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The Art and Design Program at Cecil College offers an optimal learning environment for students to explore drawing and painting, ceramics, and graphic design.
Our Program
We offer high quality learning experiences in a cooperative learning environment with outstanding faculty and studios for developing artwork in a variety of media.
Preparing students for a future in the Arts
We prepare students for transfer to four-year colleges, initial employment, or career advancement in the following areas: design, ceramics, art education, art administration, fine arts production, exhibition and sales.
Exhibits and Events
Learn more about our events and exhibit openings.
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“The education I received here has been invaluable. Cecil has given me a headstart, preparing me for whatever challenges are ahead.”
Brad Eckman, Crab
Erica Jones, I’m Cool
Erin Cebula, The Fish
Associate of Fine Arts, Art & Design
About this degree
The Associate of Fine Arts degree in Art and Design provides the foundation coursework and studio expertise that parallels the first two years of a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree (BFA) in Art and Design, the professional degree in the Art and Design field. Upon completion of the A.F.A, students will have created an artistic portfolio of work to transfer to a college, university or art school. The program prepares students with an intensive studio-based curriculum stressing the development of artistic techniques and critical thinking skills. Students study a variety of art disciplines preparing them for continued study in Art and Design leading to careers in the following fields: fine art, art education, art therapy, graphic design, curatorial studies, advertising, fashion design, and interior design. Students may concentrate their studies in subjects including animation, ceramics, digital art, drawing, graphic design, illustration, painting, photography, printmaking or sculpture. Students should consult with art faculty early in their academic program to determine which electives will best meet their needs.
Program Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:Use the basic tools and techniques of a visual communicator
- Describe visual concepts and express them using appropriate artistic vocabulary in written and oral presentations
- Demonstrate creativity in visual, technical, and conceptual problem-solving
- Apply technical skills and competency in a wide range of art media and techniques
- Solve visual problems in a manner that reflects individual creativity, technical expertise, and an understanding of historical and contemporary art
- Demonstrate a work ethic that reflects a dedication to process and the intelligent development of a personal aesthetic
- Write and speak with clarity, think critically and analytically, and express one’s ideas about a personal artistic vision and the vision of others
- Use the critique process and self-reflection to develop a fine art professional portfolio for transfer or career development
Career Opportunities
Art teacher, fine artist, illustrator, graphic designer, animator, art director, architectural designer, art historian, curator, art critic, art therapist, fashion designer, gallery director, industrial designer, interior designer, creative director, commercial artist, multimedia artist, museum archivist, layout artist, photographer, photojournalist, videographer, web designer, and other art related careers.
Curriculum Details
Concentration Areas
- Art History
- Ceramics and Sculpture
- Drawing and Painting
- Graphic Design
- Interactive and Motion Arts
- Photography and Digital Arts
- Studio Arts
Certificate Option
Emily Norris, Reformed
MaryAnna Podlesak, White Lily
Ted French
Associate of Arts, Ceramics
About this degree
This program option prepares students for transfer to a four-year institution to pursue a BA in Art or a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree. Students will create an artistic portfolio of work to transfer, seek initial employment or to develop skills in the following areas: art and design, ceramics, art education, art administration, fine arts production, exhibition and sales.
Program Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Describe visual concepts and express them using appropriate artistic vocabulary in written and oral presentations
- Demonstrate creativity in visual, technical, and conceptual problem-solving
- Apply technical skills and competency in a wide range of art media and techniques
- Solve visual problems in a manner that reflects individual creativity, technical expertise, and an understanding of historical and contemporary art
- Demonstrate a work ethic that reflects a dedication to process and the intelligent development of a personal aesthetic
- Write and speak with clarity, think critically and analytically, and express one’s ideas about a personal artistic vision and the vision of others
- Use the critique process and self-reflection to develop a fine art professional portfolio for transfer or career development
- Demonstrate an understanding of design principles with an emphasis on three-dimensional design, and the ability to apply these principles to a specific aesthetic intent
- Demonstrate an understanding of the history of ceramics and sculpture This includes the history of art, craft, the relationship of ceramics to other art disciplines, and its influence on culture
- Professionally document and exhibit a body of work that demonstrates artistic voice, concept, and technical skills in ceramics or sculpture
Career Opportunities
Fine artist, art instructor, art director, ceramicist, designer, master craftsperson, art consultant, industrial designer, restorer, conservator, model or mold maker, studio technician, gallery director, curator.
