Rooted in a strong liberal arts curriculum, Transylvania’s studio art major encourages the interplay of ideas from a variety of disciplines. The program’s philosophy rests on the belief that the best art draws from social, cultural, and aesthetic concerns. Art majors learn the fundamentals of drawing, design, painting, photography, sculpture, and ceramics, and chose an upper level concentration in one of these areas. Internships and foreign study opportunities give added dimensions to a student’s course of study. The major culminates in a capstone course in which seniors develop a portfolio, promotional package, and an original body of work.
Interdisciplinary by nature, art history draws on political, social, religious, and intellectual history, as well as literature, philosophy, anthropology, archaeology, women’s studies, and classical studies. Because art history embraces a variety of subject areas—designated courses in archaeology, history, and aesthetics can be elected in the major pattern—it encourages inquiry and conversation across disciplines.
In support of the art program, Transylvania's Morlan Gallery hosts a variety of exhibitions each year. Most feature contemporary art. Shows include student art, works drawn from private and public collections, and works assembled by individual artists and groups of artists.
Some of the positions held by our art graduates:
- Art director at a private school
- Historic preservationist
- Art director for state parks
- Commercial artist
- Secondary school teacher
- Art therapist
- Buyer in fashion industry
- Layout artist for newspaper
- Studio artist
- Owner of arts and crafts business
Some of the graduate or professional schools our art students have attended:
University of Kentucky, Savannah College of Art and Design, Ohio University, University of Louisville, Louisiana State University, Royal Academy of London
