Art and Design at Austin Peay brings unique artistic experiences into each classroom.
Our students and educators all come from distinctive backgrounds. This makes each
class period a new opportunity to engage with an original thought process to use in
your work. And with state-of-the-art facilities in our new Art and Design building,
you can revolutionize what the future of art looks like. Our faculty members continue
to add to their real-world experience by regularly creating and showing their work.
Using the virtual exhibition platform ArtSteps our Gallery Director Michael Dickins has ensured that the work of our students is still seen an innovative way. This year's juror was Hallie Ringle, the Hugh Kahul Curator of Contemporary Art at the Birmingham Museum of Art. Presenting the 52nd Annual Juried Student Exhibition!
See the Show!
Academic Programs and Minors
The Department of Art and Design offers three separate program concentrations and four minors. Any of these options will give you the tools you need to enter the professional world from working in an in-house design firm to setting up your own studio.
Animation and Visual effects is a versatile and highly in-demand skill set for today’s
digital artist. The ever-evolving digital world demands artists that have the ability
to critically generate content that is both technical and creative. The generalist
approach to the discipline presents graduating students with a wide-range of career
opportunities in the entertainment industry.
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Through a combination of courses in printmaking, digital media and illustration, students
will learn how to participate in the creative economy.
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Studio Art graduates gain the skills necessary to implement a concept through technique, material, or a
discipline specific strategy. They develop a personal style or vision and execute
it across a variety of media, ideas, and creative activities through critical making
and critical analysis.
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Art Education is one of the fastest growing fields in the 21st century, and our graduates
are successful in finding positions in these areas. Fine artists are able to purse
graduate work or are often successful at creating entrepreneurial opportunities for
themselves in galleries, as freelance artists, and as owners of small business. The
greatest value of an arts education is that it prepares students to solve problems
in a creative way.
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Our state-of-the-art facilities house one of the largest Art and Design departments in the state.
“I really do believe it is one of the best programmed art buildings I’ve ever seen, and I was an arts and sciences dean, so I’ve been in that field for a long time,” Dr. Alisa White, APSU president, said. “The Art and Design faculty programmed something that will really serve our students, that really sets up apart.”
The $21.3 million, 46,000-square-foot building features faculty office space, general purpose classrooms, a multifunction room, art studios, a photographic studio, a general art gallery and a student gallery.
Department events and exhibitions
From visiting artists and student exhibitions to senior student shows and College Art Day, there is always something exciting happening in our department. Read more about everything we have going on throughout the year below.
During College Art and Design day, high school art students, as well as their art
teachers and parents, are invited to participate in a daylong experience of college
programs and careers in the visual arts. Students will have a choice of creative workshops
designed to give them a college-level studio experience, while art faculty meet with
parents and teachers about the program, the value of art education, scholarships,
the Tennessee Promise and any other topics of interest.
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Our Student Juried Art Exhibitions are professionally juried from outside the University,
emulating the practice of real world art shows. The exhibition showcases the best
artwork produced by students during the past year and gives students the opportunity
to participate in a professional exhibition where a qualified juror selects artwork
and artistic merit awards.
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Throughout the history of the Department of Art + Design, we have been committed to
bringing top artists, designers, curators, and thinkers to Austin Peay State University
and the Clarksville community. Along with the support of the Center of Excellence
for the Creative Arts, all of our events within the Department of Art + Design are
free and open to the public.
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Each semester, the Department of Art + Design hosts senior student BFA Studio Art
thesis exhibitions. Each show takes place in the Barbara Beach Gallery on the second
floor of the Art + Design building.
Thesis Exhibitions for Fall have begun! Openings receptions are every Monday evening
from 5:00-7:00 pm with remarks by the artists at 5:30 pm.
All students with a major in Art + Design must register for a portfolio review after they have completed all foundation level courses. The review will be conducted by all full time faculty members within the Department of Art + Design. The faculty will vote immediately following the review on the students acceptance to degree tracks. The vote will either approve, deny, or defer their acceptance.
Portfolio Review sign ups are open! Click on the Read more below to fill out the form.
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News Feed
View all Art and Design news
The Department of Art + Design celebrates the end of the 2019-20 academic year with the 52nd Annual Juried Student Exhibition. The professionally juried exhibition opens virtually on April 6 and runs through April 30. All are invited to attend.
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Meet Javon Dixon. Student, programmer and shoe customizer. Dixon is a computer science major and graphic design minor. He said that his minor helps influence his imagination, and he's learning how to guide a business through a crisis.
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Heather Abels, who works in major film, TV and animation studios such as Walt Disney Animation Studios, will deliver a free lecture at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 26. The lecture is open to the public.
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