Nicholls State University

DEPARTMENT MENU

At Nicholls, We Make Art Work!

The Nicholls Department of Art offers comprehensive study in studio art, design, art history and art education.

The Nicholls State University Department of Art is much more than just an art program—it’s a well rounded, creative family waiting for students like you. Our programs lead to the success of our students, and we are committed to ensuring that our Department of Art is one of the most experienced, qualified and well-equipped schools in Louisiana. Just take a look at what we have to offer.

“The education I received from Nicholls State University and in the Department of Art not only shaped my career, but it also made me who I am as a person, a teacher and a member of a community who strives for excellence and faces challenges head on.”

Beau Raymond

Degree: Bachelor of Fine Arts
Current Position: Studio Manager, John Creek Arts Center, Georgia

PROGRAMS OF STUDY – Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Art

The Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Art emphasizes the development of the student as a working artist, equipped with the critical thinking, technical skills and creativity required by the major field of study. The art program at Nicholls is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design. (NASAD).

Concentrations:

  • Animation
  • Art Education
  • Art History
  • Digital Art
  • Graphic Design
  • Studio Art: Ceramics, Drawing, Painting, Photography, Printmaking, and Sculpture

Minors

In addition, the Department of Art also offers minors in:

Students interested in the Department of Art should know that a minimal number of courses is offered in the evening. Completion of any of the degree programs requires daytime enrollment.

A minor in art studio requires the completion of 24 hours in art courses. The minor must include ART 201, 251, and 252, and 15 hours of ART electives with at least 6 hours in courses numbered 300 or above.

A minor in art history requires the completion of 24 credit hours in art history to include ART 280, 281, 282, 383, 392, 480 and an additional 6 credit hours of art history at the 300+ level. 3 credit hours of foreign language may be taken in place of one art history elective.

EARN CREDIT WHILE YOU TRAVEL!

The Nicholls Department of Art conducts its annual European Study Abroad summer program in a different area of Europe each June. College students of all majors, high school juniors and seniors, and interested community members are eligible to participate. Each trip concentrates on the art, culture and history of one to three European countries. Up to six hours of credit may be earned in various courses by undergraduate and graduate students as well as high school juniors and seniors.

FACULTY SPOTLIGHT

“I appreciate the opportunity the art curriculum at Nicholls offers for using research in art history to contribute to the academic experience of students at Nicholls and to help them pursue their career objectives.”

Dr. Deborah Cibelli, PhD

Art History & Professor of Art
 

NEWS & EVENTS

EVENTS
2023 Student Exhibition

The Department of Art presents the annual “2023 Student Show” in the next upcoming show.  The exhibition will be on display from March 13th until March 23rd …

Read More →
EVENTS
A Voice for the Unheard
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EVENTS
Pieces of Me
Read More →

CAREERS IN ART

Art education is designed for students who plan to teach art in K-12 grades in public and private schools. This program is offered in conjunction with the College of Education and prepares students for certification as teachers of art. The program combines a conceptual and skill focus and is concentrated in five areas:

  • art production,
  • aesthetics,
  • art history,
  • art curriculum and
  • methodology.

Required Skills and Abilities

  • artistic ability,
  • interest in children and adolescents,
  • creativity and enthusiasm,
  • ability to motivate children,
  • able to design tasks at various skill levels,
  • strong communication skills,
  • physical stamina and
  • patience with frequent repetition.

Career Opportunities

Elementary Teacher
High School Teacher
Educational Program Development
Educational Publisher
Textbook Illustrator
Children’s Book Illustrator
Consultant
Art Director
Recreational Program Development
Public Health Specialist

The Nicholls Division of Art offers art history courses in ancient, medieval, renaissance/ baroque, modern and non-western art. Students who plan to enter graduate study in art history should take courses in all of these areas.

In the upper division courses, students will gain understanding of the methodology of art history and historiography. The level of study moves from the general to the more specific.

Required Skills and Abilities

  • attention to detail,
  • thorough knowledge of art history,
  • strong interest in art,
  • ability to communicate with others,
  • excellent selling and negotiating skills,
  • good evaluation/analysis skills,
  • persistence and
  • creativity.

