Summer and Fall 2023 Courses

 Click here for enrollment information.

The Art Department at Laney College offers a wide variety of courses in both fine and applied art to meet student goals ranging from personal interest to preparation for transfer to four-year institutions or professional art schools.

Our department includes classes in drawing and painting, ceramics, sculpture, design, printmaking, and art history. 

Have questions? Contact Department Chair, Mary Catherine Bassett at mbassett@peralta.edu 

Interested in Degrees offered through the Art Department? Click here to learn more.

Summer and Fall Course Offerings 

Summer Courses

• Drawing – ART 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 (online)
• Introduction to Mural Art ART 129 (in person on campus)
• ART 4 History of Modern Art (online)
• ART 7 History of African American Art (Past to Present)

Fall Courses

Art History Courses – ONLINE ONLY

• ART 1 Introduction to Art History (2 sections)
• ART 4 History of Modern Art
• ART 7 History of African American Art (Past to Present)

Online Studio Art Courses

• Drawing – ART 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 
• Color Dynamics: The Interaction of Color – ART40 

Face to Face Studio Art Courses

• Painting – ART 50, 51, 52, 53, 54
• Printmaking – ART 100, 101, 102, 203, 117
• Sculpture – ART 176, 71, 74
• Figure Sculpture – ART 165, 76, 77, 78, 79
• Ceramics – ART 80, 81, 82, 83, 84
• Eco Art Matters (HYBRID) – ART 141, 144, 145, 146

All Courses ~

Art History Courses

Introduction to Art History

Course Number: ART 1
Units: 3
Class: 3 hours lecture (GR or P/NP)
Recommended preparation; ENGL 1A
Acceptable for credit: CSU, UC
Description: Introduction to art purposes, principles and forms: Basic understanding of stylistic development and methods of analysis with emphasis on twentieth century art.
AA/AS area 3; CSU area C1; IGETC area 3A

History of Ancient Art: Prehistoric Through the Middle Ages

Course Number: ART 2
Units: 3
Class: 3 hours lecture (GR or P/NP)
Recommended preparation; ENGL 1A
Acceptable for credit: CSU, UC
Description: Major visual art forms of early civilizations Painting, sculpture, and architecture from prehistory through the medieval period.
1001.00AA/AS area 3; CSU area C1; IGETC area 3A

History of Western Art: Renaissance to Contemporary Art

Course Number: ART 3
Units: 3
Class: 3 hours lecture (GR or P/NP)
Recommended preparation; ENGL 1A
Acceptable for credit: CSU, UC
Description: Major visual art forms of Western cultures during Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque and Rococo periods: Survey of the foremost artists and their works.
AA/AS area 3; CSU area C1; IGETC area 3A

History of Modern Art (1800 to Present)

Course Number: ART 4
Units: 3
Class: 3 hours lecture (GR or P/NP)
Recommended preparation; ENGL 1A
Acceptable for credit: CSU, UC
Description: Major visual art forms and movements of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries: Concentration on the foremost painters, sculptors and architects of the modern period and their works.
AA/AS area 3; CSU area C1; IGETC area 3A

History of Asian Art (Past to Present)

Course Number: ART 5
Units: 3
Class: 3 hours lecture (GR or P/NP)
Recommended preparation; ENGL 1A
Acceptable for credit: CSU, UC
Description: Major visual art and architecture of Asia Focus on India, Southeast Asia, China, Korea, and Japan from pre-history to modern times.
1001.00AA/AS area 3; CSU area C1; IGETC area 3A

History of African-American Art (Past to
Present)

Course Number: ART 7
Units: 3
Class: 3 hours lecture (GR or P/NP)
Recommended preparation; ENGL 1A
Acceptable for credit: CSU, UC
Description: Development of the African-American visual artistin the Americas. Contributions of selected major African-American artists and contemporary trends.
AA/AS area 3, 5; CSU area C1; IGETC area 3A

Art Studio Courses

Beginning Drawing and Composition

Course Number: ART 20
Units: 3
Class: 2 hours lecture, 4 hours laboratory (GR or P/NP)
Acceptable for credit: CSU, UC
Description: Freehand drawing with various media: Drawing techniques and fundamentals of composition applied to subject matter including an introduction to perspective.
(C:ID: ARTS 110)

Continuing Drawing and Composition

Course Number: ART 21
Units: 2
Class: 1 hour lecture, 3 hours laboratory (GR or P/NP)
Acceptable for credit: CSU, UC
Description: Special problems of composition and drawing techniques in relation to drawing as a fine art: Study of form in black and white and in color.

