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Art Major

  • Available as major (B.A. and B.S. degrees)

    Capturing emotions and expressions visually is the skill and job of the visual artist. Olivet’s knowledgeable faculty will help nurture and grow the artist within you while preparing you for a successful career.

  • Nurture and grow the artist within you while preparing for your professional career.

    Develop your own expression as you learn the basic techniques. Study the history of art and the work of noted artists. Explore the abstract, representational, experimental and conceptual facets of drawing, illustration and painting.

    At Olivet, you can: 

    • Review your portfolio with art professors during your sophomore year.
    • Minor in marketing, and develop your skills in promoting and selling your work.
    • Create and showcase an exhibit of your artwork.
    • Work in the studio classes or on your own.
    • Learn from professors who are also working artists.
    • And so much more!

    Concentrations

    Learn more about the world of digital art with a Digital Graphics concentration. Experiment with digital collage, photo painting, digital painting, graphic illustrations and more.

    With a Drawing/Illustration concentration, find the freedom to work in a variety of media – pen and ink, charcoal, pastels. Discover the nuances of shapes, perspective and color theory. Develop your skills with figures, still life and gesture drawing.

    Pursue a Painting concentration, and delve into color mixing and composition. Create in oils, acrylics and watercolors — on canvas and a multitude of other surfaces.

    A Photography concentration gives you the opportunity to sharpen your skills with still and video cameras, lenses, lighting and software.

    Putting knowledge to work

    Learn about budgeting and adjusting for reality in working with clients. Collaborate with other departments on exciting projects, such as: 

    • “Tygr” literary magazine with the Department of English and Modern Languages
    • Graphics design with the Department of Engineering 
    • Redesign of mobile bus with School of Education and the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences
    Volunteer to be part of the annual Homecoming for Kids. Plan and lead hands-on art activities for children under age 10 while earning practicum hours.

    Plan and be part of community art projects. Students recently created a mural for a homeless shelter in Kankakee. They first sketched it, then painted it — giving their opinions, combining their ideas, working as a team.

    Enjoy class trips to Chicago – gallery visits, gallery talks, insights into careers in art, tours of the Art Institute of Chicago, and so much more.

    We encourage all students to be part of a study abroad program, such as the Council for Christian Colleges and University’s Best Semester program. Expand your knowledge and deepen your understand of other countries and cultures.

    Most students complete internships and/or externships. During the academic year, work on campus. Discover off-campus opportunities to pursue over the summer. Get credit, get paid and get job experience.

    Careers

    You might be interested in a career in art if you are:
    • Creative
    • Observant
    • Looking for a nontraditional sector of the workforce
    • One who sees the world differently
    • Right-brained
    • Wanting to make a difference in the world and be a part of something bigger than yourself
    • Not afraid to step out in the unknown and walk by faith to see where God leads you with your creative talents
    • Sensing God’s call inside of you to do this and trusting Him to take care of the details
    About 60 percent of artists are self-employed.

    Possible careers include: Art director, craft artist, set designer, exhibit designer, floral designer, fine artist, painter, sculptor, illustrator, multimedia artist, medical illustrator, scientific illustrator, cartoonist, sketch artist, printmaker, painting restorer, art therapist, museum curator, art historian, art critic 
     
     
     
  • Art Major

  • Focus your studies by choosing a concentration in digital graphics, drawing/illustration, painting and/or photography.

  • Complete list of faculty