The studio arts consist of an initial exploration and preparation in arts concepts and theories, professional media and artistic development combined with a more specific concentration. Students are encouraged to develop a personal style as they explore the creative process and the nature of artistic meaning.

Areas of emphasis include:

Ceramics
Painting
Drawing
Sculpture
Printmaking
Graphic Design
Photography
Required Skills and Abilities

good sense of imagination and originality,
desire to create,
ability to work independently,
strong sense of color, design, line and form,
ability to accept criticism and resolve issues,
project management skills,
dedication and confidence and
personal initiative to enter the art field.
Career Opportunities
Advertising
Animation
Art Buyer
Art Direction
Auctioneering
Art Therapist
Brand Strategist
Commercial Illustrator
Graphic Design
Digital Media Artist
Greeting Card Designer
Historical Preservation
Magazines and Publishing
Promotional Design
Retail Management
Technical Illustrator

Print & Web, 3D Animation & Motion Graphics, Digital Art

Graphic designers communicate information.

Language, type style, imagery and symbols are all vital ingredients to create works that convey critical thought. We provide students with the strategies and techniques to become successful professionals. Coursework covers commercial, cultural, social, historical and technological concepts within a graphic design context.

As the largest area of concentration within the Department of Art, graphic design is a vital component to the program. With roots in both commercial and conceptual thinking, the graphic design faculty members bring diverse expertise, which expand their students’ range of knowledge. Every graphic design student interns with one of many of Louisiana’s outstanding design firms or area businesses.

Required Skills and Abilities

  • good sense of imagination and originality,
  • desire to create,
  • ability to work independently,
  • strong sense of color, design, line and form,
  • ability to accept criticism and resolve issues,
  • project management skills,
  • dedication and confidence and
  • personal initiative to enter the art field.

Career Opportunities

  • Advertising
  • Animation
  • Art Buyer
  • Art Direction
  • Auctioneering
  • Art Therapist
  • Brand Strategist
  • Commercial Illustrator
  • Graphic Design
  • Digital Media Artist
  • Greeting Card Designer
  • Historical Preservation
  • Magazines and Publishing
  • Promotional Design
  • Retail Management
  • Technical Illustrator

ACCREDITATION

Our Bachelor of Fine Arts program is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design. (NASAD).

Founded in 1944, the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) is an organization of schools, conservatories, colleges, and universities with approximately 363 accredited institutional members. It establishes national standards for undergraduate and graduate degrees and other credentials for art and design and art/design-related disciplines, and provides assistance to institutions and individuals engaged in artistic, scholarly, educational, and other art/design-related endeavors.

MORE ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT OF ART

The Department of Art supports the Nicholls State University mission in offering individuals an opportunity to study the visual arts.

It aims to provide:

  • quality studies in all visual media (art education, animation, digital art, photography, graphic design, printmaking, painting, drawing, ceramics, sculpture and art history)
  • an environment in which students from the region can understand their personal place in the history of art
  • the skills needed for both employment or continued studies in their area
  • a degree in visual arts, with a concentration in studio art, applied arts or art education.

Our facilities create an ideal environment for the work of our students and faculty and are accessible to persons with disabilities. The Department of Art is located on the first and second floors of Talbot Hall.

The first floor contains the Ceramics and Sculpture studios. The Ceramics Studio utilizes a newly constructed, covered outdoor kiln pad for the gas kilns. The Sculpture Studio consists of a main studio space, one of the largest covered outdoor foundries and a welding and woodworking shop.

 

The second floor of Talbot contains the art office, two-dimensional art studios, art history lecture rooms and the Ameen Fine Arts Gallery.

Art Office

The art office is located upstairs in Talbot 221. It is open year-round (except university holidays), Monday through Friday, from 8:30 am – noon and 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm. The Art Office is closed from Noon to 1:00 p.m. daily. Students are encouraged to visit the art office for information about academic advising, Department of Art programs, courses and ways to get involved in art-related student activities.

 

Faculty Offices

All faculty offices are located on the second floor in Talbot Hall. Most faculty members have offices located inside the main art office. Please come to the art office in Talbot Hall 221 if you are looking for a faculty member.

