Art and art history are fundamental and essential components of a liberal arts education. Aspiring artists and art historians must study within the breadth of a liberal arts curriculum in order to meet the demands and responsibilities placed on them.
The study of studio arts involves learning the fundamental principles of perception, technical skills, and aesthetic concepts corresponding to the individual disciplines of painting, sculpture, ceramics, printmaking, and drawing. Studio courses are taught in a developmental sequence tailored to the needs of the individual student. Discussions of art history and criticism are integral to all studio courses.
The study of art history involves the analysis of art and architecture within a cultural framework, thus combining a study of history, economics, literature, politics, sociology, and philosophy. The goals of the department are to enhance perceptual and analytical abilities, and to improve research and writing skills. Through foundation courses, specialized electives, advanced seminars, and foreign language study, students gain the ability to work independently on a senior research project, which is the culmination of undergraduate art history studies.
Facilities
The art history department maintains a collection of 80,000 slides and digital images. The 2,000-square-foot painting studio has almost 1,000 square feet of north light. The printmaking studio is equipped for the intaglio printmaking process. Housed in separate buildings are 3,200 square feet of sculpture and ceramic studios. The sculpture building is equipped with tools and equipment for welding, stone carving, woodworking, and fabrication. The ceramic studio has an extensive glazing area, facilities for wheel throwing and hand building, and electric kilns for high- and low-fire glazing and raku. A new 900-square-foot, secure and climate-controlled gallery was opened in 1996 in the Drew Fine Arts Center. The gallery, which houses the permanent collection, has also featured exhibitions that have brought national attention to the university.
