Visual Arts

Interim Chair: Brian DeLevie
Office: CU Denver Building, 800
Telephone: 303-315-1501

Faculty

Full Professor:
Joann Brennan, MFA, Massachusetts College of Art

Associate Professors:
Maria Elena Buszek, PhD, University of Kansas
Mary Connelly, MFA, Indiana University
Brian DeLevie, MFA, University of Houston
Lanny F. DeVuono, MFA, Mills College
Melissa Furness, MFA, University of Iowa
Carol Golemboski, MFA, Virginia Commonwealth University
Quintin Gonzalez, MFA, Yale University
Rian Kerrane, MFA, University of New Orleans
Bryan Leister, MFA, George Mason University
Jeffrey Schrader, PhD, New York University, MA, Oberlin College

Assistant Professors:
Michelle Carpenter, MFA, University of Colorado Boulder
Travis Vermilye, MFA, University of Michigan

Assistant Professor Clinical Teaching Track
Howard Cook, MFA DC, National University

Senior Instructors:
Michael Brohman, MA, University of Colorado Denver
Vivian George, MFA, Yale University

Department Overview

The Department of Visual Arts offers professional instruction in seven interrelated areas: art history, digital design, illustration, painting and drawing, photography, transmedia sculpture and 3D animation. The department also offers a certificate in computer graphics and visual effects, intended to increase computer science majors’ post-graduation marketability.

We provide a vital educational environment where future artists, designers and art historians explore the horizons of their own talents in an atmosphere of critical dialogue and professional art and design practice. Students learn and experience various media of animation, digital design, drawing, illustration, painting, photography and transmedia sculpture, all within the rich context of a research university. Learning is predicated on both an understanding of art and media theory, and on the practical knowledge of methods and materials used in making art and design today. Art history studies focus on historical knowledge integrated with critical writing and analysis.

The department prides itself on fostering an appreciation for diverse approaches to visual culture and to reaching out to the larger art history, arts and design communities. Internships are available.

Graduating seniors receiving the BFA degree are required to participate in the BFA thesis exhibition during their last semester of study. This exhibition is scheduled for each spring term only.

Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) Emphases

3D Graphics and Animation

Studio Art Emphasis, Fine Arts BA

Art History Emphasis, Fine Arts BA

Visual Arts Minors

Visual Arts Certificate

Computer Graphics and Visual Effects