Master of Fine Arts in Painting

The Painting Concentration envisions painting as a fundamental form of visual and artistic expression. The principal component of the Painting concentration is the development of a visual philosophy based on an exploration of various forms of painting in the first years of the concentration. Students also consider the roles of technique, concept, and meaning in relation to expression from the foundation level onward. Critical dialogue and rigorous expectations about studio practice support work toward the development of an artistic vision in upper-level courses.Students in the MFA concentration in Painting come from all over the U.S. and work in diverse manners from the nonobjective to the representational. Focus on painting in a research institution set in a welcoming college town. Private studio space is provided for Painting Graduate Students in Willard Hall. Students are encouraged to experiment with a wide range of methods and to seek their own personal directions through invention, discussions, critiques and research. Awareness of contemporary studio practice and mastery of the tools necessary for critical analysis are emphasized, as students cultivate their own unique vision and expressive language. A final, solo thesis exhibition, along with a well-researched paper that supports the exhibited work, is the culmination of the program, providing the opportunity to present a robust and cohesive body of personal work. Mentoring in professional practice and the potential for graduate teaching assistantships further support development.