Department of Art and Art History

Carole Garmon, Chair
Marjorie Och, Career Advisor, Art History
Rosemary Jesionowski, Career Advisor, Studio Art

Faculty

Distinguished Professor
Joseph Di Bella

Professors
JeanAnn Dabb
Joseph Dreiss
Carole Garmon
Marjorie Och

Assistant Professor
Rosemary Jesionowski

The Art Program

The department offers two distinct but interrelated majors – art history and studio art. The Art History major provides the background for a life-long appreciation of art and the intellectual framework for conducting research in art history. The Studio Art major challenges the student to address theory and technique in the making of art. With resources such as a subscription to ARTstor digital database, lecture rooms with sophisticated equipment, a darkroom, studios with skylights, and a computer imaging and multimedia laboratory, the department is fully equipped to serve both majors.

The Art History major explores in chronological sequence the span of Western art within its cultural, philosophical, and historical contexts. Special courses on styles, issues, and individuals in Western and non-Western art give a broad overview of the complexity of artistic expressions. Proximity to Washington, D.C., Richmond, Baltimore, and New York City, give students first-hand experiences of art works. Visiting scholars and artists offer students important networking opportunities, as well as lectures on recent developments in the field. In the internship program, students gain valuable experience and career contacts by working in museums and art institutions in the Washington, D.C., and Richmond areas, and beyond.

The Studio Art major teaches technical skills, increases aesthetic sensibilities, and advances the student’s individual development primarily in the areas of ceramics, drawing, painting, print media (printmaking, photography, and digital imaging), and sculpture/time-based media (performance and video). Upper-level students are encouraged to explore personal approaches and technical skills specific to their area of interest. Studies for the advanced student focus on conceptual approaches to artistic problems.

Internships are also available and offer students professional experience outside the classroom. The Studio Art majors culminate their studies with the capstone course, ARTS 474: Professional Practices in Studio Art and an exhibit in duPont Gallery or by submission of a senior portfolio.

The University Galleries present art exhibitions and events of interest to the University community. Students gain valuable experience in the Galleries as catalogers, researchers, administrative assistants, and exhibition installers.

Requirements for the Art History Major

Thirty-nine (39) credits to include Art History 114, 115, and 303; and thirty (30) additional credits in Art History, including at least one 400-level seminar course (Art History 460 or 470) and one course from each of the following chronological periods: Ancient, Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, and Modern.

Requirements for the Studio Art Major

Thirty-nine (39) credits to include Studio Art 104, 105 (or portfolio exemption), 120, and Art History 114, 115 and 3 credits in Art History at the 200-level or above. An additional twenty-one (21) credits in Studio Art includes at least six credits at the 200-level, twelve (12) credits at the 300-level or above and Studio Art 474: Professional Practices in Studio Art.

Studio majors are required to participate in the major assessment and senior exhibition/senior portfolio.

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