Curriculum Details
Associate of Arts, Drawing & Painting
About this degree
This program option prepares students for transfer to a four-year institution to pursue a BA in Art or a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree. Students will create an artistic portfolio of work to transfer, seek initial employment or to develop skills in the following areas: art and design, art education, arts administration, illustration, fine arts production, exhibition and sales.
Program Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Describe visual concepts and express them using appropriate artistic vocabulary in written and oral presentations
- Demonstrate creativity in visual, technical, and conceptual problem-solving
- Apply technical skills and competency in a wide range of art media and techniques
- Solve visual problems in a manner that reflects individual creativity, technical expertise, and an understanding of historical and contemporary art
- Demonstrate a work ethic that reflects a dedication to process and the intelligent development of a personal aesthetic
- Write and speak with clarity, think critically and analytically, and express one’s ideas about a personal artistic vision and the vision of others
- Use the critique process and self-reflection to develop a fine art professional portfolio for transfer or career development
- Demonstrate proficiency working with a wide range of materials and tools, techniques, and processes.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the principles of design, color concepts, media and formats, and the ability to apply them to a specific aesthetic intent
- Demonstrate comprehension of art with a historical and contemporary context
- Professionally document and exhibit a body of work that demonstrates artistic voice, concept, and technical skills in drawing and painting
Career Opportunities
Fine artist, art instructor, art director, designer, illustrator, museum or gallery director, curator.
Curriculum Details
Associate of Arts, Graphic Design
About this degree
This program option prepares students for transfer to a four-year institution to pursue a BA in Art or a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree. Students will create an artistic portfolio of work to transfer, seek initial employment or to develop skills in the following areas: graphic design, digital art, art education, arts administration, fine arts production, exhibition and sales.
Program Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Describe visual concepts and express them using appropriate artistic vocabulary in written and oral presentations
- Demonstrate creativity in visual, technical, and conceptual problem-solving
- Apply technical skills and competency in a wide range of art media and techniques
- Solve visual problems in a manner that reflects individual creativity, technical expertise, and an understanding of historical and contemporary art
- Demonstrate a work ethic that reflects a dedication to process and the intelligent development of a personal aesthetic
- Write and speak with clarity, think critically and analytically, and express one’s ideas about a personal artistic vision and the vision of others
- Use the critique process and self-reflection to develop a fine art professional portfolio for transfer or career development
- Demonstrate an understanding of tools and technology, including their roles in the creation, reproduction, and distribution of visual messages Relevant tools and technologies include drawing, printing, photography, and interactive media (film, video, computer multimedia)
- Demonstrate the use of 2D and 3D software programs including applications such as modeling, animation, illustration, video, sound, photography, print and web authoring
- Demonstrate the ability to solve communication problems, including the skills of problem identification, research and information gathering, analysis, generation of alternative solutions, prototyping and user testing, and evaluation of outcomes
- Demonstrate an understanding of design history, theory, and criticism
Career Opportunities
Graphic design, graphic design assistant, digital artist, layout and production technician, art instructor, art director, exhibitions designer, multi-media specialist, photographer.
Full Time Faculty
Mark Donohue
Associate Professor of Art
M.F.A., University of Delaware
(443) 674-1956
mdonohue@cecil.edu
Lauren Vanni
Professor of Art & Art and Design Coordinator
M.F.A., University of Delaware
M.Ed., Arcadia University
(443) 907-1380
lvanni@cecil.edu