Department of Art
Our Art Department is committed to shaping students’ critical awareness and building every creative aspect of an artist.
We are a growing and vibrant visual arts program on a close-knit campus within walking distance to a culturally rich downtown arts district. Our student-teacher ratio and spacious facilities allow students the opportunity to pursue ambitious projects and follow their personal interests, all while training to master foundational techniques in a variety of traditional and contemporary methods.
Our students closely study art’s significant impact on the world, from many cultures and perspectives. They apply their discoveries to their own work and practice, mastering how to engage people through a wide range of media. We encourage students to use their art to make a difference in the world, getting their work out to the public by requiring them to either a) enter art exhibitions, b) compete for public art commissions, and/or c) apply for grants and residencies during their junior or senior year. Greensboro College artists also participate in creative service-learning projects to explore new ways of engaging with the community, and we encourage them to seek ways to work under a professional artist outside their instructors, whether as an intern or volunteering with various arts organizations. Through knowledge and practice, students begin their pursuit of a creative career and share their vision with a wider world beyond Greensboro College.
Majors and Minors
What makes the B.F.A. different from the B.A./B.S. degree option?
The B.F.A. is designed for students who intend to go on to graduate school for a Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.), as well as for those who plan to dive directly into a professional career as an artist, gallerist, or other visual arts professional.
The B.F.A. retains all the general education expectations in liberal arts and sciences at GC; however, through an additional four courses, the B.F.A. deepens its focus on the student’s artistic skill, vision, and portfolio for their exhibiting career, and any post-graduate study. The B.A. or B.S. in Studio Art remains a solid option for students who wish to pursue a broader area of study beyond studio art and to prepare themselves for a variety of career options after college. In addition, students who pursue the B.A. track will still have the option to continue on to graduate school for an M.F.A. However, the B.F.A. is designed to better prepare students who may wish to pursue an M.F.A., given the greater emphasis on studio courses and additional art history requirements.
Attention. Opportunities. Exhibitions.
Greensboro College Art programs give you more of what matters most.
We are a growing and vibrant visual arts program on a close-knit campus within walking distance to a culturally rich downtown arts district. Our student-teacher ratio and spacious facilities allow students the opportunity to pursue ambitious projects and follow their personal interests, all while training to master foundational techniques in a variety of traditional and contemporary methods.
Our students closely study art’s significant impact on the world, from many cultures and perspectives. They apply their discoveries to their own work and practice, mastering how to engage people through a wide range of media. We encourage students to use their art to make a difference in the world, requiring them to enter art exhibitions, compete for public art commissions, and apply for grants and residencies during their junior or senior year. Greensboro College artists also participate in creative service-learning projects to explore new ways of engaging with the community, and we encourage them to seek ways to work under a professional artist outside their instructors, whether as an intern or volunteering with various arts organizations.Through knowledge and practice, students begin their pursuit of a creative career and share their vision with a wider world beyond Greensboro College.
Art Scholarships Available!
To qualify, please send a portfolio of your artwork to the Art Department Chair, Brittany Sondberg (brittany.sondberg@greensboro.edu). Follow these tips for portfolio submission:
TIPS FOR PORTFOLIO SUBMISSION:
This portfolio can be a slideshow (Google Slides, Keynote, or PowerPoint), a PDF, individual image files, or a link to your Instagram Art page.
Don’t send us everything you have ever made, just your best work and the work you are most excited about. This can include some in-progress examples and sketches or preliminary planning, as well as finished pieces.
Photograph your work in a well-lit, uncluttered space. Natural lighting, but not in glaring sun, works best. Make sure your photos are lined up properly and in focus.
Include descriptions of the processes and materials used in each project, and you can also tell us a little about the idea behind the work. We look forward to seeing your artwork!
Facilities
The Cowan Humanities Building houses the Art Department and the Anne Rudd Galyon and Irene Cullis Galleries. Each media or discipline has its own instructional area and equipment:
- The Mac Lab includes large-screen computers loaded with industry-standard software.
- The photography darkroom features 10 enlargers and a separate lighting studio for learning traditional black-and-white photography.
- A large painting and multi-purpose studio includes individual studio spaces for juniors and seniors.
- A drawing room for figure studies ensures privacy and is equipped with spotlights, as well as an adjoining printmaking area with press.
The ceramic and sculpture area has eight electric potters’ wheels, a traditional kick wheel, and three unique built-in electric wheels. There are also materials for glaze mixing, clay reclaiming, a slab roller, and an electric kiln, as well a large workspace and student storage. Adjoining the clay studio are a woodworking shop and metal design area for jewelry and non-ferrous metal fabrication.
