University of North Texas

College of Visual Arts and Design

CVAD Alum Carl Finch heads the two-time Grammy winning band, Brave Combo.
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The CVAD Art Education Doctoral Program is a nationally ranked program, #13 in North America
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One of every fifteen students at the University of North Texas is a CVAD major!
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UNT is an institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design
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Art Education faculty members Chris Bain and Nadine Kalin served on the Editorial Review Board of the Journal of Art Education, one of the most prestigious journals in the field.
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UNT‘s MFA program ranks in the upper 25% nationally according to US News and World Report
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CVAD‘s Communication Design students won nine of fifteen Best of Show prizes in this year‘s Dallas Society of Visual Communication 4th Annual National Student Show.
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As of Fall 2008, all new CVAD MFA students will receive $1000 scholarships.
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In Spring 2008, CVAD donors sponsored over $50,000 in scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students!
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The CVAD NAEA student chapter won the 2008 Student Organization Distinguished Service award from the University
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The Department of Art Education and Art History prepares more art teachers each year than any other university in Texas.
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CVAD‘s Ph.D. program in Art Education is among the top-rated programs in the U.S.
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Recent graduates of the art history program have pursued advanced degrees at University of Texas, Tufts University, University of Rochester, City College of New York, University of Arizona, Southern Methodist University, and Texas Christian University.
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CVAD art historians were the first UNT faculty chosen to participate in UNT‘s Next Generation course redesign. This program is considered to be a national model.
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The Department of Art Education and Art History faculty includes presidents of three national and international professional societies and the 2006 Art Educator of the Year.
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CVAD offers regular opportunities to study and travel in countries such as China, England, Ireland, Russia, and Scotland.
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CVAD‘s Texas Fashion Collection includes over 15,000 fabulous dresses by designers such as Balenciaga, Dior, de la Renta, and many others.
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CVAD Art Education alum Susan Gabbard is the former president of the National Art Education Association.
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CVAD alum, sculptor, Jesús Moroles, is on the Board of the Smithsonian Institute
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“I learned a lot about the creative process for producing a complete original work.”
- Jezzalie Gill (Drawing 1)
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CVAD‘s Texas Fashion Collection includes over 15,000 fabulous dresses by designers such as Balenciaga, Dior, de la Renta, and many others.
Did you know?
CVAD Art Education alum Susan Gabbard is the former president of the National Art Education Association.
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CVAD alum, sculptor, Jesús Moroles, is on the Board of the Smithsonian Institute
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Interior Design MFA student Greta Buehrle was named one of two IDEC Foundation Graduate Scholars for 2009.
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Metalsmithing & Jewelry

Undergraduate Program

Metalsmithing and jewelry majors take a number of studio classes that allow them to explore the breadth of metal techniques such as casting, enameling, raising and forging.

A portfolio is not required for admission to these programs, although if you are a transfer student you may need to submit one for placement. At the end of your sophomore year, the studio faculty members in your area will review your portfolio to determine if you can continue in the program. You also must submit your work in a senior exit review.

Professors Harlan Butt, Ana Lopez, and James Thurman are internationally exhibited metalsmiths. From their collective expertise, a comprehensive range of resources is available to the students of the Metalsmithing & Jewelry program. Regents Professor Harlan Butt has had a distinguished career that spans the use of most of the media and techniques practiced in contemporary studio metalsmithing. Best known for his poetic enamelwork with cloisonné on vessels, Harlan has pieces in such notable collections as: The National Gallery of Australia, The Museum of Art & Design in New York, and The Mint Museum of Art & Craft, among others.

Ana Lopez's sculptural metalwork is informed by her additional studies of the History of American Decorative Arts at The Smithsonian Associates in Washington, DC. Through the sharing of her combined experiences with the practice, histories and theories relating to metalsmithing, students may gain additional insight and perspective on their own practice.

James Thurman has a diverse background with degrees in sculpture and metalsmithing along with certification as a machinist. His studio practice builds upon this background through a varied use of materials and processes, including metal, wood, plastics/synthetics, and found objects, to create a range of sculptural domestic objects, from jewelry to furniture.

Metals Club

Suggested Undergraduate Curriculum for Metalsmithing and Jewerly 2011-2012 (PDF opens in a new window).

Graduate Program

The Master of Fine Arts degree in Metalsmithing & Jewelry is a terminal degree, requiring a minimum of 60 credit-hours of graduate level coursework. A minimum of 24 credit hours must be in the graduate metalsmithing & jewelry class.

Faculty & Staff

Harlan Butt | Regents Professor

Program Coordinator | Phone: 940-369-7207 | Email: butt@unt.edu

Harlan W. Butt is a Regents Professor of Art at the University of North Texas where he has taught since 1976. He is past President of the Enamelist Society and a Fellow of the American Crafts Council. His work has been exhibited in Australia, Canada, England, Germany, India, Japan, Korea, Russia and throughout the United States. He has spent time studying in Japan, including a year working in the studio of master metalsmith Shumei Tanaka and at the Biso Cloisonne Company, both in Kyoto. Harlan's work is represented in the permanent collections of the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, the Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian Institute, the Museum of Art & Design in New York City , the Mint Museum of Art & Craft in Charlotte, NC, the National Ornamental Metal Museum in Memphis, the National Gallery of Australia, the University of North Texas and the City of Denton. Harlan lives with his wife Robin and two children, Harlan (Falkner) and Jaclyn, in Denton and he also maintains a studio in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado, where he spends the summer months.

Ana Lopez | Assistant Professor

Email: lopez@unt.edu | www.anamlopez.com

Ana M. Lopez joined the UNT metalsmithing program as an assistant professor in the fall 2005. Her metal work is primarily sculptural, hammer-formed hybrids with organic and industrial references. Born in New York City in 1974, Ana has also lived in Georgia, Indiana, Ohio, Tennessee, Michigan, Colorado, Virginia and the District of Columbia. She is enjoying life in Texas with her husband, Keith K. Annis, and cats Cleo and Spider.