Art

204 Watkins Hall
507.457.5395
Art website
Anne Scott Plummer, Chairperson

Faculty

Adrian Barr, Assistant Professor; BA, Victoria University of Wellington (New Zealand); MA, University of Otago (New Zealand); PhD, Rutgers University; 2012 -
ChunLok Mah, Assistant Professor; BES, St. Cloud State University; BA, Winona State University; MA, MFA, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee; 2008 -
Seho Park, Professor; BA, Keimyung College (Korea); MAT, Whitworth College; MFA, PhD, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities; 1988 -
Anne Scott Plummer, Professor; BFA, Rhode Island School of Design; MFA, Claremont Graduate University; 1990 -
Don L. Schmidlapp, Professor; BFA, University of Kansas; MFA, Indiana University; 1981 -

Mission Statement

Art makes and remakes human experience. As a traditional component of Liberal Arts, visual art is central to the understanding of any culture’s achievements, and includes some of the most enduring treasures of humanity created throughout history. Students develop artistic literacy through intensive, hands-on studio experience. They connect with the world around them, through service at home and travel abroad, to inform and deepen their artistic vision. Critical reflection, the history of art, and the use of the latest technology prepare students for professional careers in the 21st century and advanced study in Graphic Design, Art Teaching, and Studio Art.

Purpose

The Department of Art offers the Bachelor of Arts degree with options in Studio Art or Graphic Design and the Bachelor of Science degree in Art Education for K-12 teachers. Through studio and art history courses, art majors build cognitive skills while engaging in the inherently creative activities of the art process. Majors acquire interrelated skills in visual perception, creative problem-solving, and critical thinking, all of which complement the objectives of a liberal arts education. Majors and minors study the history of art, focusing on human achievements of the past and present as well as the various criteria by which they are evaluated. Studio majors develop expertise in specific media areas such as painting, drawing, sculpture, ceramics, or printmaking. Graphic designers use their laptop computers, Wacom tablets, special printers and graphic design software for print and web-based visual communication. In addition to their classes taken in the Department of Education, Art Education majors pursue a broad range of experiences in a variety of media to prepare them for K-12 Minnesota teacher certification.

During their first year, students complete the required series of foundation courses. In subsequent years, studio classes in specialized media offer more intensive experiences, reflecting students’ capabilities and interests. Each successive course in a medium builds upon earlier achievements; instruction becomes more individualized as students search for more personal means of expression.

Studio and classroom instruction at all levels is enhanced by a changing series of exhibitions in the Paul Watkins Gallery and the Weber (student) Gallery, and by presentations from visiting artists and guest lecturers. Majors and minors, as well as interested non-majors, are urged to join field trips to art museums and galleries in nearby cities; field trips are organized by faculty and student clubs.

Career Opportunities

Grounded in the liberal arts, the art curriculum prepares graduates for a variety of career paths. Some studio majors continue their education, seeking advanced degrees to become professional artists and college level educators. The Arts Administration minor is recommended to studio majors who plan to seek employment in art centers, galleries, and in business requiring art skills. Graphic design graduates pursue careers in business and in public and nonprofit sectors, developing visual strategies for designing marketing materials, business presentations, publications, websites, and more. Teaching majors, prepared for K-12 licensure, are employed by school districts throughout the state of Minnesota and the region.

Art Student Handbook

The Art Student Handbook, which supports the advising process, contains information vital to the successful study of art at WSU. Among other items, the Handbook includes suggested course registration programs for each of the three art degree programs/options for each semester leading to graduation, course prerequisites, the Portfolio Review, scholarships, and Senior Exhibitions. Students should get a copy of the handbook during Fall Art Orientation or from the Art Department office.

Fall Orientation Meeting

All new entering students, including transfer students, are expected to attend this very important meeting held annually. New students get acquainted with their peers, teachers, and advisors and learn more about the material covered in the Art Student Handbook and this catalog.

