Art

Department Head: Carolyn Cárdenas
Location: Fine Arts Visual 122
Phone: (435) 797-3460
FAX: (435) 797-3412
E-mail: carolyn.cardenas@usu.edu
WWW: http://www.art.usu.edu/

Assistant Head and Graduate Program Director:

J. Daniel Murphy, University Reserve 114, (435) 797-7372, dan.murphy@usu.edu

Assistant Head and Undergraduate Program Director:

Alan Hashimoto, Fine Arts Visual 116, (435) 797-3460, alanhashimoto@gmail.com

Art Department Advisor:

Marcia Roberts, University Reserve 107, (435) 797-3883, marcia.roberts@usu.edu

Art Education Undergraduate Advisor:

Dennise Gackstetter, University Reserve 110, (435) 797-1542, denniseg@gmail.com.

Degrees offered: Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Science (BS), Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA), Master of Arts (MA), and Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Art

Undergraduate emphases: Art Education, Art History, Ceramics, Drawing and Painting, Graphic Design, Photography, Printmaking, Sculpture

Graduate specializations: Ceramics, Drawing, Graphic Design, Illustration, Painting, Photography, Printmaking, Sculpture

Undergraduate Programs

Objectives

The Department of Art’s primary goal is to prepare undergraduate students for careers in art history, art education, and studio art, as well as the applied and fine arts. Requirements in eight different emphasis areas address the specific needs of each career. The Department of Art also serves the University community by offering courses in the University Studies program and by offering training for students in related degree programs.

Departmental Admission Requirements

Admission to the Art major is competitive. New freshmen admitted to USU in good standing may apply for admission to the Art major by submitting a portfolio of digital images on CD-ROM of their best work. Details are available from the Art Department. Entrance to the BFA program in the emphasis areas in studio art is accomplished by formal application after completion of the department’s foundation courses. Students applying for this degree program should have a GPA of at least 2.75. Application to the emphasis area is done by portfolio review and should be made during the spring semester in which the prerequisites will be completed. Transfer students should make application during the spring semester prior to their entrance to USU to arrange for the portfolio review of their work prior to acceptance in the department. Participation in the BA program in Art History is limited to students with at least a 2.5 GPA.

Sample Four-year Plans

Sample semester-by-semester four-year plans for students working toward a bachelor’s degree within the Art Department can be found at: http://www.usu.edu/degreeplans/

Students should consult with their advisor to develop a plan of study tailored to their individual needs and interests.

Departmental Honors

Students who would like to experience greater academic depth within their major are encouraged to enroll in departmental honors. Through original, independent work, Honors students enjoy the benefits of close supervision and mentoring, as they work one-on-one with faculty in select upper-division departmental courses. Students wishing to pursue departmental honors in art must have a cumulative GPA of 3.30 or higher, and must first be admitted to the BFA program. Once that process is completed, they should meet with the departmental honors advisor to complete an honors program of study contract form. Contact the Art Department at: Fine Arts Visual 122, (435) 797-3460.

The 15-credit requirement for Departmental Honors in Art is met in the following manner:

1. At least 6 credits in upper-division Art or Art History courses must be taken with an honors contract.
2. At least 3 credits must be completed in an Honors Depth Life and Physical Sciences (DSC) course or in an Honors Depth Social Sciences (DSS) course.
3. At least 3 credits of upper-division coursework must be completed in the emphasis area or from outside the department, and must be taken with an honors contract.
4. Students must complete ART 4910  (Senior BFA Exhibition, 2 credits), along with at least 1 credit in HONR 4900  (Senior Thesis/Project, 1-3 credits).

To qualify for departmental honors in art, students must graduate with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.30 in their upper-division coursework taken as part of their departmental honors contract, and must present their work in a public forum (such as the Senior BFA show and/or Student Showcase).

Additional Information

For additional information about undergraduate requirements in the Department of Art, see the major requirement sheet, which can be obtained from the department, or accessed online at: http://www.usu.edu/majorsheets/

Additional information may also be found on the Art Department website at: http://www.art.usu.edu/

Graduate Programs

The Department of Art offers two graduate degrees and cooperates with the Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services on the MEd degree. The Master of Arts (MA) and the Master of Fine Arts (MFA) are offered by the Art Department. A Master of Education (MEd)  with a specialization in art is offered through the Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services.

Application Procedures

Completed applications must include: (1) completed application forms; (2) a letter of intent; (3) transcripts of all previous graduate and undergraduate work; (4) three letters of recommendation from qualified professionals; (5) GRE or MAT scores; and (6) the $50 application fee.

These materials must be sent directly to the School of Graduate Studies. When complete, applications will be forwarded by the School of Graduate Studies to the Art Department for review.

A portfolio of twenty digital images on CD-ROM of recent work must be mailed directly to: Graduate Coordinator, Department of Art, Utah State University, 4000 Old Main Hill, Logan UT 84322-4000.

Completed applications and slide portfolios must be received by February 1. Students should note that applications will be considered only at this time, and only completed applications will be reviewed. Admission will only be considered for fall semester. The deadlines for financial aid may be earlier than the admissions deadline. For further information about financial aid, visit the Financial Aid Office in Taggart Student Center 106; write to: Financial Aid Office, Utah State University, 1800 Old Main Hill, Logan UT 84322-1800; or phone (435) 797-0173.

Applications are reviewed by the Art Department faculty. Candidates are selected primarily on the basis of their portfolio, which should demonstrate a level of development beyond the need of classroom instruction and encouragement. The faculty will also look in the portfolio for evidence of significant personal exploration.

Secondary to the portfolio, but important nonetheless, the applicant’s letter of intent and letters of recommendation will also be given careful consideration. In reviewing these letters, the faculty will look for, among other things, indications  that the applicant will be capable of prolonged and concentrated effort, guided by realistic personal goals. Letters should address both academic and artistic accomplishments, as well as potential for further growth in both of these areas.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to visit the  USU campus and meet with the faculty in their proposed field of study well in advance of the February 1 application deadline.

Important Note. Please note that the graduate programs in the Art Department have limited enrollment; admission is very competitive. Because only a small fraction of applicants can be accommodated, there can be no guarantee that applicants who meet minimum admission requirements will be accepted into master’s programs.

Financial Assistance

Departmental support is available to graduate students on a competitive basis. Students requesting financial support should apply to the department by February 15. Other assistance is available through the University Financial Aid Office. Students should note that applications for Federal work-study should be mailed during the first week of February.

Art Faculty

Professors
Carolyn Cárdenas, drawing, painting
Craig J. Law, photography
John Neely, ceramics
Christopher T. Terry, drawing, painting

Associate Professors
Jane S. Catlin, art education, painting, drawing
Alan Hashimoto, graphic design
J. Daniel Murphy, ceramics
Robert Winward, graphic design

Assistant Professors
Christopher M. Gauthier, photography
JinMan Jo, sculpture
Alexa Sand, art history
Woody Shepherd, drawing, painting
Dave Smellie, graphic design