Art (Studio Arts) and Art History Department

Art and art history are fundamental and essential components of a liberal arts education. Aspiring artists and art historians must study within the breadth of a liberal arts curriculum in order to meet the demands and responsibilities placed on them.

The study of studio arts involves learning the fundamental principles of perception, technical skills, and aesthetic concepts corresponding to the individual disciplines of painting, sculpture, printmaking, and drawing. Studio courses are taught in a developmental sequence tailored to the needs of the individual student. Discussions of art history and criticism are integral to all studio courses.

The study of art history involves the analysis of art and architecture within a cultural framework and is thus highly interdisciplinary in approach. The goals of the department are to enhance students’ perceptual and analytical abilities and improve research and writing skills. Through foundation courses, specialized electives, and advanced seminars, art history students gain the ability to work independently on a senior research project that is the culmination of undergraduate art history studies.

Internship and Apprenticeship Opportunities

The Twin Cities provide a wide array of internship opportunities for Hamline students. Art students may arrange apprenticeships in any studio area, either under the direct supervision of a studio faculty member, or an off-campus supervisor (with approval of the department). Art history majors have interned at local galleries and museums, as well as at a range of nationally and internationally renowned institutions.

Postgraduate Opportunities

Many studio majors commit themselves to graduate study following the baccalaureate degree. Those who do not proceed to graduate work find employment wherever imaginative or creative effort is called for: advertising, personnel work, display, small business, and sales representatives. Those who finish graduate programs move into such professions as: practicing studio art, teaching in schools and colleges, architecture, design, advertising, positions in museums and galleries, and art editing.

Art historical studies provide a strong basis in research and writing; thus art history majors often pursue careers in arts and writing-related fields. Art history majors often seek positions in museums and galleries, arts organizations, and educational institutions. In order to gain employment in colleges, universities, and museums, art history majors pursue graduate studies in art history at Masters and Doctorate levels. Those interested in attending graduate programs should consult with faculty members during their junior year in order to prepare for the application process. Art history majors or minors considering graduate school in the field are strongly encouraged to take courses in foreign language (French and German are most strongly recommended) while at Hamline.

Opportunities for Nonmajors

Many art and art history courses are open to nonmajors. ART 1130 Drawing; ARTH 1200 Western Traditions: Prehistory to the Middle Ages; and ARTH 1210 Western Traditions: Renaissance to Contemporary are introductory courses for students with little or no exposure to the arts. All Art History courses at the 1000 level are open to and designed for students with little or no background in the arts. Combinations of studio and art history courses are highly recommended for a broader understanding of the arts and visual culture.

Postgraduate Apprenticeships

Qualified graduates may arrange to do postgraduate apprenticeships in any of the major studio areas under the supervision of a studio faculty member. These apprenticeships allow students to develop their technical skills as well as provide an opportunity to enhance individual portfolios. Apprenticeships are an excellent stepping stone to highly competitive graduate programs. Apprenticeships are undertaken for one year and must be approved by the department.

Facilities

The art history department maintains a collection of more than 80,000 slides and digital images. The 2,000-square-foot painting studio has almost 1,000 square feet of north light. The printmaking studio is equipped for the intaglio printmaking process. Housed in separate buildings are 2,130 square feet of sculpture and drawing studios. The sculpture studio is equipped for clay modeling and plaster casting. The Soeffker Gallery in the Drew Fine Arts building features works from the permanent collection and rotating exhibitions.

Faculty

Aida Audeh, Professor of Art History, Chair. BA 1985, Cornell College; JD 1988, MA 1995, PhD 2002, University of Iowa. Professor Audeh is a specialist in the painting and sculpture of the 18th-19th century in Europe and in art theory and the history of academies during the Baroque period in Europe. She has published and presented on the art of Rodin, and on 19th-century European imagery based on the life, legend, and works of Dante in the context of medieval revivalism and nationalism of that period.

Allison Baker, Assistant Professor of Studio Arts. BA and BFA 2012, Indiana University; MFA 2015, Rhode Island School of Design.

Ann Bronwyn Paulk, Visiting Assistant Professor of Art History. BA 1972, MA 1996, PhD 2002, University of Iowa. Professor Paulk is a specialist in art of the 20th century and American art. She has published and presented widely with particular interest in modernism and construction of gender in art.

John-Mark T. Schlink, Lecturer in Studio Arts and Director of Exhibitions, Soeffker Gallery and Permanent Collection. BA 1991, Hamline University; MFA 2000, University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Professor Schlink’s paintings and prints have been exhibited nationally. His areas of expertise are printmaking, painting, and drawing.

Andrew Wykes, Professor of Studio Arts. Surrey Diploma 1979, Richmond upon Thames College, London; BFA 1982, University of London; MFA 1997, American University. His areas of specialization are painting and drawing. He has taught art for thirty years in schools and universities in the UK, Belgium and the US. Wykes has shown his work nationally and internationally including London and New York. He is a recipient of two Minnesota State Arts Board Initiative Awards in 2009 and 2013, The Agnes Hulburd Conger Prize for Excellence in the Humanities from Hamline University, and numerous others. He was awarded a fellowship at the Ballinglen Arts Foundation in Mayo, Ireland, and is featured in the documentary film “Painting the Place Between”.