Majors

Studio Art

As a studio art major, you will develop technical skills, aesthetic judgment, and historical understanding.

Create with Purpose. Think with Vision.

Participation in both studio and art history courses will stimulate critical thinking and refine your creative potential in the visual arts.

Beyond studio and classroom experiences, there are a myriad of ways for students to engage with the field. You will have the opportunity to learn from local, regional, and nationally known artists. Yearly trips to New York City and biannual trips allow you to see and learn about art and culture. Additionally, you will thoroughly examine the unique role and responsibilities of the Christian artist in society.

Potential Careers for Studio Art Majors

Take a Closer Look

In order to get a better idea of what your classes and schedule could possibly look like for this major, take a look at the Sample Academic Plan.

To view the most recent course list and requirements for the Studio Art major, please consult the Academic Catalog.

A Look Into Our Studio Arts Programs

Mission Statement

The studio art major provides curricular opportunities for the development of technical skills, aesthetic judgment, and historical understanding. Participation in both studio and art history courses stimulates critical thinking and refines creative potential in the visual arts. The studio art major may choose to pursue a variety of interests: oil painting, sculpture, ceramics, graphic design, multimedia, or photography.

Program Learning Outcomes

Please see the Program Requirements Disclaimer when planning your coursework.

The studio art program at Bethany Lutheran College strives to produce graduates who:

Exhibit excellent visual and verbal communication skills.
Exhibit competence with all appropriate media and technologies.
Exhibit the ability to approach visual problems with creativity and insight.
Exhibit familiarity with the professional practices in their chosen field of study.
Exhibit the ability to produce work that is consistently original and meaningful.
Have critically examined the role of the artist in society, particularly the unique responsibilities of the Christian visual artist.

Studio Arts Major Course List

Entry into the Major

Each student is required to formally apply for entry into the Studio Art major. This typically takes place during the spring semester of the sophomore year. It is imperative that all prospective studio art students have an advisor from the Studio Art or Graphic Design departments. A major application form may be obtained from your faculty advisor or downloaded from the Studio Art section of the college website. In order to gain admittance to, and graduate with, the Studio Art major, students must maintain a 3.0 GPA in all studio courses and an overall GPA of 2.0.

Junior Review

At the end of the junior year, the transcript of each student will be examined by their advisor to ensure adequate progress is being made toward degree completion. At this point, admission to the major may be rescinded.

Studio Art Requirements

Foundations (10 cr.):

ARTS102 2D Foundations 2D Foundations 3 cr.
ARTS110 Drawing 3 cr.
ARTS202 3D Foundations 3D Foundations 3 cr.
ARTS290 Professional Practices Studio 1 cr.

Historical Perspective (9 cr.):

ARTS105 Art History I Prehistory to the Gothic Period I Prehistory to the Gothic Period 3 cr.
ARTS106 Art History II Renaissance to Realism II Renaissance to Realism 3 cr.
ARTS107 Art History III Modernism 3 cr.

The Student is to choose one primary area of emphasis: 2D or 3D.

Studio – 2D Emphasis (18 cr.):

ARTS114 Painting I: Watercolor and Ink I: Watercolor and Ink 3 cr.
ARTS211 Life Drawing I 3 cr.
ARTS214 Painting II: Still Life II: Still Life 3 cr.
ARTS312 Digital Illustration/Concept Art I 3 cr.
ARTS314 Painting III: Figure Painting: Figure Painting 3 cr.
ARTS324 Painting IV: Landscape IV: Landscape 3 cr.

Studio – 3D Emphasis (18 cr.):

ARTS116 Sculpture I 3 cr.
ARTS216 Sculpture II: Casting II; Casting 3 cr.
ARTS316 Sculpture III: Carving; Carving 3 cr.
MART325 Stop Motion Animation 3 cr.
MART435 Digital 3D Design and Animation 3D Design and Animation 3 cr.
THTR320 Scene Design OR THTR390 Costume Design 3 cr.

