Department of Art

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Examine the history, theory, and practice of the visual arts in an interdisciplinary liberal arts context.

A Colgate student uses digital studio facilities to complete a 3D modeling project.
A Colgate student uses digital studio facilities to complete a 3D modeling project.

Studio Art

The studio art curriculum includes instruction in drawing, painting, sculpture, photography, video production, printmaking, digital art, and emerging media. Students explore creative visual modes of expression while gaining familiarity with contemporary issues in the visual arts.

A weekly lecture series, gallery exhibitions, film and video screenings, and guest artists augment studio practice. 

 

Visiting artist Nick Cave paired a screening of his film RATTLE with an exhibition in the Clifford Gallery.
Visiting artist Nick Cave paired a screening of his film RATTLE with an exhibition in the Clifford Gallery.

Art History

The art history curriculum traces the visual arts from antiquity through the present day. This exploration of art over time is enhanced with visits to campus galleries, regional museums, and museums in New York City. Programming such as the Alternative Cinema Series, Friday Night Film Series, and Wednesday Lecture Series also provide opportunities for students to expand their critical engagement with the visual arts. 

An architectural feature of a building on campus.

Architecture

Minoring in architecture helps students to develop an understanding of the power of the built environment to shape lives and embody social values. Students studying architecture at Colgate focus on architecture as a cultural and intellectual product. Courses examine historical architecture in a wide range of intellectual, social, and political contexts.

More about architecture

Department Contacts

Chair: Elizabeth Marlowe
Interim Academic Department Coordinator: Lois Wilcox
Office: 314 Little Hall
Phone: 315-228-7633

I am developing many capabilities — including research, communication, and archival skills — that I will take with me.

Ally Shahidi Class of 2019

Visiting Artists

Students and faculty members in the Department of Art have frequent opportunities to collaborate with and learn from visiting artists. Engagements ranging from lectures to full semesters or academic years spent in residence regularly infuse the academic program with fresh perspectives.

Multimedia artist Nick Cave engaged the Colgate community with workshops and his works, which encompass sculpture, performance, fashion, and more.

The Picker Art Gallery's artist in residence Jessica Posner leads Colgate students in a live adaptation of her video work Mother.

Visiting artist Reet Aus works on upcycle projects, incorporating found objects, at the Clifford Art Gallery.

Visiting artist Mark Dion’s exhibition Mark Dion: The Phantom Museum – Wonder Workshop featured curiosities created by Dion and students, faculty, and community members.

Guest Lectures and Gallery Talks

The Art Department hosts a number of speakers and artists throughout the year; these are a few of our most recent guests. The full schedule of events for the current semester may be found here.

Course Offerings

Learn about both required and elective courses available to students studying art.

Course Offerings
Faculty and Staff

Meet the faculty and staff of the art department, and learn about their practice and scholarship.

Faculty and Staff
Portfolio Submissions

Interested in applying as an art major? Find out how submitting a portfolio can help.

Portfolio Submissions

Museums and Galleries

The Clifford Gallery hosts artwork by students, faculty members, and visiting artists throughout the year.

 

Clifford Gallery

The Clifford is a teaching gallery that features roughly eight exhibitions each year. Faculty members in the art department collaborate to carefully select exhibitions that provide examples of artwork executed in a variety of media, and that demonstrate issues originating in the academic curriculum.

Explore the Clifford

 

Picker Art Gallery

The Picker Art Gallery hosts an extensive permanent collection of both contemporary and antique, as well as a regular rotation of exhibitions displaying the work of highly regarded guest artists. Colgate art students benefit from up-close exposure to modern curatorial practice in museum and gallery settings.

Explore the Picker

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