Fine Art
Build and develop your skills and ideas through the daily practice of making, research, discussion, and critique.
The study of fine art places no restrictions on self-expression but instead is characterized by an emphasis on wide-ranging intellectual curiosity, strong craft in the use of a variety of media, and a tireless push toward personal growth and solutions. Whatever the work, the fine art discipline requires the artist to be effective in communicating and leading others. Our rigorous Fine Art program focuses on the core studio areas of drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, and digital mixed media as stepping stones to find your personal artistic path.
During junior and senior years, you will work to develop a personal body of work and take two professional practices courses that prepare and expose you to professional opportunities within the creative field. The focus during senior year is on developing a sustained studio practice – as you work independently in your personal studio spaces. By the time you graduate, you’ll feel empowered to take ownership of your ideas and your creations as you share them with the world.
Cassandra Aaron ’22
our program
Why Fine Art at PCA&D?
All of our Fine Art faculty are working professionals who bring real-world experience as artists, jurors, and curators into the classroom, helping you to shape your creative path, seek out opportunities, and develop the practical skills needed to work within the business of fine art and within the creative industry.
With a student-to-teacher ratio of 9-to-1, you’ll get personal instruction that is rare at other colleges and universities. Continual evaluations and critiques, beginning in the sophomore year, assess and promote your technical skills, ideas, and concept development. From the day you enter classes, opportunities to exhibit your work within, and beyond our community, will be at your fingertips. And you’ll learn in the #1 best small city to live in the U.S., in a vibrant arts-rich environment with more than 125 galleries and creative spaces.
Customize your program
PCA&D students have the opportunity to explore multiple interests by incorporating a minor or certificate into your major. Expanding your skill sets to cross disciplines will make you more appealing to future employers and broaden your potential career path.
“Artzbeat” ’21
I came to PCA&D knowing how to look and left knowing how to see. Seeing is the ability to analyze and appreciate the intent, process, and emotion of people's communication. Between the lines of art is a climate piggybacking off of the struggle and success of civilizations and their journey through social issues, exchange of theologies, and disruptions in governments. I learned that without art, people would have one less way to communicate important issues in their society in order to use emotion to invoke change."
Meet the Experts
Guest speakers and visiting artists frequently visit both on campus and virtually so you can make connections, and receive feedback on your work from professionals who are working in the field. Speakers have included Amy Boone-McCreesh, Neil Callander, Heather Hart, Hollis Hammonds, Stephen Towns, Charles Burwell, and Magnolia Laurie.
Experiences
To Inspire
PCA&D organizes or participates in myriad events that work to help students realize the relevance of their career choice in the real world. Here are some of the events you can attend as a PCA&D Fine Art major:
Art Markets provide a venue where you can display and sell your artwork or handmade goods to the community, giving you experience with the business side of the profession.
Field Trips to regional venues as well as to museums and studios in places like New York City (think MOMA and the Whitney Museum), Baltimore, and Philadelphia are a regular and important complement to the curriculum.
Step Into Your Career
In your senior year, you’ll develop a written thesis about your work and prepare an exhibit for a December show at the Lancaster Museum of Art. You will discuss your Senior Studio work and your thesis in a short Senior Artist Lecture in PCA&D’s atrium.
The Senior Show & Celebration is the culmination of your experience at PCA&D. It is held after Commencement in PCA&D’s Main Gallery and throughout the campus. All seniors participate in this exhibition which is open to family, friends, and the public.
Coming Back
After you graduate from PCA&D, you have the opportunity to apply as a Fine Art Alumni in Residence. You will be assigned and maintain a studio alongside the Fine Art seniors. In this role, you will be active on campus and participate in guest critiques. You will also exhibit the work completed during your residency in PCA&D’s main gallery.
internships & careers
Where could your creative life take you?
Fine Art students are encouraged to complete an internship the summer before their senior year. An internship will give you the opportunity to explore career possibilities in curation, education, art therapy, mural design, and community practice and more. Students have interned at the Phillips Museum and the Lancaster Creative Factory, among others.
Melanie Vera ’19
Rachel Stork ’21
At PCA&D, we give you the tools, skills, and exposure you need to help your artistic vision mature. We will show you how to commit yourself to a process of personal development. You will learn to think independently, use materials and technology creatively, and stay motivated so that you can realize your dream to become a working artist. Fine Artists can find work as:
- Art Directors
- Framers
- Art Conservationists
- Gallery Director/Staff
- Art Handlers
- Illustrators
- Art Preparators
- Interior Designers
- Arts Program Directors
- Maker-Space Technicians
- Art Studio Techs
- Museum Director/Staff
- Art Teachers
- Print Technicians
- Art Therapists
- Set Designers
- Business Owners
- Screen Printers
- Creative Directors
- Conservators
- Concept Artists
- Studio Artists
- Curators
- Textile Designers
- Educators
- Tattoo Artists
- Exhibition Designers
- Videographers
- Floral Designers
- Visual Data Analysts
where are Alumni now?
PCA&D students find work in a wide variety of fields and with prestigious companies and organizations nationally and all over the world.
Parker Galen ’23, Fine Art, starting Emerging Artist Residency this fall
Parker Galen’s part-time job during college did much more than provide some money — it provided inspiration and materials for his senior thesis project, too. And now, those materials, combined with the skills he gained at PCA&D and his innate creative drive, have led to an Emerging Artist Residency at
Department faculty
A faculty of working artists
As experienced working professionals with strong ties to resources and opportunities in the field, your faculty assign competitive, real-world projects to enhance your portfolio with professional work well before you graduate.
Becky Blosser, Department Chair
Becky Blosser earned her MFA in Visual Arts from Mason Gross School of Art, Rutgers University in 2007. Through process and printmaking, Becky creates forms that consider supportive and opposing forces in relation to both built natural elements. Becky’s work is included in such collections as the Zuckerman Museum of Art in Kennesaw GA, and the Janet Turner Print Museum in Chico CA.
Aubrey Mauer ’22
HOW TO Apply
Make your creative life, a way of life
While you’re still deciding on a school, go ahead and start an application, it’s free! Submitting an application isn’t a commitment to PCA&D but it helps us get to know you better. Or you can start by submitting 8-10 pieces of your art to help us assess your potential.