Art / Art History

Perched on the edge of the limestone bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River and the Missouri plains, Voney Art Center highlights the openness and inspiring light of its setting.  This state-of-the-art facility reflects the vitality and engagement of the art world. Its studios, classrooms, computer lab, gallery, and common spaces are comparable to those at any top college visual arts facility.

Draw. Paint. Sculpt. Design a website. Create an installation. Shoot photos. Stretch your understanding of sustainable design. Study ancient, Renaissance, non-Western, modern, and/or postmodern art. Study art theory. Experience exhibitions by nationally-recognized professional artists. Share your work at student exhibitions. Tap into the Tremaine Art Collection, part of the larger Principia Collection, with its emphasis on modernist art.

Our studio art curriculum centers on generating insightful and creative thought, critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and an inspiring, disciplined studio practice. You’ll prepare for careers in areas such as higher education, museum or gallery work, professional studio practice, graphic design, web design, or a variety of other fields. We’ve designed the major to be flexible and in sync with contemporary practices, allowing you to initiate your own focus while building from strong formal and perceptual skills founded in intensive practice.

The study of art history at Principia College spans global architecture, sculpture, painting, photography, and decorative arts from their earliest beginnings to the present day. You’ll prepare for a variety of professions and graduate studies—from scholarly research and writing as an art historian to museum and gallery work to the conservation/preservation of art and architecture. Whether in the form of a cave painting, a mosque, or a work of Abstract Expressionism, art allows us to engage with the aspirations of humanity and view the world differently.

Major and Minors Offered

• Art: Studio Art (BA major, minor)
• Art: Art History (BA major, minor)

Why Study Art and Art History at Principia College?

• Our 6:1 student-to-faculty ratio allows invaluable access to faculty, each of whom are practicing professionals who continue mentoring students beyond graduation.
• Our faculty maintain individual artistic and/or writing practices.
• You can select courses from a variety of offerings in different media, from drawing and painting to creative digital practices to sculpture and sustainable design to critical theory (please see our course listings).
• We encourage openness and we reject any sense of limitation.  
• Our students develop transferable skills such as visual problem-solving and communication, original and independent thought, critical thinking, and an awareness of the social, political, and philosophical/religious contexts of the art world.
• We encourage awareness and practice/experimentation of current technologies in art.
• We prepare students to continue their education in some of the top graduate schools in the country, including The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, University of the Arts, University of Texas, Washington University in St. Louis, and the Art Center College of Design.
• We work with our students to pursue internship opportunities at companies and organizations.
• Art History students have opportunities to give gallery talks at art museums in St. Louis and in all art history courses, teaching students how to speak with authority and insight about works of art.
• The James K. Schmidt Gallery offers students opportunities to view exhibitions by nationally-recognized artists, and to meet these artists.  It also provides exhibition opportunities and gallery management experience for students.
• Our students develop portfolios in preparation for graduate school and careers.

Abroads

Principia abroad programs are open to all majors, and students are encouraged to apply for any abroad program that interests them. Past study abroads of particular interest to art and art history students have included the Britain and Malta Abroad, the Greece and Italy Abroad, and the Prague and Czech Republic Abroad.

Note: See the College Catalog for more detailed information about our program and departmental learning outcomes.