Welcome to the
Department of Art!
The Art major at the University of Mary Washington combines rigorous studio practice with critical inquiry, experimentation, and creative problem-solving. Students develop technical skills and conceptual depth while working in well-equipped studios across Digital Media, Ceramics, Drawing, Painting, Photography, Printmaking, and Sculpture. Faculty members are active exhibiting artists, researchers, and dedicated teachers who mentor students in a collaborative environment that encourages risk-taking and the development of an individual artistic voice. Our flexible curriculum supports an interdisciplinary approach to making and thinking about art.
Located between Washington, D.C., and Richmond, UMW gives students access to major museums, galleries, internships, and arts organizations. Visiting artist lectures, exhibitions, and field trips connect classroom learning to contemporary artistic and professional practices.
The UMW Galleries bring exhibitions and events to campus while connecting students to the professional art world through curatorial projects, exhibition design, gallery internships, and artist talks. The program culminates in a student-organized senior exhibition that showcases each student’s creative development and contributes to the cultural life of the university and the Fredericksburg community.
