What is Art Studio?

Art Studio includes ceramics, drawing, fiber/fabrics, inter and mixed-media, painting, photography, printmaking, and sculpture. Students in the program investigate the function of art and the relationships between art, culture, artist, and audience.

Art Studio Degree(s)

Art Studio, BA

The program includes ceramics, drawing, fiber/fabrics, inter and mixed-media, painting, photography, printmaking, and sculpture. Students in the program investigate the function of art and the relationships between art, culture, artist, and audience.

Contact

Art Major Information,
ArtInfo@wwu.edu | 360-650-3660

Art Studio, BFA

The goal of the Art Studio BFA degree is to continue beyond the Art Studio BA degree and learn to create, interpret, analyze, and make informed judgments about art, studio concepts and practices at an advanced level. 

Contact

Art Major Information,
ArtInfo@wwu.edu | 360-650-3660

Art Studio at Western

Art Studio provides Western students with opportunities to create, interpret, analyze, and make informed judgments about art, studio concepts, and practices. Classes are designed to familiarize students with the principles that shape and inform visual literacy and expression through a variety of practices in art making.

Student Experiences

Internships and Scholarships

Beyond the Classroom

Art students have unique opportunities to gain hands-on, practical experience for a future career in the art world. Faculty assist students in handling and installing artworks, learning and expanding research skills, or improving critical analysis, and essay-writing abilities. 

Western Art Galleries

Students play an active role in the operations of Western’s three galleries, including the Western Gallery and two student run galleries—the Viking Union and B galleries. 

Research

Art Faculty encourage students to explore the academic world through research assistantships—an invaluable experience for students interested in pursuing a graduate degree in the field.

Internships

While in the department, students have a chance to do internships with local businesses, learning about how to employ their burgeoning skills in various art-related fields.

Study Abroad

The Department of Art offers many opportunities to travel abroad and domestically. Students participate in unique, life-changing encounters with art and art history.

Scholarships

The Art & Art History Department offers more than a dozen scholarships, including awards that are awarded based on merit, financial need, the department's commitment to recruiting/retaining members of historically underrepresented and systemically oppressed, racialized, and marginalized communities inclusive of LGBTQ+ identities.

For more information, please visit the Art & Art History Scholarships page.

Organizations and Clubs

  • Ceramics Club - This is a forum for anyone interested in ceramics or pottery to create and share knowledge together.
  • Western Washington Photography Club - A group of students who are interested in expanding their knowledge of photography.
  • WWU B Gallery - This is a student-run, safe, professional, and supportive space for students to independently and creatively exhibit their work. It is an ideal space for artists to organize what is often their first exhibition.

Being an artist allows me to see the world and create my own interpretation of it in whatever form I want it to be. I love manipulating materials to give art a whole other dimensionality and meaning for people to consider. With art, the possibilities are endless.

Kelly Hanabusa

Art Studio

What can you do with?

Interaction with a faculty of practicing artists, visiting artists, professional and student exhibitions, international study, as well as the resources of the larger university, foster informed, engaged, and creative graduates, preparing them for professional careers and graduate studies.

Art Studio careers

  • Art Educator
  • Exhibiting Artists
  • Exhibit Designer
  • Gallery Director
  • Photographer
  • Curator

Western Art alumni have gone on to pursue their passions, including:

  • Robert McCauley: National Endowment for the Arts fellowship recipient and professional painter
  • Eugenie Tung: head teacher for the Joan Mitchell Foundation Education Program
  • Jim Goldberg: author of seven books, National Endowment for the Arts and Guggenheim Fellowship recipient, and professional photographer
  • Virginia Troy: Associate professor of Art History at Berry College

Start Your Career at Western