Overview
The sculpture program is designed to provide for creative exploration into the aesthetics and philosophies of working and building in three dimensions. Through the examination of material and process, we discover and consider our curiosities and observations of the world around us. We are an evolving and diversified media area whose approach to creative solutions is founded in both traditional and contemporary sculptural investigation. Focusing on the creation of tangible objects and the importance of craftsmanship, planning, and presentation, we prepare our students to be productive professionals and responsible community citizens. Read what our alumni say about our program here.
Curriculum
As sculptors, we ask and offer answers to questions that stem from our own personal aesthetic perspectives based on unique and individual approaches to three-dimensional problem-solving. Entry-level coursework is designed to introduce students to the foundations of material and process as applied to the making of tangible objects. Intermediate courses build upon student experience with a variety of mediums and techniques and explore conceptual evolution. Advanced students focus on developing a coherent body of work that demonstrates confidence and clarity in craftsmanship and content and prepare them for successful completion of the senior thesis exhibition.
Thinking of a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) major in Sculpture? Here is a sample four-year plan for the BFA in Sculpture.
Career Opportunities
- Sculptor
- Studio Assistant
- Studio/Shop Technician
- Foundry Specialist
- Fabrication Specialist
- Furniture Designer
- Patina Specialist
- Arts Educator: K-12 & College/University
- Education Administration
- Gallery/Museums Exhibition Coordinator
- Gallery/Museum Preparator
- Gallery/Museum/ Theatre Set Design
- Carpentry Specialist
- Welding Specialist
- Digital 3D Modeling & Design
Joe McCreary (MFA 2011) and others pour molten metal at the UA art foundry. - Architecture
- Interior & Spatial Design
- Landscape Design
- Blacksmith
- Millwright/Machinist
- Jeweler/Stone Setter
- Art Therapist
- Construction & Renovation
- Entrepreneur
Facilities
Our metal fabrication shop, foundry, and woodshop are staffed by highly qualified arts technicians with studio degrees from UA and extensive experience in a variety of skills.
The sculpture facilities, classrooms, and work areas are centrally located on the main UA campus in four separate buildings: Woods Hall, the Bureau of Mines 4 & 5 (BOM), and the Art Graduate Studio Building. The sculpture facilities encompass both interior and exterior work areas which total 16,445 square feet. Learn more on our facilities page.
Contact Us
For information about applying, visit our Prospective Students page or call us at (205) 348-5967. Thinking of a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) major in Sculpture? Here is a sample four-year plan for the BFA in Sculpture.
Sculpture Faculty and Staff
- Craig Wedderspoon, Professor
- Jamey Grimes, Assistant Professor
- Michael Eddins, Senior Arts Technician
Sculpture Alumni
- Jonathan Lanier, BFA 2019, UA foundry assistant
- Sam Joslin, BFA 2019, MFA candidate in sculpture, Ball State University, Muncie, Ind.
- Jamie Reschke, BFA 2017, project coordinator, Chauvet Arts, Nashville, Tenn.
- Kelly Shannon, MFA 2016, art education coordinator, Stillman College, Tuscaloosa, Ala.
- Meredith Knight, MFA 2015, assistant professor of sculpture, Alabama State University
- Ali Jackson, BFA 2015, art teacher, Storm Grove Middle School, Vero Beach, Fla.
- Amber Jones Triggs, BFA 2015, artist, art business owner, Humble House Studios, Memphis, Tenn.
- Adam Hill, BFA 2012, owner/founder of Ferrea Iron and Design, Atlanta, Ga.
- Chelsea Lloyd, BFA 2008, volunteer coordinator, Knoxville Museum of Art, Tenn.
- Brittany Armistead, BFA 2007, assistant director, Creative Services, Columbia Southern University, Orange Beach, Ala.
- Barbara Kilgore, MFA 2005, art instructor, Northeast Alabama Community College, Rainsville, Ala.
- Paul Outlaw, BFA 2004, artist, co-founder and co-owner, The Factory NYC, Brooklyn, N.Y.
- Mario Gallardo, MFA 2003, executive director, Walnut Gallery; fine arts coordinator, Gadsden State Community College
- Michael Dudley, BFA 2002 (Yale, MA, architecture 2005) art teacher, Mountain Brook High School, Mountain Brook, Ala.
- Read what these alumni have said about our program.
Sculpture News
Read about the research and creativity of our students and faculty:
- UA Instructor Wins Select Southern Art Award
Jamey Grimes named the 2019 South Arts State Fellowship recipient for Alabama and awarded $5,000. - UA Sculpture To Collaborate With UAB and UAH on New Art Trail
Professor Wedderspoon is one of three inaugural recipients of the new McMahon-Pleiad Prize, given by the Board of Trustees of The University of Alabama System. - UA Art Foundry Casts Sculpture Across Alabama
An overview of the projects, supervised by Craig Wedderspoon, that have been created in the giant work bays at UA’s art foundry. - UA Sophomores Sculpt Steel Flowers for Monnish Park
- Read more news here.
News
Marketing Major Learns Metalworking, Creates Public Sculpture
Madison Grooters, a 2023 graduate in marketing at UA, found herself immersed in a new public sculpture project last spring, something she didn’t expect but soon got very excited about.
UA Art Faculty Accolades – Spring 2023
In April, Dr. Jennifer M. Feltman delivered a plenary lecture, “Digital Twin Technologies, Notre Dame and Beyond: Current Challenges, Possible Futures,” at the 2023 Medieval Association of the Pacific Annual
Molly Lay Presents MFA Exhibition at UA Gallery
The University of Alabama Gallery is proud to present the exhibition, An Act of Attention, the Master of Fine Arts Thesis Exhibition of Molly Lay. The exhibition will run April