on Arkansas' county courthouse builders. It is concluded that Arkansas' county courthouses reflect, to some extent, the stylistic preferences and backwardness of southern and rural courthouses, respectively. The Georgian Revival is identified as the most popular style for courthouses still in use, although the most active building period is found to be the 1930s, when WPA design specifications dominated Arkansas courthouse architecture.

The purpose of this study was to determine if there was any difference between beginning high school art students at Calhoun High School, Port Lavaca, Texas, who had had a junior high art experience and those who had no such experience in regard to their art information, art attitudes, and ability to produce quality art work. The Eisner Art Information and Art Attitude Inventories and three art performance tasks were administered to the population. Those with junior high art experience scored significantly higher on the art information inventory and art performance tasks than those without. The data support the positive effect of a junior high art experience on beginning high school art students.

A major figure to emerge in the history of American photography is Carlotta Corpron (1901-1987), who taught art at Texas Woman's University in Denton, Texas from 1935-1968. The rediscovery of her abstract images created during the 1940s reflects the growing recognition of the experimental photography at the New Bauhaus in Chicago from 1937-1946. Corpron's abstract photographs were stimulated by her interaction with Lazlo Moholy-Nagy and Gyorgy Kepes. Corpron was an innovator in the development of abstract photography in the United States. This thesis connects her work to that of Moholy-Nagy and Gyorgy Kepes as well as other major figures in American photography of the twentieth century.

In this investigation I use the term perception as Arthur Comb and Donald Snygg do when they state that perception is any differentiation the individual is capable of making in his personal field. Perception has to do with the organization one gives to his world. Behavior and learning are products of perceiving. Immanuel Kant said: "We see things not as they are but as we are." During this effort to organize my world I realized that I was concerned with myself as an experiencing individual. I felt that one is built out of his experiences and that the best vantage point for understanding behavior is from the internal frame of reference of the individual himself. I was taking a somewhat phenomenological approach to my problem.

As my creative project, I decided to explore the possibilities for expression of rhythmic life-growth patterns in a variety of abstracted multiple forms. The work was planned to investigate the following questions: 1. What forms can be used to communicate the idea of repetitive, rhythmic or seasonal life or growth patterns? 2. What size/scale is effective in communicating the universal, infinite character of these patterns? 3. What formats or types of presentation are the most effective? 4. How is the overall impact of the work affected by changes in size and form? 5. How do changes in the work affect my responses to it, and what subsequent directions result in the work?

My work dealt with the life within inanimate objects and what occurred when one placed apparently unrelated objects together in an arrangement. The arrangements had three interrelated elements: the objects, spacial relationships, and materials.

The problem being dealt with concerns the investigation of the conceptual and expressive potential of mold-formed units in combination with other media and processes. The questions under consideration are as follows: 1. Do the concepts of pieces vary with the materials and process being used? How? 2. What alterations occur in the visual image as a result of the change in media and processes? 3. What mechanical and technical problems are involved in the mold-formed process?

As much as I like the effects of low-fire salting, I hesitate to use salt. The hydrochloric acid released into the environment during the salting process creates a dense fog that is not only toxic, but visually offensive as well. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to find a source of sodium that would achieve aesthetic results as equally exciting as the effects of salt.

My concerns relate to the process of imagery development and the process of utilizing suitable materials to execute my work. These concerns are dictated by the themes in a particular piece and revolve around an acute sense of loss. These themes are frequently presented with humor.

The objective of my problem in lieu of thesis was to produce twenty hand-built porcelain objects which reflected this conception of beauty. To review the success of my project, I asked three questions to evaluate my work. 1. Was there significant structure to my works? 2. Was there significant discord within these structures? 3. Did the tension created through the interaction of these two elements of my work create beauty?

The primary purpose of this investigation was to acquire information about the fundamentals of participating in group and one-person shows. The assumption was made that upon acquiring this basic information an understanding of the intricacies of the larger exhibition procedure could be attained. I proposed to investigate aspects important to the production, selection, and installation of my work in a formal gallery setting.

The goal of this problem was to incorporate clear nylon monofilamnet in a series of weaves traditionally chosen for their absorbent virtues that in these cases would achieve interesting textural effects and light-reflective qualities in addition to varying degrees of transparency.

Two ways of apprehending reality were intimated; reality as a function of purely visual stimuli and reality as a substantial object. The problem was, therefore, an exploration of reality as a purely visual sense and reality as concrete form. In pursuing the project, I explored how each reality distinguished itself by separating each in the prior conception of the work and in the subsequent discussion.

As a painter, I have been working the past few years to develop a mature pictoral image and the concepts of space that were flexible enough for me to produce what I believed was a valid art statement. I have investigated several avenues for improving my work, i.e., acquiring certain technical painting skills, reading more to broaden my concepts and imagination, and visiting various art galleries and museums. During an earlier critique it was realized that the majority of my paintings were all very similar in scale. I decided to approach my work on a much larger scale than previously attempted in the hopes of discovering a better, or at least different painting concept.

In the history of ceramics my interest centers around times in particular cultures when ceramic containers were an essential part of life. I am most interested in functional pottery produced in nineteenth century North America between the years 1800-1870. This was a period in which some of the finest pots used for containing things were produced.

I believe that an artist needs a mechanism(s) built into his or her working method out of which the greatest number of options may arise. I suggested that, for me, painting on paper could be one such mechanism. I wanted to pursue paper as a viable surface on which to paint and discover to what extent it would influence my choices in the working process.

The unique nature of this process raised major technical questions that I intended to address during this project. The purpose was to obtain a quality surface, considering both visual and textural considerations, while using the copper matt finish.

My proposed objective was to create eight illustrations using Fusion as a tool to communicate concepts. I posed the following questions for evaluation. 1. Can I create two-dimensional illustrations effectively when applying the knowledge and techniques I have studied? 2. In what way will the use of multiple techniques affect the concept?