Art

About

We launch the careers of people who dream of contributing to the world through the Visual Arts. This may be through the making of art—or the curating, researching and/or teaching of art. Whichever degree option you choose, you’ll learn how to use your individual artistic passions to “create” your future career.

Contact Us

For further questions or concerns about Art, please contact:

Professor Jenny Hyde
Program Director for Art
P:509.359.6997
E:ArtDepartment@ewu.edu

140 Art Building
Cheney, WA 99004

The Notion of Something More

2020 BFA Thesis Exhibition

During the last quarter of EWU’s BFA program, enrolled students participate in the BFA Thesis Exhibition course. Students use this final quarter to hone their studio works and clarify the work’s conceptual orientation. The course culminates with the Thesis Exhibition, a chance to celebrate their studio and research achievements in a contemporary gallery setting.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent closure of the EWU Art Gallery, the 2020 BFA Thesis Exhibition was moved to an online format. The EWU Art Program is extremely proud of the 2020 BFA cohort Madison Jones and Lisa Koep. They took on these new challenges with grace and perseverance; and thrived in the process.

For the Month of June, a pop-up version of the exhibition: The Notion of Something More is available to view in the window of the Saranac Art Projects.

25 W Main Ave, Spokane, WA 99201

BFA Exhibition

Madison Jones is an emerging artist currently living and working here in Spokane. She is currently enrolled in the BFA program at Eastern Washington University, where she is focused on digital media and photography.

Using mainly film and lens based media, Madison is currently focusing on the importance of content in relation to the physicality of an image. She questions the relationship of how the image works and the layers within while incorporating various methods of destruction and reconstruction.

BFA Exhibition

Lisa Perkins Koep is a contemporary sculpture and installation artist exploring the juxtaposition between the forces of nature and nurture.  Utilizing items from both the natural and manufactured world, she creates a point of intersection where these two worlds can perform as one.

Her inspiration comes from the infinite possibilities that result from this convergence. With a professional background in interior design, Lisa has enjoyed expanding her creativity through her Fine Arts Degree at Eastern Washington University. Graduating this spring, Lisa looks forward to continuing her work as a 3-dimensional artist.

BFA Exhibition
Abstract painted circles
Acorn covered in blue and white paint
Acorn covered in blue and white paint

More Information

No matter which degree program you select, the following resources will be accessible to you:

  • Our scholarships help many students pay tuition.
  • We offer an amazing range of facilities.
  • Our painting and drawing studio classrooms are bright and open for use – pretty much anytime!
  • The Visiting Artist Lecture Series (VALS) brings well-regarded artists to campus to discuss their art and share real-life professional experience with our students.
  • The gallery hosts a variety of local, regional and national exhibitions – including student shows and research symposia.
  • Most of our classes have a small student/teacher ratio (16 to 1), there are opportunities for individualized attention and support.
  • The people we hire to work with you are well-regarded in their respective fields and have degrees from places like Harvard, Alfred University, Goddard and Cornish Colleges. And, they all put teaching at the forefront of their professional activities.

You should begin taking Art Foundations courses as soon as you think you might want to major in art. No matter which degree you choose, you’ll need the following:

  • ART 201 | Studio Art I: Surface/Image/Practice
  • ART 202 | Studio Art II: Space/Form/Materials
  • ART 203 | Digital Art I (except Art History majors)
  • ART 213 | The Visual Art Experience

Many art history courses require ENGL 201 as a prerequisite, so we encourage you to take that course as early as possible.

You’ll probably also take some General Education courses while taking your Art Foundations. During this time, you should work closely with a CAAR advisor to plan your degree program. Once you’ve decided to declare a major (art education, art history, or studio art), you’ll be assigned an ART advisor.

Keep in mind, while taking general education credits, the Art Program has four General Education courses that can count towards your program: ART 213: The Visual Art Experience (humanities breadth area) as well as ART 310: World Art, ARTH 303: The Body in Art, and ARTH 340: Native North American Art (diversity requirement).

Yes, the Art Program offers two art minors:

  1. Studio Art
  2. Art History

An art minor is a great credential to add to many other degrees. It shows an exposure to creative thinking and problem solving: things important to fields such as business, design, or even law!

YES! EWU Art alumni have been accepted into a variety of top-notch universities across the USA. Our BFA students alone have been placed in over 300 universities across the country, including:

  • University of Texas – Austin
  • Cranbrook
  • San Francisco Art Institute
  • Pratt Institute
  • Claremont
  • California Institute of Arts and Crafts
  • Mills College
  • University of California – San Diego
  • Alfred University
  • University of Idaho

… and more!