Intermediate Drawing and Composition

Course Number: ART 22
Units: 3
Class: 2 hours lecture, 4 hours laboratory (GR or P/NP)
Acceptable for credit: CSU, UC
Description: Exploration of artistic concepts, styles, and creative expression related to intermediate-level drawing, complex subject matter and concepts using a variety of drawing mediums, techniques, and methodologies: Foundations of drawing skills to develop personalized approaches to content and materials in exercises covering multiple historical and contemporary approaches to drawing.
1002.10
(C:ID: ARTS 205)

Advanced Drawing and Composition

Course Number: ART 23
Units: 3
Class: 2 hours lecture, 4 hours laboratory (GR or P/NP)
Acceptable for credit: CSU, UC
Description: Advanced drawing techniques applied to selected subjects and goals.

Special Projects: Drawing

Course Number: ART 24
Units: 2
Class: 1 hour lecture, 3 hours laboratory (GR or P/NP)
Acceptable for credit: CSU, UC
Description: Independent exploration and experimentation in special areas of drawing.

Foundations of Drawing

Course Number: ART 202
Units: 2
Class: 1 hour lecture, 3 hours laboratory (GR or P/NP)
Description: Drawing techniques in relation to drawing as a fine art: Study of shape, form, and space in black and white. 1002.10

Color Dynamics: The Interaction of Color

Course Number: ART 40
Units: 3
Class: 2 hours lecture, 4 hours laboratory (GR or P/NP)
Acceptable for credit: CSU, UC
Course study under this section may be repeated three times.
Description: Color interaction as developed by Josef Albers whose discoveries are widely used today in all the visual arts: Presentation of a series of studio problems designed to sharpen color perception, increase sensitivity to color relationships, and help the student discover a new kind of space, tension, rhythm, form, and harmony through interaction of color.
AA/AS area 3

2-D Design

Course Number: ART 46
Units: 3
Class: 2 hours lecture, 4 hours laboratory (GR or P/NP)
Acceptable for credit: CSU, UC
Course study under this section may be repeated one time.
Description: Fundamental elements of design: Dot, line, plane, volume, space, color, texture and light; laboratory experience in visual composition and layout emphasizing two-dimensional design.

3-D Visual Design

Course Number: ART 47
Units: 3
Class: 2 hours lecture, 4 hours laboratory (GR or P/NP)
Acceptable for credit: CSU, UC
Introduction to the concepts, applications, and historical references related to three-dimensional design and spatial composition: Elements and organizing principals of design as they apply to three-dimensional space and form. Development of visual vocabulary for creative expression through lecture presentations and use of appropriate materials for non-representational three-dimensional studio projects.
(C:ID: ARTS 101)

Beginning Painting

Course Number: ART 50
Units: 3
Class: 2 hours lecture, 4 hours laboratory (GR or P/NP)
Acceptable for credit: CSU, UC
Description: Emphasis on the basic techniques of oil or acrylic painting: Preparation and use of canvas and supports, color mixing, composition in a variety of styles, development of imaginative and objective images.   

Continuing Painting

Course Number: ART 51
Units: 2
Class: 1 hour lecture, 3 hours laboratory (GR or P/NP)
Acceptable for credit: CSU, UC
Description: Continuation of ART 50 Emphasizes composition using oils, acrylics, and mixed media; may include live models.

Intermediate Painting

Course Number: ART 52
Units: 3
Class: 2 hours lecture, 4 hours laboratory (GR or P/NP)
Acceptable for credit: CSU, UC
Description: Continuation of ART 51: Emphasis on more independent and complex activities and projects.

Advanced Painting

Course Number: ART 53
Units: 3
Class: 2 hours lecture, 4 hours laboratory (GR or P/NP)
Acceptable for credit: CSU, UC
Description: Continuation of ART 52: Emphasis on developing greater clarity in personal imagery and painting style; development of a professional portfolio.

Special Projects: Painting

Course Number: ART 54
Units: 2
Class: 1 hour lecture, 3 hours laboratory (GR or P/NP)
Acceptable for credit: CSU, UC
Course study under this section may NOT be repeated
Description: Continued study and skill development with oil and acrylics: May include production of murals and other large-scale paintings as well as individual projects.

