The work assignments introduce beginning Sculpture students to the principles and techniques as well as the materials basic to Sculpture. They included an introduction to plastilene, which serves as a sketchbook for the sculptor. The students through assigned problems get acquainted with the possibilities of this material and also the principles of addition and subtraction in the formation of form which deals with mass and volume in space.

Slab constructions serve as the means for experimentation dealing with the possibilities of how planes in space may form an interesting sculptural construction. Foam board is the material used here. Several of these constructions are made by the students. One three piece construction is chosen to be the basis for a wax model that will be cast In bronze.

We are fortunate enough to have a working relationship with a local foundry where the students cooperate with the foundry to cast their pieces. A tour of the foundry gives them a view into the workings of casting in all its aspects. Here their slab constructions are sand cast and then they are returned to the students who in turn clean and prepare the works for welding. In this process the students experience bronze casting, cleaning and finally the patina process.

Another area of exploration is entitled homage to a sculptor. The student reports orally to the class on a sculptor of their choice and then created a small copy of one the works of this artist. This enables the student to appreciate the work of a sculptor in a direct way and to share their insights with one another.

A final area of investigation is Carving and transfer. Michelangelo in explaining how he made his statue of David said, "It is easy. You just chip away at the stone that doesn t look like David." In other words, he finds the form of David in the stone and frees it. This is basically what the student does here. From a small plastilene block they carve a form that will be the study for a larger sculpture that will be enlarged and carved from another material. In this case styrofoam which will be carved and then covered with plaster. We use stryofoam since it can be carved quickly and more easily than wood or stone. However, the principles are the same but the tools are different. As we said above this class introduces the student to the basics of sculpture and so here they get an appreciation of the difficulties and the joys of finding a form in a block and releasing it. This course serves as the introduction and is a requirement for the rest of the areas of possibilities of Sculpture.

Next the student can take Life Sculpture, which primarily deals with the human body In space and all studies are based upon actual models. The advanced student in sculpture may concentrate on as varied areas as there are to be explored. For instance, wood and or stone carving, bronze casting, welding, combines, performance, video art, and even open to the possibilities of investigating computer generated sculptural forms and virtual space. The interest and the motivation Is all that is needed for the serious student of sculpture.

Our facilities include a general space where introductory courses are held; there is a carving room, which is equipped with pneumatic chisels and hammers as well as hand carving tools. The metal working room has a variety of power tools used for the cleaning and working with the bronzed castings and there is available and arc welder and other welding equipment for those students who wish to work in this medium. We have an area for computer studies of three-dimensional programs. A small studio space is available for the sculptor major who is concentrating in Sculpture. To sum up, in the words of Henry Moor, "there is a right physical size for every idea." And we at Providence College are open to the possibilities.

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