Students must also complete the following requirements:

Studio Arts Minor Course List

The minor in studio art requires:

Foundations

ARTS102 2D Foundations 2D Foundations 3 cr.
ARTS110 Drawing 3 cr.
ARTS202 3D Foundations 3D Foundations 3 cr.
ARTS290 Professional Practices Studio 1 cr.

Advanced Studio

Two additional studio courses from the art major (see above) 6 cr

Historical Perspective (6 cr. – choose two)

ARTS105 Art History I Prehistory to the Gothic Period I Prehistory to the Gothic Period 3 cr.
ARTS106 Art History II Renaissance to Realism II Renaissance to Realism 3 cr.
ARTS107 Art History III Modernism 3 cr.
ARTS452 Contemporary Issues in Art 3 cr.

Examples of Student Work

Access Bethany Student work in our photo gallery below.

Two cartoon students pose with art supplies on a stage beneath a sign that reads Art Show, with event details displayed around them.

Cartoon birds with human hairstyles sit at outdoor tables, each with a tray, books, and milk cartons as they eat lunch.

Abstract white sculpture of a dancer balancing on one leg, with arms and one leg extended, displayed indoors at Bethany Lutheran College on a square base.

Three brown pottery pieces displayed on a black pedestal in a sunlit studio space at Bethany Lutheran College, with potted plants and a wooden bench in the background.

Poster for Bethany Lutheran College’s production of Molière’s Tartuffe, featuring a masked figure and show details for November performances.

Painting depicting a young man with red hair and pale skin, wearing a fur-trimmed garment, set against a dark background.

A Bethany student wearing a bandana spray paints a tall wooden sculpture featuring carved faces in an outdoor park.

A vibrant painting of a giraffe with orange spots set against a dark blue background.

Illustration in black and white showing distorted, screaming faces. The repeated figures form a crowded group.

Christiansen, a Bethany student, wearing a red shirt and a backwards cap uses a chisel and mallet to carve a large wooden sculpture indoors.

Cyanotype photo collage of a woman's face shown in four variations, created by a Bethany Lutheran College studio art student.

Abstract painting by a Bethany Lutheran College studio art student featuring surreal organic shapes, vivid colors, and anatomical elements against a bright sky.

Illustration of a red-bearded Viking cheerfully sewing a garment while holding a sword, created by a Bethany Lutheran College studio art student.

A closed metallic multitool digital drawing with visible screws, buttons, and a textured grip resting on a white surface.

A abstract lifestyle painting of three students pose together against a green background.

Colorful circular illustration of Earth held by hands, surrounded by nature, people, the sun, moon, stars, and clouds.

A Bethany student paints a colorful scene on a large canvas in an art studio, with other people visible in the background.

Travel Opportunities

If you’re looking for a more immersive trip, consider Bethany’s study abroad program!

International Travel

Alternating biannual trips to Italy or Paris/London combine the excitement of foreign travel with some of the highest architectural, artistic, and cultural achievements in western history. Some of Europe’s greatest museums along with visits to the ruins at Pompeii, the Roman Forum, the Pantheon, the Sistine Chapel, Giverny, and Stonehenge are just a few of the stops that bring art history to life.

New York

Every other year, the studio art department invites students on a five-day trip to New York City during the fall mid-semester break. Highlights include some of the world’s premiere art museums including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the MOMA, and the Guggenheim. Other itinerary items may include performances on Broadway and at Lincoln Center with stops at the the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, Times Square and more.

Minneapolis

The art department also offers semi-annual trips to the Minneapolis Institute of Arts and the Walker Art Center.

Contact the Studio Art Department

Jason Jaspersen

Associate Professor, Studio Art

Studio Art Faculty

Andy Overn

Professor, Graphic Design

Denice Woller

Adjunct Faculty, Studio Art

Follow Bethany Fine Arts on Social Media

Next Steps

Interested in studying at Bethany? Scheduling a campus visit is a great way to see what we have to offer. You can meet professors or sit in on a class too! Contact our admissions office to learn more.