Drawing & Painting
Location: Fine Arts 4, Second Floor
Program Head: Domenic Cretara
The primary mission of the Drawing & Painting discipline is to initiate the process through which students become professional artists. The discipline is characterized by rigorous and balanced instruction by a diverse faculty of professional artists. A strong foundation in the traditions of drawing, life drawing, and painting is offered by the BA and BFA undergraduate programs. This is followed by courses which are designed to contextualize the fundamentals, introduce critical thinking, and foster independence. The advanced student may choose from several concentrations which include advanced studies in Drawing and Painting, Life Drawing and Painting, Intermedia, and Mural Painting. Our MFA program challenges its candidates to achieve a strong personal vision with their creative work, develop critical dialogue, and gain awareness of professional practice. Course offerings include study within the various studio disciplines as well as the study of art history and theory. The Drawing and Painting program is enriched by the presence of the University Art Museum and its excellent exhibitions, the ongoing student and faculty exhibitions in our two school galleries, and the incredible wealth of cultural events available in the greater Los Angeles area. Our Distinguished Visiting Artist program provides our students with the opportunity to work closely with an artist of merit and distinction who has been invited to teach in our department each spring. The Drawing and Painting program at California State University, Long Beach, has a reputation for educating motivated and talented students, who go on to become professional artists and artist/teachers of merit and recognition.