Art
The visual arts are rapidly changing and evolving as a result of the development of new techniques and media and because of the ever-changing trends and scholarship. With a strong knowledge base and experience with contemporary and traditional materials and techniques, graduates of the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Art program are highly prepared for a career in the visual arts.
Students enrolled in the art program at the University of Rio Grande will have the opportunity to work in a wide variety of materials and media, including:
- Drawing and Painting
- Ceramics
- Sculpture
- Digital and Darkroom Photography
- Printmaking
- Graphic Design
- Video
- Digital Imaging
Classroom and studio activities are structured around close personal attention in a family atmosphere. Students get to know the faculty well through extensive one-on-one training and mentorship. Numerous social activities within the department lead to strong bonds that last for years to come after graduation.
Students are expected to develop professional practices from their first semester in the program. Each student documents her or his work and engages in professional development activities including exhibitions, design work, commissions, outreach, curating and student teaching.
Job Opportunities Available With This Degree:
The Art Department offers courses of study to prepare graduates for a variety of careers as professional artists, graphic designers, web designers, private studio teaching, museum, gallery or curatorial careers, graduate school, and other areas which require a broad spectrum of art related skills. Related fields include publishing, advertising, public relations, game design or animation, commercial photography, art restoration or art therapy.
Jobs Obtained by Recent Graduates
• Museum Preparator, National Air Force Museum
• Art Therapist, Regional Cancer Centers
• High School and Elementary Art Teachers
• Disney Content and Production Manager
• Graphic Designers
• Tattoo Artist
• Ceramics Studio Manager
• Graduate Student
• Printer at Tamarind Institute
• Artists in Private Studio Practice
• Photographers
• Advertising Production
• Small Business Owner
Travel
Additionally, there are many opportunities for school-sponsored student travel.
In recent years, the art department has visited dozens of museums in cities such as:
- Venice, Florence and Rome, Italy
- New York City, NY
- Pittsburgh, PA
- Huntington, WV
- Columbus, OH
- Cincinnati, OH
A group of Rio Students explore New York City on the annual Art Department trip. Here we sit in front of St. John the Divine’s Cathedral. One of the largest cathedrals in the world.
Rio Grande ceramic students recently enjoyed a bowl of homemade soup in class. Students and faculty brought in all the ingredients as well as biscuits and desserts. The only rule was you had to have made the bowl you were eating from. A good time was had by all.
Mission Statement
The mission of the Art Department is to prepare students for a lifelong vocation or avocation in a variety of visual arts media.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the Bachelor of Fine Arts, students will be able to:
- Create a cohesive body of work within the chosen area of concentration.
- Demonstrate formal and technical proficiency in their area of study.
- Exhibit and document their work and experiences professionally.
- Explain the historical, cultural and conceptual aspects of their work.
- Conduct independent research in the arts.
Facilities
The Rio Grande John W. Berry Fine and Performing Arts Center opened in 1981. A signature glass atrium introduces visitors to the Center and serves as an entry to the 500 seat state-of-the-art Alphus R. Christensen Theatre. The theatre hosts numerous university and community productions and serves as a cultural hub to residents in a five-county area of Southern Ohio and West Virginia.
Within the Center, the Art Department houses a Mac computer lab with Adobe software for web and print production, a large scale color printer, a fully equipped darkroom and multi- purpose classrooms.
The Esther Allen Greer Museum houses a 3,000 square foot exhibition space, museum prep room for framing and preparing artwork for display, multi-purpose classrooms and the University Archives. Among the museum’s holdings are numerous prints, drawings, paintings and sculpture comprising the Brooks Jones Endowment Collection.
The Art Annex was constructed in 1997. This 10,000 square foot building houses equipment and dedicated space for woodworking, metalworking, stone carving, printmaking, drawing, painting, hand building and wheel throwing ceramics, as well as a number of kilns and a foundry.
Degree Requirements
The Bachelor of Fine Arts degree is a professional degree with greater major course requirements than a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree. The BFA is designed primarily for students who are interested in professional art production, print or web design, private school or studio teaching, museum, gallery or curatorial work, graduate school, and other areas in which an extensive visual arts background would be an asset or a necessity.
The University of Rio Grande awards a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Art with one of four concentrations: General Fine Arts, Two-Dimensional Art, Three-Dimensional Art, and Graphic Design
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Art – General Fine Arts Concentration (1750)
The General Fine Arts Concentration is designed for students who want to work in a variety of two and three dimensional media.
| Description | Credits |
|---|---|
| 39 |
BFA students are not required to complete a Group 1 Humanities course, as ART 15404 Western Art History I will substitute.
Major Area required courses
Studio Foundations
| Description | Credits |
|---|---|
| 3 | |
| 3 | |
| 3 | |
| 1 | |
| 1 | |
| 4 | |
Total Studio Foundations hours | 15 |
Art History
| Description | Credits |
|---|---|
| 4 | |
| 4 | |
| 3 | |
| 3 | |
Total Art History hours | 14 |
Studio Core
| Description | Credits |
|---|---|
| 4 | |
| 4 | |
Select one from the following two courses | |
Total one course, four credit hours | 4 |
| 4 | |
| 4 | |
| 4 | |
| 1 | |
Total Studio Core hours | 25 |
Studio Concentration
| Description | Credits |
|---|---|
Complete 24 hours from the following courses. | |
| 4 | |
| 4 | |
| 4 | |
| 4 | |
| 4 | |
| 4 | |
| 4 | |
| 4 | |
| 4 | |
| 4 | |
| 4 | |
| 4 | |
ART 48801-4 Selected Topics (may repeat) | 1-4 |
Total Studio Concentration hours | 24 |
| Description | Credits |
|---|---|
Total major area hours | 78 |
Personal elective hours | 9 |
Total required hours for degree | 126 |
Associate of Arts - Visual Art (1721)
| Description | Credits |
|---|---|
| 39 |
BFA students are not required to complete a Group 1 Humanities course, as ART 15404 Western Art History I will substitute.
Major Area required courses
| Description | Credits |
|---|---|
| 3 | |
| 3 | |
| 1 | |
Select one from the following two courses | |
Total one course, four credit hours | 4 |
| 3 | |
| 1 | |
| 4 | |
Eight hours of ART courses at the 20000 level | 8 |
Total major area hours | 27 |
Total required hours for degree | 66 |
Bachelor of Arts or Science – Minor in Art (1730)
| Description | Credits |
|---|---|
General Education must include: | |
| 3 | |
Total General Education hours | 42-45 |
Minor Area required courses | 15 |
Note: 15-18 hours of ART courses, at least 33% of which must be at the 30000/40000 level. | |
Major and elective hours | 63-69 |
Total required hours for degree | 126 |
Faculty
Faculty are active professionals in their discipline. Each of the three full-time faculty hold terminal degrees from accredited institutions, and average 23 years of college teaching experience and over 100 exhibitions. Faculty skills cover a wide range of specializations, and share common skills and attitudes. All the faculty are active in assessment of student learning, and continually update course materials to incorporate new technologies, materials, contemporary art trends, and developments in pedagogical research.
Research
With the support of the Office of Academic Affairs, there are numerous opportunities for student research and publication/exhibition. In recent years, students have worked side-by-side on Provost’s Academic Excellence initiatives such as:
- A three-panel installation in Rio’s board room including six students and three faculty that included painting, drawing, photography, cast paper and glass sculpture.
- An animated film.
- A trip to a printmaking conference where students participated in open portfolio reviews in Missouri.
Information
For more information, or to schedule a visit, contact:
