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Department of Art & Art History
Studio Art

 

BFA in Studio Art

The Bachelor of Fine Art in Studio Art is a four-year, professionally-oriented curriculum that prepares students for a variety of careers as creatives. BFA students take a range of studio courses to build a broad base of expertise in artmaking, undergo a portfolio review their sophomore year, and then concentrate their coursework in one discipline—see the list below for the concentration options. The BFA culminates in an intensive senior project during the final semester, when students make artworks that they exhibit publicly in Biggin Gallery. Advanced students are provided individual studio space to encourage a high level of artistic accomplishment.

Coursework and Concentrations

BFA students complete a total of 75 credit hours in the major, including fundamentals, art history, professional practices, and a sequence of courses in one of six concentrations:

Portfolio Review

A portfolio review is required of all BFA students after they have completed 21 or more credit hours in the major. Application requirements and portfolio guidelines can be found here. Students should consult with their advisor or a studio art faculty member if they have questions.

Internships

BFA students are also encouraged to gain professional experience through internships at local, regional and national arts institutions. Recently, students in the Department of Art & Art History have been selected for prestigious internships at the Smithsonian American Art Museum, The Phillips Collection, The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum and the Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice.

BFA Studio Faculty

Annie Campbell
Ceramics

Wendy Deschene
Painting and Drawing

Daniel Esquivia Zapata
Drawing

Sara Gevurtz
Animation

Chuck Hemard
Photography

Andy Holliday
Printmaking

Sarah Odens
Exhibitions and Lectures

Millian Pham
Foundations

Kristen Tordella-Williams
Sculpture

Lauren Woods
Drawing and Painting

Additional Resources

Department of Art & Art History Advisor
CLA Model of the BFA Curriculum in Art
Department of Art & Art History Courses

Studio Art Lab/Materials Fee

The Department of Art & Art History charges a studio art lab/material fee of $100 per course for all studio art courses (ARTS courses designated STU in the AU Bulletin). This fee will partially defray the cost of materials supplied to students enrolled in studio courses, such as canvas, clay, glazes, inks, metal, photo chemicals and wood; and the maintenance and replacement of studio equipment, like cameras, enlargers, kilns, presses and printers.

 


BA in Studio Art

The Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art is ideal for students who are passionate about art but also want to take advantage of additional academic courses of study across the university. The flexibility of the BA degree allows students to combine the study of art with a major or minor in other fields within the College of Liberal Arts or other Auburn University colleges such as Education or Business. The BA in Studio Art prepares students for advanced study in studio art, a broad range of art-related careers or professions in which an understanding of art, aesthetics and visual design is important.

Coursework

In addition to 52 hours of studio art and art history courses, BA students complete the university core curriculum (41 hours), take two semesters of a world language, and have 17 hours of elective credit, which they can use to take additional courses within the department or pursue a double major or minor in another subject.

Internships

BA students are also encouraged to gain professional experience through internships at local, regional and national arts institutions. Recent students in the Department of Art & Art History have been selected for prestigious internships at the Smithsonian American Art Museum, The Phillips Collection, The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum and the Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice.

BA Studio Faculty

Annie Campbell
Ceramics

Wendy Deschene
Painting and Drawing

Sara Gevurtz
Animation

Chuck Hemard
Photography

Sarah Odens
Exhibitions and Lectures

Millian Pham
Foundations

Kristen Tordella-Williams
Sculpture

Lauren Woods
Drawing and Painting

Studio Art Lab/Materials Fee

The Department of Art & Art History charges a studio art lab/material fee of $100 per course for all studio art courses (ARTS courses designated STU in the AU Bulletin). This fee will partially defray the cost of materials supplied to students enrolled in studio courses, such as canvas, clay, glazes, inks, metal, photo chemicals and wood; and the maintenance and replacement of studio equipment, like cameras, enlargers, kilns, presses and printers.

Additional Resources

Department of Art & Art History Advisor
CLA Model of the BA Curriculum in Art
Department of Art & Art History Courses


Minor in Studio Art

The Minor in Studio Art is designed for students who want to enrich their major field of study with a competency in art making. A minor in studio art is valuable for any student seeking to develop innovative thinking and creative expression through a range of drawing, design, animation, ceramics, painting, photography, printmaking and sculpture courses. Students pursuing fields as varied as engineering, communications and marketing can benefit from instruction in creative thinking practices and in critical and observational skills. Art coursework can better prepare students for advanced study in related fields such as architecture, graphic design, environmental design, interior design and industrial design. The range of art experiences offered in the studio minor fosters a lifelong appreciation and enjoyment of art.

Coursework

Students who minor in studio art complete 6 hours of studio fundamentals as well as 9 hours of upper division courses:

ARTS 1110: Drawing I (3 credits)
ARTS 1210: Studio Foundations I: Materials and Concepts or ARTS 1230: Introduction to Digital Art (3 credits)*
3000-level Studio Art (3 credits)
3000-level Studio Art (3 credits)
3/4000-level Studio Art (3 credits)

*Please meet with the CLA advisor for studio art to determine which of these studio fundamentals is best for your plans for the minor. 

Students must maintain a 2.5 GPA in the studio art minor.

If a course has been used to fulfill any other university requirement, it cannot be used to complete a CLA minor. Please see your advisor for details.

Studio Art Lab/Materials Fee

The Department of Art & Art History charges a studio art lab/material fee of $100 per course for all studio art courses (ARTS courses designated STU in the AU Bulletin). This fee will partially defray the cost of materials supplied to students enrolled in studio courses, such as canvas, clay, glazes, inks, metal, photo chemicals and wood; and the maintenance and replacement of studio equipment, like cameras, enlargers, kilns, presses and printers.

Additional Resources

Department of Art & Art History Advisor
CLA Model of Studio Art Minor
Department of Art & Art History Courses
Minor Declaration Form