The Department of Art program is devoted to the development of concepts, attitudes and skills in the visual arts within a broader liberal arts oriented university curriculum. Students may pursue training in studio specializations, art education, and art history. All three share a common core curriculum that provides a comprehensive foundation in design, drawing, art history, and exposure to a selection of studio experiences. The faculty is diverse in educational and professional experience and shares the objective of high quality education in a stimulating and creative environment.
Three undergraduate degrees are offered: Bachelor of Fine Arts Studio, Bachelor of Arts Art History or Studio, and Bachelor of Science in Art Education. Students may also elect an art minor sequence to compliment other major programs. The Master of Arts Studio and Master of Arts in Teaching, Art Education are available at the graduate level.
The Department of Art enjoys recently renovated facilities that are conveniently located adjacent to the central campus mall. Each area occupies a discrete and well-equipped studio or classroom space. The University is strongly committed to technological resources and has equipped most of the labs with multi-media presentation systems to enhance the quality of instruction. There are two state-of-the-art Macintosh computer labs in the department and numerous other computer access points throughout the campus.
The Conkling Gallery within the complex presents exhibitions in all media from local, regional, and national artists and collections, as well as juried, senior, and Master of Arts student shows. Additional visual arts enrichment is provided through an active visiting artist and residency program. Of particular significance is the Nadine B. Andreas Endowment that provides very generous support to attract recognized artists, for faculty development, and for graduate student stipends. The Centennial Student Union Gallery is another venue for student exhibitions along with opportunities in local art galleries.
There is a strong sense of community in the Department that is ensured through small class sizes, accessible faculty, and several clubs that build connections and professional involvement. American Institute of Graphic Arts (graphic design), Student Chapter of the National Art Education Association (art education), Art History Round Table (art history), Exposed (photography), Mudworks (ceramics), and Student Art League (art majors) sponsor various activities, travel opportunities, and programs to strengthen the educational experience.
We hope that you will enjoy navigating through our site for more details about the program and news about students, faculty, and art enrichment events.
Waterkotte Completes Print-Installation at UTK
Faculty Erik Waterkotte recently completed a print-installation with the University of Tennessee Knoxville Print Club. The installation is made up of approximately 50 photo-lithograph prints on translucent, silk-tissue, gampi paper and was created with assistance from UTK printmaking graduate students. The installation will be up the week of April 14th at the School of Art and Architecture at UTK.
Students Curate an Exhibition of Piranesi Prints
As part of an exploration into the curatorial process, an advanced art history class from Minnesota State University—Mankato, is curating an exhibit at the 410 Project in downtown Mankato. The show, entitled Antiquity Crazy, Piranesi, is based on the prints of the 18th-century architect and printmaker, Giovanni Battista Piranesi. From his reproductions of famous Roman monuments to the creation of fanciful worlds based on architectural ruins, Piranesi nurtured his many interests through his prints.
These prints, part of a collection established by the Art Department at MSU, are on display for the first time by a student-led effort to curate an original exhibition. The class has invited regional artists to enter their original works influenced by Piranesi’s style and theory, which will be reviewed and judged for entry by the students. This show will run from April 18 to May 11 at the 410 Project, located at 523 South Front Street. The opening reception is on April 18 from 7:00 – 9:00pm, and the public is invited to attend the opening as well as the exhibition.
Andreas Artist/Scholars Endowment Series
The Department of Art is pleased to present two accomplished artists supported by the Andreas Artist/Scholars Endowment. The Andreas family recently established the Endowment in memory of Nadine B. Andreas who had a life long devotion to the performing and visual arts.
Roy Strassberg was ceramics faculty and former Chair of the Minnesota State University, Mankato Department of Art and is currently Chair at the University of North Carolina, Charlotte. He is exhibited nationally and internationally in prestigious venues such as the McColl Center for Visual Arts, the Florida Holocaust Museum, the Craft Alliance in St. Louis, the Cameron Museum in Wilmington, NC, and the Yad Vashem Museum in Jerusalem. His work has been frequently featured in ceramics and craft publications and is in several notable collections – the Yad Vashem Museum, Steelcase, General Mills, Saks 5th Avenue.
Public Lecture
April 7, 2008
7 p.m.
Morris Hall 102
Critiques and Workshops
April 7 – 8
Nelson Hall
Rodney Carswell is a Chicago based artist. He has received an Illinois Arts Council Grant, NEA Regional Fellowship, NEA Visual Arts Fellowship, Louis Comfort Tiffany Foundation Fellowship and a Guggenheim Fellowship. He has taught for many years at the University of Illinois Chicago campus. His paintings have been widely exhibited in New York, Chicago, Santa Fe and Santa Monica, CA.
Public Lecture
April 21, 2008
7 p.m.
Ostrander Auditorium
Critiques and Workshops
April 21–22
Nelson Hall
Students Assist with Large-Scale Installation
Faculty member Liz Miller recently completed a large-scale installation in the atrium of Sioux City Art Center in Sioux City, Iowa. Undergraduate students Sarah Grundhauser and Ian Laird assisted Miller in the installation of the work. Undergraduates Chad Gunderson and Melissa Seifert were also instrumental in the fabrication of this work. Student participation in this project was supported by an MSU Faculty Research Grant. Miller's completed installation, Resplendent Reconnaissance, will be on view from January 12, 2008 through January 12, 2010. For more information, go to www.siouxcityartcenter.org
Erik Waterkotte Exhibits At Boise State University
Disaster Tableau: Recent Prints by Assistant Professor Erik Waterkotte will be on exhibit at the Boise State University Visual Arts Center from January 22–February 9, 2008. In addition, Waterkotte will conduct a workshop and lecture during his visit to BSU.
