Art

Professor Phillip Vander Weg, Director
Main Office: 1420 Sangren Hall
Telephone: 387-2436
FAX: 387-2477

Karen Bondarchuk
Fang Chen
Cat Crotchett
William Davis
Richard dePeaux
David Gall
Caroline Gore
Edward Harkness
Tricia Hennessy
Jim Hopensberger
Richard J. Keaveny
Joyce Kubiski
Albert LaVergne
John Link
Nichole Maury
Bruce Naftel
Ginger Owen
Pravin Sevak
Paul Solomon
Charles Stroh
Jeffrey Thompson
Vince Torano
Mary-Louise Totton
Phil VanderWeg

The philosophy underlying the School of Art’s courses and programs is to establish an awareness and understanding of the visual arts to gain a liberal arts education, and likewise, that a liberal education is a necessary part of a professional artist’s training. To that end, programs in Art seek to meet the objectives of three different types of students: those who have an interest in simply taking courses in the field for personal enjoyment and growth, those with professional ambitions in the various areas of practice and teaching, and those liberal arts oriented persons who seek a major in the general field of the visual arts.

The various programs offered by the School of Art are designed to promote the education of good artists and artists-teachers and to increase the artistic awareness among students in other areas. Extracurricular activities include many exhibitions, lectures by visiting artists, and a student-operated gallery.

The purpose of graduate study in the School of Art is to advance: Individual studio and scholarly talents, interests, and philosophies, used creatively both to expand and preserve our cultural heritage; professional studio competence exemplified by a significant body of work; the student’s potential to solve contemporary problems in all aspects of the visual arts and to explore and address new questions and issues; professional competence in the dissemination of knowledge, including logical, clear verbal and written presentation of aesthetic ideas in teaching and other contexts; scholarly competence in the organization, evaluation, and interpretation of knowledge.

Both the Master of Arts, an initial graduate degree, and the Master of Fine Arts, which is the terminal studio degree, are offered in the following practice oriented areas of emphasis: Sculpture, ceramics, printmaking, photography, painting/watercolor, and graphic design. These programs have the same admission requirements. The Master of Arts in Art Education is designed to address the needs of art educators for advanced preparation in their discipline.

Western Michigan University is an accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design and subscribes to the recommendations of this organization.