Art & Art History
Department

About The Program

The art major at St. Mary's College of Maryland provides a balanced course of study that includes art history, art theory, and studio art.  Art history investigates the historical context for art works, artists, and styles of art.  Art theory reviews the ideas, theories, and philosophical ideals that have shaped the creation of art in the past and in the present.  Studio art explores the many possibilities of creative expression in the visual arts and the methods, materials, and ideas inherent in making art works.

Studying art and art history at a small liberal arts college creates unique opportunities for students and faculty alike.  The number of students in most studio art and art history classes is limited, so that the atmosphere is intimate and intense.  Faculty and students enjoy exchanging ideas both in and out of the classroom.  The study of art within a liberal arts curriculum encourages interdisciplinary thinking drawn from many fields of knowledge and creatively applying these ideas to historical study, to original research and independent projects, or to expressing a personal vision. 

Both the studio art and art history programs are designed to foster a broad range of skills and abilities in art making, skills in verbal and written expression, understanding of historical contexts and intellectual frameworks, and an ability to express oneself creatively and skillfully in a variety of forms.  During the first two years, students intending to major in art will generally take a number of classes that introduce them to the department's integrated curriculum of visual, historical and critical thinking, as well as to several studio disciplines and the study of art history.  Normally at the conclusion of the sophomore year, the prospective art student declares the major and chooses to focus in either studio art or art history.