About CNA

The Center for New Art: Innovation at the Intersection of Art, Science and Technology

Twenty-five miles outside Manhattan in Wayne, New Jersey is a place where art, science and technology converge – a creative hub where artists have access to an unrivaled collection of high-tech equipment to push the boundaries of fine and applied arts. William Paterson University’s Center for New Art is a center for exploration and knowledge creation, where students utilize contemporary tools – from 3D printers to giant carving robots – to bring their artistic visions to life.

With an experimental curriculum focusing on the use of technology in the arts, the Center for New Art is an open forum where students, faculty, colleagues of the University, professional artists and art educators coalesce as makers, thinkers and doers.


Unrivaled Technology

Combining coursework dedicated to the rigorous investigation of art with a broad spectrum of the most current tools and technology yields artworks that push the limits of the imagination.  The activities and technology at the Center for New Art support and supplement the Art Department curriculum while also extending to other departments within the University.

The Center for New Art is fortunate to offer artists the following equipment to realize their creative vision:

  • A 7-axis KUKA robot for subtractive carving and research
  • A CNC Gantry Mill
  • Eight 3d printers from four different manufacturers
  • A 36x24 automatic laser cutter
  • Three 3d scanners including Konica Minolta Vivid 810, Artec Eva and Isense
  • Software including Delcam Powermill, Rhino 3d, Cinema 4d, Autodesk Maya and Mudbox, Pixologic zbrush, Geomagic and Netfabb, among others

A Creative Hub

The artists at the Center for New Art regularly share their works and knowledge with the University, community and region through lectures, workshops, practicum, symposia and exhibitions.  We bring outside artists in via Artist-in-Residence, Visiting Artist and Artist Incubator programs, and look beyond our walls through interactive programming with other institutions and artists in real time. 

These programs integrate with the William Paterson University College of Art and Communication curriculum and serve as an important educational resource both internally and beyond.

History

David Haxton began the Center for Computer Art and Animation at William Paterson University in the 1980’s; it was one of the first of its kind in New Jersey and the United States.  Implementing a new and expansive curriculum, the Center allowed students for the first time to utilize computers as a medium for art and animation.

With the appointment of Michael Rees as director in 2009, the name of the Center was changed to the Center for New Art. This title signifies the full potential for the use of technology in the arts and its recognition by the University as a Center. Rees added visiting artists lectures (10 per year), visiting artist residencies and exhibitions, and micro residencies for artists to work with students on experimental projects and research. He has also raised the resources to acquire the equipment and programming of the Center for New Art. 

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