Are you drawn to beauty and are eager to understand your creative side through the context of God as our Creator? Maybe you’ve wondered if a career in the art world was possible. We’re here to tell you that it is!
There are careers to be had in art! The industry is growing across the nation and our alumni are thriving as professional painters, running educational programs, curating galleries, installing exhibitions, and, best of all, getting paid to do what they love!
In short, if you love looking at and creating objects and images, want to live and work in creative spaces, and find yourself constantly exploring materials, you should consider studying studio art.
Where Can a Career in Art Take You?
Our major prepares you for a wide range of possible career paths in the industry. As a studio arts major, you will …
Be equipped to develop, manage and direct creative organizations
Learn the historic, curatorial, and business administration skills needed to pursue a career in the leadership and management of arts-related organizations as part of the major's arts administration emphasis
Get a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to run an arts organization, facilitate community events, and curate an exhibition through working with George Fox’s galleries and existing art collection, regional nonprofits, and arts institutions
of art and design students complete an internship in their field before they graduate
Collaborate with Fellow Creators
Our studio arts major fosters the development of collaborative, resourceful, and creative makers who work in a research-based practice informed by contemporary and historical art and culture.
We work in a variety of two- and three-dimensional media including, but not limited to, sculpture, painting, drawing, photography and lens-based media, print media, and utilitarian ceramics.
Creative Thinking and Technical Precision
We place an emphasis on critical thinking, problem-solving, and risk-taking throughout the program, encouraging you to develop the confidence to experiment and the self-reliance to become a courageous life-long learner.
Instruction in technical competencies and skills of the studio practice is partnered with conceptual strengthening projects and polished off with professional and business practice capstone work to send our emergent practitioners out equipped for a life of successful creating and earning.
You will learn from professors who are dedicated Christians and be part of a family-oriented community where you will be known, encouraged and heard.
Our studio arts program will prepare you to enter the world as a professional practitioner.
You will receive training on securing grants and cultivating business practices in the art arena.
Our robust mural program and deep ties to the creative industry in our region provides you with multiple touch points to practice your work professionally in the community before you graduate.
You will have multiple opportunities to create work on commission and sell your art at local First Fridays and other events.
You will learn from faculty who are practicing artists with a wide range of current studio and curatorial practices.
As a senior, you will have the opportunity to showcase your work in a solo or group exhibition.
You will benefit from a ceramics and sculpture facility that will allow you to explore pottery and various sculpture mediums.
As a senior, you will have the opportunity to set up your own studio space in our art annex, with its own workspaces, kitchen and ceramic kiln.
You will get the opportunity to participate in multiple community-based events, including an art retreat where majors travel to the Oregon Coast to spend a weekend of artmaking, worship and getting to know one another.
As a studio arts major, you have the option to join George Fox University’s honors program. This great books program will allow you to engage in active discussions with your peers and provide you with a challenging academic journey that informs your mind and deepens your spiritual walk.
Art majors given preference. This course is a study of materials, methods, and techniques used for drawing with pencil, ink, charcoal, and other drawing media. Additional course fee is required.
A survey of the elements and concepts of art theory and practice as reflected in culturally and historically significant painting, sculpture, architecture, and other art forms, from 1450 to the present. Additional course fee is required.
Art and its relationship to a non-Western culture, e.g., African, Asian, Latin American. Specific topic will be dependent on the instructor's area of specialization. Additional course fee is required.
A study of the relationship between art and Christianity in the contemporary world. Designed primarily for studio art majors. Prerequisite: either ARTS 382 Twentieth Century Art or ARTS 384 Contemporary Art Forms. Additional course fee required.
This seminar course will meet weekly to focus on theory, concepts and methodology of art historical study and their application by engaging students in discourse surrounding lectures of visiting professional artists. Investigations of film and writing will be a secondary approach to this course. Must be taken minimum 5 out of 8 semesters in students’ program. Satisfies: core major requirement.
