About Visual Arts
Find out about 2008 SENIOR THESIS EXHIBITION
Department Mission
The University of St. Francis Department of Visual Arts offers a comprehensive aesthetic education through a variety of traditional and contemporary media, taught by practicing artists and designers with local, national, and international professional experience. Class sizes are kept small, thereby giving the student every opportunity to realize their full potential. The Department of Visual Arts emphasizes the importance of coupling professional experience with contemporary aesthetic and artistic practices. Students work closely with an advisor and are encouraged to take advantage of work experience opportunities in the field of their choice.
Area of Studies
The Department of Visual Arts provides a variety of courses to enhance and offer balance to the liberal arts at USF. The Department of Visual Arts offers a major in Graphic Design, Photography, or Studio Art. In addition, the department offers minors in Fine Arts History, Photography, and Visual Art.
Matt Egizio, Contemporary Art Practices
3-D Design Principles, Bridge Construction
Visual Arts Program
Students concentrating in the Visual Arts develop fundamental
skills in design, drawing, contemporary art practices and
three-dimensional design during their first year in the
program. This foundation is enhanced through intermediate art
courses and an introduction to art criticism, history,
applied design, and computer art. In upper level courses,
students integrate skills and technology to prepare a thesis
exhibition or performance supported by an articulate written
element. Each students capstone is developed with continual
encouraging input from faculty and peers during their tenure
at USF.
Facilities
The Department of Visual Arts facilities has consistently grown in recent years. Currently, students have access to traditional ceramic, drawing, and painting studios around the clock. A Mac based 2-D graphics lab for the program runs developing computer design skills. Students utilize The Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign), Macromedia Suite (Dreamweaver, Fireworks, and Flash) and Painter applications on Macintosh G5 systems. Students have access to an efficient woodshop and sculpture facility. Students work with Final Cut Pro and other multimedia software to produce video art, installation, and new art practices.
Opportunities
In addition to a solid core program in the arts, students are given the opportunity to travel abroad and within the United States for course credit. Classes have been offered with supplement travel components to Austria, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Switzerland, Belgium, Holland, and New York City in recent years. These experiences offer a broader understanding of current events in the world and an opportunity to travel with faculty familiar with the sites visited.