Art

Curriculum

The art major at the University of Mount Union is a two-stage program involving freshman-sophomore foundation courses and junior-senior advanced study. The foundation courses deal with the fundamental theory and studio skills which provide the broad base from which any artist functions. In the junior-senior advanced studio courses, the student uses the theory and skills learned in the foundation sequence to develop a personal creative approach which can function both as a method of inquiry and as a vocabulary for the communication of humanistic ideas. A thorough general study of the history of art is also offered as an important part of the art major.

Art majors also have the opportunity to choose between a concentration in studio, graphic design, art history, or art education. Depending on the student’s chosen concentration, they may expand their artistic abilities in a wide variety of foundations and media directed courses including drawing, design, sculpture, printmaking, painting, art history, web design, art education methods, or interactive media.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

• The student will demonstrate a facility in design theory as the foundation for further growth in specific media.
• The student will demonstrate proficiency in employing art theories in discussions, critiques, and written assignments.
• The students will be able to use any media to communicate their interpretation of a subject through solid theory and technical development.
• The student will demonstrate the ability to integrate the streams of theory, practice, and communication in the Senior Culminating Experience.

Experiential Learning

INTERNSHIPS

Internships provide you a chance to go into the workforce and gain hands-on, “real-world” experience, which is critical to finding a job after graduation. Internships provide a significant learning experience outside the traditional academic environment, which can be designed to align with your career goals.

STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS

Students who choose to major in art at the University Mount Union have many opportunities to hone their skills, broaden their artistic abilities and showcase their talents. Getting involved in extracurricular opportunities and student organizations will prepare you for a successful career and graduation and graduate school.

Kappa Pi is a student-led art honorary on Mount Union’s campus.

Careers

There is always a demand for talented and creative artists, and at Mount Union, you can hone your skills and broaden your artistic abilities in preparation for a rewarding career as an artist, teacher, director, or historian. Our program will expose you to these areas and more, while offering the skills that will allow you to pursue graduate study or any number of fascinating careers.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, demand for digital illustrators is particularly strong as media companies continue to enhance their products through the use of computer-generated images. Because of this increasing need in our society, Mount Union offers a graphic design concentration with the art major.

BEYOND GRADUATION WITH AN ART DEGREE

Students majoring in art have gone on to graduate school in visual communication, studio arts, art education, and museum work. Mount Union students have the option of double majoring in art and another area.

A few double major combinations that students have graduated with include but, are not limited to:

• Art and Biology
• Art and Engineering
• Art and Business
• Art and Religion

An art and psychology double major has lead past students into the field of art therapy. With an art and biology combination, past students have gone into fields related to medical illustration and sustainability. With a foundation in the liberal arts, art majors are able to walk a path that is not defined here but beyond the college experience. The creative student with empathy towards others, the art student that has keen visual awareness, and the intelligent art student with keen hand eye skills combined with strong skills in the sciences can proceed to the medical fields and become our future physicians, physician assistants, and nurses. 

Facilities and Equipment

WILLIAM H. EELLS ART CENTER (1985)

The William H. Eells Art Center contains:

• a lecture room
• painting studio
• rooms for print making, sculpture, drawing and design
• a Mac computer lab
• faculty offices

The facility is named for the late Dr. Eells, who was a patron of the arts, a member of the Mount Union Board of Trustees, and a former faculty member at Mount Union.

In addition to this facility, there are art galleries in the Giese Center for Performing Arts and in Beeghly Hall.