For over 80 years, the Department of Art at the University of Oregon has been dedicated to the rigorous exploration of visual culture. As actively practicing artists, faculty members offer students an introduction to the challenges, questions and rewards of artistic practice. Undergraduates experience a broad range of conceptual approaches and practical skills through a diverse curriculum that encourages breadth and interdisciplinary investigation, as well as depth and discipline within media. Studio classes emphasize the development of ways of seeing, understanding of materials and tools, formal possibilities, technical skills, critical inquiry, articulation of meaning and fluency with visual languages. Students gain an understanding of the larger context of art through Art History classes, as well as workshops and programs abroad. Our active visiting artist program offers students insight into contemporary approaches and professional practices.
The graduate program seeks to prepare students for serious and engaged artistic practice. Our objectives are for students to not only arrive at an accomplished body of work, but also to develop the practices and critical thinking skills necessary to sustain and grow the work beyond school. The program focuses on individual studio practice, on the cultivation of a visual language, material process and conceptual approach relevant to each student's intentions and sensibility. Students are challenged to devise strategies of experimentation and research, as well as an ability to articulate ideas and critical responses to work. As part of a larger community, we expect students to have a significant understanding of both the historical frameworks and the contemporary discourse of art.
The Department of Art offers an innovative curriculum in ceramics, drawing, fibers, metalsmithing and jewelry, painting, printmaking, sculpture, photography, and digital arts including computer graphics, animation, web design and interactive media. Our multi-disciplinary approach is buoyed by professional grade facilities and internationally recognized faculty. We value the contribution of studio art both to the broad inquiry of all liberal arts students and to students committed to the Art major. Through the experience of artmaking, our aim is to help the individual think critically, communicate clearly and work creatively.
The collections of the Architecture and Allied Arts Library also provide a remarkable student resource. In addition to the library's 80,000 bound volumes, holdings include architectural drawings, photographs, electronic resources and a comprehensive, inter-disciplinary slide library. Complementing the A&AA Library collection are more than 22,000 art & architecture volumes in the Knight Library. The Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art features an encompassing Asian collection which includes textiles, armor, and adornment, as well as numerous important nineteenth and twentieth century holdings. The Museum also presents an impressive range of changing exhibitions each year. The LaVerne Krause Gallery in Lawrence Hall is a recently remodeled, first-rate exhibition space devoted to changing exhibitions of student work. Students are also encouraged to utilize smaller gallery spaces designated throughout the various program areas.
Laura Vandenburgh is the Department Head.
5232 University of Oregon
Eugene, Oregon 97403
541-346-3610
