Department of Art

Ivan Wilson Center for Fine Arts
Office 441, Phone: (270) 745–3944, Fax: (270) 745–5932
Prof. Brent Oglesbee, Head
e-mail: brent.oglesbee@wku.edu

Professors: K. Chalmers, L. Notheisen, B. Oglesbee
Associate Professors: M. Choe, J. Jensen, Y. Petkus, J. Sung, M. Tullis
Assistant Professors: K. Arnold, I. Cartwright, G. Jordan, M. Nichols
Optional Retirees: M. Klein, J. Oakes

The Department of Art offers two undergraduate degree programs: the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Arts with concentrations in Studio or Graphic Design, and the Bachelor of Arts in Visual Studies with either a concentration in Art Education or a studio track. In addition the department offers undergraduate minors in Studio Art, Art History, and Graphic Design for Advertising majors, and a graduate major and minor under the Master of Arts in Education program. A broad outline of purpose and suggested program of study is listed below for each major and minor.

The Department of Art at WKU is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Arts & Design. Individuals or groups interested in touring the department’s facilities may make an appointment through the Office of Admissions (270) 745-2551, or the Department of Art (270) 745-3944. Please visit the department’s website, listed above, for further details.

Through the University Gallery, the department presents exhibitions, lectures, and workshops by nationally recognized artists designed to enhance the education of art students while serving the entire university and larger community. Faculty exhibitions, juried student shows, and graduating senior exhibitions are scheduled annually. The department reserves the right to retain and publish selected examples of student work.

Outline of purpose for the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Arts, with Concentrations in Studio or Graphic Design               
The Bachelor of Fine Arts degree is the initial professional degree sought for careers in the visual arts field. The department of art offers two concentrations . A BFA Studio concentration prepares students for a professional studio practice through rigorous artistic and academic experience. It is also the standard requirement for entrance into Masters of Fine Arts degree programs, the most common route to teaching studio art at the college level. The BFA Graphic Design concentration prepares students for careers in the visual communication field, including web design, print design, illustration, and new media. Both concentrations begin with a foundation of drawing, 2-D design, 3-D design, and art history surveys. Students then focus on a specific curricular sequence of interest to them: ceramics, graphic design, printmaking, painting, sculpture, or weaving. A portfolio class serves as the capstone experience for BFA students in each concentration, where personal concepts and technical proficiency typically yield a cohesive body of work or competitive professional portfolio. In either concentration, the goal for the BFA student is to forge a professional art practice.

Outline of purpose for the Bachelor of Arts in Visual Studies               
The Bachelor of Arts in Visual Studies is a liberal arts degree intended to provide students a wide range of art experience and knowledge rather than professional studio specialization. Students begin with a foundation in drawing, 2-D design, 3-D design, and art history surveys. There are two concentrations within this degree, studio and art education.

The Bachelor of Arts in Visual Studies allows students to create their own combination of studio, graphic design, and art history courses while emphasizing engagement in a breadth of visual arts experiences.  This degree permits students to explore courses outside of art, which promotes combining fields with their developing visual sensibility. Visual Studies students may also go on to graduate coursework in art conservation, art therapy, or art administration, or professional positions in arts organizations, journalism, or related fields.

The Art Education concentration equips knowledgeable and creative art teachers to meet state and national standards on elementary and secondary levels. Students begin with a foundation in drawing, 2-D design, 3-D design, and art history surveys. Art Education students combine their study of teaching methods with studio exploration, art historical knowledge, and practical field experience. This degree prepares students for P-12 certification and is a common requirement for entry into a Master of Arts in Education degree programs.

Outline of purpose for the Master of Arts in Education Graduate Program
The Master of Arts in Education degree requires 30-33 semester hours. The program includes components in studio, art history, and art education. The remaining credits are taken in professional education courses. The minor program includes a 12-hour art component, and another 18 hours in professional education courses. See the Graduate Studies Catalog for requirements.

BFA in Visual Arts, with concentrations in Studio and Graphic Design
The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Arts major (reference number 514) requires 81 semester hours of study. The major offers two concentrations, Studio and Graphic Design. Both concentrations require the following courses: art history surveys: ART 105, 106; two and three-dimensional design:  ART 130, 131; drawing: 140, 240, 340, 341. Additionally, both concentrations require students to take two upper-level elective studio courses, two upper-level elective art history courses and the capstone course, ART 432 Portfolio. Each concentration has additional requirements listed below.

