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 painting.
Discover new ways and methods to do your art. Work on canvas, fabric, wood and other backdrops. Create different textures. Use oils, chalk, acrylics, watercolors and other mediums with different sized brushes, airbrushes or even latex-gloved hands.
At Olivet, you can:
- Study watercolor, printmaking, oil painting, composition and color.
- Create and host an exhibit of your work on campus during your senior year.
- Review your portfolio with art professors during your sophomore year.
- Learn about budgeting and adjusting for reality in working with clients.
- Minor in marketing, and develop your skills in promoting and selling your work.
- Work in the studio classes or on your own.
- Learn from professors who are also working artists.
- And so much more!
Putting knowledge to work
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
A career as a painter may be for you if you:
- are creative and observant
- are eager to try new art experiences
- enjoy learning from other painters and artists
- thrive on working independently
- find yourself experimenting with a variety of media and techniques in your art
Possible careers include: freelance artist, fine artist, fine arts director, art museum curator, art critic, painting teacher, art restorer, muralist
Freshman Art Scholarship Form
Painting concentration is within the Department of Art and Digital Media within the College of Arts and Sciences.