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Fine Arts

A Learning Environment

Fontbonne University's Master of Arts and Master of Fine Arts programs provide a teaching, learning and research environment that enables students to become professionally and intellectually effective as artists.

The 60-hour Master of Fine Arts program allows the student a much more thorough investigation of their chosen studio concentration, as well as providing the terminal degree required for teaching at the college or university level. This degree is designed for those pursuing careers as studio artists, as welll as those interested in teaching studio art in higher education.

Our program offers courses with a focus on the representational, figurative and traditional methods of art instruction, as well as programs that nurture the artist's vision and creative potential for the contemporary student. The program involves daily interaction with outstanding faculty and visiting artists; regular provate and group critiques; and participation in drawing, painting, sculpture and ceramic classes. We emphasize independent studio work in addition to teaching important skills in class.

Student Focused

Classes are small. Professors are knowledgeable, experienced and committed to your success. All of our faculty are working artists and share effective contemporary techniques that will challenge you to exceed your own expectations, explore new ideas, prepare you to share your talent with patrons and teach you how to inspire students of your own.

Flexibility

Students deal with projects in their own discipline. Elective classes enable you to customize your earning experience. Flexible hours make it easy to schedule up to three classes a semester around your demanding work schedule.

More Resources

Master of Arts and Fine Arts students have access to extensive up-to-date facilities, including:

  • Departmental digital imaging lab
  • Black and white photography facility with dark room
  • Ceramic studio with gas and electric kilns and an outdoor salt kiln, kick and electric wheels
  • Bronze foundry
  • Blacksmithing forges and equipment
  • Workshop including welding and metalworking equipment
  • Power and hand tools for frame building
  • Air compressor for large stone carving
  • Individual studios

Distinctive Areas of Focus

The Department of Fine Arts exposes students to diverse experiences, including:

  • blacksmithing and metalsmithing
  • anatomy drawing
  • digital imaging
  • life-size figure drawing
  • clay and glaze technology
  • painting techniques of the Old Masters
  • bookmaking

More Learning Opportunities

Fontbonne University attracts guest speakers and artists from around the world, including:

  • Tony Scherman
  • Alex Kanevsky
  • Nicolas Uribe
  • Michael Eastmann
  • Fred Stonehouse
  • Jane Barrow
  • Max R. Scharf
  • Michael B. Zolman
  • Russell Vanecek
  • Robert Lo
  • James Smith
  • Bill Kohn
  • Pat Schurchard
  • Andy Millner
  • Nancy Rice
  • Mary McLwain
  • Andrea Powers
  • Marcel Salinas
  • Bill Hawk
  • Gary Passanisi
  • Steve Yusko
  • Chantal Gilbert
  • Sophie Joidoin

Students also have the opportunity to expand their horizons by participating in travel tours. Recent landscape painting tours have ventured to the southwest United States, California wine country and Italy.

Want to learn more?

Contact us at (314) 889-4572 or finearts@fontbonne.edu to schedule an informational meeting.



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