Studios | Labs

The Nicholls Department of Art has 11 studios/labs where students attend class and work on class assignments. Students can easily interact with faculty and peers in the large work spaces provided for them. Most labs have Internet capabilities, storage spaces for upper-level students and up-to-date technology necessary for professional work and creative development. Non-studio classrooms used by the Department of Art utilize state-of-the-art Smart Boards and projector units for student and faculty use.

Chauvin Sculpture Garden + Art Studio

In 2002 the Kenny Hill Sculpture Garden was officially opened to the public with the dedication of the new Nicholls State University Art Studio, a gift of Kohler Foundation. The mission of the Chauvin Sculpture Garden + Nicholls State University Art Studio and is to educate the public on the value of Folk Art and its importance in the world of visual arts. The Nicholls State University Art Studio preserves and protects the creative works of Kenny Hill and displays the work of contemporary artists in the 1000 square foot exhibition space. Guided tours of the Sculpture Garden are given on Weekends.

For weekend hours

Contact Dr. Gary LaFleur at 985.448.4715 or the Department of Art office at 985.448.4597.

The Studio also contains a functioning darkroom. Books on the Sculpture Garden, local artwork and other souvenirs are for sale in the Art Studio.

 

CERAMICS CLUB

The Ceramics Club is for those who are interested in working with clay as an art form. The Ceramics Club hosts an annual pottery sale every fall semester. The club contributes to off-campus trips and opportunities promoting the awareness of the ceramic arts, sponsors visiting artists and supports student development. Prior to the pottery sale, the club hosts “Pot ’til You Drop,” a day to make pottery for the Ceramic Club Pottery Sale. Students, alumni, and friends come together for this event.

For further information please contact Jeff Brown at jeff.brown@nicholls.edu985-448-4593.

ART CLUB

The Nicholls Art Club is a student organization open to any student interested in the visual arts. Joining the Art Club is a great way to meet other students in the program and to participate in art activities outside of class. Events sponsored by the Art Club include the annual student show and reception, student art sales, and trips to museums and galleries. The Art Club also participants in Welcome Back Day and other school and community events.

KAPPA PI (Zeta Alpha Zeta Chapter)

Kappa Pi is an honor society for students who are serious about art and want to contribute to the program and events organized by the Department of Art. Kappa Pi sponsors activities such as an annual juried art exhibition. Nicholls students have received scholarships from the national organization, which are offered each year. Membership requirements for art majors are as follows: completion of 12 hours of art coursework, overall 3.0 average in art classes, overall 2.0 cumulative GPA, good attendance and quality artwork. Students interested in Kappa Pi are encouraged to join the Art Club until they are eligible to apply for membership in Kappa Pi.

Department of Art

The Nicholls State University Department of Art has conducted annual European Study Abroad summer programs for over 20 years. Departing in early June, the traveling group visits a different area of Europe each year. College students of all disciplines, high school juniors and seniors and interested adults are eligible to participate in the program.

Our trips are designed to provide travelers with quality excursions and tours, long enough to fully appreciate the cultures and areas visited.

INCLUSIONS

All trips include round trip airfare, first class and superior tourist hotel accommodations, ground transportation in deluxe air-conditioned motor coaches, professional tour directors, expert local guides, guided tours, meals, excursions and entry fees.

 

COLLEGE CREDIT

Courses for credit have been specifically designed for completion in conjunction with a foreign travel experience. College credit is available for college students, graduate students and high school seniors and juniors. Up to six hours of college credit may be earned in:

  • ART 180 Monuments and Collections
  • HUMA 204 International Humanities
  • ART 385 Directed Study in Art
  • ART 485 Topics in Art
  • HUMA 405 Topics in International Humanities
  • Art 501 Directed Study Abroad

Euro American Tours

Euro American Tours specializes in custom designed travel programs and has a 35 year reputation of quality and dependability. They assist us in creating itineraries that are educational, safe and fun. www.eatours.com

Tour Manager

Each tour is accompanied by a professional European tour manager, who has in-depth knowledge of the countries included in the tour. Tour directors are full time, multi-lingual and travel with the group for the entire duration of the tour.

