Contact us:

Art and Art History Department
Southwestern University
P.O. Box 770
Georgetown, TX 78627

Chair of Art History
Thomas Noble Howe, Ph.D.
Professor Art and Art History,
512-863-1376
howet@southwestern.edu

Chair of Studio Art
Victoria Star Varner, M.F.A.
Professor of Art,
512-863-1355
varnervs@southwestern.edu

Studying studio art, art history or architecture and design in the Art and Art History Department at Southwestern exposes students to high quality technical, historical and experiential learning in these fields framed by a the perspective of a broader liberal arts education.

Our commitment to rigorous mastery of conventional skills in studio (e.g. illusionistic rendering and life drawing in studio, knowledge of classical forms in architecture, historical knowledge and methodology in art history) coupled with knowledge of abstraction in the Modernist tradition tradition lead quickly to personal experiment. This method prepares students for the most competitive MFA programs in studio art, Ph.D. programs in art history, or M. Arch. programs in architecture as well as for the a rich array of careers in which a strong command of the arts can provide solid background, such as gallery management, museum positions, curatorships and numerous others.

In pursuing a major or minor in studio art or art history, or a minor in architecture and design studies, students find they receive significant direction in the first two years, but in their junior and senior years are increasingly encouraged to develop their own line of research, in close interaction with a faculty member. This approach has led students to be well prepared for their first research seminars in graduate art history programs and, in studio art, to prepare professional portfolios for exhibitions and graduate school applications.

All of our faculty members are exhibiting artists or publishing scholars. This means students have direct contact with active leading professionals, and can often participate or collaborate in their work or research.

Moving beyond the robust classroom and studio curriculum, one of the strongest features of our Art and Art History Department is the opportunity to participate in remarkable off-campus programs in the junior and senior years. Majors and minors, both in studio art and art history, are encouraged to take part in at least one of the university's off-campus programs such as the summer or fall semester in London or GLCA New York Arts Internships, where they can work directly with professionals in the field. The department also features a regular program of gallery exhibitions, lectures, and studio critiques by well-known artists, lecturers and practicing professionals, all of whom bring the living, breathing world of art to the experience of being a Southwestern art student.