For our program learning objectives, please see our individual degree pages:

Overall, we understand that art represents people, cultures, values and perspectives on being human. Studying art gives students the tools to interpret the world in which they live by cultivating creativity and stretching perceptions.

Visiting Artist Lecture Series

Established in 1993 with grants from the National Education Association, the Visiting Artist Lecture Series (VALS) is a community consortium that promotes dialogue about contemporary art and art issues. VALS works with national & international contacts in the art world to bring working artists, critics, and educators to the Spokane area. Past panelists, lecturers and exhibitors have included a roster of impressive creators/scholars: Andrea Zittel, Eleanor Heartney, Amalia Mesa-Bains, James Luna, Mel Chin, Kiki Smith, Janine Antoni, Sue Coe, Enrique Chagoya, Rikrit Tiravanija, Graciela Iturbide, David Mach, Andrea Zittel, Sam Durant, and Marie Iverson.

Visit our Facebook page to see prompts about current VALS events. For further questions or concerns, please contact Jenny Hyde at jhyde@ewu.edu.

Art Scholarships

Two artists next to a piece of artworkBackground: After 40 years of working together as faculty members of the Art Program, Tom Askman and Barbara Miller have changed the lives of many EWU Students. Tom and Barbara will continue their legacy at Eastern by establishing this Endowed Art Scholarship fund. The recipient of this award should:

  • be a full-time junior or senior who is majoring in Studio Art or Art History
  • have a GPA or 3.0

The art faculty will select a student based on their determination of the most deserving and promising student.

Established: 2017

Amount Awarded: $600-$1,200

Past Recipients:

  • 2019: Rachelle Rogers
  • 2018: Tayler Parkin
  • 2017: Joel Gaytan

Background: Phillip D. Grub, a distinguished alumnus of Eastern Washington University, class of 1953, is a retired professor of International Business and emeritus holder of the Aryamehr Chair in Multinational Management at The George Washington University. This scholarship was established because of his knowledge of and appreciation for art that he gained as a result of his art classes (he is a former member EWU band, choir and other musical groups). Grub provides opportunities for undergraduate art students who show promise of bringing future recognition to EWU during their professional careers. This award is students who:

  • are juniors or seniors
  • demonstrate financial need and/or superior ability in art

Preference is given to students studying “traditional art” methods.

Amount Awarded: $600-$1,400

Past Recipients:

  • 2019: Maggie Harty
  • 2018: Brandt Wurzer
  • 2017: Whitney Evans
  • 2016: Olivia Evans and Jennifer Acevedo
  • 2015: Raeanne Samuelson and Christopher Chorvat
  • 2014: Remelisa Cullitan and Amy Ueckert
  • 2008: Ryan Desmond

Abstract jaguar statue
Photo by Marmot Art Space: “Jaguar in Spokane”

Background: Ruben Trejo was a retired Eastern Washington University Art professor who was respected and a well known Mexican-American artist in the Pacific Northwest. He worked in bronze sculpture, painting and collages. During his 35 years at Eastern, Ruben actively recruited Hispanic professors, staff and students to the school and was one of the founders of EWU’s Chicano Education Program.

Amount Awarded: $700-$2,000

Past Recipients: 

  • 2017: Crystal Aguilar
  • 2014: Noe Vivar
  • 2011: Yoni Rodriguez

Background: Ruby Gould Tyler was born in Idaho Falls, Idaho, and enjoyed drawing all her life. After her graduation from Cheney Normal School in 1939, she taught school, published and edited a community newspaper, worked in advertising and became an entrepreneur with a decorating business. As a member of the Southwestern Artists Association, she won many awards. The recipient of this award must:

  • be an art major
  • have a 3.0 GPA or higher
  • demonstrate financial need

Amount Awarded: $200-$500

Past Recipients:

  • 2019: Max H. Miller
  • 2018: Audrey Halfhill
  • 2017: Rebekah Curtis

Background: R. A. Hanrahan established her biannual scholarship in 1975.

