STUDIO MORTIMER
Purpose and Goals.
A central principle of the Studio’s mission is to encourage the ambitions and education of developing visual artists. The studio’s Art /drawing/painting programmes strive to fulfill this mission by providing opportunities for both emerging youth artists/professional artists and visual arts teachers and working adult artists through inclusive and diverse courses, offered at a reasonable yet competitive cost.
The program seeks to enhance the artistic education of young painters and fine artists/teachers through studio classes, in concert with other educational opportunities encouraging students to pursue and develop their voice in the arts. Simultaneously, the program is seeking to support the artistic development of working painters, artisans and sculptors through structured materials and techniques workshops, professional development training, and engagement with the artistic community.
Subscribing to Policies
Studio Mortimerendeavors to provide an educational environment conducive to encouraging the artistic talents of each student. This requires that all students respect the policies of Studio Mortimer, its instructors, and the other students in the program.
By enrolling in Studio Mortimer, students agree to subscribe to these policies.
General Provisions
Students, instructors and other staff, as well as visitors and guests on studio property, are prohibited from engaging in, among other things, any action or situation, which recklessly or intentionally endangers mental or physical health or involves the consumption of drugs or abuse of alcohol.
The penalties for violations will include the ejection of the violator from school property and in the case of a student, staff or faculty violator, his or her suspension or expulsion.
Studio Conduct
- The studio is open from 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm. No student is allowed in the building after 9:00 pm.
- Each day, set up takes place between 6:00 – 6:20 pm. Students are expected to keep quiet from 6:20 to 6:30, and begin working at 6:30. If you arrive after 6:20, you must wait until the first break to enter the studio. You may set up in the model room only during the breaks. If you arrive late, and your easel is occupied, the instructor may assign you to another easel for that evening if available. Instructors are not required to give you a critique if you arrive after the first break.
- If you need help, please see the instructor, lab technicianor assistant instructor of the day (consult your class schedule). All decisions, instructional and disciplinary, are made by the instructor of the day.
- Please wait until break to walk through the model/studioarea. No photography of nude or clothes models is allowed at any time.
- Please keep noise and talking down during class time, remember, even if you are finished working; your fellow students may still be engaged in their work.
- Please leave all public areas clean and free of trash; clean and dry sinks after washing brushes, keep work tables and areas designated to the preparation of materials clean. Wipe off excess oil from brushes with paper towels before washing; throw glue, gesso and other hard materials into garbage cans. DO NOT WASH OIL, GESSO OR GLUE DOWN THE DRAINS.
- Please leave easels/drawing horses clean for the next person. Sharpen your pencil, and charcoal over the garbage bins.
- When not in use, hazardous materials must be stored in containers and clearly marked describing their contents. Unmarked containers will be discarded. All garbage and hazardous waste must be bagged and placed in the garbage receptacle at the gate.
- Students are entitled to studio space at Studio Mortimer. Drawing and painting students have a place in a studio spaceequipped with an easel and stand. None of the studio’s instructional furniture (easels, drawing tables, stools, modeling stands, etc.) may be taken out of the studio. Any person causing damage to studioproperty will be held financially and legally responsible.
- Please keep your assigned studio space clean, and clear of trash and clutter.
- Do not use unassigned areas. Such areas as are not designated for students are considered out of bounds.
- No smoking is allowed inside the studio.
- No cell phone use inside the studio.
- No bicycles are allowed in the studio.
- Please make sure the outside door is securely shut when you leave the studio.
- The last person to leave the studio at night should turn off all lights
- The first aid box is located in the designated student bathroom.
- Studio Mortimer does not assume responsibility for the loss or damage of personal belongings, artwork or material left anywhere in the studio. Material, artwork and other personal property left in the studioby students after end of the course will be disposed of.
- Studio Mortimer reserves the right to use photographs of students and student artwork for publicity purposes.
- No eating, drinking allowed in the studio spaces. All eating and drinking must be done on the outside.
Conduct in the Studio
Student misconduct is defined as disruptive behavior or instigation of disruption of a class or other studio activity, creating public annoyance or alarm, or unreasonable noise; tampering with, misusing or vandalizing equipment or devices; willful defacing, damaging or destroying of studio property or of another’s property; unauthorized removal, theft or mutilation of instructional materials; unauthorized entry, unauthorized presence in offices or spaces at times when such presence is prohibited; unauthorized or fraudulent use of services or facilities (such as computers, telephone or reprographic facilities.)
