Art, Gwen Frostic School of

Jim Hopfensperger, Interim Director
Karen Bondarchuk
William Charland
Cat Crotchett
William Davis
Richard dePeaux
David Gall
Caroline Gore
Edward Harkness
Tricia Hennessy
Jim Hopfensperger
Richard J. Keaveny
Joyce Kubiski
Albert LaVergne
John Link
Adriane Little
Nichole Maury
Bruce Naftel
Ginger Owen
Pravin Sevak
Paul Solomon
Jeffrey Thompson
Mary-Louise Totton
Vince Torano

The main goal of the Gwen Frostic School of Art is to provide education in the visual arts to the students of Western Michigan University. An innovative foundation program integrates traditional skills with recent computer technologies; while rigorous upper division course work allows the student to specialize in one or more media. The faculty fosters the technical skills, critical thinking, and creative freedom necessary to prepare students for careers in the competitive fields of studio art, graphic design, art education, and art history. Through our programs we also provide visual arts education to the wider university population in an effort to enhance art appreciation and visual literacy.

The Gwen Frostic School of Art also acts as a regional resource, working to advance the arts and their roles in our community. We provide facilities and instruction for special programs in the public school system, K-12. Through the exhibitions in our galleries, a visiting artists and scholars program, and a campus wide sculpture tour, we provide the community access to local, national, and international artists and scholars.

As artists and scholars ourselves, we also exhibit and publish our creative work and research. Through these activities we not only advance our respective fields in the visual arts, but we are better equipped to mentor our students in a world of constantly changing methodologies, technologies, and expectations for art.

Accreditation

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.

Admission

Only the Office of Admissions and Orientation grants admission to Western Michigan University for undergraduate students. Application forms may be obtained by writing to the Office of Admissions and Orientation.

Enrollment in the Bachelor of Arts in Art curriculum is contingent upon both admission to the University and approval of the Gwen Frostic School of Art, the latter of which is achieved through the portfolio review process. The student should begin by making application to the University and requesting portfolio information from the Gwen Frostic School of Art. Prospective art history majors should submit writing samples, as outlined in the portfolio information. Both procedures should be commenced early in the senior year of high school, or early in the final year at a community college.

Approval to become an art major is based upon the student’s background in art, as demonstrated in the portfolio application. The Gwen Frostic School of Art’s portfolio review will help many students make a more intelligent choice regarding their educational career. Information regarding admission to Bachelor of Art in Art curriculum may be obtained by writing the Art Student Advisor in the School of Art. The Department welcomes the opportunity to confer with prospective students, parents, and counselors regarding educational goals and plans.

Students interested in pursuing the Bachelor of Fine Arts program, please see below under “Art Major-Bachelor of Fine Arts” and “Graphic Design Major-Bachelor of Fine Arts.”

Students who wish to declare an Art Education Major are required to apply before registering for Art 2520. Application includes a portfolio review, letter of intent, and advising checks. More complete information is available in the Art Advising Office.

Transfer Credit

Transfer credit may be used to fulfill no more than half the number of credit hours required for the student’s Art major or minor. Art credits earned at a college accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design, or a regionally recognized accrediting agency, in which a grade of “C” or better is earned, will transfer in most cases. Successful art course transfer is dependent upon the degree of positive content relationship to existing WMU courses, particularly at the foundation level.

If you receive general art credit for any course you feel would fulfill a required art course, or for any course needed to fulfill a prerequisite for a course you wish to take, you must present a portfolio for consideration. Based on the results of this portfolio review, the course in question will either receive a direct course equivalent number or remain general art credit. General art credits can be used to fulfill the art elective category or be used as electives you may need to complete the minimum number of hours required for graduation (122).

If you do not wish to show a portfolio for any courses in which you have received general “art credit,” you do not have to do so. These credits will automatically be used as electives wherever needed.

For portfolio guidelines please write to: Screening Committee, School of Art, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI 49008, or call (269) 387-2440.

Advising

All art majors and minors are required to see an art advisor as soon as they are on campus and at least once each Fall and Spring semester thereafter. To make an appointment please call (269) 387-2440.

Miscellaneous

Baccalaureate Writing Requirement

Students who major in Art will satisfy the Baccalaureate Writing Requirement by successfully completing ART 3250: Writing About Art.

Students who major in Art History will satisfy the Baccalaureate Writing Requirement by successfully completing ART 3270: Writing About Art History.

Students who major in Art Education will satisfy the Baccalaureate Writing Requirement by successfully completing ES 3950: School and Society.

Technology Requirement

Every undergraduate student with a major in Art must demonstrate proficiency in computer usage through one of the following options:

Satisfactory completion of ART 1140 Digital Media in the Arts.
Waiver from the instructor of record based on demonstrable competence in all topics/modules of ART 1140. Such competence must be demonstrated to the instructor of record in one of the following ways:
1. The presentation of the syllabus for a course covering those topics taken previously by the student and evidence of successful completion of said course.
2. Demonstration of proficiency in the course topics.

Computer Usage

The Gwen Frostic School of Art utilizes computers in virtually all aspects of the visual arts. Our computer lab is open to all Art majors and minors.

Computer usage and design play a vital role in our Graphic Design Program, and our Design Center is fully equipped for exclusive use of Graphic Design students.

Exhibition Requirement

Each Bachelor of Fine Arts candidate must present a graduating exhibition as stated in Art 4900-4970 in the B.F.A. degree requirements. The B.F.A. candidate is to arrange such an exhibition in consultation with their B.F.A. Committee Chairperson. B.F.A. candidates must submit to the department a minimum of two sets of 18 images of their art work on CD before receiving a grade for their graduation presentation.

Grading

Art majors and minors receiving a grade below a “C” in a required course must repeat the course.

Studios

Advanced undergraduates occasionally are given studios. All other students may work in the regular classroom studios at night and on Saturdays. The department and its instructors cannot be responsible for student work left in studios after the end of each semester or term. Studio classes are usually limited to between 15 and 20 students.

Programs

The Gwen Frostic School of Art offers the following degree programs: Bachelor of Fine Arts with a major in Art and an emphasis in either Ceramics, Jewelry/Metalsmithing, Painting, Printmaking, or Sculpture; Bachelor of Fine Arts with a major in Graphic Design; Bachelor of Fine Arts with an emphasis in Photography and Intermedia; Bachelor of Arts with a major in Art; Bachelor of Arts with a major in Art History; Bachelor of Arts with a major in Art Education. All programs are within the Art curriculum, which is composed of the General Education requirements of the University and the Art major requirements of the B.A. or B.F.A. degrees. The department also offers two minors: Art and Art History.

Those seeking a broadly inclusive studio experience in art are advised to take ART 1300 and/or 1400. Further recommended courses in specific media for non-art majors include Drawing 2010, Acrylic Painting 2020, Printmaking 2030, Sculpture 2050, Ceramics 2060, Jewelry 2070, and Watercolor 2080. ART 1200, 1300, 1400, 1480, 2200, and 2210 are open with no prerequisites to non-art majors and can satisfy the Area I, Fine Arts, requirements of General Education.