Studio Art
Study art. And everything else you want to learn.
Our students develop their artistic practices while pursuing diverse academic interests in science + medicine, design, and the humanities. They graduate uniquely equipped to become professional artists and find prosperous careers in virtually every field.
Chair, Undergraduate Studio Art; Associate Professor; Co-Area Coordinator - Photography
CURRICULUM AND STUDENT WORK
The undergraduate studio art program at WashU includes a bachelor of fine arts degree (BFA), a bachelor of arts degree (BA), or a second major. In their first year, students take core studios including drawing, 2D design, 3D design, digital studio and a weekly seminar. These foundation courses set the stage for more advanced coursework when students can choose between concentration areas.
Studio courses are supplemented by readings and seminars that acquaint you with the field of contemporary art and in developing an understanding of where your interests fit in the historical arc. You will also take professional practice seminars in which you’ll develop essential skills like writing an artist statement, preparing a CV, applying for opportunities, and presenting a public lecture on your work.
Concentrations
Studio art comprises diverse disciplines and practices. By their very nature, these courses will inspire and challenge you to think, act, and be in the world differently.
Discover the perfect path for you.
Every first-year student is mentored by a dedicated academic advisor who guides them in shaping the educational path they desire. This includes course selection and scheduling. Whether you want a studio-intensive or a broader liberal arts-focus, we will help you find the right choice for you.
BFA in Studio Art
- More studio-intensive experience
- 65 credits of studio courses (about ½ of your total coursework)
- Optional concentrations in Painting, Photography, Printmaking, Sculpture, or Time-Based + Media Art
- Capstone experience + annual thesis exhibition
*Students may also earn the BFA as part of a dual-degree program.
BA in Art
- Broader liberal arts focus
- 30-36 credits of studio courses (about ¼ of your total coursework)
- No capstone requirement
*Students may also earn the BA as part of a dual-degree program.
Second Major in Art
- Integrated mix of disciplines, including printmaking, photography, sculpture, painting, and time-based + new media
- Designed for WashU undergraduates pursuing a primary degree in another discipline
- Develops essential skills like visual thinking + creativity
Minors
- Creative Practice for Social Change
- Design
- Human-Computer Interaction
- Studio Art
Featured Student Work
Recent Exhibitions
FACULTY AND PEERS
Our faculty are equally committed to their own studio practice and to your development as an artist. Their expertise varies widely in medium and subject matter, but they all care deeply about teaching. Plus, as a studio art major at WashU, you will be working alongside peers whose interests in and out of studio vary widely. Many of our students pursue second majors and minors in areas across WashU ranging from biology and public health to philosophy and business.
Student + Alumni Spotlights
Sara Velas, BFA ‘99, creates immersive, interactive artworks that extend, examine, problematize, and reimagine our shared experience of social space, history, and time.
Daniel Shieh, BFA ‘16, creates installations that seemingly lead to otherworldly places, altering the viewer’s perception of each other and their surroundings.
Virgil Marti, BFA ‘84, is an artist known for his works in sculpture and installation — which have been described as flamboyant and psychedelic — as well as his many years spent as a master printer.
MAKING SPACES
Sam Fox School students have access to incredible studios and making spaces, ranging from wood and metal shops, a ceramics studio, and printmaking studio to a digital fabrication lab, darkroom and digital photography studios, textile studios, and more. Juniors and seniors in the studio art program receive studio spaces to develop their work.
Explore More
Learn about opportunities for Sam Fox School students to participate in international programs, internship and career opportunities, and apply for scholarships and financial aid.