Mission

The Visual Arts Program seeks to offer an educational environment that enables students to realize their potential as visual artists, strengthened by and contributing to, the diverse, liberal arts context of the University. As a part of the School of Architecture, Art and Historic Preservation, at the core of the Visual Arts program is the vision of a creative community, one that allows students proximity to others interested in visual ideas and creative expression through Art, Design and Conservation. The interrelated missions of the SAAHP programs foster a community of artists, architects, preservationists and historians, within which program missions find a vitalizing context.

Photography Outer Darkroom

It is the vision of the Visual Arts Faculty, that the Visual Arts occupy a central role in the cultural and academic experiences of the University student body as a whole. Visual Arts is the study of the making of images and objects and the relationship of the physicality of making to ideas, concepts and cultures. The mission and vision of a creative community that encourages interdisciplinary experiences and discussions is directly in accord with the mission of the University as a whole. With Visual Art as a focus of the program, differences in approach to expression are discussed and indeed, celebrated.

Drawing Studio

The Visual Arts program provides students opportunities to explore techniques, methods, and processes for expressing ideas while encouraging interdisciplinary explorations. Emphasis is placed on both the historical context of the making of art and contemporary trends in the arts so that the student may better place his/her own artwork relative to and within the larger context of making art today. The program seeks to develop a student's ability to become articulate in writing and speaking about visual ideas. Both an active visiting artist lecture series and travel to important historical and contemporary exhibitions here and abroad are integral parts of the program.

Drawing Critique

Distinctives

• Interdisciplinary program mission that bridges all disciplines of art: digital media, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture and video
• Interdisciplinary school mission that bridges all School programs: Architecture, Art, Art History and Historic Preservaion
• Professionally active, mentoring faculty that challenge students to pursue their interests
• Unique Visiting Artist Program that brings prestigious artists to campus for an academic year to create projects with our community
• Top-of-the-line equpiment like 3D printers that "print" 3D models, laser cutters and super-sized color printing
• Excellent facilities including the Digital Media Lab, Photography Darkroom, Painting Studio, Printmaking Studio, full-sized wood shop and a metal shop
• Student studio spaces

Painting Studio

Michael Rich
Coordinator
Email