Ceramics, Fibers, Metalsmithing,
Jewelry & Watercolor

Career potential

The University of North Texas' College of Visual Arts & Design is one of the nation's most comprehensive visual arts schools at a public university, and it is considered one of the best in the Southwest. The college is divided into three departments: studio, design and art education/art history. Concentrations within the Division of Studio are ceramics, drawing and painting, fibers, metalsmithing and jewelry, photography, printmaking, sculpture, and watercolor. Separate brochures are available for information about the drawing and painting, photography, printmaking and sculpture programs.

Artists working in the fields of ceramics, fibers, and metalsmithing and jewelry, and watercolor are often self-employed, exhibiting and selling their works in galleries, shops, museums and art fairs.

Increasingly, businesses are seeking employees who are educated in the visual arts for positions in their training and design departments. Studying in one of these fine craft fields will help you become a practicing artist as well as prepare you for an advanced degree. A master of fine arts degree in your discipline may be necessary should you consider teaching at the university level for a career.

UNT's Career Center can help you prepare to pursue your career. The center has information about jobs and employers, and the staff can help you with resume and letter writing, job search strategies and interview preparation.

Ceramics, fibers, metalsmithing and jewelry, watercolor

As a student in one of the fine crafts, you will take courses in art appreciation, art history, crafts, design and drawing, as well as course work for your concentration. You will have access to large, well-equipped studios and instruction in a wide range of media and techniques. Course work emphasizes sound art fundamentals, creativity and self-expression, and provides you with life-enriching skills and experiences.

A portfolio is not required for admission to the studio art program, but transfer students may need to submit one for placement in courses beyond the beginning level. To insure the highest quality of work, you must submit portfolios of your artwork at the end of your sophomore year and during your last senior studio art class in your concentration. Your sophomore year portfolio review is conducted by studio art faculty members in your concentration to determine whether you should continue in the studio art program. During your last senior studio art class in your concentration, you will submit your portfolio again for an exit review.

UNT's studio art faculty members are accomplished artists in their respective fields. All maintain private studios and exhibit their work regionally and nationally. Most travel widely giving lectures and workshops in their disciplines and are consequently in step with the latest trends and movements in the art world.

UNT's 90,000-square-foot Art Building includes classrooms, a computer lab, faculty offices, studios, a workshop, the UNT Art Gallery and a visual resources library. Four other campus buildings house additional classrooms and laboratories, as well as the Texas Fashion Collection, the Cora Stafford Gallery and the University Fine Arts Press.

Getting hands-on experience

As a student in a studio art program, you will get a great deal of hands-on experience in your classes. Much of the course work involves the design and production of two- or three-dimensional artwork. There are opportunities for exhibiting your work on campus and at local galleries. In addition, UNT is within easy commuting distance of Dallas and Fort Worth, where major art museums and galleries provide valuable resources and experiences for you.

Upon completion of 12 semester hours at UNT with at least a 2.5 GPA, you may apply for work in a job related to your major through UNT's office of Cooperative Education and Internships. You may earn academic credit and money and gain valuable work experience.

Preparing for UNT

If you are a high school student, we suggest you prepare for college by becoming computer proficient and taking:

• English … 4 years
• Math … 4 years
• Social science - economics, geography, government, history … 4 years
• Science … 3 years
• Foreign Language … 3 years
• Fine arts … 1 year

You will need to take courses in most of these subjects under the university core curriculum required of all undergraduates, in addition to your major courses. Talk with your high school counselor about preparing for college, including the entrance exams (SAT Reasoning Test or ACT) that you should take during your junior year.

As a benefit for transfer students, UNT participates in the Texas Common Course Numbering System. This system makes it easier to transfer credits for general academic courses from one Texas institution to another.

If you're attending a Texas community college, you should consult the UNT Transfer Guide, the UNT Undergraduate Catalog and an academic counselor to discuss your degree plan. Proper planning will help you receive the maximum amount of transfer credits.

Charting your path with academic advising

You are required to attend an orientation for the College of Visual Arts & Design , which is held at about the same time as university orientation for new students, or during registration at the start of each semester. Check with the university admissions office for a schedule of freshman and transfer student orientations. Faculty members serve as primary advisors to students. The College of Visual Arts & Design Student Services Office is in the Art Building, Room 111.

Curious about courses and other features of this major?
See the current catalog.