About

Art Foundations provides students with the opportunity to think critically, analyze artworks accurately, and communicate/write professionally. Theoretical ideas are built into each project and students are encouraged to incorporate aesthetic and philosophical ideas into their artistic practice.


student process
student process
student process
student process
student process
student process
student process
student process
student process
student process
student process

Exposure to possibilities

Each unit of the class also exposes students to vocational possibilities within the visual arts. This exposure to the potential professional paths available to students is intended to guide the selection of a major and area of emphasis going forward.

The three main Foundations courses (Art 1105/1106/1107) may be taken in any order but they are intended to be taken over the course of one academic year (ideally, one course in each quarter of the first year at SPU). These three classes are connected and students build on the skills they are acquiring from one term to the next. Each student will develop a portfolio of their work that will be used to apply for admittance to the major and/or specific tracks within the major. Art 1102 (Drawing) and 1205 (Color) are only required for certain majors/minors/concentrations so students should be sure to check in with an advisor about when to enroll, but they are intended to be taken in the first year if possible.

What will I study?

  • Ideation/Drawing
  • 2D Principles of Art
  • 3D Principles of Art
  • Time Based Principles of Art (video/animation/motion)
  • Color Theory

Art Programs

The Art Department offers three majors and four different emphases.

See all Art programs