Additional course fee required.
This seminar course will meet weekly to focus on theory, concepts and methodology of art historical study and their application by engaging students in discourse surrounding lectures of visiting professional artists. Investigations of film and writing will be a secondary approach to this course. Must be taken minimum 5 out of 8 semesters in students’ program. Satisfies: core major requirement.
Additional course fee required.
This seminar course will meet weekly to focus on theory, concepts and methodology of art historical study and their application by engaging students in discourse surrounding lectures of visiting professional artists. Investigations of film and writing will be a secondary approach to this course. Must be taken minimum 5 out of 8 semesters in students’ program. Satisfies: core major requirement.
Additional course fee required.
This seminar course will meet weekly to focus on theory, concepts and methodology of art historical study and their application by engaging students in discourse surrounding lectures of visiting professional artists. Investigations of film and writing will be a secondary approach to this course. Must be taken minimum 5 out of 8 semesters in students’ program. Satisfies: core major requirement.
Additional course fee required.
This seminar course will meet weekly to focus on theory, concepts and methodology of art historical study and their application by engaging students in discourse surrounding lectures of visiting professional artists. Investigations of film and writing will be a secondary approach to this course. Must be taken minimum 5 out of 8 semesters in students’ program. Satisfies: core major requirement.
Additional course fee required.
Art majors given preference. This course is a study of materials, methods, and techniques used for drawing with pencil, ink, charcoal, and other drawing media. Additional course fee is required. Prerequisite: ARTS 111 Drawing I.
A survey of the elements and concepts of art theory and practice as reflected in culturally and historically significant painting, sculpture, architecture, and other art forms, from prehistoric times to 1450. Additional course fee is required.
This course examines and participates in the forms and methods of art in the 21st Century. Emphasis is placed upon investigating post-modern art theory while looking at current artists of note. The genres of video, installation, conceptual, digital and performance art are explored. In addition, students create their own work of digital media and conceptual art in the progression of the class. Additional course fee required.
In this course, students identify, research, and begin creating a body of work and written thesis in their studio area of interest. Emphasis is placed on strong technical and formal articulation in support of a compelling, developing thesis concept. Professional practices for the emergent studio practitioner will be examined and executed. Participation in the Professional Networking visiting practitioner program through studio visits and lectures is a key component of this course. Additional course fee is required. Prerequisite: Art and Design major and senior status, or instructor's permission.
The Senior Thesis II course represents the culmination of four years of study. Each student is expected to create a focused and in-depth body of studio work, which is developed through research and critical feedback with instructors and visiting practitioners. In recognition of the transition from student to artist this process represents, student will be working largely in a self-directed manner, in consultation with the Thesis Faculty. This work should reflect mature and independent decisions made regarding content and means of expression. Students work in their individual studio spaces. Additional course fee is required.
Prerequisite: art major with senior status, or by permission.
This course will introduce students to the practical skills required for the successful management of arts organizations. Areas covered will include budgeting, marketing/publicity, fundraising, and issues associated with the founding of a non-profit organization.
This course brings sophomore or junior level students into an internship experience with George Fox University exhibition and collection resources. Students will complete work in the academic semester related to museum studies, exhibition design and management and collection registration and care. Prerequisite: junior status or instructor approval.
Introduces students to materials, methods, and techniques used in painting with acrylics or oils. Additional course fee is required. Prerequisite: ARTS 111 Drawing I, or instructor's permission.
An introduction to screen printmaking, and relief printmaking (woodcut, linocut, collagraph) techniques and methods. Additional course fee is required.
Complete one 300-level and one 400-level course below:
A further development of the students' knowledge and use of the materials, methods, and techniques used in painting with acrylics or oils. Additional course fee is required. Prerequisite: ARTS 201 Beginning Painting.
Provides an opportunity for further development of skills and for the introduction of more advanced techniques. Additional course fee is required. Prerequisite: ARTS 230 Beginning Photography.
