Studio Art

Created to create

Our program breaks down traditional silos, encouraging students to explore various artistic processes in relation to one another. This interdisciplinary approach fosters well-rounded artistic skills and adaptability in the rapidly evolving landscape of contemporary art. Our curriculum seamlessly incorporates emerging technologies into the artistic practice. Students can learn to use advanced software, fabrication tools and interactive media, expanding their capacity for experimentation and expression.

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Why study Studio Art at Millsaps?

In their own words

Mary Noble Howard, Class of 2024

“After taking two classes in the art department, I declared my major. I had never felt so encouraged, motivated and inspired in my life. I would not be the same artist or, honestly, person that I am today if it were not for the fantastic faculty and curriculum that Millsaps has.”

Jack Sewell, Class of 2025

“The Art Department is full of amazingly creative and intelligent people who have instructed, informed and inspired both my knowledge of the arts and my own creative practice. I am so grateful for the teachers and resources I have available to me in the Visual Arts Center.”

Talayah Thomas, Class of 2026

“I would tell a prospective student to consider studio art as an area of concentration. Studio art is more than painting and draw. Art is a series of skills rather than one. No one starts off a master of anything, but if you’re a hard worker, studio art just may be for you.”

Featured Courses

Here is a sampling of a few courses that might pique your interest.

ARTS 1300 Beginning Sculpture

Explore a wide range of traditional sculpture media and techniques, including carving, modeling and casting, and introduces issues of three-dimensional design.

ARTS 2200 Intermediate Printmaking

This intermediate-level course varies in its specific focus. Topics may include woodcuts and monotypes, combination prints, color intaglio, and book arts. The course may be repeated for credit with a different topic.

Degree Options

Discover your degrees, minors, concentrations and certification options available for this field of study.

Studio Art, B.A.

Studio Art, B.S.

Personal Studio Space

Upper-level majors in the department receive a personal studio space.

The arts & entertainment sector generates 4.4% of GDP

The arts and entertainment sector is a $1.02 trillion industry (4.4 percent of the nation’s economy) – larger than sectors such as construction, transportation and agriculture.*

4.9 Million Strong

In 2021, just under 4.9 million workers were employed to produce arts and cultural goods and services.**

_{* he National Endowment for the Arts/Bureau of Economic Analysis ** Arts & Economic Prosperity (AEP6)}

Our distinctive strengths

The studio program focuses on critical inquiry and writing skills to ensure students not only create visually compelling work but also develop the ability to articulate the conceptual underpinnings of their art. This prepares them to engage in a meaningful dialogue about their work and the broader art world. Students also receive guidance on professional practices, including portfolio development, exhibition curation and digital self-promotion. This prepares graduates for a wide range of careers in the arts and related industries.

Upper-level majors in the department receive a personal studio space
Our special topics courses include animation, digital fabrication, papermaking, bookbinding and alternative photographic processes.
All art supplies for our beginning art courses are covered by tuition, and there are no additional lab fees.

Gain hands-on experience

All studio art courses within our program are designed to provide immersive experiential learning opportunities. Students actively engage in hands-on artistic practices to develop applied skills.

Alongside coursework, students have the option to pursue internships with local organizations such as the Mississippi Museum of Art Teaching Fellowship, Meridian Museum of Art, The Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Experience (The Max), Mississippi Film Commission, New Stage Theatre, Pearl River Glass, Brown Fine Art & Framing, Studio Chaney, Significant Developments, the Athletics Department, and various commission/freelance opportunities within the community.

These internships offer practical experience in areas such as museum education, studio programming, graphic design, social media, film production, scenic and prop design, stained glass design and creation, screenprinting, social practice, community organizing, graphic design, branding, and more. Faculty members are dedicated to connecting students with these opportunities as they arise.

Experiential Learning Opportunities

Pathways

Philosophy majors will find a Pathways connection in Business, Health; Arts; Culture & Communications; Exploration; Law, Politics and Social Leadership; and STEM & Data Science Pathways tracks.

Learn More About Pathways

Study Abroad

All Millsaps students can take advantage of our study-abroad classes. Millsaps College is ranked as one of the best study-abroad programs in the country! Upcoming classes include Beyond the Studio: Painting the Spanish Landscape. Check out all the opportunities.

Upcoming Study-Abroad Classes