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Painting

We offer an immersive art experience that combines a small studio environment with the resources of a major research institution. You'll train in traditional and experimental oil and acrylic media and explore both figurative and abstract imagery.

Overview

What is Painting at WVU like?

Description

Our program introduces you to the traditional and contemporary foundations of painting. Learning is both one-on-one and collaborative to develop personal exploration and encourage engagement with a wider aesthetic range.

You are invited to seek multiple sources of inspiration in order to find the most fluent and expressive voice for your work. One-on-one advising prepares you to comprehend and engage with trends in the gallery market and critical theory. You are encouraged to research reputable graduate programs and other professional opportunities for further study and career advancement.

All interested students must apply to the University and submit a portfolio for the School of Art and Design for acceptance.

Junior Preview Days Open Houses

High school juniors: Finding the right path can begin at Junior Preview Days, a series of open houses the week of Monday, April 15. Junior Preview Days are designed to help you explore the possibilities and set your sights on the future you’ve always imagined. Register today!

Can't make it to Junior Preview Days? Check out other visit options.

At a Glance

Admission Requirements
Fast Facts
Careers and Employers
Cost and Aid
Courses and Major Map
Related Programs
Related Pathways

College/School:
College of Creative Arts
Division:
School of Art and Design
Degree Designation:
BFA
Degree Program:
Art and Design
Program:
Painting

Next Steps

Interested in this major? Here are some suggested next steps:

Apply Now Request Info Visit WVU

Fast Facts

What makes Painting at WVU unique?

Academic
Accreditation
Go First
Other

Annual series of visiting artist lectures and gallery exhibitions features nationally recognized artists and scholars.
Painting in NYC course provides the opportunity to explore the contemporary painting scene in New York City.
Study landscape painting in the Chinese ink style in Nanjing and beyond in the Summer Painting Program in China.
Travel abroad to locations like China, Italy and France in the Global Positioning Studies program.
WVU BFA studio arts programs have been accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) since 1971.
Students compete to display work in the College's Student Juried Exhibition.
Volunteer opportunities with local organizations, such as Friends of Deckers Creek and North Elementary.
Exposure to music and theatre, as well as the visual arts.
Field trips to art museums in nearby cities like Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Akron and Washington, D.C.
Opportunities to show work in galleries on campus and throughout Morgantown.

Research and Academic Opportunities

You will learn and create in our Creative Arts Center studios and a full off-site production facility. You can attend lectures and new art openings at the state-of-the-art Art Museum of WVU. Local and regional field trips are taken to galleries and exhibitons in Pittsburgh, Cleveland and Washington, D.C., as well as Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater.

The program's reputation and quality faculty open many doors for you to continue learning through top graduate programs, or to launch into apprenticeships and studio work.

Academic Resources

Fully-equipped painting studios with natural lighting, including semi-private spaces for juniors and seniors. Our painting studios use new technology, including a canvas printer.
Fully-equipped art studios for printmaking, sculpture, ceramics, graphic design, painting, photography and foundations classes.
Advanced digital technology, including access to 3-D printing.

Transfer Articulation Agreements

In addition to guaranteed admission agreements WVU has transfer articulation agreements with:

County College of Morris

Careers

What can you do with this degree?

Graduates go on to portfolio careers, private studios, artist residencies/internships and graduate school for the MFA in Painting. Our students have been accepted into highly-respected graduate programs throughout the country, including the New York Academy of Art and the University of Michigan.

Alumni have found employment at a variety of prestigious art institutions, such as the New York Art Studio and the FLY Children’s Art Center.

Possible Careers

Wondering what you can do with a degree from WVU's Painting major? Check out these ideas from WVU Career Services and the Occupational Information Network (O*NET). A median salary is the midpoint of what people typically earn—half of those surveyed earned above the median salary, and half earned below.

Bright Outlook
Green Occupation
Requires a Graduate Degree

Art Directors

Formulate design concepts and presentation approaches for visual communications media, such as print, broadcasting, and advertising. Direct workers engaged in art work or layout design. Possible job titles for this career include: Art Director.

$89,820 Median Salary

Learn More
Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors and Illustrators

Create original artwork using any of a wide variety of media and techniques. Possible job titles for this career include: Artist.

$50,790 Median Salary

Learn More
Curators

Administer collections, such as artwork, collectibles, historic items, or scientific specimens of museums or other institutions. May conduct instructional, research, or public service activities of institution. Possible job titles for this career include: Associate Curator.

$53,360 Median Salary

Learn More
First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers

Directly supervise and coordinate activities of sales workers other than retail sales workers. May perform duties such as budgeting, accounting, and personnel work, in addition to supervisory duties. Possible job titles for this career include: Branch Manager.