Advising

The department’s advising program is designed to ensure that majors properly fulfill the requirements of their degree programs in addition to other departmental obligations. Therefore, art majors should meet regularly with the advisors assigned to them. Art Studio minors may seek advice from any art faculty member; Art History minors should consult with Dr. Barr.

Advising for Registration

Just prior to the University online registration period each semester, the Art Department holds Advising for Registration meetings that all advisors, majors, and minors attend. At that time, students are advised regarding their proposed schedule, and granted electronic permission to register for permission-only art classes when their registration “window” opens. Minors meet with an art faculty advisor as described above.

First-Year Cohort Group

ART 114 - 2-D Design ; ART 118 - Drawing I ; and ART 221 - Art History I concurrently. In the spring semester, the same group registers in ART 115 - 3-D Design ; ART 218 - Drawing II ; and ART 222 - Survey of Modern Art . Graphic Design majors are encouraged to enroll in ART 150 - Introduction to Digital Arts: Culture, Theory and Practice either fall or spring semester.

Art Scholarships

The Art Department awards a number of scholarships to majors in all three of its degree programs each year. All majors, including incoming students, are urged to apply. The scholarships include the Ruth Severud Fish, E. L. King, Thomas E. Mauszycki, Floretta Murray, Dorothy and Mo Weber, Max Weber, Winona National Bank, and Presidential awards. Some of these awards require minimum GPAs; the Fish, King, and Murray scholarships are awarded to teaching majors. First-year students, sophomores, juniors, and seniors are eligible for scholarships. Award amounts range from $400 to $1200, and most are renewable.
The Art Department faculty awards scholarships on the basis of portfolio reviews and academic achievement. Successful applicants may receive more than one award.

Transfer Students

Art majors transferring from other institutions must complete a minimum of 15 semester credit hours in art in residence at WSU at the upper-division (300/400-level classes).

Graduation Requirements

All WSU graduates must complete 40 S.H. of upper division coursework.

For a checklist of the University’s graduation requirements, see Academic Policies & University Requirements . Specific requirements for Art majors/minors are as follows:

Bachelor of Arts students must earn a minimum grade of “C” in each studio art course and have a GPA of 2.50 in all studio and art history courses and a 2.50 overall GPA.
Teaching majors in the Bachelor of Science program must maintain a 2.75 overall GPA and a 2.75 GPA in all art education, studio, and art history courses.

Mid-Program Portfolio Review

After they complete their foundation work and begin their specialized courses, Art majors in all three programs are required to submit for review a group of works completed at that point. This provides the art faculty with a means of assessing the effectiveness of the curriculum. Secondly, it gives majors the benefits of an all-faculty evaluation irrespective of performance in individual classes, thus guiding them in their progress during their senior year. For more specific information about this requirement, majors should consult the Art Student Handbook with their advisors.

Senior Exhibitions

Capstone exhibitions, required of all Art majors, feature the accomplishments of graduating seniors in all three programs and are held in Watkins Gallery each year. Several shows are devoted to works of all graduating seniors; the Select Senior exhibitions highlight the efforts of students chosen by the faculty through a competitive process on the basis of superior achievement. Select Senior exhibitions consist of two- or three-person shows in Weber Gallery, allowing participants to exhibit a larger number of works than in the all-senior shows.

Pass/No Credit (P/NC) Courses

Except for internships, students must take all courses in their major, minor, concentrations, and licensures on a grade-only basis. The P/NC option is available to students who are not Art majors or minors; these students may elect the P/NC option for all 100-level art courses and for other courses as specified in the course descriptions. Courses offered on a pass/no credit-only or grade-only basis are so designated in the course descriptions. (All prerequisites must be met before a student enrolls in a particular course.)

Intensive Requirements

Students may use intensive courses to satisfy both General Education and major requirements. Intensive courses are embedded in the student’s Art major program. The Art Department offers the following intensive courses in the General Education Program (see General Education Program ):

INTENSIVES

Intensive courses that can be used to satisfy Art major/minor requirements are identified in the lists of required courses and electives in this section.

Art