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School of Art + Design
528 Seigfred Hall
Athens, Ohio 45701
Professor John Sabraw painting beside water.
Painting + Drawing — Master of Fine Arts
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Painting + Drawing — Master of Fine Arts

What You’ll Learn

The Painting + Drawing Area is committed to cutting-edge professional art training within the context of a liberal arts university. Painters are responsible for some of the most provocative and enduring expressions of contemporary visual culture. The painting program is based upon the belief that painting is a language that simultaneously upholds tradition and constantly seeks experimentation to expand and redefine its boundaries. In an atmosphere that is both supportive and challenging, students are asked to question their intentions, investigate and expand their ideas of painting, and to develop a coherent body of work that is the beginning of a dialog with the world.

Graduate students are encouraged to experiment with a wide range of technical and theoretical interests, from figuration to abstraction, and on to digital media, installations and performance. All graduate students have private studio spaces in the Ridges facility.

Explore These Topics

  • The figure, ethnicity, identity
  • Bio-narrative, image and alchemy,
  • Interactive installation, technology, coding
  • Alternative processes such as 3-D printing, laser cutting, vinyl cutting
  • The role of design in Painting + Drawing practices, materiality and sustainability
  • Modalities, social practice, entrepreneurship
  • Pedagogy and professional practices in Painting + Drawing  

Career Opportunities

Our students regularly go on to receive Fulbright Awards, national artist-in-residencies, gallery representation, university teaching positions and other types of professional positions in the field as post-graduates. Several well known artists have come from our school including Jim Dine and Jenny Holzer. Recent activity of our painting alumni includes Beth Campbell’s solo exhibition at the Whitney Museum of American Art and Frank Oriti’s inclusion in an exhibit at the prestigious National Portrait Gallery in London, UK.

Areas of Focus

  • Professional gallery representation; professional studio
  • University teaching positions
  • Artist-in-residencies
  • Fulbright awardees
  • Arts administration/museum and/or non-profit positions
  • Creative director, merchandiser, illustrator, web designer
  • Gallery manager, owner, curator
  • Art writer, librarian or consultant
  • Studio assistant

Applying to the Program

Please adhere to the following check-list in preparing both of these areas of application. Applications must be postmarked by February 1.

M.F.A. in Painting + Drawing


Deadline: February 1

To apply to this MFA program you'll be required to submit the following:

  • Application Fee: $50 for US Citizens, $55 for International (credit card or electronic check only)
  • Official set of transcripts: These may have to be sent by us postal mail, or depending on your prior institution, may have an electronic record that can be submitted with your online application. Please review the definition and requirements for official transcripts here
  • Statement of Intent: This is typically 1-2 pages. Why are you applying for graduate school? Why 51ÉçÇø? What are your future goals? Is there any information about your past experience/skills that is not reflected on your resume?
  • Artist Statement: This is typically one page. Tell us about your current research interests, influences, and artwork.
  • Resume/CV
  • Portfolio: Documentation of original artwork
    • Submit 20 images or other documentation (video, audio, etc) of recent, original artwork.
    • Along with each artwork, include artwork information and descriptive text where appropriate
    • Detail slides are acceptable where necessary.

  • Three Letters of Recommendation: Submit the contact information for three references. Our system will automatically send recommenders a request via email for their submission. Their responses should be submitted by the February 1st deadline.

    Note: Except for the official transcripts, NO materials should be sent through standard mail. Portfolios on CD or DVD will not be considered.

Painting + Drawing Faculty

All faculty in the painting area are working artists who exhibit actively and serve as visiting artists and lecturers at colleges and galleries across the country. 51ÉçÇø and the Painting Department are committed to the creation of a diverse community of artist scholars. If you’d like more information about the Painting + Drawing program, please reach out to Professor and interim Painting + Drawing Area Chair,

David LaPalombara, Area Chair
Professor of Painting & Drawing
lapalomb@ohio.edu
740-566-6465