Visual Art and Visual Studies

Engage in collaborative and independent art studio experiences. Combine artistic practice with other fields of study. Apply technical art skills to solve real-world problems. Explore a vast world of new ideas.

Three students in Experimental Watercolor make paintings using bubble solution colored with tint.

Three students in Experimental Watercolor make paintings using bubble solution colored with tint.

The art of connection. More than a form of expression, the visual arts are how we connect the dots in an increasingly complex world. Whether it’s ceramics, drawing, printmaking, photography, fine metalworking, or woodworking, visual art seeks to reflect how we view the natural world. How we explain the human mind. How we respond to politics. How we wrestle with tragedy and bask in joy.

Skills that pay the bills. Through hands-on studio projects, investigative research, and exploratory writing, you’ll combine artistic practice with the skills and knowledge of other fields of study, such as botany and economics. Additionally, you’ll gain the professional and critical thinking skills that define what it means to be a successful artist in today’s world.

Getting started. Your Visual Arts Studies’ experience should start with a broad exploration of interdisciplinary programs. It’s in these programs that you’ll zero in on your interests and passions, while developing essential academic skills. In addition, the time spent learning about a variety of ideas and concepts will ultimately impact the art you create. We recommend that transfer students enter with a strong foundation in the liberal arts. All students will find various points of entry into our courses and programs.

A student in the program Tradition and Innovation in Indigenous North American Fiber Arts works on her piece for a final show.

A student in the program Tradition and Innovation in Indigenous North American Fiber Arts works on her piece for her final show.

Students learn to shape glass into neon signs in the neon studio.

Students learn to shape glass into neon signs in the neon studio.

Metalworking students work with casting, anvils, and grinders in the Arts Annex shops area.

Metalworking students work with casting, anvils, and grinders in the Arts Annex shops area.

Sample Program

A student draws on an easel at Evergreen Beach during an open-air session.

At Evergreen, your studies will take you out of the studio. In this way, you can layer your creative practices with other fields of study, like those in the sciences.

Studio Projects: Land and Sky

Offered Fall 2018–Spring 2019

We are uniquely situated in the Pacific Northwest to consider a variety of landscapes and seascapes, as well as a variety of cultures with strong ties to both. You’ll explore how different cultures define and shape landscapes, and how landscapes in turn shape people and the art they make.

Your work and learning will be centered in the studio. Projects will focus on expanding 2D skills (drawing, printmaking) and 3D skills (sculpture, craft, environmental art). We will spend time working in the field as well. Field trips and guest lecturers will expand our awareness of regional landscapes, cultures, and artists.

After Graduation

Modern day Michelangelos. Evergreen visual arts alumni contribute to their communities in bold, beautiful ways, forever changing the way we see the world. They are educators and sculptors. Jewelers and fashion designers. Printmakers and photographers. Animators and illustrators.

Art is big business. Many graduates go on to nurture creative talent in the fields of information science, art history, and industrial design. While some choose to join prestigious arts organizations and non-profits or start their own creative businesses as artists, craftspeople, or entrepreneurs.

The career opportunities for visual artists are as varied as the mediums they choose to pursue.

Facilities & Resources

Art spaces

Visual art curriculum is supported by a wide range of studios and facilities that combine a variety of media for student use.

Students work on Adirondack chairs in the wood shop.

Students work on Adirondack chairs in the wood shop.

  • 2-D and 3-D studios
  • Wood Shop
  • Large Metals Shop
  • Fine Metals Studio
  • Ceramics Studio
  • Printmaking Studio
  • Letterpress Studio
  • Drawing Studio
  • Critique Spaces

Photoland

Photoland is Evergreen’s Instructional Photography and Photo Production Services. These areas provide academic and photo production support for Evergreen and offer limited access for the local community. Photoland facilities include:

  • Darkrooms
  • Digital Imaging Studio (DIS)
  • Photo Studio
 Emergence, Practice and Process taking place in the Evergreen Gallery.

In addition to showing works from professional artists, The Evergreen Gallery is also used by programs to feature the works of students.

Art gallery

The Evergreen Gallery features a cycle of provocative exhibits and installations by regional artists and touring exhibitions.

Media Loan

Students of all levels are welcome to borrow film, audio/video and photographic equipment from Media Loan. You can learn how to use this equipment from our staff.

Faculty Associated With This Field
Title Expertise
Adams, Emily Printmaking
Birzer, Sharon
Blackwell, Evan Ceramic art, sculpture, visual studies
Boilini, Lauren Painting, drawing, art history
Chema, Carolyn
Davis, Pamela
Diamant, Hirsh Visual arts, Chinese studies, human development
Eamon, Kathleen aesthetics and philosophy, critical theory, psychoanalysis
Eloheimo, Marja Ethnobotany, Indigenous Studies, Climate Justice
Faur, Amjad photography
Featherly, Lynarra creative writing, philosophy, critical theory
Hendricks, Steven book arts, literature, creative writing
Lee, Albert
McCarty, Alexander 3D studio art
Osha (Flores), Shaw visual arts, painting, drawing
Partridge, Penelope
Pavel, Susan
Sandoz, Joli academic and creative nonfiction writing, community studies, analog game design
Sattler, Jill
Thompson, Bruce ceramics
Zay, Julia media arts, photography, visual studies
Selected Programs 2022-23
Title Class Standing Credits
Advanced Weaving: Coast Salish Style Section (A)
  • Freshman
  • Sophomore
  • Junior
  • Senior
4
Alchemy of Witness II: Relating Through the Camera
  • Freshman
  • Sophomore
  • Junior
  • Senior
8
Art + Archive
  • Sophomore
  • Junior
  • Senior
16
Art Time in Animation and Painting
  • Sophomore
  • Junior
  • Senior
16
Arts and the Child: Early Childhood (A)
  • Freshman
  • Sophomore
  • Junior
  • Senior
4
Arts and the Child: Early Childhood (B)
  • Freshman
  • Sophomore
  • Junior
  • Senior
4
Beginning Weaving: Coast Salish Style (A)
  • Freshman
  • Sophomore
  • Junior
  • Senior
4
Beginning Weaving: Coast Salish Style (B)
  • Freshman
  • Sophomore
  • Junior
  • Senior
4
Cameraless Experimental Animated Film Intensive: 16mm and 35mm
  • Freshman
  • Sophomore
  • Junior
  • Senior
8
Capturing Gems: Metalsmithing Techniques for Setting Stones
  • Freshman
  • Sophomore
  • Junior
  • Senior
4
Selected Programs 2023-24
Title Class Standing Credits
Arts and the Child: Early Childhood (A)
  • Freshman
  • Sophomore
  • Junior
  • Senior
4
Arts and the Child: Early Childhood (B)
  • Freshman
  • Sophomore
  • Junior
  • Senior
4
Capstone Projects in Visual and Media Arts
  • Junior
  • Senior
16
Ceramics: Fundamentals
  • Freshman
  • Sophomore
  • Junior
  • Senior
4
Ceramics: Handbuilding
  • Sophomore
  • Junior
  • Senior
4
Ceramics: Intermediate and Advanced Projects
  • Freshman
  • Sophomore
  • Junior
  • Senior
4
Ceramics: Sculptural Forms
  • Freshman
  • Sophomore
  • Junior
  • Senior
4
Core Studio: Theory and Practice of Interdisciplinary Visual and Media Art
  • Sophomore
  • Junior
  • Senior
16
Figure Drawing
  • Freshman
  • Sophomore
  • Junior
  • Senior
4
Graphic Design I: Principles and Practices for Artists and Designers
  • Freshman
  • Sophomore
  • Junior
  • Senior
4