Studio Art

Learn to Communicate Visually. As a Mount Mary Studio Art student, you will receive a curriculum that includes multiple art methods and diverse media exploration. The Studio Art major emphasizes skill training, studio practice, career preparation and artistic identity development. The program fosters social responsibility, advocacy and global awareness through art. Studio Art majors and minors have a senior art exhibition in the Marian Gallery. During your senior year you will provide a campus artist talk, install the senior exhibit and plan for post-graduation studio practice.  

The intimate class sizes allow you to get individualized attention from accomplished working art professionals. You can take courses in painting, drawing, printmaking, figure drawing, 2-D and 3-D design, fiber fabric design, sculpture, metals, ceramics and photography.  

Studio courses include students from various majors, creating a diverse learning environment. You can double major or minor in Studio Art as a complementary program to another area of study. Information on the Art Education program is available within the Education department. 

A Studio Art degree requires a minimum of 43 credits in art and design courses and the completion of the university’s core curriculum. 

View a sample program plan to see what courses you'll take in our Studio Art program. 

Learn More
Learn More

Studio Art

Learn to Communicate Visually. As a Mount Mary Studio Art student, you will receive a curriculum that includes multiple art methods and diverse media exploration. The Studio Art major emphasizes skill training, studio practice, career preparation and artistic identity development. The program fosters social responsibility, advocacy and global awareness through art. Studio Art majors and minors have a senior art exhibition in the Marian Gallery. During your senior year you will provide a campus artist talk, install the senior exhibit and plan for post-graduation studio practice.  

The intimate class sizes allow you to get individualized attention from accomplished working art professionals. You can take courses in painting, drawing, printmaking, figure drawing, 2-D and 3-D design, fiber fabric design, sculpture, metals, ceramics and photography.  

Studio courses include students from various majors, creating a diverse learning environment. You can double major or minor in Studio Art as a complementary program to another area of study. Information on the Art Education program is available within the Education department. 

A Studio Art degree requires a minimum of 43 credits in art and design courses and the completion of the university’s core curriculum. 

View a sample program plan to see what courses you'll take in our Studio Art program. 

A Studio Art major prepares creative individuals for careers that are embedded in the arts and culture sector.  Artists tend to pair employment with individual artistic pursuits, while some lead independent studio practices as entrepreneurs. According to 2024 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for art and design professionals is $53,180.

A Studio Art minor is designed for students who want to add art training and development to their degree plan. This minor requires a minimum of 18 credits. 

The Entrepreneurship minor is designed for non-Business majors who wish to learn how to start or operate a business in their chosen field. This minor is an excellent program for artists who wish to be self-employed or run their own art-related business. The minor requires a minimum of 18 credits.  

To become an art teacher, you will need to complete course requirements in both Studio Art and Teacher Education. Art Education majors will participate in a student teaching experience. This curriculum prepares you to be certified to teach art for early childhood through adolescence (approximately grades Pre-K to 12).

Students work closely with faculty throughout their program. Studio sessions are the greatest advantage of choosing to study art at Mount Mary. Specialty courses have designated studios for metals, ceramics, design, drawing, painting and printmaking. 

Our campus gallery is a unique educational resource hosting regional, local, faculty and student exhibitions. Through student internships, exhibits and artist lectures, the Marian Gallery promotes intellectual, cultural and aesthetic growth. The annual senior exhibit provides a wonderful learning experience for students, teaching them to prepare, install and promote an exhibit. The gallery director assists students through this process, and the department hosts a gallery reception for the students.  

Students complete their studies with a portfolio and a senior art exhibition in the Marian Gallery. While at Mount Mary, students are encouraged to participate in local and national exhibit opportunities. Students can network with regional artists through gallery programming and guest speakers. The studio art major also includes graphic design courses to teach students the digital training necessary to succeed as professional artists. Visit the Marian Gallery to learn about upcoming shows.

Jordan Acker Anderson, M.F.A 
Professor of Art and Director of Studio Art 
Phone: (414) 930-3107 
Email: andersoj@mtmary.edu 
Expertise: Painting, drawing, printmaking, color theory 

Josh Anderson, M.F.A. 
Associate Professor of Art and Director of the Honors Program 
Marian Gallery Director 
Phone: (414) 930-3108 
Email: andersojo@mtmary.edu 
Expertise: Sculpture, ceramics, metals, 3D design 

Abby Armstrong Check, M.A. 
Adjunct Art Instructor 
Email: armstrab@mtmary.edu 
Expertise: Art History

Deborah Brooks, M.F.A., M.A. 
Adjunct Art Instructor 
Email: brooksd@mtmary.edu 
Expertise: Art foundations

Jorge Ariel Escobar, M.F.A. 
Adjunct Art Instructor 
Email: escobarj@mtmary.edu 
Expertise: Photography

 

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