Foundations of Painting

Course Number: ART 205
Units: 2
Class: 1 hour lecture, 3 hours laboratory (GR or P/NP)
Description: Emphasizes basic painting techniques and composition using oils, acrylics, and/or mixed media; may include live models. 1002.10

Introduction to Mural Art

Course Number: ART 129
Units: 3
Class: 2 hours lecture, 4 hours laboratory (GR or P/NP)
Acceptable for credit: CSU, UC
Description: Muralism as a social movement: Study of contemporary mural movements and their historical antecedents; social, economic, cultural and political influences and significance; actual execution of mural work created collaboratively by faculty and students.
AA/AS area 3; CSU area C1

Beginning Sculpture

Course Number: ART 176
Units: 3
Class: 2 hours lecture, 4 hours laboratory (GR or P/NP) Acceptable for credit: CSU, UC
Description: Introduction to three-dimensional sculptural principles, techniques, and concepts utilizing a wide range of materials and practices Various sculpture methods with attention to creative self-expression and historical context. 1002.20

Continuing Sculpture

Course Number: ART 71
Units: 2
Class: 1 hour lecture, 3 hours laboratory (GR or P/NP)
Acceptable for credit: CSU, UC
Description: Continuation of ART 176: Emphasis on materials such as plaster, concrete, welded steel, wood, and cast metal.

Special Projects: Sculpture

Course Number: ART 74
Units: 2
Class: 1 hour lecture, 3 hours laboratory (GR or P/NP)
Acceptable for credit: CSU, UC
Description: Continued study and skill development in advanced sculpture projects.

Beginning Figure Sculpture

Course Number: ART 176
Units: 2
Class: 1 hour lecture, 3 hours laboratory (GR or P/NP)
Acceptable for credit: CSU, UC
Description: Continuation of ART 176: Direct modeling from the live model; emphasis on proportion and composition using various media.

Continuing Figure Sculpture

Course Number: ART 76
Units: 2
Class: 1 hour lecture, 3 hours laboratory (GR or P/NP)
Acceptable for credit: CSU, UC
Description: Continuation of ART 176: Direct modeling from the live model; emphasis on proportion and composition using various media.

Intermediate Figure Sculpture

Course Number: ART 77
Units: 3
Class: 2 hours lecture, 4 hours laboratory (GR or P/NP)
Acceptable for credit: CSU, UC
Description: Continuation of ART 76: Direct modeling from the live model; emphasis on accurate, sensitive, expressive modeling of the human figure.

Advanced Figure Sculpture

Course Number: ART 78
Units: 2
Class: 1 hour lecture, 3 hours laboratory (GR or P/NP)
Acceptable for credit: CSU, UC
Description: Continuation of ART 176: Direct modeling from the live model; emphasis on proportion and composition using various media.

Special Projects: Figure Sculpture

Course Number: ART 79
Units: 2
Class: 1 hour lecture, 3 hours laboratory (GR or P/NP)
Acceptable for credit: CSU, UC
Description: Continued study and skill development in advanced figure sculpture projects.

Beginning Ceramics

Course Number: ART 80
Units: 2-3
Class: 1-2 hour lecture, 3-4 hours laboratory (GR or P/NP)
Acceptable for credit: CSU, UC
Description: Introduction to ceramics: Forming techniques, design, glazing, and firing processes.

Continuing Ceramics

Course Number: ART 81
Units: 2
Class: 1 hour lecture, 3 hours laboratory (GR or P/NP)
Acceptable for credit: CSU, UC
Description: Continuation of ART 80: Emphasis on design problems and skill development in forming, glazing, and firing processes.

Intermediate Ceramics

Course Number: ART 82
Units: 3
Class: 2 hours lecture, 4 hours laboratory (GR or P/NP)
Acceptable for credit: CSU, UC
Description: Continuation of ART 81: Emphasis on glaze formulation, firing, and further skill development in forming processes.

Advanced Ceramics

Course Number: ART 83
Units: 3
Class: 2 hours lecture, 4 hours laboratory (GR or P/NP)
Acceptable for credit: CSU, UC
Description: Continuation of ART 82: Emphasis on individual expression; experimentation in glazes, clay bodies, and kiln firing.

Special Projects: Ceramics

Course Number: ART 84
Units: 2
Class: 1 hour lecture, 3 hours laboratory (GR or P/NP)
Acceptable for credit: CSU, UC
Description: Exploration and experimentation in special areas of ceramics.

Ceramics: Raku

Course Number: ART 118
Units: 2
Class: 1 hour lecture, 3 hours laboratory (GR or P/NP)
Acceptable for credit: CSU, UC
Description: Introduction to the ancient art of Raku ceramics: Aesthetic and philosophical considerations; mixing, applying, and firing raku glazes.

