A strong foundation in drawing, color and design is emphasized. Students are provided with inspiration through exposure to artistic traditions from all cultures, including artistic traditions inherent to Africa and the many visual traditions blended and appropriated within today's African-American Art context.

Making art requires motivation, commitment, and the ability to communicate. For the student primarily interested in the Fine Arts, the department offers courses in Drawing, Design, Painting, Printmaking, Sculpture, Ceramics, and Crafts. After their foundation year, students may choose to focus on either Drawing/Painting, Printmaking, Sculpture, or Ceramics.

During the next three years the studio experience is accompanied by a range of multicultural instruction in Art History including Western and non-Western art from pre-history to the present. Like other concentrations, this curriculum is a cumulative sequence of coursework that provides a sound basis for creative exploration and critical thinking.

Philosophical ideas remain the basis for most of today’s contemporary artwork, and these ideas reflect our complex society. Students are challenged to find their own voice and their own artistic style. After completing this degree, students are encouraged to pursue further study in graduate school.