Art Department
Visual artists and art historians: find your authentic creative voice!
Explore your talents in the midst of critical dialogue, freedom and discovery. Study in the context of a Christian community of scholars who, with curiosity and conviction, strive to live out grace and truth. The art major focuses on thinking and doing in concert. With its studio and historical components, the department designs courses to equip students with skills, habits and knowledge to be discerning, faithful participants in the art world and in the visual culture of today. Since we see spiritual, intellectual and creative maturity as a unified whole, we strive to model this synthesis in our own art-making, research, and teaching endeavors. We also expect our students to cultivate a desire for learning and to bring a Christian sensibility to all aspects of art-making and viewing
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Do you have the discipline to develop your art?
Alumni Stories
Katie King Rumford ’06, received her BA in Studio Art from Westmont, went on to complete her MFA in Graphic Design at the Academy of Art University. Working at first as a creative director for Selman Design in New York City, Katie has gone on to establish her own business as a freelance art director, working for such clients as Google and Facebook. Her work has been featured in the New York Times and been recognized by Communication Arts magazine.
Betsy Freeman ’16 has built a career as a graphic and product designer in San Francisco. In 2022, she wrote and illustrated “The One & Done Cookbook” with Stone Pier Press. Reflecting on her time at Westmont, she credits the experience with shaping both her professional confidence and her deeper understanding of success.
Abigail Stadtlander ’22, combined her studio art major with a minor in art history, becoming a sharp interpreter of texts and images whose lively classroom presence inspired both peers and professors. Currently, she works in creative project management at Donut Digital.
Ridley-Tree Museum of Art
The Westmont Ridley-Tree Museum of Art seeks to educate students and the larger community about the power and value of the visual arts in our world through physical, critical and spiritual engagement with the creative process and its result.
Faculty and Staff
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Chris Rupp, M.F.A.
Curator and Collections Manager of Westmont Ridley-Tree Museum of Art and Ceramics Instructor
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Patricia Noormand
Administrative Assistant Email: pnoormand@westmont.eduTel: (805) 565-6026Office: ADM 202
Areas of Concentration
Our Studio Art program fosters creative expression through hands-on projects, providing a solid foundation in various mediums for success in the art world.
In our Art History program, students delve into the rich tapestry of artistic heritage. Exploring diverse cultures and time periods, they analyze and interpret art, gaining a deep understanding of its historical and cultural significance. The program equips students with critical thinking skills, preparing them for engaging careers in art research, curation, and education.
Our Graphic Arts program integrates artistic creativity and technical skills for careers in graphic design and illustration. Through hands-on projects, students gain a strong foundation in design principles and digital tools, fostering creativity for success in the dynamic field of graphic arts.
Art Student Opportunities
In addition to your coursework, the art major takes full advantage of access to the creative community of Santa Barbara and Greater Los Angeles. We take regular field trips to Los Angeles art institutions and have strong local connections to galleries and multiple museum spaces.
While you are a student we offer a number of exhibition/presentation opportunities including your capstone senior exhibition in the Ridley-Tree Museum, solo shows in our ARTLAB gallery spaces, a group Sophomore Project exhibition, and student-led creative publications like the Phoenix, Yearbook, and Horizon Magazine.
Additionally we encourage students to start early in their professional journey through internships and participating as a vendor in the annual student art Holiday sale or curating an exhibition in the Artlab Galleries.
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Studios & Facilities
We value studio life and creative discovery made in community. With dedicated personal studio space for seniors, student run laboratory galleries, and outdoor patios for socializing, we hope our students will make Adams Center their locus for making and building life-long friendships.