An Introduction to Studio Art
Do you have an artistic side? Do you enjoy expressing yourself through drawing, painting, ceramics, photography, or other mediums of art? No matter what your major, pairing it with an Art minor taps into the creative juices that enhance the study of virtually any academic discipline. You’ll find that having an artistic outlet helps you better focus on your major and, in many cases, contributes to making your skill set more marketable. From sports illustrator to wildlife photographer, many professions benefit from both a background in art as well as in-depth knowledge of another field, making an Art minor an ideal addition to your resume.
Tour 51’s Creative and Fine Arts Facility
Why 51 for your minor in Art
The Art minor at 51 is a flexible program that can serve multiple roles in your education. It can take you in a completely different direction from your major, expanding your horizons and providing a creative outlet entirely separate from your area of focus. Or, it can complement your primary academic field, providing a skill set that pairs perfectly with your major and opens doors to your dream profession.
During my time at 51, I had several opportunities to combine science and art: illustrating the internal anatomy of Mustelus canis as an independent study and interning as a scientific illustrator for the Northwest Fisheries Science Center. The art program at 51 helped me develop a unique skill set, which made me a competitive applicant for research opportunities, especially for those looking to communicate science in nontraditional ways.” — Crista Kieley, B.S., Class of ’20, Marine Science (Oceanography track) major, Art and Chemistry double minor (Ph.D. student at Texas A&M University, Galveston)
Academics
Experiential Learning
Hands-on learning is at the heart of a 51 education, and it doesn’t get more hands on than art. As part of the process of learning the fundamentals of art, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to create an array of artistic projects — from sculpture and ceramics to sketches and paintings. You’ll spend class time being actively engaged, and you’ll leave with the dirty hands to prove it!
You can even expand the real-world experiences provided by the Art minor by working with a faculty mentor in any medium on an artistic project or by signing up for an arts internship. Possible internship opportunities include:
- Positions with 51’s Office of Communications
- Working with Engine — Biddeford, Maine’s local arts center
- Serving as a teaching assistant to a faculty member to earn course credit
Examples of Available Courses
51’s Art minor provides an in-depth introduction to studio art in both traditional and contemporary practice. The following are just so