Studio Art Program
Art students are typically passionate people whose creativity allows them to see the world in unique ways and to express their passion through a variety of mediums.
The Studio Art Program (ARTS) at Stetson University combines the strengths of strong studio art curriculum along with the benefits of a liberal arts education. Our faculty are professional artists with a range of talents and a national reputation. They have chosen to practice their craft at Stetson because they value working one-on-one with undergraduate students who share their passion for the field. As a result, our students get personalized attention and professional critiques and guidance. Students develop their personal styles and direction on a strong foundation in technique, design principles, historical tradition, and contemporary artistic theories. The Studio Art Program has particular strengths in painting, drawing, mixed media, ceramics, and sculpture. Additionally, studio art partners with the Digital Arts Program, where art, computer science, and music intersect to form the digital arts major.
The Studio Art Program is housed in the Creative Arts Department. Creative Arts brings together creatively-minded students and faculty from across Stetson’s array of disciplines to enrich the artistic community on campus. Stetson offers a rich and varied program of visiting artists, lectures, and exhibitions that will broaden our student’s exposure to contemporary art and artists. The Hand Art Center houses Stetson’s renowned Vera Bluemner Kouba Collection of over 1,000 drawings and paintings from the early American modernist, Oscar Bluemner. Hand Art Center also provides first-hand access to work by contemporary artists and features student work during the annual juried art competition and senior thesis exhibitions.
Our art students have the benefit of liberal learning. Art majors gain the strengths of critical thinking, effective communication skills, and learning how to learn (the hallmarks of a liberal arts education). Exposure to the curricular offerings across the College helps art students explore the world around them, providing inspiration and context in which to frame their artistic expression. In addition to building the skills and portfolio necessary to pursue graduate study should they wish, the liberal arts curriculum at Stetson and the ability to tap into courses through Stetson’s School of Business Administration set our students up for success after graduation with skills highly valued by employers and invaluable to self-employed artists.