The focus of the studio arts program is the enrichment of the intellect through the creation, expression, and interpretation of ideas within a wide range of visual and conceptual art forms. We serve the needs of students preparing for careers in the arts as well as the needs of students who want to develop their creative abilities in the service of other fields of inquiry. Students who major in Art earn a B.A. degree.

Learning Goals:

Students in art classes learn creative problem-solving skills, non-linear and abstract-thinking skills, and how to interpret and express complex ideas in a wide range of sensorial forms.

Upon graduation, a student will:

Major-Specific Areas of Knowledge

●      Demonstrate technical skills and processes associated with a wide variety of visual media. Generate images/objects. Interpret the visual language and meanings of art works. Pursue courses of study in both traditional materials/visually based art practices, and conceptually and technologically driven modes of art production.

Accessing Academic Community/Resources

●      Be informed by the critical and formal discourses of the discipline(s). Learn to research in libraries, archives, galleries, and museums

Communication

●      Interpret and express ideas in a wide range of sensorial, visual and verbal forms.

Critical Thinking

●      Acquire creative problem solving skills, and non-linear and abstract-thinking skills. Understand and position their endeavors within a cultural and historic framework

Research Experience

●      Travel to New York City for a research trip and attend exhibitions in the numerous venues on campus.

Requirements

Courses completed in art apply to the fine arts distribution area.

Major requirements:

A minimum of 35 credits including:

●     two courses from Art 103-115 (foundations courses); 130 (Beginning Ceramics) or 160 (Beginning Sculpture);

●     one other beginning level studio art class,

●     one intermediate-level studio art class, and

●     one advanced-level studio art class from the following areas: Ceramics, Drawing, Painting, Printmaking & Book Arts, New Genres & Digital, Photography, or Sculpture.

●     Art 480, 490; (Seminar and Thesis)

●     Art History 103, 229, and one additional course from Art History & Visual Culture. (The completion of Art History 229 is a prerequisite for Art 480 and 490).

For the student who desires to pursue graduate studies in studio art, it is recommended that additional courses be taken in the major in consultation with the adviser.

Minor requirements:

A minimum of 19 credits including one course from:

●     one Art History and Visual Culture Studies course,

●     one course from Art 103-115 (foundations courses),

●     plus nine credits from beginning-level studio art courses (which must include at least one 3-D class and one 2-D class) and

●     an additional three credits of an intermediate-level studio art course.

For the Art major with an Art History and Visual Culture Studies minor, no course may satisfy both the major and minor requirements.

The P-D-F option may not be used for classes within the art major or minor.

An up-to-date listing of courses taught each semester may be found in the Whitman Course Catalog.