Visual Arts

Opportunities in many disciplines

Stritch's art faculty are professional artists and educators who guide students in their journey, whether they desire to become superior artisits or are simply interested in taking classes as non-majors with a passion for art. Students in art classes study with working artists as well as full-time faculty in a wide range of disciplines, including painting and drawing; ceramics, woods, metals and sculpture; photography, film and digital imaging; and graphic design and interactive media development. Additionally, the Northwestern Mutual Art Gallery, housed in the Joan Steele Stein Center for Communication Studies/Fine Arts, features local and national artists as well as senior student artwork, and opens approximately nine shows per academic year.

Students interested in majoring in a fine arts program will find opportunities both in and out of the classroom, with independent studies, internships and studio work providing valuable experiences to enhance learning and refine skills. No matter what discipline students choose, they are trained as artists, critical thinkers and scholars.

Stritch's mission statement reads, in part: "Students are provided with the opportunity to put into practice the skills they have acquired within the academic and studio classroom." With that mission in mind, students participating in the visual arts have the opportunity to cross over to other departments to pursue all of their passions within the arts. For example, an art student may choose to participate in scenic or costume design for theater productions. Stritch students receive broad exposure to a wide range of the arts, which leads to a comprehensive arts education not commonly found at larger universities.