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Art and Design
Art and Design
Preston Lawing, M.F.A., Chair
The art and design department provides a creative environment for Saint Mary’s students with
opportunities to cultivate aesthetic diversify and enrich cultural awareness. The department offers two
majors: one in art studio for the training of student artists in the processes of the fine arts, and a second
in graphic design for students who wish to pursue a career in visual design and communications. The
department also offers a number of courses which are required for majors in theatre, English, and media
communications. Courses are also offered to complement the general education program and the
liberal arts commitment of Saint Mary’s University.
General Department Goals
Art and design majors are be able to:
• Demonstrate a working knowledge of design fundamentals and vocabulary, and incorporate these
visual communication skills in their daily lives;
• Recognize major figures and movements in art history, and draw connections between historic and
contemporary trends;
• Demonstrate and articulate an understanding of issues related to the visual arts;
• Identify and discuss major uses of the visual arts in our society: communication of information, transmission
of religious/spiritual values, social/political action, utilitarian design, personal expression, and
environmental enhancement;
• Think creatively and critically; and
• Analyze a work of art, using correct terminology and proper art criticism criteria.
The art and design department manages two galleries on campus for the enrichment of all students and
the local community. The department presents four professional art exhibits and two student exhibits
each year in the Center Gallery, located in the Toner Student Center. The Student Gallery on the second
floor of the art and design department is used by various classes for presentation of their work. This
gallery is also the site of the sophomore review.
The department insists that each student, before he or she graduates with a degree in studio art or
graphic design, possess a basic set of drawing and design skills. To ensure students have reached this
level, they are required to present a sample of their work in an exhibit during their sophomore year.
This work is evaluated by faculty of the department. If the work is found lacking, the student may be
required to take additional courses in drawing and/or design to attain an acceptable level.
Each student, before he or she graduates, also participates in a senior exhibit in the Center Gallery. This
show is evaluated by the art and design faculty to judge if it is at the professional level required for a
Bachelor of Arts with a major in art.
Graphic design majors have the added responsibility of preparing a traditional portfolio and an
electronic website portfolio.
The department has a thriving Art Club, which enhances student involvement in the arts by offering
workshops, field trips to museums and galleries, and increases campus awareness of the arts.
Art Departmental Honors
Departmental honors are reserved for students who perform academically and creatively at the top
level of all graduates from the department. Minimal criteria are a 3.700 department and major field GPA,
a 3.300 cumulative GPA, and the presentation of work in the Senior Exhibition judged to be of superior
quality by a committee of departmental faculty.
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