The Imaging Center
The Imaging Center supports the study and production of the visual arts at Smith. We work with faculty and students to make art, to study art and to document art. We teach workshops and provide individual support to help students realize ambitious projects.
We offer image collections, software training, 2D and 3D printing and scanning, virtual and augmented reality development, equipment checkout, studio and exhibition support, and specialized technical support in our computer labs. We work with faculty to use technology creatively in the classroom.
Summer Construction
Due to roof construction on Hillyer Hall, the Imaging Center will be available by appointment only from May 30 – July 17. Please email ic-u@smith.edu to schedule a time with us.
Imaging Center Services & Resources
Image Collections
All of our digital image collections are available through ARTstor, a scholarly database of over a million images of art objects, historical material, archeological artifacts and photojournalism archives. The Smith Digital Collections include over 200,000 images from faculty requests, the Smith College Museum of Art, the Mortimer Rare Book Room, the Smith College Archives, and Five College collaborative collections. Contact Jon Cartledge to create your own Smith-connected account for access from off-campus.
Digital Image Production
The Imaging Center will produce images for faculty who are building teaching collections, providing high resolution originals for lectures and posting items to ARTstor for student access. Please contact Jon Cartledge at jcartled@smith.edu for information about building collections.
When submitting your request, be sure to:
- Review copyright information to ensure that your projected use of the images is permitted.
- Fill out the Digital Image Request Form.
3D Media Training
The Imaging Center provides faculty consultation and training for all aspects of 3D scanning, modeling and printing. Support is tailored to the specific needs of your project or class. Uses for the technology may include:
- Research projects
- Creating interactive digital models for curricular use
- Architectural visualization and prototyping
- Data visualization
- Virtual environments and virtual reality
For inquiries about 3D projects, please contact Andrew Maurer at ajmaurer@smith.edu.
Digital Image Training
The Imaging Center provides one-on-one faculty training for using images in the classroom. We can cover anything from scanning best practices, to presentation software like Powerpoint or Google Slides, to image database use. In addition, we can also provide classroom instruction, tailoring the above topics to your particular classroom assignment.
For more information, please contact Jon Cartledge at jcartled@smith.edu.
Available Equipment
The Imaging Center Equipment Loan service is for Smith College Art Department faculty and students enrolled in Art Department courses. Equipment available for loan includes:
- iPad with Structure Sensor 3D scanner
- Mac and PC laptops
- Multimedia projectors and monitors
- Digital media players and DVD players
- Speakers and headphones
- Digital and analog cameras, lenses, tripods, lights and accessories
Loan Policy
First-time borrowers must first fill out the Patron Registration Form before checking out any equipment.
If you have questions about borrowing equipment contact Betsy Coulter at bcoulter@smith.edu or ic-u@smith.edu.
Guides
- Using Artstor
- Documenting Your Artwork
- Finding 3D Content
- General Use Equipment Guidebook
- Recommended Software Tools
- Imaging Software Guides
Copyright
Find Images
- Artstor
Access high quality art images from the world's top museums, artists, libraries, etc. To access Artstor from off-campus, contact ic-u@smith.edu to get a remote account. - Artsy
A great resource for images of contemporary artwork. Includes galleries, art fairs and auctions in addition to museum collections for substantial coverage beyond traditional collections.
- Smith Libraries’ Finding Art Images Guide
Use this guide to find images on the web and in many of Smith’s online databases
Dan Bridgman
Visual Communication Specialist
Hillyer 327 |413-585-3398
Dan is an educational technologist who supports the visual arts at Smith. He oversees database and fine art print services as well as computer lab configurations and maintenance. He can assist when lab print quotas or network services behave in unexpected ways.
Jonathan Cartledge
Director
Hillyer 317 |413-585-4568
Jon is responsible for the administration of the Imaging Center. He works with art department faculty to address the technological needs for the art curriculum and serves as liaison to other academic departments and programs.
Betsy Coulter
Imaging Services Coordinator
Hillyer 323 | 413-585-3104
Betsy manages the public services operation in the Imaging Center, including equipment loans and student employment. She supports digital image acquisitions and licensing for the campus-wide digital library at Smith.
Andrew Maurer
Interactive Media Coordinator
Hillyer 316 | 413-585-3116
Andrew advises faculty and students on Imaging Center resources and curricular and research projects combining art and technology. Contact him about media creation, editing and 3D design software, 2D and 3D printing and scanning, and web projects.
Kevin Pomerleau
Visual Arts Technical Specialist
Hillyer L08E | 413-585-3997
Kevin is the printmaking and photo technician for the art department. He can provide assistance with plate preparation, press operation, and photography and darkroom assistance. Any questions about safety and hazardous materials in art making should be directed to him.
Luke Blevins
Visual Arts Digital Specialist
Hillyer 316 | 413-585-3228
Luke supports the digital media courses and needs in the department, assisting with digital design software, large format printing, scanning, camera and lighting operation, darkroom practices, and media installation. Contact Luke for individual training or classroom workshops.
Imaging Center Facilities
The Imaging Center provides a creative and collaborative space for study, innovation and the production of art on the third floor of Hillyer Hall. Whether you need the latest in image processing and 3D printing, or just a quiet place to study, we have facilities to meet your needs.
The Imaging Center provides professional training that lets students translate their interests in art, art history, digital media and information science into practical skills that will serve them in whichever professional path they choose. Student assistants work on a range of projects, including media production, image scanning and editing, cataloging, 3D printing, virtual environment creation and assisting other students.
The course technology assistant provides close support for studio art classes. The assistants are required to attend specific media-based classes and assist the students and faculty as needed. They will also schedule help hours each week to provide ongoing support outside of class time.
- Help students with a wide array of image and video needs
- Develop expertise with image and video editing tools such as Adobe Photoshop and Premiere to support the needs of student projects
- Support faculty by providing additional assistance as needed
- Create instructional material and attend class demos and workshops as needed
- Support the Imaging Center on special projects as needed
The digital communications assistant assists with creating and managing content for the Imaging Center website and blog. Duties may extend to include other public relations initiatives. The assistant will work creatively towards increasing the Imaging Center’s public profile and social media presence. They will reach out to and engage with students and faculty of the art department, and the broader Smith community.
- Assist in the creation of online content
- Upkeep of website and blog, uploading content, removing outdated material
- Liaise with other departments for outreach opportunities
- Find new ways to promote the Imaging Center’s range of services and areas of expertise
- Connect with students to determine new directions for reaching a wider audience
The gallery assistant provides support for exhibitions of student artwork, and for visiting artists. The exhibitions that formerly took place in our two gallery spaces, Jannotta Gallery and Oresman Gallery, will be entirely online. The Gallery Assistant will work closely with Imaging Center staff to create and manage virtual exhibitions throughout the semester.
- Assist students and faculty with documenting artwork, formatting files, and best image practices
- Ensure that high quality images of artwork are obtained in advance of deadlines
- Develop expertise with image and video editing tools such as Adobe Photoshop
- Manage image files and change out exhibition content in a timely manner
- Work with staff to maintain virtual exhibition spaces in Wordpress
- Create instructional and promotional materials
- Support the Imaging Center on special projects as needed
The 3D and VR specialist will participate in workflows supporting the creation of 3D media for curricular use. Projects will involve 3D modeling, 3D scanning, 3D printing, and other related activities in Imaging Center labs. The student will help to create a library of 3D assets to be used in curricular virtual environment projects, and will provide 3D scanning and printing assistance for faculty and student projects. The student will create instructional materials and assist as needed in classes using 3D digital media.
- Use 3D modeling software to create 3D models of gallery spaces and objects, to be incorporated in current and future virtual environment projects
- Develop expertise with 3D modeling software, and adhere to provided best practices regarding geometry, file naming, organization, etc.
- Assist the Interactive Media Coordinator in digitizing physical 3D objects from Smith collections
- Assist students and faculty members as needed with the operation of Imaging Center 3D scanners and printers
- Create instructional material for Imaging Center 3D scanners and printers
- Occasionally assist with digital media class demonstrations
For Current Student Workers
Contact
Brown Fine Arts Center
Smith College
Northampton, MA 01063
Online Hours
Monday thru Friday
8:30 to 4:30 p.m. EST
Drop-in Hours
To be determined. For assistance, please contact ic-u@smith.edu for an appointment.