WCU Art & Design Department

Art & Design Department

Immerse yourself in the world of art and design.

The Art & Design Department blends traditional artistic practices with contemporary engagement, preparing students for dynamic careers. With a strong foundation, students explore classical techniques and modern approaches, working with faculty experts in traditional media, emerging technologies, and industry-standard software.

Through hands-on coursework, students engage with real-world applications, from internships and commissioned projects to collaborations with the art community at Western and throughout the Gunnison Valley. Whether working with local businesses, community organizations, or professional artists, students gain invaluable experience that bridges academic study with practical, career-oriented opportunities.

In addition to technical skills, students explore the role of visual arts in shaping cultural and social narratives. Courses provide a platform for personal expression while encouraging critical engagement with contemporary issues. Western’s Art & Design Department fosters creative professionals to contribute meaningfully by combining artistic tradition with modern innovation.

Hands-On Opportunities

  • Art student taking a photo of a tree sculpture during the Pathfinder Magazine Submission Festival

    Pathfinder Magazine

    Students collaborate to produce a real-world magazine, gaining hands-on experience in writing and publishing.
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  • Two students sit on grass and watercolor paint a scene with their canvases on their laps.

    Artistic and Professional Growth

    Western Art students gain real-world experience through internships, exhibitions, and creative projects—with many opportunities to get paid for their work.
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Areas of Study

Art

Available as: Major, Minor

Art Education

Available as: Education Licensure, Major Emphasis

Art K-12 Licensure with MA in Education

Available as: Accelerated Degree, Education Licensure

Ceramics

Available as: Major Emphasis

Graphic Design

Available as: Certificate, Major, Minor

Graphic Design Certificate

Available as: Certificate

Illustration

Available as: Certificate

Interdisciplinary Art Major

Available as: Major

Jewelry

Available as: Major Emphasis

Painting

Available as: Major Emphasis

Photography

Available as: Major Emphasis

Printmaking

Available as: Major Emphasis

Sculpture

Available as: Major Emphasis

Studio Art

Available as: Major Emphasis

Web Design and Development

Available as: Minor

Scholarships

Scholarships by Department

The Western Colorado Foundation offers scholarships specifically for this program. Explore eligibility requirements and funding opportunities.

Explore Scholarships

General Western Scholarships

Western Colorado University offers merit—and need-based scholarships, recognizing achievement, financial need, and special talents.

Explore Scholarships
“I’ve always excelled in smaller environments, and Western fit that perfectly. The school attracts high quality professors because this community and the land around us is incredible."

Mallory Logan

Graphic Design
Mallory Logan

Department News

  • Western’s Art & Design Department Chair Chosen for Prestigious Fellowship

    Western’s Art & Design Department Chair Chosen for Prestigious Fellowship

    Training humanities faculty for leadership GUNNISON, Colorado: Western Art & Design Department Chair and Professor Tina Butterfield was one of only eight people from across…
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  • Pride Month, Tokenism, and Being Queer at Western

    Pride Month, Tokenism, and Being Queer at Western

    A Testimony from Natalie Edwards Pride Month Origins The first declaration of Pride Month was made in 1999 when President Clinton named June Gay and…
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  • Liberal Arts Programs at Western Provide Practical Job Skills

    Liberal Arts Programs at Western Provide Practical Job Skills

    When Western Colorado University was the first college established on the Western Slope in 1901, the primary dedication of the school was providing teacher preparation…
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  • Artists Showcase Their Resiliency During Annual Event

    Artists Showcase Their Resiliency During Annual Event

    For the second year, artists and art connoisseurs gathered at the Crested Butte Center for the Arts to celebrate Western Colorado University students in a…
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  • Leadership and Experiential Learning Projects at Western

    Leadership and Experiential Learning Projects at Western

    Leadership and experiential learning projects are one of the core components of the Western Colorado University experience. With program-specific clubs, on-campus events, off-campus trips, and…
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  • The Quigley Quarantine Quarterly Binds Hearts Through the Arts

    The Quigley Quarantine Quarterly Binds Hearts Through the Arts

    Does art imitate life or does life imitate art? This question has been pondered ever since Irish poet and playwright Oscar Wilde first proposed it…
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  • Historic Science Fiction Award Given to MFA Director

    Historic Science Fiction Award Given to MFA Director

    Nebula Award for Best Middle Grade + Young Adult Writer Western Colorado University’s GPCW Genre Concentration Director, Fran Wilde, won the Nebula Award for Best…
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Top Skills

Technical and Artistic Skills
Conceptual Thinking Skills
Critical Thinking
Professional and Career Skills
Soft Skills
Strong Work Ethic

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Career Pathways

Fine Art Career Pathways
Studio Artist
Ilustrator
Art Educator
Museum or Gallery Curator
Art Conservator/Restorer

Faculty & Staff

Tina Butterfield, MFA

Professor of Art; Art & Design Department Chair

Mayela Cardenas, MFA

Professor of Art

S. Chase Hutchison, MFA

Professor of Art

Anders Johnson, MFA

Associate Professor of Art

Emily Loehle, MFA

Lecturer in Art

Cierra Rohrbaugh, MFA

Instructor of Art

Art & Design Department

Department Chairperson

Contact Information

970.943.3093
970.943.2329

Contact Location

Western Colorado University
Quigley Hall 202
1 Western Way
Gunnison, CO 81231