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STARBEAM FEVER DREAM, is a reel of video and performance work that was originally intended to be a live visual performance, video and animation event featuring students from Carnegie Mellon University’s School of Art, and The University of Pittsburgh Studio Arts programs. Due to a power outage in Pittsburgh, the live event was canceled and now lives on as a streaming video presentation.

This lusciously luminous, light-drenched, sensory overload was supported by HAVEN, 401 Atwood Street, Carnegie Mellon University’s School of Art, and The University of Pittsburgh Studio Arts Department. All works were made under the guidance of Scott Andrew in his Open Animation class at CMU + Digital Studio: Video class, and Direct Study mentorship at Pitt.

View the show here!

About Studio Arts

The Department of Studio Arts encourages rich experiences in visual arts and creative expression. We believe that curiosity and hands-on engagement in the making of art prepares all students with skills in problem solving, ideation, and the articulation of abstract concepts that enrich and contribute to the dialogue in visual art and other fields.

Studio Arts Electives - Spring 2026

SA 0171 Computational Art Practices 02: DrawBot (32441)

Instructor: Triton Mobley, Spring 2026: Mon/Wed 10:00 – 11:40am

DrawBot: Learn to create graphic designs, automate photo manipulations, generate animated type + graphic assets for web and projection, plus many other creative possibilities using python programming with the DrawBot app. Referencing a breadth of practitioners from Nam June Paik to Cory Archangel to Mariko Mori, this studio course will assist students in developing multifaceted approaches to art-based coding and digital production design. Students will critically engage with and explore the rich possibilities of digital remix cultures on the internet and blend the technological with less conventional approaches for analog simulations of the digital.

Prerequisites: None

SA 1380 Digital Studio: Video (31278)

(Cross listed with FMST 1775)

Instructor: Scott Andrew, Spring 2026: Mon/Wed 1:00 – 2:40pm

Digital Studio: Video is an advanced studio designed for students to deeply explore and experiment in the making of moving digital images and sound production in an art context. Students will investigate concepts and develop skills involved in working with digital video, sound, media design, and performance for video from pre- to post production. Each student will create four primary projects throughout the term, culminating in a live media arts performance event. Significant effort, time, research, imagination, productivity, and involvement are expected throughout the term.

Prerequisites: SA 0110 Visual Thinking + SA 0180 Photo Studio 1 or
ENGFLM 0590 or FILMST 0001 or FMST 0710 or FMST 0800

SA 1450 Painting Studio: Figure (31006)

Instructor: Omid Shekari, Spring 2026: Tues 6:00 – 9:20pm

Painting Studio: Figure develops skills in the representation of the human form using a variety of painting strategies. The figure will be examined using direct observation of live models and by employing other sources such as photography, film, and digital images. Through lecture and critique the class will study and apply concepts that focus on the variety of roles the figure plays in contemporary personal, social, and art historical contexts.

Prerequisites: SA 0120 Painting Studio 1 + SA 0130 Drawing Studio 1

SA 1390 Performance Art (31004)

Instructor: Scott Andrew, Spring 2026: Mon/Wed 6:00 – 7:40pm

Performance Art is an advanced studio course offering an introductory survey of a variety of performance art practices, histories, and methods. Throughout the semester students will research, explore, and present both short-form and durational solo and group performances that span poetic monologue, comedy, movement, sound, costuming and character creation, lip-synch, participatory, and performance for video. The semester will culminate with a live staged, group variety show.

Prerequisites: None