Labs and Studios

The Graphic Design, Emerging Practices and Arts & Technology classes are spread across several well equiped rooms in the Department of Art. In these fully staffed labs you have access to state-of-the-art Macintosh workstations, an audio recording and editing suite, a DIY electronics lab, several different 3D printers, large format printers, vinyl cutters, embroidery machines and more. Cameras, video and sound equipement, projectors are available to enrolled students.

The Audio Lab contains an iMac Pro, Sound Isolation Booth and 8-channel mixer for recording and editing sound art, voiceovers and small instruments. Various microphones, recording equipement and monitors are available for checkout. In the Arts and Technology Labs there are a Digital Embroidery machine, Sewing/Quilting machine, multiple high-tech 3D Printers and Scanners, a UV Printer,  Vinyl Cutter, an AxiDraw Plotter and more. The Electronics Lab houses work and soldering stations, voltage meters, variable voltage and amperage power supply units along with misc. electronic supplies and breadboards for testing. The Computer Lab maintains a number of iMac workstations loaded with software for working 2D, 3D, Coding, Sound editing, Gaming and Animation. It also has a lounge area with a large screen TV for holding meetings, discussing group projects or just relaxing while you scheme up your next project.

The undergraduate painting courses are held in two large ventilated Painting studios suitable for  for oil-based and water-based painting. They are fully equipped and have natural light from skylights and windows. One studio is designated for introductory painting courses and a second studio is used for intermediate and advanced painting. In the advanced painting studio, students can set up individual work spaces, where they may work on an in-depth group of works.

There are two Drawing studios on the second floor of CFA. One studio is set up for basic drawing and figure drawing. A larger drawing studio is used for intermediate and advanced drawing, with flat drawer files and large display and work areas.

The Photography Program offers students analog and digital lab spaces and a fully equiped Photography and Video Studio filled with professional lights, backdrops for photo and video production. The Wet-Process Labs feature a film developing lab, color processing, black and white printing and alternative photo processes darkrooms. The Digital Photography Labs house a 21 seat state-of-the-art Macintosh based digital lab with Adobe softare, various Epson photo-printers and includes 4 large format printers.

The UB Department of Art Print Media facilities provide the best of the past and present so students can learn how to create print objects that are stimulating and delightful. The facilities include an Intaglio/Collagraph lab, a Lithography/Monotype lab , a Silkscreen Printing Process lab and a Relief/Letterpress studio, all of which receive 100% outside air and have slotted ventilation. The Print Media program provides a wide variety of equipment for the students to use including spray booths, book arts equipement, copying machines, various presses including a Vandercook Model press, over 65 screens, a backlit washout booth, UV photo processing equipment, scanners, a GlowForge and Macintosh workstations.

The UB Department of Art Sculpture program is continually evolving to meet the needs of current art practice. The Sculpture Lab is a multi roomed facility that has a fully equipped and staffed woodshop, metal shop. and foundry along with large work spaces in which to create. A three ton chain hoist runs throughout the entire lab, this, in conjunction with our fork lift, and ground level entry doors facilitate large scale production and storage. There are also multiple compressed air hose reels and retractable electrical lines throughout the shop for working convience. The Woodshop, includes essential tools like a table saw, band saws, drill presses, sanders, router table, panel saw and planer.  The Metals Shop maintains a horizontal band saw, MIG & TIG welders, plasma cutter, a 16 ga. shear and 16 ga break.  The Bronze Foundry is equipped to cast large scale works using either the ceramic shell or sand mold processes.  Our Casting Room has stations for ceramic shell investment, wax work, rubber molding and plaster casting.  The Digital Fabrication Shop includes machines for 3D production including CNC Milling/routing, CNC plasma (off-site) and Laser cutting accessible to all faculty staff and students in the department. 

All M.F.A. graduate students are given private or semi-private secure studios with 24-7 access to the Center for the Arts. Studios are located on all three floors in assorted dimensions and lighting conditions, meeting a variety of artist needs.