A further development of the students' knowledge and use of printmaking (silkscreen, woodcut, linocut, collagraph) and a further introduction to intalio and etching techniques and methods. Additional course fee is required. Prerequisite: ARTS 231 Beginning Printmaking.
Focuses on the individual artistic development of students as they combine techniques and subject matter into a personal style of visual communication. Additional course fee is required. Prerequisite: ARTS 301 Intermediate Painting.
Focuses on the individual artistic development of students as they combine techniques and subject matter into a personal style of visual communication. Additional course fee is required. Prerequisite: ARTS 330 Intermediate Photography.
Focuses on the individual artistic development of students as they combine techniques and subject matter into a personal style of visual communication. Additional course fee is required. Prerequisite: ARTS 331 Intermediate Printmaking.
An introduction to investigating methods of additive, subtractive, assembled, and cast sculptural techniques. Students will use medias such as glass, plaster, clay, wood and stone, working with the traditional sculptural subject matter of the human figure, plant and animal imagery and abstraction. Additional course fee required.
An inquiry of the essentials of combining a variety of art methods and materials, this class creates opportunities for students to integrate methods of kiln worked glass, assemblage, painting, photography, printmaking, mosaic, and sculptural techniques. Conceptually the student is challenged to have their artwork develop out of ideas gleaned from literature, science, their personal narrative, and current events. Additional course fee required.
This course continues exploration of sculptural techniques, including specific projects working with casting methods using glass, plaster, plastic, clay, and wax. Students are also at liberty to work in developing a deeper understanding of working in media such as metal, stone, wood and clay while cultivating a conceptual framework for their artwork. Additional course fee required.
Prerequisite: ARTS 221 Beginning Sculpture.
A further broadening of the student’s knowledge and ability to combine methods of painting, sculpture, fiber arts, photography and other media. Students are encouraged to learn from contemporary artist’s methods and techniques while building upon a variety of ideas and concepts. Additional course fee required. Prerequisite: ARTS 240 Beginning Mixed Media
A further development of the students' knowledge and skill in throwing, hand building, and firing techniques in ceramics. Additional course fee is required.
Prerequisite: ARTS 241 Beginning Ceramics.
This course pursues rigorous development in one’s sculptural methods. Students focus on a particular three-dimensional media while clarifying their conceptual framework with further research over the semester, creating a cohesive body of sculptural works. Additional course fee required. Prerequisite: ARTS 321 Intermediate Sculpture.
This course pursues focused creation of a body of mixed media work as the culmination of this course. Working in combined media of their choice, the student is challenged to create a series of pieces applying professional levels of artistry and technique. Methodical research of artists, media, and concept is required. Additional course fee required. Prerequisite: ARTS 340 Intermediate Mixed Media.
Focuses on the individual artistic development of students as they combine techniques and subject matter into a personal style of visual communication. Additional course fee is required. Prerequisite: ARTS 341 Intermediate Ceramics.
My time at George Fox allowed for transcendence to take place – a transcendence that I hadn’t anticipated would take form, a transcendence that changed my entire perspective toward relationship, toward art, toward faith, toward the world. George Fox’s professors and peers allowed space and opportunities for me to become a better human being, which is something I’ll forever be grateful for.
What’s after George Fox
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment as a craft or fine artist is expected to grow 6 percent between 2016 and 2026, and roles for multimedia artists are growing at 8 percent.
The Portland metro area is well-known for its thriving arts community, bringing in millions of dollars annually and supporting a significant population of artists. As the world moves more visual, the role of the "traditional artist" has shifted and organizations of all types have been creating opportunities for artists.
Our students have received full-ride scholarships to grad school, and we boast a large number of alumni who are supporting themselves with their practice.
100% of art and design students at George Fox complete an internship in their field before they graduate. Here's where some of our student interned during the 2022-23 school year:
