Past Intern agencies
Golden Circle Graphics and DCA/DCPR are local agencies who have provided our students with internships in the past. However, it is the students responsibility to select and secure a position. Internships may also be approved outside of the Jackson area.

Events
Often, Artists visit to present lectures and workshops in the department. Art students are strongly encouraged to attend these events and they immeasureably enrich the students experience at Union. Students may be required to attend some lectures and workshops. Former visiting artists have included Stephen DeStaebler, Bill Catling, Sandra Bowden, Jimmy Abegg, Ed Knippers and others. In the past, the art department has organized student trips to museums and art events in Memphis, Nashville, Chicago, St. Louis, and New York. Students are strongly encouraged to participate. Frequently the Art Department and Communication Arts Department have taken a trip to New York to see Broadway shows as well as to visit museums and galleries.The New York trip usually occurs during Spring break.

The Art Retreat is a department outing not to be missed. The retreat provides a relaxed outdoor experience to strengthen relationships with other art students, faculty & staff.

Student Organizations
"Untitled" is an organization open to all students interested in the visual arts. Its purpose is to encourage student involvement in and awareness of the visual arts. Students may participate in a variety of Fun art-related service projects and events designed to help students interact on a social level. Past projects have included the semi-annual Edible Art Exhibit and the Blue Food Party.

The Potter's Guild is open to ceramics majors. The annual “Pottery Sale” is a popular event sponsored by the Potter’s Guild. Proceeds from the sale are used to invite nationally recognized ceramic artists and sculptors to our campus.

The Student Advertising Federation is newly formed organization connected with the American Advertising Federation. Local advertising and related businesses offer a wide range of training and expertise to members on a regular basis. The West Tennessee Advertising Federation also provides Union University Advertising, Graphic Design, Marketing, and Public Relations student members the opportunity to win a $1000,00 scholarship.

Student Shows
Students are encouraged to enter 1-4 works in the Annual Student Art Exhibit. The Annual Student Exhibit highlights the year’s best artwork. Throughout the year student work is displayed in our hallway gallery adjacent to the art department. While publicly displayed student artwork is handled carefully and monitored, the art department is not responsible for vandalism or other damage to publicly displayed work.

Student Awards
Academic Excellence Medal. This award is given to graduating majors who have the highest academic average in the discipline, provided the average grade in the subject is not less that 3.5 and provide the student has completed, before Awards Day, a minimum of 15 credit hours in the discipline at Union University in courses for which precise grades are computed (as distinguished from courses graded pass or fail). If there is no eligible major in the discipline, the medal will be given to the minor with the highest average if the above qualifications are met. The Golden Circle Graphics Award is presented to the winner of the best graphic design work in the Annual Student Exhibit. The awards are presented each year during the University’s Awards Day chapel.

Studio Access
Students have 24 hour studio access to areas within the department during fall and spring semesters. Security is given a list of students in all art classes each semester and can unlock studio areas for those on the list. Studios are closed to students on holidays and during summer and winter terms unless they are enrolled in a class.

Senior Exhibit and Portfolio
Graduating Seniors must enroll in Art499 “Portfolio and Graduating Exhibition (3) F, S.” This course documents the student’s body of work for portfolio compilation and exhibition. The courses guide students through the procedures associated with preparing a portfolio and exhibiting work.

Portfolio Review
Because the B.A. with a major in studio art presupposes a certain level of professional competence, each studio major at the end of the sophomore year will submit a portfolio for evaluation by the departmental faculty in the required Mid-Program Review class to determine:
1. eligibility to continue in the art major
2. shortcomings, if any, to be corrected before the student will be considered eligible for the senior exhibit (if short- comings are seen, a second review will be held during the student’s junior year)
3. eligibility for scholarships.

Faculty Review
A departmental review will take into consideration not only the quality of the work as reflected in the student’s portfolio, but also the student’s aptitude and interest in art. This interest/aptitude is exhibited in such things as participation in exhibits, museum visits and field trips and in individual initiative as shown by individual research and study above the prescribed requirements of the course work. (see below)
A. Participation in our gallery exhibits, both as a contributor of work for student shows and in helping hang exhibits (every artist needs experience in hanging shows, both for his/her own purposes, and as one of the skills expected of anyone who wishes to teach or seeks employment in a museum).
B. Utilization of library resources, especially the art magazines. Art students everywhere are expected to know artists of their own day, and should be able to name living artists whom they admire in all art areas.
C. Student participation in area museums and interest in lectures, activities, programs and exhibits there is encouraged.
D. An interest in art history, and an ability to utilize the past in the student’s own creative work.
E. An ability to work independently, to build up a body of work beyond that required for course work. It is expected that the student will read about techniques independently and try them. It is expected that the student will be able to find and utilize visual sources without prodding from the instructor.
F. Participation in field trips to museums and galleries.
G. Participation in studies abroad programs.

Back