Tour Director

Department of Art faculty members with extensive travel experience accompany all trips. Dean Jean Donegan, Presidential Teaching Award recipient, shares her knowledge of the artistic, historic and cultural aspects of the countries visited and plans all itineraries. She has been working with educational travel for over 30 years.

Interested in This Summer’s European Tour?

If you would like information about this year’s trip, we will forward our itinerary and registration materials promptly upon your request. E-mail Jean Donegan.

Quality & Value

The program’s quality and value keep travelers coming back for more. More than 30 percent of our participants on each trip over the past five years are repeat travelers.

Comments from Our Travelers

“This trip was nothing short of amazing. I enjoyed it more than other trips to Europe I have taken in the past, and I think that has to do with the amount of time we spent in each country. It is much easier to get the feel of a country when you take time to do an in-depth study of it.”

-E. Guidry

“For what I paid to see all this, I got my money’s worth 20 times over. I will remember the Prado for the rest of my life.”

-R. Boudreaux

Scholarships

Art students are eligible for numerous scholarships through the Office of Financial Aid. First time, continuing and transfer students are encouraged to apply for local, state and national scholarships, which are listed on the Financial Aid Web site

Student Employment

The Department of Art has several opportunities for students to become involved with the operation of its studios and clerical needs. Student employees are hired through the Federal Work-Study Program.

Student employees are required to fill out the Free Application for Federal Financial Aid (FAFSA) to determine their eligibility.

The Department of Art cannot hire any student who is not work-study eligible and who is enrolled for fewer than six credit hours per semester. It is the students’ responsibility to inquire and follow up with the required information.

If you are interested in working for the Department of Art, please stop by or call to speak the supervisor of work-study for the Department of Art.

Nearly 70 percent of today’s students rely on some sort of financial aid, whether it be in form of scholarships, grants, loans or employment.
Additionally, tuition does not fully fund the Department of Art’s ability to advance academic standards technologically. Your contribution can fill these and other gaps. Individuals who support the Department of Art, provide the foundation for student financial aid, faculty support and academic development.

All gifts enable our students—dynamic leaders who utilize an understanding of art to transform communities, corporations and nonprofit organizations — to have a rich and rewarding academic experience by learning from an experienced and caring faculty, by participating in creative research and academic programs and by graduating without the burdens of excessive debt.

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The Department of Art has a major fundraiser every spring—Art Works. Funds generated support student scholarship, student development and studio equipment. See Art Works for scholarship opportunities

Your contribution of any amount helps Nicholls State University and its students and will contribute to an even more successful academic year. Gifts of any size are welcome and can be designated to support a particular program, scholarship or facility. Gifts may also be designated to honor a person’s memory or commemorate a significant event. You can learn more about making a donation by contacting the Department of Art office , at 985.448.4597, or Jeremy Becker, Office of Development, 985.448.4006 or jeremy.becker@nicholls.edu.

​Students have many opportunities to exhibit their work at Nicholls State University. Each year the Department of Art hosts its Annual Student Exhibition. This exhibition is a juried competition for studio art, graphic design and art history students featuring “outside peer review” which means it is judged by professional artists, designers, and writers from outside the Department of Art and outside the university. Other exhibition opportunities for student include the annual Kappa Pi International Art Fraternity Theme Show, Art Works Fundraiser exhibition, and Senior Capstone Exhibitions. Advanced level students are required to apply for competitive exhibition, conference presentation, and workshop opportunities outside the institution. Graphic design students are also required to have an internship with a graphic design firm in the region.

The Department of Art has several opportunities for students to become involved with the operation of its studios and clerical needs. Student employees are hired through the Federal Work-Study Program.

Student employees are required to fill out the Free Application for Federal Financial Aid (FAFSA) to determine their eligibility. Student workers must be work-study eligible and enrolled for no fewer than six credit hours per semester.

For more information student employment click here.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Office Location:

Art Office in 221 Talbot Hall

Mailing Address:

P.O.Box 2025
Thibodaux, LA 70310
Phone: 985.448.4597
Fax: 985.448.4596
E-mail: Connie Doran, Administrative Assistant

LOCATION

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