Art and Design Department

Contact Us
Chair: Lauren Eastwood
Phone: 518-564-3309
Email: eastwole@plattsburgh.edu

The Art & Design Department is dedicated to providing a stimulating, intellectually challenging, diverse and nurturing learning environment in which students can develop their technical expertise, creativity and confidence in creating art. The curriculum and the faculty will inspire a lifelong interest in the visual arts and students will have the tools to achieve their highest professional aspirations (Mission Statement ‘20).

The Art & Design Department offers a comprehensive degree program. Students obtain a solid foundation in studio and art history, acquire broad experience in a variety of media, and concentrate in the areas of their choice. With faculty as mentors, students develop skills, creativity, aesthetic awareness, and knowledge in preparation for a variety of careers.

Program in Studio Art: The B.A. Art program permits students to combine in-depth study in studio art with broader liberal studies, a second major, or a minor. It is well-suited for students who wish to enter fields such as art therapy, elementary education, arts management, or advertising. After completing foundation courses, students select one or more areas to concentrate in. Art Studio Minors: The department also offers minors in Studio Art, Photography, Graphic Design and Art Therapy. Students complete minors either for self-enrichment or to complement other majors.

Art Courses: Foundation courses offer students basic skills and concepts and an introduction to disciplines, such as art history, drawing, design, and sculpture. This breadth of experience helps the student discover personal strengths and interests.

Careers: Throughout their course of study, art students work with advisors, faculty mentors, and visiting artists, to prepare themselves for future careers. Art alumni are pursuing a wide variety of paths, working for example as graphic designers, art directors, university professors, teachers, art therapists, studio artists, business owners, commercial and fine arts photographers, printers, and web designers.

Faculty and Facilities: The art department has an experienced, full-time, professional faculty. These dedicated professionals are currently involved in creative work in the studio and art history. Through direct instruction, by example of their own creative work, and by their professional collaborations, faculty members help students achieve their potential, develop their portfolios, and prepare for careers or graduate school. Class sizes are small enough for personal attention.

Located in the Myers Building, the department features twelve spacious, well-equipped studios, including a digital lab for photography and graphic design. Students have secure entry to large, bright, workspaces with generous access.

Visual art students have ample opportunity to exhibit their work, both on-campus in the galleries of the John Myers Building and off-campus with the annual SUNY-wide Student Art Exhibition as well as undergraduate student exhibitions at the Frederic Remington Museum in Ogdensburg, NY and the Lower Adirondack Regional Art Center in Glens Falls, NY. Students experience professional art firsthand through the notable Plattsburgh State Art Museum, which includes three galleries, a sculpture court, an outdoor sculpture park, and installations in other public spaces throughout the campus. There are about 10,000 historical and contemporary works of art, representing a variety of western and non-western cultures. The Art Museum is complemented by a strong print library and film and video collections.

Student Organizations: Students can participate in the Plattsburgh Association of the Visual Arts (PAVA) a student-led organization that gives members an opportunity to help plan and to visit museums and galleries and to coordinate exhibitions and arts activities on campus.

Workshops and Trips: Workshops and presentations given by visiting artists in studio areas gives students an understanding of diversity in approaching art that expands their experience within the studio classes.

Internships and Study Abroad: Plattsburgh’s art majors enhance their professional development through internships and study abroad. Internships exist both on and off campus. In addition, some students study abroad, especially in Ireland, England and Italy.

Scholarships: Several scholarships are available annually, particularly the George and Nina Winkel Art Scholarships. Scholarships are available for first-year students (Including incoming first-year) and for sophomore, junior and senior students.

Professors:
Alison Della Bitta (M.F.A., SUNY Purchase)
Norman Taber (M.F.A., Savannah College of Art and Design)

Associate Professors:
Andrew Goerlitz, M.F.A., University of Maryland-College Park

Assistant Professors:
Michaela Rife, Ph.D., University of Toronto
Bright Osei, M.F.A., Ohio University, Athens

Lecturers:
David Monette, M.F.A., University of Hartford

Programs

Majors (Undergraduate)

Art, B.A.

Minors (Undergraduate)