Studio Art

The Studio Art Program is designed for students who wish to concentrate on a specific studio discipline in the visual arts.  The program requires a Foundations level of course work, which focuses on skill-building, exposure to various media, and art history.  The Foundations level is followed by intense study in the chosen discipline.  Three tracks are available: Drawing/Painting; Pottery/Sculpture; and Cross-Media.  Additionally, the department offers an optional gallery management course.  The program is appropriate for students who wish to work as independent artists, those who are interested in the M.A.T. with a concentration in Visual Art, and for those who wish to continue their education in Visual Art at the graduate level.  Yearly portfolio reviews are required for acceptance to and continuation in the program.

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The Bachelor of Arts degree in Studio Art provides an opportunity for a broad study of art and prepares students for careers as professional artists. You can also prepare for advanced studies in studio art, gallery education, and related design programs. The program also prepares you for positions in the corporate world which require creative problem solving. The program will give you a sound foundation in several studio disciplines. After completing a series of introductory courses, you will select an area of concentration from ceramics, painting, or sculpture. In addition to the studio sequence, you will participate in the study of art history and you may pursue a course in gallery management. Your capstone experience will be a senior exhibition in Brooks Gallery. Since it is important for visual arts students to experience a wide range of media and interpretations, you will have opportunities to travel to museums and galleries. FSU supports travel outside Fairmont and the state of West Virginia. For example, past trips have included the Cleveland Museum of Art, Pittsburgh museums, Washington, D.C. museums such as the Hirschorn and the National Gallery of Art, and museums and galleries in New York. Students from Fairmont State’s art department have traveled to such culturally rich destinations as China, England, and other European countries.