$73,150 Median Salary

Learn More
First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers

Directly supervise and coordinate activities of retail sales workers in an establishment or department. Duties may include management functions, such as purchasing, budgeting, accounting, and personnel work, in addition to supervisory duties. Possible job titles for this career include: Assistant Manager.

$39,040 Median Salary

Learn More

This page includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license.

Employers

Graduates from this major have gone to work at:

Courses

What are the courses like in Painting at WVU?

Major Map

Check out the course requirements and suggested plan of study for WVU's Painting major.

View the Major Map

For a program overview, learning goals and course descriptions, visit the course catalog.

Popular Courses

ART 111:
Drawing 1

The course emphasizes fundamental principles of drawing with a focus on building basic skills through direct observation, using traditional graphic media and expression.

ART 112:
Drawing 2

The course emphasizes fundamental principles of drawing with a focus on more expressive approaches to basic problems. Greater emphasis is placed on abstraction and non-traditional drawing processes and media.

ART 121:
Visual Foundations 1

The course provides an introduction to the fundamental principles and concepts of two-dimensional image making with an emphasis on color theory and design. Through creative assignments students develop abilities and visual awareness emphasizing the basics of color perception, form, proportion and rhythm.

ART 122:
Visual Foundations 2

The course incorporates projects involving abstract and representational ideas in three dimensions and investigates the basic concepts of line, plane, volume, form, mass, texture, composition and time.

ART 213:
Painting 1

The course serves as an introduction to painting with concentration on structure, techniques and imagery. Emphasis is on the development of skills in rendering works which express light, color and form integral to the medium.

ART 214:
Painting 2

The course provides the essential structure, techniques and iconography of painting. Its modern development, augmenting the traditional languages of painting, are clarified and isolated.

ART 313:
Painting 3

(May be repeated for a maximum of 36 credit hours.) The course reaffirms and expands formal criteria established in 213 and 214 and directs individual research into personal, historical and contemporary painting issues in oil, acrylic and related media.

Cost and Aid

How much does Painting at WVU cost? And how can you save?

Tuition and Fees

Estimated rates for the 2018-19 academic year. Rates are subject to change. Anyone that is not a current West Virginia resident will be charged non-resident rates. That includes international students.

West Virginia Resident
Per Credit	$407
Per Semester	$4,884
Fall and Spring Semesters	$9,768

Non-Resident
Per Credit	$1,096
Per Semester	$13,152
Fall and Spring Semesters	$26,304

International
Per Credit	$1,096
Per Semester	$13,452
Fall and Spring Semesters	$26,904

Scholarship Calculator

Estimate your eligibility for merit scholarships at WVU Morgantown.

Visit the Scholarship Calculator

Net Price Calculator

Estimate your cost of attendance and eligibility for financial aid and scholarships at any WVU System campus.

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Ways to Save

Here are a few ways for you to save on the cost of attending WVU in addition to university scholarships.

Ohio Tuition Reciprocity

As the result of a special agreement, students from Ohio who are fully admitted to Painting can enroll at WVU and pay in-state tuition rates. Students must be admitted to both the University and this major.

Transfer Articulation Agreements

To simplify the transfer process, we have formal agreements with certain institutions. These agreements outline the courses you should take to prepare for transferring to WVU. In addition to guaranteed admission agreements Painting has transfer articulation agreements with:

County College of Morris

Review the full list of transfer articulation agreements to see if your institution is listed.

Learn How to Transfer Course Credits

Requirements

What are the requirements to apply for Painting at WVU?

To be admitted to WVU's Painting major, you must meet WVU's first-time freshman admission requirements for the 2019-20 academic year. Interested in transferring? Review the transfer admission requirements.

Related Programs

What other options does WVU have?

Printmaking
Our BFA program focuses on the development of personal imagery while cultivating foundational skills. Along with the resources of a major research university, we offer an immersive art experience in a small studio environment, providing individual attention to promote student growth.

Learn More

What minors could I consider?

Art History
Minor
Painting
Minor
Printmaking
Minor

Related Pathways

What majors share similar career interests with this major at WVU?

Visual and Performing Arts
Expand your expertise and turn your talent in visual arts, dance, music or theatre into a rewarding career.

Learn More

Next Steps

I like this major. What are the next steps?

Apply Now

Your first step to becoming a Mountaineer is applying for admission. Our online application makes the process as convenient as possible.

Request Information

Want to know more about Painting at WVU? Fill out the Request Information form to receive more information about the program and life at WVU.

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It's the next-best thing to being here – you can virtually tour residence halls and the WVU Morgantown Campus.

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