BFA Studio concentration majors must also take four of the following seven basic studio courses listed: ART 220 Ceramics, 231 Graphic Design, 243 Digital Media, 250 Printmaking, 260 Painting, 270 Sculpture, 280 Weaving, as well as ART 440 Drawing. Finally, BFA studio concentration majors focus in one studio track for 9 additional upper-level courses.

BFA Graphic Design concentration majors must take three of the following five basic studio courses listed: ART 220 Ceramics, 250 Printmaking, 260 Painting, 270 Sculpture, 280 Weaving, as well as ART 440 Drawing or 431 Illustration. Finally, BFA graphic design concentration majors focus on a track of required courses that are specific to their field. They include: ART 231 Graphic Design, 243 Digital Media, 330 Graphic Design, 334 Survey of Graphic Design, 343 Digital Media, Time-based, 430 Graphic Design, 433 Package Design, 438  Advanced Computer Graphics, ART 331 Visual Thinking or JOUR 343 Print Design, ART 436 Electronic Illustration or AMS 308 Graphic Communication.

AB in Visual Studies, with concentrations in Studio and Art Education
The Bachelor of Arts, Visual Studies-Studio concentration (reference number 509) requires 48 semester hours of study. Foundational coursesinclude: art history surveys:  ART 105, 106; two and three-dimensional design:  ART 130, 131; drawing:  140. Basic studio requirements include taking three of the following eight courses: ART 220 Ceramics, 231 Graphic Design, 240 Drawing, 243 Digital Media, 250 Printmaking, 260 Painting, 270 Sculpture, 280 Weaving. Additionally, students take three upper-level studio courses in one area, two upper-level elective studio courses and two upper-level art history courses as well as the capstone course, ART 432 Portfolio. See course descriptions for further details.

The Bachelor of Art, Visual Studies-Art Education concentration (reference number 509) requires 66 hours of study in the art program. Foundational art courses include: art history surveys: ART 105, 106; two and three-dimensional design: ART 130, 131; drawing: 140, 240, and 340. Basic studio requirements include taking six of the following seven courses: ART 220 Ceramics, 231 Graphic Design, 243 Digital Media, 250 Printmaking, 260 Painting, 270 Sculpture, and 280 Weaving. Advanced studio requirements include nine hours of upper-level elective studio course work as well as ART 490 Special Problems in Art. Upper-level art history requirements include: ART 325 Asian, American, and African Art or ART 405 Theory & Criticism and one elective art history course. Art Education majors are also required to take the following Foundations of Art Education Methods classes: ART 311, 411, and 413. Additional course work in the education program is needed to complete certification requirements. See the department’s website www.wku.edu/art for a listing of education courses required for teaching certification. See course descriptions for further details.

Minor in Studio Art
The Minor in Studio Art (reference number 312) requires a total of 30 semester hours. Foundation courses include two and three-dimensional design classes:  ART 130, 131; a drawing course:  ART 140, and two of the following eight basic studio courses: ART 220 Ceramics, 231 Graphic Design, 240 Drawing, 243 Digital Media, 250 Printmaking, 260 Painting, 270 Sculpture, 280 Weaving. Five courses in upper-level studio elective courses are required to complete this minor. See course descriptions for further details.

Graphic Design Minor for Advertising Majors
The Graphic Design Minor for Advertising Majors, (reference number 385) requires a total of 30 semester hours. Foundation courses include two and three-dimensional design classes: ART 130, 131; two drawing classes:  ART 140, 240; one art history survey class, either ART 105 or 106, and two graphic design courses, ART 231, 330. Upper-level course requirements include completing four of the following eight graphic design elective courses: ART 331, 334, 430, 431, 432, 433, 436, 438. See course descriptions for further details .

Minor in Art History
The Minor in Art History (reference number 312) requires a total of 21 semester hours. Course requirements include two art history survey classes: ART 105 and 106; three upper-level elective art history courses selected from the following list: ART 302, 303, 321, 313, 314, 325, 390, 401, 403, 407, and 445. Final required courses include ART 405 Theory and Criticism and ART 494 Seminar in Art History. See course descriptions for further details.