Special courses on styles, issues, and individuals in Western and non-Western art give a broad overview of the complexity of human artistic expression. Field trips to Washington, D.C., Richmond, Baltimore, and New York City, and lectures by visiting art historians keep students in touch with important art and recent developments in the field. In the internship program students gain valuable experience and career contacts by working in reputable museums and art institutions in the Washington and Richmond areas. The Studio Art major teaches fundamental skills, increases aesthetic sensibilities, and advances the student's individual development primarily in the traditional areas of ceramics, drawing, painting, print-making and sculpture, with opportunities to explore personal approaches and skills in diverse media and techniques. Individual study courses for the advanced student focus on specific artistic problems.
Optional internships offer professional experience.
Studio Art majors culminate their program with an exhibit in the college gallery or by submission of a senior exit portfolio. The College Galleries present art exhibitions and events of interest to the College community. Exhibitions are brought in from museums around the country, or are drawn from the permanent collection of over 4,000 artworks. Students gain valuable experience in the Galleries as catalogers, researchers, administrative assistants, and exhibition installers. A summer program of study in Urbino, Italy, is offered by the art and modern foreign language departments.