Department of Art

The Art Department at Fairmont State offers three programs of study – the Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art, the Bachelor of Arts in Education and the Bachelor of Science in Graphics/Fine Arts. You will be working with an energetic faculty of professional artists-educators, who will mentor you throughout your program.

The Bachelor of Arts degree in Studio Art provides an opportunity for a broad study of art and prepares students for careers as professional artists. You can also prepare for advanced studies in studio art, gallery education, and related design programs. The program also prepares you for positions in the corporate world which require creative problem solving. The program will give you a sound foundation in several studio disciplines. After completing a series of introductory courses, you will select an area of concentration from ceramics, painting, or sculpture. In addition to the studio sequence, you will participate in the study of art history and you may pursue a course in gallery management. Your capstone experience will be a senior exhibition in Brooks Gallery. Since it is important for visual arts students to experience a wide range of media and interpretations, you will have opportunities to travel to museums and galleries. FSU supports travel outside Fairmont and the state of West Virginia. For example, past trips have included the Cleveland Museum of Art, Pittsburgh museums, Washington, D.C. museums such as the Hirschorn and the National Gallery of Art, and museums and galleries in New York. Students from Fairmont State’s art department have traveled to such culturally rich destinations as China, England, and other European countries.
Program of Study: Bachelor of Arts degree in Studio Art

If you are a student who is interested in art and teaching, the Art Education program at Fairmont State will provide you with the skills you need to create art and to deliver instruction in the classroom. You will study drawing, painting, ceramics, sculpture, design, printmaking and art history with professors who are productive artists and scholars. Your art education classes will challenge you to develop innovative lessons that you will present to children in actual field experiences. Every step of the way, you will find professors and peers who will help you to develop the confidence you want when you begin your career as an art teacher in public schools.

Program of Study: Bachelor of Arts degree in Art Education

The Graphics/Fine Art program offers a four year degree to students who have completed the first two years in the Graphics Technology program at Fairmont State’s Pierpont Community and Technology College. This is called a 2 + 2 program, because the second two years of courses are taken in the Art Department. This is a unique program which combines technical knowledge and creative expression. If you are interested in Internet Animation or Internet Publishing, layout and illustration or other aspects of commercial design, this program will appeal to you. The studio component of this program allows you to study painting, ceramics, sculpture, drawing, printmaking, and art history. At the conclusion of your course of study, you may choose to participate in the capstone Senior Exhibition.

Program of Study: Bachelor of Arts in Graphics/Fine Arts

Students who complete the Bachelor of Science degree in Graphics/Fine Arts may create art as their main source of income by exhibiting in shows or by commission. They may work in art-related venues, or they may bring their expertise in visual art to industry or organizations which require visually sophisticated publicity, product merchandising or direct marketing. Some students who enter the program pursue further study in graduate programs, which afford additional time for artistic development and training for exhibiting work, and perfecting technical prowess.

Minors are available in both Studio Art and Art History.

Opportunities in the Department

Students at Fairmont State have traveled with members of the art faculty to New York City, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Cleveland to see museums and galleries. Art students have also traveled to China and London with other members of the Fairmont State community.

Students can meet and talk with regionally and nationally acclaimed guest artists who exhibit in the James David Brooks Memorial Gallery. Advanced studio majors may schedule individual critiques to discuss their work and aspirations.

Students may take classes in gallery management to add to their resumes. Students have opportunities to work with guest artists and the gallery director to design, publicize, and strike exhibits. They learn professional attributes that are necessary for successful relationships with galleries from the perspectives of directors and artists.

Students may participate in various student exhibitions. Studio majors must complete their degrees with senior exhibitions, which are solo shows of their junior and senior year work. Additionally, the department offers a yearly student juried exhibition for all students, in which they compete for awards of merit. Art students have opportunities outside the school for building their resumes as well. Faculty members encourage students to enter shows and competitions, and provide regular information about venues that are appropriate for their work.

Students may attend various workshops sponsored by the department. Artists-in-residence and guest artists often provide opportunities in the form of workshops for students to collaborate on works of art, or to learn about specific media or concepts. Additionally, art faculty members provide graduate school workshops to help students prepare for the process of applying to graduate programs.  

Student Organizations

If you are an art student who has completed (12 hours of art courses with a grade point of 3.0,) you may be nominated by an art professor for membership in the international fraternity. In addition to the membership, you will have possibilities for scholarships and for international travel through Kappa Pi. Each spring, new members are initiated into the organization by a formal ceremony attended by faculty advisors and student members of the fraternity. As a Kappa Pi member, you will also have discounts on group travel to exhibitions and a discount as well on submissions to the Juried Student Exhibition.