The studio art degree emphasizes an observation based approach with an exposure to a broad range of art media. The foundation level courses are based on the fundamentals of drawing and design leading to more advanced courses that examine aesthetics, history, criticism and studio practice. Students are also encouraged to develop their abilities to clearly articulate visual concepts and ideas and critically examine their own art and the art of others. Advanced studio courses are offered in the disciplines of ceramics, photography, painting, sculpture and digital art.
Admission Requirements (Effective Fall 2018)
Students wishing to pursue a BA in Studio Art or BA in Design Studies with a concentration in Graphic Design will submit a portfolio after completion of the freshman level foundation courses: Design Fundamentals (ART 1050) and Drawing (ART 1060). Upon successful completion of both courses and faculty review of the portfolio, students will be officially accepted into the major.
For Portfolio Review, students submit a portfolio of work that consists of selected projects from the freshman-level foundation courses. Faculty will evaluate the quality of the portfolio of work along with the student’s professional behavior (attendance, work ethic, ability to accept constructive criticism) and overall GPA. The program does not have a quota and can accept all students that meet the department’s standards. It is, however, unlikely that students will pass Portfolio Review if the student has below a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or a grade of C- or below is received in either of the two foundational courses. Students must pass both courses to be eligible to apply for admission into the major. Students may retake the course and reapply at the end of that semester; however, students may not apply to the program more than twice.
To graduate with a B.A. in Studio Art or a B.A. in Design Studies with a concentration in Graphic Design, students must have an overall GPA of 2.0 or higher per the University’s requirements.
Opportunities for experiential learning in studio art
The art department within the School of Art and Design has many opportunities for experiential learning as well as studios, exhibition spaces and labs, including:
- The annual art trip to NYC and Washington D.C. allowing students to tour world famous art galleries and meet with gallery directors
- Study abroad opportunities in France and Italy
- The HPU Sechrest Art Gallery houses a renowned permanent collection of 18th through 21st century American and European Art as well as rotating exhibitions of various contemporary artists
- Frequent exhibitions of student work around campus
- The Mac digital art lab with industry-leading hardware and equipment
- A fully-equipped darkroom for photography
- Fully-equipped 2-D and 3-D studios
Opportunities unique to studio art
- Fully equipped Sculpture and Ceramics Studio
- Faculty focus on a one-on-one approach to develop each student’s artistic and expressive abilities
- Students exposed to a wide variety of artistic mediums, ranging from sculpture, painting, ceramics and digital art to digital and darkroom photography
- A program committed to developing conceptual skills and technical know-how through creative and critical analysis of practical, historical and theoretical knowledge crucial to the understanding of art
What can I do with this major?
In the spirit of the liberal arts tradition, the Art major encourages students to supplement their Art degree with a minor or even another major in order to create a trajectory that meets their individual professional goals. Students frequently pursue supplemental course work in strategic communications, business, entrepreneurship and computer science. Past students have crafted the following career paths:
- Artist
- Computer Graphics
- Illustration
- Commercial Art
- Teaching
- Gallery Owner
- Advertising
- Muralist
- Art Historian
- Museum Director
Artistic areas explored
- Photography
- Digital Art
- Art History
- Ceramics
- Sculpture
- Printmaking
- Painting
- Drawing
What are grads doing with this major?
In the spirit of the liberal arts tradition, the Art major encourages students to supplement their Art degree with a minor or even another major in order to create a trajectory that meets their individual professional goals. Students frequently pursue supplemental coursework in strategic communications, business, entrepreneurship, and computer science. Consequently, employment opportunities are varied and competitive. Past students have crafted the following career paths in art, computer graphics, illustration, commercial art, teaching, advertising, and art history.
We have internships and travel opportunities for our majors which often result in full-time employment.
Combined with their knowledge and skills gained from the liberal arts core and supplemental minors and majors, students who earned a degree in studio art have continued on to careers with well known companies, such as:
Comcast | Philadelphia, PA
To Write Love on Her Arms | Melbourne, FL
Match Productions | New York, NY
Gering & Lopez | New York, NY
Artistica Photography | San Diego, CA
Artists Creating Together | Grand Rapids, MI
Next Steps Commerce | Washington, DC
Stroh Creative | Newark, OH
Some students also choose to continue their studies at the Master’s level.
Featured Graduate Profiles:
Kristen Stazzone, ’16 – Junior Graphic Designer at Green Room Communications
“There are so many people at High Point who became mentors to me for different reasons. The faculty members, including Mark Brown, Janis Dougherty and Benita VanWinkle in the School of Art and Design, have left an everlasting impression on me. Mark Brown connected me with employment opportunities that I am forever grateful for. Benita VanWinkle guided me every step of the way when choosing which direction was best for me at HPU. And lastly, Janis Dougherty’s encouragement is the reason I decided to pursue a career in graphic design. I admire all of their work, so it was amazing to have been taught by so many accomplished people.”
The School of Art and Design offers the B.A. degree in Studio Art. To graduate from High Point University with this degree, students must complete the following:
B.A. in Studio Art
| Major Requirements |
52 credits |
| University Core Requirements |
50 credits |
| Electives |
26 credits |
TOTAL
|
128 credits
|
Requirements for a B.A. in Studio Art (52 credits)
Core Courses (16)
- ART 1050. Fundamentals of Design (4)
- ART 1060. Drawing (4)
- ART 2000. Art History Survey (4)
- ART 2350. Three-Dimensional Design (4)
Media Coursework (16)
- ART 2080. Darkroom Photography I (4)
- ART 2090. Ceramics I (4)
- ART 3090. Sculpture I (4)
- ART 3160. Painting I (4)
Upper Level Art History (4)
- ART 3860. Contemporary Concepts in Art (4)
Upper Level Art Studio (8)
Select two courses from:
- ART 3190. Ceramics II (4)
- ART 4060. Painting II (4)
- ART 4080. Darkroom Photography II (4)
- ART 4090. Sculpture II (4)
Elective Choice (4)
Select one course from:
- ART/GBS 2988. The Grand Tour (4)
- ART 2030. Printmaking (4)
- ART 3060. Life Drawing (4)
- ART 3081. Documenting the Community through Photography (4)
- ART 3680. Digital Photography (4)
- ART 3850. History of Photography (4)
- ART/GBS 3880. Revolution in Paris (4)
Advanced Level (4)
- ART 4999. Senior Studio (4)
Florence, Italy – Studio Art Center International (SACI) is an institution for students seeking studio art, design and liberal arts instruction. Students have the opportunity to study drawing, painting, printmaking, ceramics, sculpture, media, design, art history, Italian studies, art conservation, Italian language, creative writing and craft arts for a full semester.
Grand Tour of Italy – Drawing the Masters is a Maymester program that allows students to follow the footsteps of young artists who have historically honed their craft by visiting relevant sites in Italy. Students work on a series of studio projects in Rome, Pompeii, Florence, Siena, Venice and more.
Revolution in Paris – Art at the Turn of Two Centuries is a Maymester program that allows students to see Paris through the lens of a camera and see what inspired the famous photographer of Paris, Eugene Atget.
