Academic Catalog 2023-2024

Art

College of Arts and Humanities
Department of Art and Design

Program Description and Features

The Art major provides rich experiences and creative training in a community that values experimentation and self-awareness. Faculty mentor students by establishing a foundation of skillsets across disciplines in drawing, painting, sculpture, ceramics, socially engaged art, time-based media and other contemporary art practices.

Advances level courses are designed to cultivate content-driven art allowing students the flexibility of using the medium(s) of their choice. In the senior year, students develop a professional plan while conceptualizing and creating a cohesive body of work for participation in an exhibition.

Art historical precedents and contemporary art issues as well as professional practices and the technologies of art are emphasized throughout the program. Students have the option to participate in internships and apply for scholarships and are given access to visiting artists and curators. The Art major offers comprehensive preparation and guidance for students to become practicing artists, cultural producers, and creative thinkers.

Program goals are as follows:

  1. To introduce students to a variety of art disciplines – drawing, painting, sculpture, ceramics, technologies of art, contemporary art practices, professional practices, and art history.
  2. To help students develop technical, formal, and conceptual skills in these areas.
  3. To prepare students for the further study or practice of art-making.

The Fine Arts facility is located in LaCorte Hall. All of the traditional visual arts areas have generously sized studios and the majority of these adjoin exterior patios, which further extend their usable space and take advantage of Southern California's mild climate. The studios are furnished with a wide range of equipment for various media.

The University Art Gallery contains over 2,000 square feet of exhibition space. The Gallery has frequent exhibitions, including guest lectures by exhibiting professional artists.

Students have additional access to studios outside of class time.

The Minor in Art invites students to explore two-and three-dimensional studies in the Department of Art and Design. Students may take the Minor in Art and also major in Art History or Design or a major from another program.

The Minor in Ceramics introduces students to the fundamentals of ceramic art both in functional and sculptural applications. Students may take the Minor in Ceramics and also a major in Art History or Design.

Academic Advisement

Advising for Art & Design majors and minors is done by Art and Design faculty members as well as the College of Arts and Humanities academic advisors.  Students must stop by the Department of Art and Design to be assigned to an advisor. The advisor will facilitate the student's smooth passage through his/her educational experience. Students must consult their advisors each semester before registration to discuss their program. For General Education information and advisement, contact the University Advisement Center located in WH 220, (310) 243-3538.

Preparation

High school students planning to major in art at CSU Dominguez Hills will be best prepared by taking a maximum variety of art courses offered in their school. In addition, they should have some general exposure to the history of art.

Community College transfer students seeking admittance to the CSU Dominguez Hills Art and Design department will be best prepared by having completed the equivalent of the following CSU Dominguez Hills lower division art courses:

  • Introduction to World Art 2 (ARH 111)
  • Ceramics 1 (ART 150)
  • 2D Design (ART 170)
  • 3D Design (ART 171)
  • Drawing I (ART 179)
  • Painting 1 (ART 180)
  • Sculpture 1 (Art 190)
  • Students should be aware that community college courses do not satisfy upper-division course requirements. 

Student Organizations

Ceramics Guild, Jim Keville, Advisor
Arts Collective, Devon Tsuno, Advisor

Scholarships

The Winston Hewitt Endowed Scholarships are awarded on merit to Art majors emphasizing painting and who are continuing, full-time students at CSU Dominguez Hills. Winston Russell Hewitt  (1922-2006) had a long career as an artist, traveler, multi-linguist, an OSS officer, and a Distinguished Professor of French Literature at California State University, Dominguez Hills. Applications are available annually at the beginning of the spring semester. The deadline for application submission will be announced at the beginning of the spring semester.   Please contact the Department of Art and Design for additional scholarship questions.

Graduation With Honors

Undergraduate students may be candidates for graduation with Honors in Art if they meet the following criteria:

  1. A minimum of 36 units in residence at CSU Dominguez Hills;
  2. A minimum grade point average of 3.5 in all courses is used to satisfy the upper-division requirements for the Art major;
  3. Recommendation by the faculty of the Department of Art and Design.