Painting & Drawing, BFA

Bachelor of Fine Art in Painting and Drawing (C10004BFA)

More on the Painting and Drawing major

The Painting and Drawing program emphasizes that we are a community of people and ideas. Faculty and students are united in fostering curiosity and shared work ethic. Students explore studio work that demonstrates individual expression, critical thinking, and an awareness of art's historical and contemporary issues.

Purpose

The painting department supports an inspired learning environment that encourages both experimentation and problem-solving. Working in individual studios, painting majors develop analytical thinking and a supportive community through critiques and discussions. An active visiting artist program and travel opportunities give students direct access to professionals in their field and new perspectives. Faculty and students share a respect for the tradition of painting while addressing how painting engages contemporary culture, technology and ideas.

Goals

Students demonstrate strong technical, design, and conceptual thinking skills. Exposure to a wide range of creative processes and materials prepare students for personally driven projects in advanced work. Learning both traditional and modern approaches, majors enjoy the flexibility to investigate a wide range of approaches and related disciplines. Professional practices courses and visiting artists provide students with innovative learning and career development opportunities.

Distinctions

Students are presented with a broad range of facilities and opportunities while pursuing their BFA in Painting/Drawing such as:

  • 24-hour studio access
  • Individual studio spaces at the advanced level
  • Professional career development 
  • Exhibition opportunities
  • Nationally recognized visiting artist program
  • Preparation for graduate study
  • Student-run painting club
  • Access to world-class museums in the region
  • National and international travel opportunities

The following information has official approval of The Mary Schiller Myers School of Art and The Buchtel College of Arts & Sciences, but is intended only as a supplemental guide. Official degree requirements are established at the time of transfer and admission to the degree-granting college. Students should refer to the Degree Progress Report (Stellic) which is definitive for graduation requirements. Completion of this degree within the identified time frame below is contingent upon many factors, including but not limited to: class availability, total number of required credits, work schedule, finances, family, course drops/withdrawals, successfully passing courses, prerequisites, among others. The transfer process is completed through an appointment with your academic advisor.

Students are encouraged to visit the The Mary Schiller Myers School of Art their freshman year to obtain preliminary information regarding the program requirements and to learn more about on-campus opportunities available to students.

Three year accelerated option: for first time students who have earned credits for at least the first year of courses. Credits can be earned through qualifying scores on appropriate Advanced Placement (AP) exams or through College Credit Plus Program (CCP) courses. Credits for qualifying AP scores or CCP courses are determined by the appropriate academic department. Departments may assign varied course credit, depending on the student’s score on an AP exam or grade in a CCP course. Students may also receive credit by examination or via placement tests, where appropriate.

Requirements

Summary

General Education Requirements36
Art History Requirements12
Foundation Core15
Art History Electives3
Painting and Drawing Requirements39
Studio Electives9
Additional Credits for Graduation *6
Total Hours120
*

Bachelor's degrees require a minimum of 120 credit hours for graduation.

Note: A 2.5 cumulative GPA in all ART courses is required for graduation.

Recommended General Education Courses

Students pursuing a bachelor’s degree must complete the following General Education coursework. Diversity courses may also fulfill major or Breadth of Knowledge requirements. Integrated and Applied Learning courses may also fulfill requirements in the major.
Students are not required to enroll in the specific courses listed below. However, to facilitate successful degree completion, the academic department strongly encourages completion of the following recommendations.
Academic Foundations12
Mathematics, Statistics and Logic: 3 credit hours
Speaking: 3 credit hours
Writing: 6 credit hours
Breadth of Knowledge 22
Arts/Humanities: 9 credit hours
Survey of Global Art 1: Prehistory to 1250 CE
History of Global Art 2: 1250 CE - 1850 CE
Natural Sciences: 7 credit hours
Social Sciences: 6 credit hours
Diversity
Domestic Diversity
Global Diversity
Survey of Global Art 1: Prehistory to 1250 CE
Integrated and Applied Learning2
Select one class from one of the following subcategories:
Complex Issues Facing Society
Capstone
Review the General Education Requirements page for detailed course listings.
Total Hours36

College of Arts & Sciences Requirement

Students must also complete a minimum of 40 credits (excluding workshops) consisting of either:
Upper-level (300/400) courses both in and outside of the student’s major;
or other courses outside the major department approved by the student’s major department chair (permission should be obtained prior to enrollment); these may not include workshops

Art History Requirements

ART 101Survey of Global Art 1: Prehistory to 1250 CE3
ART 102History of Global Art 2: 1250 CE - 1850 CE3
ART 103History of Global Art 3: 1850 CE - Today3
ART 300Art Since 19453
or ART 403 Art and Critical Theory
or ART 435 Contemporary Art Issues
Total Hours12

Foundation Core

ART 100Arts Orientation0
ART 131Foundation Drawing I3
ART 144Foundation 2D Design3
ART 145Foundation 3D Design3
ART 233Introduction to Life Drawing3
ART 250Foundation Lecture1
ART 252Foundation Studio2
Total Hours15

Art History Electives

Complete three credits:3
Medieval Art
Art in Europe During the 17th-18th Centuries
Italian Renaissance Art
Renaissance Art in Northern Europe
History of Graphic Design
Greek Art
Roman Art & Architecture
History of Craft
History of Photography
Special Topics: History of Art
Museology
History of Art Symposium
Methods of Art History
Total Hours3

Painting and Drawing Requirements

ART 189Production I3
ART 213Introduction to Printmaking3
ART 351Intermediate Drawing3
ART 243Introduction to Painting3
ART 335Intermediate Life Drawing3
ART 348Intermediate Painting 16
ART 350Painting/Drawing Portfolio Review0
ART 450Advanced Drawing/Life Drawing 16
ART 455Advanced Painting 29
ART 457Professional Practices3
ART 495Senior Exhibition0
Total Hours39
1

Repeat a minimum of two times.

2

Repeat a minimum of three times.

Studio Electives

Complete nine credits:9
ART xxx
Total Hours9