Studio Art (B.F.A.)

Your Passion Can Be Your Profession.

You already know that art is more just a hobby.

The time you spend in studio goes beyond satisfying your inner muse—it’s preparing you to excel in a world where creativity, inspiration, dedication, and practical knowledge are key to success.

Whether you work with paint or pastels, graphite or graphic design, the lens of a camera or the many textures of mixed media, Coker’s B.F.A. program in studio art prepares you for a professional, studio-based career.

Students with interest in submitting a portfolio for scholarship must complete an additional application by visiting getacceptd.com/coker

Get the Money You Need for Your Degree

Just because your education is an invaluable investment doesn’t mean some degrees aren’t a better value than others! Affordability is one of the ways Coker University clearly stands out from other schools. We work very hard to keep tuition low and to find scholarship money to help you pay for your degree.

Average amount of scholarship aid* awarded to Coker students last year
$17,459!
*Does not include federal, state, or need-based aid

95%
of Coker undergrads
receive some form of financial aid.

Coker grants over
$10,000,000
in student scholarships each year.

ART SCHOLARSHIPS:
$500 – $2,000
per semester

PORTFOLIO SUBMISSION
(12-15 original works of art in a variety of media) and minimum GPA of a B required for art major scholarships

Contact Us
for art scholarship info
Email: ngulledge@coker.edu

B.F.A. Application & Review

 

  • B.F.A. application form
  • Portfolio of 15 works of art and/or design (documentation/sketchbooks required) 
  • Statement of intent (1-2 pages)
  • Statement of degree/career plan (one page)

Course Requirements

The B.F.A. in studio art requires a total of 78 credits (63 studio credits and 15 credit hours in art history).

Required Core Studio Courses
  • ART 101
  • ART 102
  • ART 105
  • ART 109
  • ART 130
  • ART 205
  • ART 220
  • ART 250
  • ART 260
Required Art History Courses
  • ART 280
  • ART 281
  • ART 384
  • ART 387
  • ART 388
Other Requirements
  • Eight (8) courses within studio art*
    • Four (4) or more at 300-level
    • 400-level senior studio courses
    • 400-level professional practice course

*Includes advanced courses reserved for B.F.A. students only. 

Professional Practice Portfolio

B.F.A. students are required to develop and complete: 

  • An interview with an arts professional
  • A research paper on their senior studio work
  • An artist’s statement
  • A CV
  • A cover letter
  • A portfolio website
  • Mock interviews

Students are encouraged to complete (one or more): 

  • Proposal submission for an off-campus exhibition
  • Job applications relevant to career interests
  • Written draft for a business proposal 

Senior Studio, Exhibition & Review

Senior Studio

All B.F.A. students in studio art must complete a year-long senior studio course, resulting in a cohesive body of work. Each student will work on this capstone project with a faculty mentor. 

Exhibition

B.F.A. students will be responsible for the following aspects of their senior exhibition: 

  • Installation of body of work
  • Exhibition promotion (posters, designed and printed; press release, etc.)
  • Gallery talk at exhibition opening
Senior Review

All B.F.A. students will undergo a senior review, consisting of: 

  • Critique of the body of work and discussion of process
  • Discussion of how the student’s work connects to non-art investigation*
  • Discussion of expectations for the body of work moving forward
  • Discussion of professional goals and/or opportunities within art and design industries
Process Book

The process book is a record of the evolution of ideas throughout a student’s senior studio. This documentation reflects the depth of investigation into research material, artists, designers, photographers, and applicable study outside of art.

*This process keeps in mind that Coker is a liberal arts institution, and that our B.F.A. students should have an awareness of what a liberal arts education encapsulates.

Meet Your Mentors

Nathaniel Gulledge

Nathaniel Gulledge

Assistant Professor of Art; Chair of the Art Department; Coordinator of the Art Program

For me, coming to Coker University in 2016 was coming home. I received my B.A. in Art with a concentration in Graphic Design from Coker in 2003. I’ve always…

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Jean Grosser

Jean Grosser

Professor of Art; Coordinator of the Art Education Program; James Wayne Lemke Endowed Chair in College Service & Leadership

“I enjoy traveling with students to New York City to visit museums and galleries. We cover a lot of ground in a short period of time, and I encourage them…

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Alyssa Reiser Prince

Assistant Professor of Art

I came to Coker in 2016 and immediately felt at home among the close-knit community and tree-lined campus. I’m excited to come to Coker each day because of…

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Renny Prince

Exhibition Director

Office: Room 120 Art Building

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