Welcome to the
Department of Art!

The Art major at the University of Mary Washington, housed in Melchers Hall, the right wing of the duPont arts complex, fosters artistic and scholarly connections through creative inquiry and analytical problem solving. Exploration fuels the creative mind and our studio “incubators” provide technical expertise while embracing risk-taking and conceptual development.  Students learn and work in well-equipped studios that focus on a variety of disciplines, including Digital Media, Ceramics, Drawing, Painting, Photography, Printmaking, and Sculpture.  Faculty members who are actively exhibiting artists, researchers and dedicated teachers lead each discipline, and our flexible curriculum supports a more interdisciplinary approach to thinking about and making art.

UMW’s location between Washington D.C. and Richmond, Virginia provides students with ample resources to experience top quality artwork in person, and to undertake optional internships and apprenticeships in the field.  Visiting artist lectures and field trips support our commitment to visual and cultural literacy and our faculty members work closely with students to better understand the impact of art and technology in the professional world. 

The UMW Galleries bring exciting exhibitions and events to campus while advancing the educational goals of the University through the collection, exhibition, and interpretation of works of art. The duPont and Ridderhof Martin Galleries connect students to the professional art world through exhibitions, visiting artist talks, and hands-on experience in curation and design.

The course of study culminates in a student-organized senior exhibition (or exit portfolio) that highlights the work of our majors while adding to the cultural life of the university and the greater Fredericksburg community.