Art and Art History

Department Office
Art Building 128
(707) 664-2364
www.sonoma.edu/art/

Interim Department Chair
Christine Renaudin

Administrative Coordinator
Cindy Menghini

Faculty

Shannon Benine
Letha Ch’ien
Clea Felien
Nathan Haenlein
Kurt Kemp
Jann Nunn
Jennifer Roberson
Gregory Roberts
Michael Schwager
Jennifer Shaw

Programs Offered

Bachelor of Arts in Art History
Bachelor of Arts in Art: Studio Concentration

Ceramics
Painting
Photography
Printmaking
Works on Paper

Bachelor of Fine Arts: Studio Concentration

Painting
Photography
Printmaking
Sculpture

Minor in Art History
Minor in Art Studio
Minor in Museum and Gallery Methods   (See Career Minors)

Overview

The Department of Art and Art History offers interdisciplinary majors with the opportunity to specialize in studio art or the history of art.

Art History

The Art History program teaches students to think critically about art and visual culture. In addition to preparing them for careers in the museum and gallery world as well as graduate work in Art History or related fields in the humanities, the program offers training in research, writing and critical thinking that will serve them in many professions. Students are given an introduction to western and non-western art before taking more specialized courses that focus the art and culture of particular regions, periods or themes. Students will gain familiarity with critical theory, historical methodology and research using print, online, and electronic sources. Professors work closely with students to hone their writing, critical thinking and research skills and enable them cultivate and express their own ideas about art and visual culture.

Students in the BA Art History program take 43 units of major core courses.

Art Studio

The Studio Art curriculum is designed for students to develop the ability to create, analyze, interpret, and evaluate art. Students learn to express their thoughts, feelings, and values in a variety of visual forms. The department strives to stimulate creativity and competency as students broaden their skills and knowledge of materials and technologies. The faculty is committed to the recognition of individuality and unique accomplishment. Professors work closely with each student to encourage personal direction and ideas.

Students in the BA art studio concentration take 45 units of major core courses. Emphases include ceramics, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture and works on paper.

The Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree is often considered the degree of choice for students wishing to pursue graduate or professional studies. It enhances the artist’s opportunity to perform at a higher level and fulfills the need for additional artistic growth in an intensive studio environment. The BFA program regularly brings together students and faculty from all areas for demanding critiques. The pursuit of the BFA degree affords time for concentrated work within a specific art emphasis: painting, photography, printmaking, or sculpture. In addition, students may emphasize ceramics or works on paper.

This more intensive degree program is open to students through competitive application, usually during the junior year. Please see your advisor for details regarding the application process.

To complete the BFA program, students are required to take 70 units of major core courses, which must include 45 upper division units (300 or higher) and 21 units in a single area of specialized emphasis.

Courses for the majors cannot be taken for Cr/NC. A maximum of three courses may be challenged for credit toward the major: two lower-division and one upper-division. Most studio courses require payment of lab fees at time of class registration. In addition a $10 cleaning fee is charged each semester students are enrolled in any studio courses.

It is the departmental philosophy that a grasp of the history and theory of art is indispensable for the studio major and that creative activity is invaluable to the student of art history.