A student made cast iron teddy bear.

Sculpture

Learn how to express your ideas visually and who you are as an artist with strong conceptual development, visual and problem solving skills through strong studio practice, creative thinking and exhibition opportunities across the region and nation.

Experiences that stick with you

From traditional sculpture processes to advance technologies, your sculpture courses will explore cast metals, metal fabrication, woodworking, mixed media, carving, mold-making and installation projects with traditional and contemporary materials and processes. You'll have the opportunity for growth and development of individual aesthetics, concepts, technical abilities and a critical understanding of the discipline of sculpture as applied to the production of contemporary art.


Degrees & Offerings

Art: Sculpture (BFA)

Bachelor’s
  Vermillion Main Campus

As an undergraduate sculpture student, you will learn the basics of your major through courses such as introductory sculpture, woodwork/mixed media, metal fabrication, foundry work, art installation, concept development and independent study courses which allows you to customize your program of study to match your art interests. 

Learn more about the art program

Art Education: Sculpture (BFA)

Bachelor’s
  Vermillion Main Campus

The BFA in art education is a four-year degree program that prepares you for certification to teach K-12 visual arts or pursue another professional career. This degree is offered in conjunction with the School of Education to ensure that you are equally and comprehensively exposed to the academic and artistic components of the degree. With a specialization in printmaking, you'll have the opportunity to work in facilities that offer a full range of traditional and alternative printmaking processes and explore any aspect of the medium in your educational journey. With a specialization in sculpture, you'll explore cast metals, metal fabrication, woodworking, mixed media, carving, mold-making and installation projects with traditional and contemporary materials and processes.

Learn more about the art education program

Program Details

Undergraduate

College

Department

Contact

Admissions

Departments & Facilities

Explore the departments, facilities and centers that contribute to your education in the only College of Fine Art in the state.
Students in an art gallery

Art

The Department of Art will provide you with unique and applicable real-world experience and connections that enable you to immerse yourself in an environment built for personal and creative discovery.

USD Woodworking Facility

Our Facility

Here are some of the facilities and resources available to sculpture students:

 

  • 7,046.67 sq. ft. sculpture studio
  • Fully equipped woodworking area
  • Saw stop safety table saw, band saws, panel saw and abrasive chop saw
  • Variable speed drill press
  • Horizontal edge sander and combination sander 10” jointer, 15” spiral-head plainer
  • Fully equipped metal fabrication area 220v MIG, TIG welders, 115v MIG welder, plasma cutter, a gas forge, medium-duty oxyacetylene carts, pedestal grinders, abrasive belt grinder, Hossfeld bender, hand and handheld power/pneumatic tools
  • Dedicated mold-making area
  • Large individual graduate studios
  • Installation indoor and outdoor exhibition spaces across campus
Students Pour hot iron with ladle into molds at the Little Pour on the Prairie

Little Pour on the Prairie

For the past eight years, the Little Pour on the Prairie has delighted a community of  artists, educators, enthusiasts and spectators with breathtaking sights of an iron pour. The Little Pour on the Prairie, South Dakota’s first public iron pour, has made a name for itself in the iron casting world, and since its creation, more people flock to the community-based event every year. Anyone can participate in the Little Pour, this year it had participants from nine different states from as far away as Oregon.


Check out the Little Pour on the Prairie
Students drive float in D-Days parade made by Sculpture Culture.

Get Involved. Sculpture Culture

As a sculpture major at USD, you can get involved and become a member of the Sculpture Culture student group on campus. Sculpture Culture provides opportunities in the local design community, creates a community of your own and builds leadership skills that will be invaluable as they move into the professional world. Members attend weekly meetings and collaborate on design projects.

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