Studio Art Major
Art is not only a way of expressing ideas, but also a way of thinking and a profound inquiry into what it means to be human. At Washington College, studying studio art means learning alongside supportive faculty who are accomplished professional artists and dedicated mentors, ready to guide you in your creative development. We work closely with you to help you explore your own questions, discover your unique creative voice, and identify the materials and techniques that best communicate your ideas.
Our studio art curriculum engages with contemporary issues and artistic practices through a rigorous, interdisciplinary approach to artistic media, techniques, and concepts. In addition to foundational skills in drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, photography, video and new media, you will develop conceptual depth and gain the flexibility to move fluidly between diverse artistic strategies.
Through experimentation, research, critique, and ongoing dialogue, you will engage with your peers, faculty, and the broader world. Special topics courses are designed in response to global shifts and emerging trends in the arts, ensuring your work remains relevant and innovative. You will also take courses in art history, deepening your understanding of the cultural and historical contexts that shape your practice.
Studio art courses are taught in the bright, airy Larrabee Studio Arts Center, where you'll have 24-hour access to studio facilities as part of your coursework. Our Visiting Artists program regularly brings professional artists to campus to engage with students and share their work and process. The IDEAWORKS Innovation Center on campus provides fabrication tools that can help you turn your ideas into reality.
In your senior year, you will have your own studio space where, supported by faculty and peers, you will create a body of work for your Senior Capstone Experience (SCE) exhibition in Kohl Gallery. Visiting artists provide seniors with one-on-one feedback during studio visits. As part of the SCE, you and your cohort will manage all the components necessary for the exhibition, providing you with invaluable early professional experience before graduation. Junior and senior seminar courses prepare you for the SCE and for life as a working artist.
The studio art major offers a flexible curriculum that allows you to pursue a double
major or minor in another discipline, integrating those interests into your work and
studio practice. Studying abroad is encouraged, expanding your creative and cultural
horizons. In keeping with our department's commitment to interdisciplinary study,
some courses are cross-listed or co-taught with other departments and faculty on campus.
Liz Tilley '22
Psychiatric Rehabilitation Therapist at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center • Baltimore, Maryland“I just loved being on campus. I loved the small campus feel of it all. I was very involved, so I was able to just recognize people wherever I went.”
Explore Our Major
Student Opportunities
Conduct your own research, pursue an internship with a local organization, work with faculty on their current project, explore organizations, and check out what's possible around campus.
Outcomes
Washington College students go on to do incredible and interesting things with art, design, and creation. See common pathways, potential careers, and what our alum are currently up to here.
Faculty Expertise
Get to know our faculty outside the classroom through research opportunities. Faculty also serve as mentors and advisors during your academic tenure and as you complete your SCE.