Misconduct is subject to review by Academic Director Mortimer McPherson, and selected members of the teaching and administrative staff.
Final disciplinary decisions are made by Mortimer McPherson.
Please familiarize yourself with these policies.
Possible penalties for misconduct include:
reprimand; a verbal or written notice indicating that a recurrence of the misconduct may result in further penalties;
probation, indicating the student is in official jeopardy and the commission of a serious offense during this period will normally result in suspension or expulsion;
suspension, a suspended student forfeits all privileges of enrollment and may
be required to petition for readmission; expulsion, permanent separation from Studio Mortimer.
In cases where there has been damage or loss to Studio Mortimer or an individual, the student may be required to repair or replace the damage or loss caused. Failure to do so may result in, among other things, the denial of graduation or further enrollment.
In cases where the student shows obvious signs of mental distress in the studio, for example, alcohol on breath, frequent absences, or incomplete assignments instructors will inform the program director immediately.
If the student’s behavior in the studio is immediately serious: obvious signs of depression, emotional instability, frequent and prolonged absences (one week or more) and/or performs actions that put him or other students in harm’s way, the program director will inform Mortimer McPherson immediately. A meeting will be held with the student to assess what future action should be taken.
This could include:
Giving the student a second chance to get control of the situation, letting the student go immediately, or calling the student’s emergency contact.
If a student must be absent from class for more than two days for whatever reason, he must inform the office via email. If a student goes missing, that is, is absent for more than two weeks, studio personnel will try to make contact. If this is not possible, they will inform his emergency contact.
The Academic Director may impose an emergency suspension when in his or her judgment, such action appears necessary (a) for reasons relating to a student’s physical or emotional safety and well-being or the safety and well-being of a member of the studio or its property; or (b) to deal with a continuing disturbance or a forcible interference by students with any studio activity.
Students have the right to meet with the Academic Director after receiving a reprimand to address the grounds for probation, suspension and/or expulsion. Upon expulsion the student will not be entitled to a refund of tuition or fees already paid, and will turn in all property of the Institute and vacate the premises immediately.
Students may appeal a judgment in writing to the Academic Director within one week. At that time, a committee will be formed composed of one principal instructor, one student assistant and the Academic Director who the student may turn to for support. It will review the action and make a recommendation to the Academic Director for a final decision.
ADVANCEMENT
Attendance
Attendance is fundamental to a student’s progress, and ultimately, performance, and is obligatory. Students should also arrive to begin working on time. Poor attendance will impact your final assessment during the End of Term/Course Critique.
COURSE GRADING REQUIREMENTS
Attendance is very important. Regular absences will impede your progress, potentially delay completing the course on time, and impact your final evaluation negatively.
You should inform the office if you will be absent for more than one day due to sickness or unforeseen emergencies.
Arrive to class on time. Punctuality shows common courtesy to your instructor and fellow students.
Chronic lateness, or, leaving class early will result in a lower final grade.
Come to class with all necessary materials, fully prepared to work throughout the entire class.
An outstanding work ethic and positive attitude are essential for a good grade. Give attention to the craftsmanship and presentation of your projects. You must care about the quality of your work.
Students are graded on individual progress in the following areas: attendance, effort, attitude, progress and performance.
You must attend your final critique. Failure to attend a scheduled critique once is grounds for probation. You will receive a written warning from the Director of your program after the first failure to attend a scheduled critique. Failure to attend a scheduled critique twice is grounds for dismissal.
Your grade is greatly influenced by:
– Attendance and punctuality
– Effort, motivation
– Improvement, progress
– A positive attitude in the studio and helpfulness to your peers
Grading is based on points. Instructors will award up to 3 points in five categories (attendance, attitude, effort, progress, performance.) Students must total 10.5 or above to pass. We are not, however, grading art. Art cannot be graded. We are grading your performance based on the expectations we have for students at your same level. Grading at Studio Mortimer is meant to be a positive experience, where your instructors identify your strengths, and set a path for you to improve where you are weak. Our experience has shown us that if a student attends regularly, works hard, and keeps a good attitude, he is likely to make progress that will positively affect performance.
Contribute to your own development by listening to your teachers in a sincere way. They understand what you are doing or how you should be doing it better than anyone, since they too have been through the path.
Do enjoy your stay at Studio Mortimer.