The studio concentration has classes in painting, ceramics, drawing, graphic design, jewelry and metalsmithing, photography, printmaking, and sculpture. We provide large and well equipped studio facilities (including a computer lab), small classes with individual attention, and a faculty of 20 artists who remain active in their own creative pursuits.
The lower division core has courses common to all areas of inquiry in the visual arts. The upper division component is tailored to each student’s individual studio emphasis. Through problem-solving assignments and accompanying instruction, students learn processes and strategies for creating works of art in various media. By concentrating on a particular studio area in depth, students can prepare a portfolio for further professional opportunities or for postgraduate study.
In addition to their studio courses, students must complete 12 units of art history in order to familiarize themselves with the history of visual ideas.
Students can view exhibits at the campus Reese Bullen Gallery as well as at the First Street Gallery in downtown Eureka. Both galleries bring challenging and thoughtful exhibitions of contemporary art to the Humboldt community. Besides curating shows of artists from outside the area, the galleries exhibit the work of faculty members and students.
Student Access Gallery Club, a student-run organization, curates and exhibits student work in three separate venues around campus.
Humboldt’s art graduates have gone on to become graphic artists, webpage designers, painters, commercial jewelers, art historians and teachers. Other careers: printmaking, art direction, art museum work, exhibition design, package design, silk screening, sculpting, illustration, photography, jewelry, and ceramics.
Preparation: In high school take as many art courses as possible in a variety of areas.