Department of Art and Art History

The Department of Art and Art History provides a unique opportunity to study the visual arts and their relevance in contemporary culture within the context of a comprehensive liberal arts education. Led by dedicated and talented professionals, our small classes foster creative and practical skills along with constructive dialogue between students and professors.

Depending on their talents and interests, students choose to major in either art history or studio art. Art history majors explore visual and material culture as forms of communication, while studio art majors customize their study of the visual arts through concentrations in ceramics, graphic design, illustration, interactive media arts, painting and photography.

The Department of Art and Art History is truly unparalleled - in the faculty, curriculum, networking and available resources. Since I became an art history major, I've been able to do exactly what I've always wanted to do, and I struggle to fit all my experience into one resume.

Lily Luskin, art history major

Explore Our Programs

Our art history program explores visual and material culture as forms of communication. We seek to understand painting, sculpture, architecture, decorative arts, textiles, jewelry and archaeological objects within the historical and cultural contexts in which they were created. Images have the power to tell stories, and we study works of art to better understand the motivations, beliefs, ideologies, fears and hopes of the people who made them.

Art history program

Our studio art program provides unique opportunities for you to develop your creative and practical skills while exploring the theory, practice and history of art. In small class settings, our students customize their study of the visual arts through concentrations in ceramics, graphic design, illustration, interactive media arts, painting and photography.

Studio art program

Dorrance H. Hamilton Gallery

An important part of Newport's cultural scene, the Dorrance H. Hamilton Gallery showcases artwork by outstanding regional, national and international artists, as well as Salve Regina University students, faculty and alumni.

See current and upcoming exhibitions
Late 19th century outfits on display in an art gallery

Meet Our Faculty

We're a dedicated group of professional artists, scholars, designers and teachers who bring the same passion and vigor we hold for our own work into the classroom. We're committed to helping our students discover their individual strengths and go to great lengths to help them realize their goals.

See all Art and Art History faculty
1 /