Our Story
The Department of Art and Art History's educational mission includes the following aims: to teach critical thinking to prepare students to become productive and responsible citizens and to develop our students’ ability to articulate their ideas in a sophisticated manner that will allow them to be successful professionals and mindful citizens. In addition, we aim to teach students how to successfully convey and reflect on aesthetic experiences derived from encounters with works of art - we consider this to be an essential element in their training of visual literacy, which in turn is a fundamental tool of critical thinking. The training we offer not only provides our majors and minors with first rate specialized education but offers all students who take courses in our department an opportunity to learn about the history and methods of our disciplines. We believe this knowledge results in a more nuanced understanding of the self as well as in a more sophisticated view of the world and the society we live in.
The Department of Art and Art History offers a Bachelor of Arts degree in two distinct, though related, areas of study - Studio Art and Art History. Students in either major are required to take supporting courses in the other area to ensure breadth and depth in their knowledge of art and its history. The department's goal is twofold; to provide a rich and varied experience in studio art or art history while maintaining the quality of content for those majors and minors who aspire to a career in art. Particular attention is paid to the university's emphasis on writing; therefore, all art courses include a writing component. Though the specific education of artists and art historians is our priority, the department strongly emphasizes the goals of a liberal education and to this end many of our courses also serve non-majors. Therefore, we tailor courses to accommodate both majors and non-majors, fostering an interest in the arts and communicating the profound effects of the creation of works from the past and the present.
The Department of Art and Art History occupies three buildings with Kittredge Hall and its galleries as the nucleus. Approximately eight exhibitions are held each academic year in the galleries including the juried Art Students Annual Show and the Senior Show.
STUDIO ART
It is the goal of the department that studio majors should be able to demonstrate a mastery of process, an understanding of the principles of design, a familiarity with art history, and sensitivity to expression in visual language.
The studio areas are well equipped for an institution of our size. Areas of concentration include ceramics, painting, printmaking, and sculpture. Digital Imaging is offered as an elective. In addition to instruction from the regular staff, a number of visiting artists are brought to the campus each year to lecture and work with students.
Studio classes average 14 students per class, providing opportunities for close relationships between faculty and students. The studio faculty is exceptionally well qualified. All are exhibiting artists, showing their works in national and international competitive exhibitions and museum exhibitions, as well as in regional and local shows.
ART HISTORY
Art history majors develop skills to analyze artwork from a wide range of cultures. This includes the study of methodology for analyzing art in the context of a particular civilization. Written work culminates in the presentation of a major paper that demonstrates the student's ability to apply methods of research and analysis.
Courses in art history cover the surveys of Western, Asian, and modern art history, with upper division (300-400 level) studies in Ancient, Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque, 19th and 20th Century European and American Art, Mexican, and several areas of Asian art history. Sophomore level standing or consent of instructor is required for 300 level courses.