Amount Awarded: $200-$1,000

Past Recipients:

  • 2019: Destiny L. Vaught
  • 2018: Katelyn Reed
  • 2017: Heidi Bancroft
  • 2016: Katelyn Reed
  • 2015: Rebecca Adams
  • 2013: Karie Cooper
  • 2012: Teresa Asbury and Anna Skoromnaya
  • 2011: Mathew Waite
  • 2010: Daniella Snow
  • 2009: Alyese Homan Walker, Ariana Winger, and Sara Babcock
  • 2008: Kimiko Ishii

Interested in an art scholarship? Complete the general EWU scholarship application to be considered. The priority deadline for the 2020-21 school year is Feb. 1, 2020, but applications are still accepted and reviewed throughout the year.

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Careers in Art

  • High School Art Teacher
  • Elementary Art Teacher
  • Art Education Director
    • Museum programs
    • Community based programs
  • College Instructor or Professor
  • Visiting Artist
  • Artist Residency Instructor or Technician
  • Art Teacher
    • Community centers
    • Art centers
  • Workshop Leader
  • Workshop Coordinator

  • High School Art Teacher
  • Elementary Art Teacher
  • Art Education Director
    • Museum programs
    • Community based programs
  • College Instructor or Professor
  • Visiting Artist
  • Artist Residency Instructor or Technician
  • Art Teacher
    • Community centers
    • Art centers
  • Workshop Leader
  • Workshop Coordinator

 

  • Working Artist
  • Grant Writer
  • Public Artist
  • Art Consultant
  • Curator
    • Gallery
    • Museum

  • Gallerist
  • Art Agent and Business Manager
  • Online Vendor

  • Art Therapy

  • Archivist
  • Foundation Accounts
  • Arts Preservation
  • Membership Officer
  • Museum Shop Manager
  • Preparator
  • Public Relations Officer
  • Registrar
  • Receptionist
  • Program Assistants
  • Curatorial Assistant
  • Museum Program Assistant
  • Research Assistant
  • Social Media Managers or Assistants
  • Marketing Assistants
  • Corporate Sponsorship
  • Grants writer
  • Press/PR Assistants or Directors
  • Event Management

  • Commercial Photography
  • Professional Photography
  • Illustrator
  • Graphic Designer
  • AV Technician
  • Studio Artist
  • Muralist
  • Studio Artist
  • Potter
  • Production Design
  • Set Design
  • Studio Artist
  • Freelance Illustrator
  • Freelance Designer
  • Creative Technologist
  • Craft Artist
  • Industrial Designer
  • Animator
  • Multimedia Specialist
  • Digital Designer
  • Digital Content Strategist
  • Tattoo Artist
  • Digital Image Specialist
  • Digital Video Editor
  • Videographer
  • Digital Asset Manager
  • Studio Assistant
  • Studio Technician

With 3.48 million people working for arts businesses, arts education is a critical tool in fueling the creative industries with arts-trained workers as well as new arts consumers.

“The arts develop skills and habits of mind that are important for workers in the new economy of ideas.” – Alan Greenspan, former U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman

Sample Art Courses

ART 303. DIGITAL ART. 5 Credits.

Notes: ART 201 Image and Technology (2020-21) is the prerequisite not ART 201 Surface/Image/Practice (2018-19, 2019-20).
Pre-requisites: ART 103 or ART 105 or ART 201 or ART 203 or DESN 216, or permission of instructor.
This course explores the use of digital media in the creation of studio art. Methods of vector and raster imagery is the focus along with an introduction to 2D animation techniques. Topics within the field of digital art will be introduced and discussed. Skills from this course can be applied to a number of artistic interests—both creative and practical.

Catalog Listing

ART 390. ART IN THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. 3 Credits.

Children’s development in visual expression. Teaching procedures and materials used in structuring children’s art experiences and the development of skill in basic studio practices.

Catalog Listing

ART 404. PHOTOGRAPHY: ADVANCED PRACTICE. 5 Credits.

Pre-requisites: ART 305, ART 308 or permission of the instructor.
This is an advanced course that seeks to synthesize the skills learned in analog and digital photography courses. Students will engage with the broad history of photographic techniques in the creation of lens-based artworks. This course blurs the lines between these distinct approaches and helps students to create project-specific processes. Emphasis will be put on conceptualization and the artistic application of photographic technologies both old and new.

Catalog Listing

ART 225. CERAMICS I. 5 Credits.

This is a beginning ceramic art course that introduces the possibilities for creative expression, aesthetics and techniques using clay. Students will develops skills in ceramic construction and use of surface on ceramic artworks. This course examines historical and contemporary ceramic art and design practices relevant to the use of clay as a creative medium.

Catalog Listing