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Emporia State School of Visual + Performing Arts

Fine Arts

Art: Take Your Skills to New Levels

Bachelor of Fine Arts, Art

The Art Department at Emporia State University is a close-knit community of student and faculty artists. With six studio concentrations, you can focus on the medium most meaningful to you and your goals.

So Many Possibilities

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the annual median wage for arts and design occupations in 2020 was $49,600. Art majors work as professional studio artists, graphic designers, marketing directors, medical illustrators, art directors, photographers, curators, teachers and lecturers, art librarians, art administrators and more.

Hands Throwing Pottery

Be part of something great

At ESU, students take an active role in developing the cultural experience of Emporia. You’ll get opportunities to display your work, both within your department and to the wider Emporia State and Emporia communities. Our campus galleries, the Norman R. Eppink and the Gilson Memorial Gallery hold student and faculty exhibits throughout the semester that are open to the public. In the Emporia community, the First Friday Art Walk, started by alum Kaila Mock, often features student work.

Art student Kat Lowe sculpture

Do more at ESU

ESU has the only glass forming program in the state of Kansas and the only engraving bachelor’s program in the world! With dedicated studios and opportunities to learn from professional artists, Emporia State helps you to explore the conceptual as well as technical side of your craft. Get more info about the cool classes and learning opportunities by exploring the studio areas below!

Take action

Apply to Emporia State University

Apply to the school of chasing your dreams.

Schedule your visit

Schedule your visit today.

Request more info

Request more information today.

Scholarships

Scholarships are available to you throughout your artistic career at Emporia State. You may be eligible for talent awards from the Department of Art and general ESU scholarships through the Office of Financial Aid and Veterans Services.

Student Photography Work
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View our student work

View student work in studio concentrations: engraving, glass forming, graphic design, painting andphotography.

Art Department exhibit

Follow us on social

@ESUDepartmentOfArt

@esuartdepartment

Studio Areas

Ceramics

Bachelor of Fine Arts, Art Concentration

In the ceramics program, you’ll learn the basics of traditional and non-traditional crafting techniques while getting experience working with a variety of tools, methods and other artists.

Engraving Arts

Bachelor of Fine Arts, Art Concentration

Using hand fabricated objects, you will go beyond traditional engraving applications. Early courses focus on becoming acclimated with the tools. It is this program's ambition to explore the conceptual as well as the technical side of engraving. This program welcomes all disciplines in an effort to combine techniques. Installation, ceramics, bones, metal, assemblage, printmaking, sculpture, painting, found objects (and more) are all invited into the lab for exploration.

Glass Forming

Bachelor of Fine Arts, Art Concentration

This program is designed to prepare students to work professionally the glass forming field or to study at the advanced level at a graduate or professional school. ESU has a dedicated glass studio available for student use and brings in multiple visiting artists each year for students to work with. In addition, the Glass Guild Blowout is hosted on campus every year, which brings in visiting artists and the public.

Graphic Design

Bachelor of Fine Arts, Art Concentration

Students are prepared for the field of graphic design through courses covering print and digital delivery methods. Emphasis is placed on the development of a strong technical foundation as well as developing an individual visual vocabulary to solve real-world design challenges.

Painting

Bachelor of Fine Arts, Art Concentration

Students dive deep into researching other painters’ methods and motivations from the past and present, while creating a body of work inspired by historically significant painters. Projects in Painting and Advanced Painting students narrow their focus while working to develop a personal body of work. In addition to the required painting classes, additional classes are occasionally offered to broaden students’ painting experiences including, Figure Painting, Watercolor, Mural Painting, Independent Study in Painting, and Internship in Painting.

Contact Us

Phone + Email

(620) 341-5246

artuser@emporia.edu

Address + Location

Building

King Hall 010D

Address

Campus Box 4015
Emporia, KS 66801