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, ceramics, 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, thus combining a study of history, economics, literature, politics, sociology, and philosophy. The goals of the department are to enhance perceptual and analytical abilities, and to improve research and writing skills. Through foundation courses, specialized electives, advanced seminars, and foreign language study, students gain the ability to work independently on a senior research project, which 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 a range of nationally and internationally renowned institutions, most recently at the Tate Britain and the Museum for African Art in New York.

Postgraduate Opportunities

Most 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, landscape architecture, design, advertising, public relations, commercial art, art editing, newspaper layout work, photo-journalism, and scientific or medical illustration. 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 or 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. Those interested in attending graduate programs should consult with faculty members during their junior year in order to prepare for the application process.

Opportunities for Nonmajors

Many art and art history courses are open to nonmajors. ART 1130: Drawing & 2-D Design; ARTH 1200: Western Traditions: Prehistory to the Middle Ages; ARTH 1210: Western Traditions: Renaissance to Contemporary; and ART 1300: Beginning Pottery are introductory courses for students with little or no exposure to 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 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 3,200 square feet of sculpture and ceramic studios. The sculpture building is equipped with tools and equipment for welding, stone carving, woodworking, and fabrication. The ceramic studio has an extensive glazing area, facilities for wheel throwing and hand building, and electric kilns for high- and low-fire glazing and raku. A new 900-square-foot, secure and climate-controlled gallery was opened in 1996 in the Drew Fine Arts Center. The gallery, which houses the permanent collection, has also featured exhibitions that have brought national attention to the university.

Faculty

Aida Audeh, assistant professor. 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 on the art of Rodin, and on 19th-century European imagery based on the life, legend, and works of Dante.

Leonardo Lasansky, professor, chair. BGS 1971, MA 1972, MFA 1972, University of Iowa. In 2004 Professor Lasansky was appointed Artist in Residence. Prints and drawing. Professor Lasansky’s works have been widely exhibited in major museums and galleries in the United States, South America and Europe, as well as India and Japan. He is the recipient of over 50 national and international awards and is an academician of the New York Academy and Museum. Professor Lasansky’s major area of interest is intaglio printmaking and drawing.

Kristin Pavelka, visiting assistant professor. BA 2000, Carleton College; MFA 2004, Pennsylvania State University. Professor Pavelka was a resident at the Archie Bray Foundation for Ceramic Arts and a recipient of a Jerome Project Grant. Her area of expertise is ceramics.

John-Mark T. Schlink, visiting assistant professor. BA 1991, Hamline University; MFA 2000, University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Professor Schlink’s paintings have been exhibited nationally. His areas of expertise are painting and drawing.

Bruce Thomas, visiting assistant professor. BFS 1963, Minneapolis College of Art and Design, assistantship at Carnegie Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, 1964-65. His area of specialty is figurative bronze sculpture, and his commissioned works have been exhibited nationally.

Andrew Wykes, assistant professor. Surrey Diploma 1979, Richmond upon Thames College, London; BFA 1982, University of London; MFA 1997, American University. His area of specialization is painting and drawing. His work is exhibited extensively throughout the United Kingdom and the United States. Professor Wykes has been a visiting artist and lecturer at St. Olaf College and Swarthmore College, and in the United Kingdom at the Winchester School of Art, the Spelthorne Arts Center, and the European Council for International Schools, as well as St. John’s International School in Belgium.