Bachelor of Arts in Art

At Stetson, the Art Program finds its home in the Creative Arts Department and offers two distinct paths: an art major with emphasis in studio art and an art major with emphasis in art history. Students majoring in art develop their passion for art within the context of a liberal arts education, and they gain the strength in the hallmark skills of the liberal arts: learning to communicate effectively and think critically.The art major with an emphasis in studio art offers a curriculum with conservatory-level expectations. Our faculty are professional artists of national stature who work in a range of mediums. Students develop their personal styles and direction based on a strong foundation in technique, design principles, historical tradition, and contemporary artistic theories. The program has particular strengths in painting, drawing, mixed media, ceramics, and sculpture, where students get personalized attention, critiques and guidance. The curriculum culminates in a capstone experience, the senior thesis exhibition, in which studio art and digital arts majors work together to present a group exhibit showcasing each participant’s work.The art major with an emphasis in art history exposes students to the broad range of artistic work ranging from historical to contemporary. The curriculum starts by surveying art through the ages and moves into in-depth studies of topics, such as specific time periods, comics and graphic novels, art markets, legal issues, and museum collections. The curriculum culminates in a capstone senior research project focusing on the individual interests of the student.Stetson provides advanced studio art students with on-campus studio space to work on pieces throughout the semester. Studio art and art history majors alike work behind the scenes operating the Hand Art Center, a fully operational museum and art center, which is home to the University’s permanent collections and the University’s extensive collection of works by Oscar Blunder. Additionally, the Creative Arts Department regularly hosts visiting artists’ lectures and exhibits, widening the students’ exposure to contemporary art and artists.The Art Program is an integral part of the Department of Creative Arts, which brings together faculty and students engaged in the study and practice of creative pursuits. See relevant sections elsewhere in the Catalog to learn more about the Department’s other programs in Digital Arts and Theatre Arts. The Department is the hub for the University’s Off-Center for Creative Practice, an academic constellation designed to promote collaboration across all creative disciplines at Stetson.