Facilities
Computer Labs
Our department has both wireless and wired access to the internet. Our Macintosh labs are wired but also have wireless signals for students who wish to use their own computers. Software is initially served to each wired computer by an Apple Net Install system from our server. Each station in the labs has resident software which is protected from damage by an installed software solution. Computers can be re-imaged by the server if problems arise.
We also keep software up to date using Apple Remote Desktop to install updates, new camera drivers, and other necessary changes. There are black and white laser printers and large format color inkjet printers available. The color inkjet printers are pigment based Epson printers that can make prints up to 24” wide. Sign up sheets are available in the labs to set up appointments to print on the Epson 4000, Epson 4800 or the Epson 7600.
The art labs (FAC 406, FAC 335 and FAC 319) are teaching labs first and open labs second. One small lab (FA329) is an open lab first and teaching lab second. Labs and printer appointments can be crowded at times, so planning ahead is essential. No small color printers are available and students should expect to have their own inexpensive small printer for such things as contact sheets or small proofs.
Facilities for Individual Areas
Ceramics
The Northern Kentucky University ceramics facility opened in August 1997, sharing a new building with the sculpture program. It is designed to encourage the sharing of information both among the ceramics students and between the ceramics and sculpture programs. There is ample natural light throughout the building and there are outdoor working areas. There are two large classrooms, one for hand building, the other for wheel throwing. A well supplied glaze room provides the necessary materials for the students to formulate their own glazes. Advanced ceramics and sculpture students have studio space in a room shared with the advanced sculpture students. The electric kiln room houses eight kilns in a variety of shapes and sizes. Three downdraft gas kilns, a large raku kiln and a gas test kiln are located on the outdoor kiln pad. We also have a fast fire wood kiln and a pit for primitive firings. Students have 24 hour access to the facility.
Graphic Design
Graphic Design is located on the third floor of the Fine Arts Center. There is one dedicated classroom and the program shares the departmental computer labs complete with Macintosh computers, Epson flatbed scanners, Nikon negative and slide scanners, a high-end Imacon scanner, a variety of laser and Epson inkjet printers including a large format Epson 7600, a film recorder and digital projectors. There is also letterpress equipment for a lower tech approach to graphic design and for working out graphic ideas for artist bookmaking, design and printmaking.
Painting
A spacious general purpose Painting Studio space (FAC 413) as well as a room for Advanced 2-D Students (Rm. 400) are located on the fourth floor of the Fine Arts Center. Students using the Painting Studio have access to easels, tables and cabinets as well as individual racks to store paintings. Advanced 2-D students have individual spaces and many students love the community that they build with their neighbors. Room 400 is secure and has a spray booth. Both rooms have multiple sinks, skylights, track lights and fluorescents. Both are also equipped with ventilation systems.
Photography
The photography area has both digital and wet labs, a large studio for shooting with controlled light and state of the art archival printers. The new photography teaching lab (FAC 406) is equipped with 20 new iMacs, an overhead video/computer projector, flatbed scanners and a large format printer. Another new digital iMac lab is almost complete, to open in Fall 2009, which will serve as an open lab for Photo students. The Photography area is at the cutting edge of digital technology with software, hardware and equipment.