Programs - Painting
Fine Arts Building | Room 404 | 406.243.5453
“Contemporary painting contends that art is not one thing and that therefore no one way of looking is sufficient; one must always be prepared to add new axioms.”
--Barry Schwabsy
Painting at The University of Montana is a comprehensive, vibrant program supporting a wide range of interests and approaches. Central to our program is the development of content and strategies for articulating ideas. Our curriculum thus balances technical proficiency with the creative exploration of a wide range of subjects, processes and approaches. No one specific style or perspective is favored.
Students begin with a solid foundation in traditional technical skill that evolves into increasing concern with experimental approaches, meaning and contemporary issues. Upper-division courses allow students to examine a topic in depth and find connections to current theory and working practice. Offerings include experimental techniques, the figure and identity, process and abstraction, and portfolio development. This Spring is a new class on contemporary mural painting class that culminates in the creation of a large, public, permanent work in downtown Missoula.
Facilities
The undergraduate painting area is anchored by our large (nearly 4,000 square foot) studio classroom. With natural northern light, high ceilings, and movable walls for flexibility, it is equipped to handle a wide range of projects in both oil and acrylic. The painting area has a dedicated, well-equipped woodshop for construction of supports and canvasses. Tools include a chop saw, band saw, pneumatic nail gun, electric drills, sanders, biscuit joiner and various clamps and hand tools. Adjacent to the main painting classroom are shared semi-private studios for BFA students. Lockers are available for enrolled students.
Our graduate studios are housed at a separate facility in the historic Schrieber Gymnasium. Each graduate student has 24-hour access to a well-lit, semi-private studio. The Schrieber graduate facilities have a complete woodshop, two small lounge areas and a computer lab.
Faculty
Kevin Bell, Assistant Professor
MaryAnn Bonjorni, Professor
James Bailey, Professor
Karina Hean, Visiting Assistant Professor
Graduate Students
Cathryn Sugg
Anna Lemnitzer
Rebecca Weed
Courses
- Painting I
- Painting II
- Contemporary Themes
- The Figure and Identity
- Process and Abstraction
- Portfolio Development
- Contemporary Mural Painting
- Advanced Research
- Senior Thesis
- Independent Study
- Graduate Studio
- Graduate Thesis