Foundations of Ceramics

Course Number: ART 208
Units: 2
Class: 1 hour lecture, 3 hours laboratory (GR or P/NP)
Description: Introduction to Ceramics: Wheel throwing and hand- building instruction, glazing and firing techniques 1002.30

Beginning Printmaking

Course Number: ART 100
Units: 3
Class: 2 hours lecture, 4 hours laboratory (GR or P/NP)
Acceptable for credit: CSU, UC
Description: Combinations of printmaking processes: Conventional and experimental techniques in lithography, etching, mono-printing, relief printing, and collograph.

Continuing Printmaking

Course Number: ART 101
Units: 3
Class: 2 hours lecture, 4 hours laboratory (GR or P/NP)
Acceptable for credit: CSU, UC
Description: Continuation of ART 100: Emphasis on color, larger scale projects, and non-traditional methods.

Intermediate Printmaking

Course Number: ART 102
Units: 3
Class: 2 hours lecture, 4 hours laboratory (GR or P/NP)
Acceptable for credit: CSU, UC
Description: Continuation of ART 101: Emphasis on multi-plate color printing and its refinement.

Advanced Printmaking

Course Number: ART 103
Units: 3
Class: 2 hours lecture, 4 hours laboratory (GR or P/NP)
Acceptable for credit: CSU, UC
Description: Continuation of ART 102: Continued study and experimentation with advanced techniques and refining of editioning skills.

Special Projects: Printmaking

Course Number: ART 117
Units: 2
Class: 1 hour lecture, 3 hours laboratory (GR or P/NP)
Acceptable for credit: CSU, UC
Description: Continued study and skill development in special printmaking projects.

Eco Art Matters: Beginning

Course Number: ART 141
Units: 3
Class: 2 hours lecture, 4 hours laboratory (GR or P/NP)
Acceptable for credit: CSU, UC
Description: Exploration of the history and aesthetics of the environmental/community art movement: Exhibition of student-created eco art works, installations or performances based on an important “matter” of their choosing, and exploration of a variety of media; includes community outreach projects.
AA/AS area 3

Eco Art Matters: Continuing Food and Water

Course Number: ART 144
Units: 3
Class: 2 hours lecture, 4 hours laboratory (GR or P/NP)
Acceptable for credit: CSU, UC
Description: Continuation of the study and art practices based on environmental and social justice. Extensive research on an issue of choice, with an emphases on Food and Water. 1001.10 AA/AS area 3

Eco Art Matters: Community Outreach ad Collaboration

Course Number: ART 145
Units: 3
Class: 2 hours lecture, 4 hours laboratory (GR or P/NP)
Acceptable for credit: CSU, UC
Description: Continuation of ART 144 with an emphasis on social justice, community outreach and collaboration oriojects fof a public art exhibition.
AA/AS area 3

Special Projects: Eco Art Matters

Course Number: ART 146
Units: 3
Class: 2 hours lecture, 4 hours laboratory (GR or P/NP)
Acceptable for credit: CSU
Description: Continued study: advanced research and art practices of environmental and social justice issues.

Beginning Art Gallery Management

Course Number: ART 230
Units: 3
Class: 2 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory (GR or P/NP)
Description: Practical experience in all phases of art exhibition: Research in art exhibit design and philosophy; includes field trips 1002 00

Continuing Art Gallery Management

Course Number: ART 231
Units: 3
Class: 2 hour lecture, 3 hours laboratory (GR or P/NP)
Description: Continuation of ART 230: Continued research and related theory, budget analysis, lighting techniques and installation. There is practical experience in all phases of art exhibitions, research in art design, philosophy, and field trips.

Intermediate Art Gallery Management

Course Number: ART 232
Units: 3
Class: 2 hour lecture, 4 hours laboratory (GR or P/NP)
Description: Continuation of ART 231: Continued research and application of art gallery related theory, budget analysis, management, lighting techniques, and instillation.  There is practical experience in all phases of art exhibitions, advanced research in art exhibition design and philosophy; includes unsupervised field trips.

Advanced Art Gallery Management

Course Number: ART 233
Units: 3
Class: 2 hours lecture, 4 hours laboratory (GR or P/NP)
Description: Continuation of ART 232: Advanced research and related theory; budget analysis; lighting techniques and installation; practical experience in all phases of art exhibit; research in art exhibit design and philosophy; includes eld trips Supervision of beginning art gallery management students in day to day operations of gallery. 1002.00

Independent Study in Art

Course Number: ART 49
Units: .5-5
Class: (GR or P/NP)
Acceptable for credit: CSU, UC
Description: See section on Independent Study.

Selected Topics in Art

Course Number: ART 248GA-MZ
Units: .5-5
Class: 0-5 hours lecture, 0-15 hours laboratory (GR or P/NP)
Description: See section on Selected Topics.