Painting Emphasis - B.F.A.
Degree Information
Format: Face-to-face
Credits: ~126
The Painting emphasis encourages and supports a broad range of stylistic and conceptual exploration nurturing your unique artistic voice. Painting students have pursued graduate work in painting, art history and art therapy as well as found employment in careers such as curatorial fields, gallery work, design and education. Students may pursue a B.A. or B.S. in Art Education or a B.F.A. in Studio Art in this emphasis.
Degree Options
Students interested in a Painting education may pursue a B.F.A. in Studio Art with this emphasis, or pursue a B.A./B.S. degree in Art Education with this emphasis as well.
BFA Studio Art, Painting Emphasis
The B.F.A. in Studio Art is designed for students interested in a professional career in art. Aside from Painting, seven other Emphasis Areas are available to choose from in the B.F.A. degree.
BA/BS in Art Education and K-12 certification
Students may also pursue a BA or BS Degree in Art Education in which they can choose to take Painting courses.
Coursework
In addition to learning the techniques of painting, the program encourages undergraduates to examine the broader social and cultural contexts in which they create their work. At the introductory level, students establish a professional groundwork in media, materials, and processes necessary for their development as painters. As they continue in upper level courses, each is supported in cultivating a personal approach to the medium. This process includes intensive coursework, independent studio projects, critiques, and museum visits that offer students rich opportunities for reflective and engaged learning.
Studio Art (Painting) - B.F.A. Advising Guide 2022-23Transitional Advising Guide to New and Previous Studio Art BFA DegreePainting - Degree Checklist (Previous)Painting - 4-year plan (Previous)
ART 260 - Introduction to Painting
Fundamentals of painting in opaque media with a variety of subjects
and styles. Offered fall and winter semesters.
Prerequisites & Notes
Prerequisites: ART 152, ART 157.
Credits: 3
ART 361 - Intermediate Painting I
Intermediate projects using a variety of styles, subjects, and
techniques. Offered fall and winter semesters.
Prerequisites & Notes
Prerequisites: ART 260.
Credits: 3
ART 362 - Intermediate Painting II
Intermediate projects using a variety of styles, subjects, and
techniques. Offered fall and winter semesters.
Prerequisites & Notes
Prerequisites: ART 361.
Credits: 3
ART 401 - Senior Seminar
For studio artists and designers about to enter graduate school or
professional design studios. Includes a required three-day field trip
to Chicago, information concerning resume preparation, exhibitions,
interviewing, portfolios, design agencies, galleries, museums, and
analysis of the professional literature through written assignments.
Students will learn how the professional art world works. Offered fall semester.
Prerequisites & Notes
Prerequisites: Art major and senior standing.
Credits: 3
ART 462 - Advanced Painting I
A continuation of ART 361 with advanced and more individual problems.
Offered fall and winter semesters. Prerequisites: ART 362.
Credits: 3
ART 463 - Advanced Painting II
A continuation of ART 362 with advanced and more individual problems.
463 may be repeated for credit. Offered fall and winter semesters.
Prerequisites: ART 462.
Credits: 3
ART 498 - Senior Project
This course is the final work toward the B.F.A. Senior Exhibition and
must be taken in the semester in which students hang their degree
shows. Students will work closely with their major professor in their
emphasis area, and may have an additional course assigned from their
Junior Review. Students must seek the advice of their major professor
for the selection of works for their exhibition. They may also seek
advice of any other faculty members with whom they have worked or from
whom they would like additional feedback. Offered fall and winter semesters.
Credits: 6
Faculty
Jill Eggers
Associate Professor
Painting Area Coordinator
Students' Work
“"I really apply the skills to my everyday life in and out of the studio, which makes my life more fulfilling and rich, and helps save money which allows for more time to make art."”
—
MEGAN STONE, BFA, PAINTING AND ART HISTORY MINOR, 2014
Facilities
The painting facilities at GVSU include three large purpose-built classrooms. Each studio has ample natural light and offers specialized lighting for figure painting. Students have access to the woodshop to fashion supports for their work. The program also has a dedicated common room for group critiques. Students pursuing a BFA in this program have individual studios.
Alumni Outcomes
Graduates of the Studio Art – Painting program possess knowledge, experience, and unique skills that are highly desirable and transferable, enabling them to seek employment in career fields both within and outside of the fine arts. Art degrees can lead to future work opportunities in a gallery, non-profit cultural organization, or museum.
Painting Emphasis Graduates Work As...
- Freelance artist/ entrepreneur
- Painter (portrait artist)/ mural artist
- Gallery owner/assistant/ director/ curator
- Exhibition planner/ coordinator
- Community-based artist
- etc...
Where GVSU Alumni Have Worked / Been Accepted to Graduate Degrees...
- School of the Art Institute of Chicago
- Southern Illinois University
- West Side School for the Desperate, Chicago, IL
- Oxbow School of Art
Professional Networking
Painting emphasis students are encouraged to pursue professional connections from the start in the program, engaging in exhibition work, on-campus employment, among other options.
GVSU Career Center
The Career Center offers a wide variety of events to help you successfully land after graduating from GVSU!
SCHEDULE A VMA TOUR
Interested in visiting VMA? Schedule your student lead tour today!
Tours are available during open VMA Office hours:
Monday -Friday 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
(Closed on Public Holidays)
VMA Main Office: (616) 331-3486
[email protected]
Request Information/Visit
For questions about the Ceramics area, please contact:
Jill Eggers
Painting Coordinator
704 Calder Arts Center
(616) 331-3361
[email protected]
OTHER AREAS
Art Education — Art History — Ceramics — Film & Video Production — Graphic Design — Illustration — Jewelry and Metalsmithing — Painting — Photography — Printmaking — Sculpture — Visual Studies