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Welcome to the Sonoma State University Department of Art and Art History, an inclusive and supportive community of students, staff, and faculty. Together, we work to create opportunities for experimentation, collaboration, cooperation, expression, and personal growth.

Our department offers an interdisciplinary arts education with strong foundations in Art Theory, Art History, technical skills, and professional development. Our facilities include two galleries, a foundry, metal shop, wood shop, dark room, lithography studio, individual studio spaces and a community garden, and we invite students of all backgrounds, religious identification, sexual identity, race, and ethnicity, to join us.

We are working actively to create a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community for learning and creation to which each individual can bring their whole self. We recognize that diversity, equity, and inclusion are not only morally necessary, but benefit everyone.

Intellectual and creative work fully flourishes in healthy environments with a range of perspectives and experiences. The faculty and staff also recognize that this happens not through the absence of overt racism and discrimination, but through proactive efforts to create, maintain, and expand diversity, equity, and inclusion.  

The fields of art and art history have not lived up to these ideals historically and presently. Art has served many purposes, some of them less than just. Access to galleries, museums, and art commissions have not been equally distributed. Art history as a discipline has its origins in nineteenth-century nationalism in Europe. Museums grew in and through colonialism. But we are not beholden to the past. We study it because we must do better. 

 

What are we doing specifically? 

  • We're changing the curriculum. Because representation of diverse artists and cultures isn't enough, art department courses explicitly address issues of gender, race and racism, LGTBQ issues, nationalism, disability, and eco art history in visual culture, art production, and art history. 
  • We commit to hiring an ever more diverse faculty 
  • We promise to address racism, sexism, homophobia, and other forms of discrimination in our community directly and promptly. Violations of the Seawolf Commitment and Code of Conduct including microaggressions will be handled seriously. 

We know that ending discrimination and getting rid of old power structures will take time and require continuous reassessment and action. It will take time to embrace the full capaciousness of art and visual culture. We are committed to the project. 

Annoucements

Visiting Artist Lecture Series flier
Fall 2023 Visiting Artists Lecture Series Announced: VALS lectures are free, open to all, and take place Wednesdays, 12:00-12:50 PM on Zoom
Fall 2023 Welcome Back Brush Sale flier
Welcome Back Fall 2023 Brush Sale: the semi annual sale returns Wednesday, August 23rd, 12pm-1pm, in the Art Department Courtyard 
Fishermans_Close_artwork
Joseph Ferriso Featured in Current Exhibition: Through the Trees, on view 04/05 - 04/30/23, with an opening reception 04/06 from 4-6 PM. 
MFA_Thesis_Exhibition_Announcement
Congratulations to BFA Alumna, Zoe Brester-Pennings, on her MFA Thesis Exhibition! : March 20-27, 2023, Ewing Gallery of Art + Architecture, University of Tennessee, at Knoxville.
Jenny Harp photo
Prof. Harp particapes in Santa Rosa City Art Program: Jenny invited to jury the 20th Annual National Arts Program in Santa Rosa
Ever Given #6_painting
Clea Felien in Solo Exhibition: On view at the Morris Graves Museum of Art January 27th - February 26th, 2023, with an artist talk on February 5th, at 2:00 PM.  
visiting_artists_lecture_series_spring_2023
Spring 2023 Visiting Artists Lecture Series Announced: Visit our Visiting Artist Lecture Series page for more information! Lectures are free, open to all, and take place Wednesdays, 12:00-12:50 PM on Zoom (Meeting ID: 821 0056 7366)
welcome_back_brush_sale_spring_2023
Spring 2023 Welcome Back Brush Sale: January 26th, 12:00 - 1:00 PM, in the Art Department Courtyard.
Ferriso_studio_portrait
Prof. Ferriso Featured in Current Exhibition: Solace, on view 12/14/22 – 02/10/23, with an opening reception 12/17 from 4:30-6:30 PM.