Department of Art
Cultivate Your Imagination
We inspire and prepare you to excel in a variety of art professions and engage in a life-long appreciation of the visual arts.
Degree Programs
Art (BFA/BA) Studio Art
Our Bachelor of Fine Arts and our Bachelor of Arts (BFA/BA) in Studio Art programs provide an intensive foundation in theoretical knowledge and professional skills. Develop a personal vision, high-level techniques and the ability to make sound artistic decisions.
Photography (BFA)
Students can choose to focus on fine art or commercial photography, the latter encompassing advertising-purposed material.
Visual Communication (BFA) Art Direction Concentration
The concentration in Art Direction prepares students for professional positions as creative team leaders who target specific market audiences and produce client branding, single ads or campaigns in print, broadcast and interactive media. Courses in art direction and advertising emphasize the development of concepts from infancy through the finished product. The Art Direction student gains proficiency in creating headlines, copy, layout and storyboarding. All visual communication courses above the sophomore level are taught at East Texas A&M in Dallas.
Visual Communication (BFA) Design Concentration
The concentration in Design prepares students choosing to pursue a career as a design professional. Instruction focuses on an applied conceptual skill set through the development and application of the creative process, conceptual thinking, and visual problem-solving. Courses focus on client-driven projects such as packaging, paper systems, and client visual branding development.
Visual Communication (BFA) Motion Design Concentration
The concentration in Motion Design pairs creative thinking and refined design skills with computer-based multimedia and motion design. Students study a variety of media including motion graphics, animation, video, gaming concepts, interactive web, and mobile apps to become innovative multimedia designers. A broad understanding of software applications and the concepts underlying them give students the capacity to stay current in this evolving field of Visual Communication. All visual communication courses above the sophomore level are taught at East Texas A&M in Dallas.
Art (MA) Studio Art Emphasis
This master's degree may be pursued either for personal enrichment or to advance one's professional standings and credentials. Courses for the degree include painting, sculpture, photography, drawing, ceramics and mixed and multi-media art.
Art (MFA) Studio Art Emphasis
This degree is built from the ground up to meet the artist where they are and enhance every level of their artistic ability through intensive study and hands on training.
Art (MFA) Visual Communication Emphasis
The advanced degree with an emphasis in visual communication centers on meeting the needs of practicing professionals in the expanding field of visual communication who aspire to achieve a higher level of proficiency in creative innovation, design professional practice and design leadership. The program explores creative process innovation; design professional practice leadership, strategy, process and product; and creative marketing promotion grounded in a social and business perspective. Courses for this degree are taught at East Texas A&M in Dallas.
Teach Art with a Double Major in Secondary Education
Secondary Education (BA/BS) All Level with Content Area
Designed for students interested in teaching k-12 in their subject area, this four-year, 120-credit hour degree is offered face-to-face in Commerce and integrates deep content area coursework with teacher preparation and field experience. Students pick an emphasis (e.g. Physical Education K-12 or Special Education EC-12) or double major (such as Hispanic Studies, Art, or Theatre) so that they are qualified to teach across in a k-12 setting.
Faculty Spotlight
Leigh Merrill
Art has the ability to show us what we don't expect to see – to challenge and remind u…
Joseph Daun
Josh Ege
Our Facilities
Before working in our studios and facilities, students are required to review the Art Department Health and Safety Handbook. This resource provides important guidelines for equipment use, material handling, and safe studio practices to help create a productive and responsible creative environment.
The Art Building
The Art Sculpture Lab
The Wathena Temple Fine Arts Building
The Art Sculpture Lab Building
Ceramics Electric Kilns
Ceramics Gas Kilns
Ceramic Glazing Room
Ceramic Wheel Throwing Area
Drawing Studio
Painting Studio
The Photo Darkroom
The Photo Digital Print Lab
The Photo Lighting Studio
Raku Firing Ceramic Area
The University Art Gallery
The Wood Shop Sculpture Lab
Gallery and Art Events
Dallas artist Du Chau
‘The Silence that Speaks’ tells stories of family, loss, and joy.
Chau describes how art informs science and how science informs art.
News
Leaving Their Mark: Graduating Artists Unveil New Lion Mural at East Texas A&M
Before graduating, art students Sloan Rogers and Cassidy Allarah Steele completed one final project—a mural designed to remind students they belong.
Students Showcase Artwork, Take Home Awards at Annual Juried Exhibition
Several East Texas A&M University Art majors are currently showcasing their work at the University Gallery as part of the annual Juried Student Art Exhibition.
Lion Students Take Home Several Awards from 2026 Addys
A total of eight East Texas A&M University Visual Communication students received recognition at the AAF Dallas' annual Addy Awards.
ETAMU President’s Gallery Showcasing Professor Emeritus’ Photography
The University Gallery at East Texas A&M University is pleased to announce Chaddy Dean Smith: A Retrospective.
University Gallery Showcasing Faculty Talents at Biennial Exhibition
The Department of Art at ETAMU is pleased to announce the Art Faculty Biennial Exhibition, on view from November 17, 2025, to February 6, 2026, in The University Gallery.
Art Faculty Interviewed for CNN Article on Resurgence of Cowboy Fashion
Associate Professor of Art History and University Gallery Director Melynda Seaton, Ph.D., was featured in a CNN article discussing the recent rise of cowboy and western fashion in America.
ETAMU’s University Gallery Hosting International Artist Exhibition
The University Gallery at East Texas A&M University is pleased to announce our latest exhibition, “Dan Jian: Library of Partial Things.”
ETAMU Director of VisCom Honored with AAF Dallas Luminary Award
East Texas A&M University Director of Visual Communication Lee Hackett was recently honored with the prestigious Luminary Award by the American Advertising Federation of Dallas.
World-Renowned Artist & Alum’s Artwork Featured in Texas Art Museum
Artwork by Lion Alumna Robyn O’Neil was recently acquired for display by the McNay Art Museum in San Antonio, Texas.
Scholarships
The Department of Art offers students multiple opportunities to receive scholarships. Some available scholarships include:
- Daniel Lloyd Ross Memorial Endowment
- Alex W. Kibler & Shirley Riley Kibler Endowment
- June Kidder Memorial Endowment
- John & Phyllis Carrier Scholarship Fund
- Wathena Temple Memorial Scholarship
In addition to these named scholarships, the Department of Art will annually offer approximately $2,000 in scholarships funded by the department’s fundraising efforts. Amounts of endowed scholarships will not be announced until awarded.
Giving Opportunities
Your generosity makes a big difference in the lives of our students. Consider giving to the Department of Art. For more information, contact us.
We are here to help!
Amanda Scott
Alum Staff Academic Advisor IV / EAB, Onboarding Manager, Advisor for CHSSA Continuing Students
Debbie Lelekis, Ph.D.
Faculty Acting Department Head, Associate Dean of CHSSAMeet our Department
Contact Us
- Department of Art
- 903.886.5208
- [email protected]
- P.O. Box 3011
East Texas A&M at Dallas
- Visual Communication
- 214.954.3636
- [email protected]
- 8750 N Central Expy.
- Dallas, TX 75231
- P.O. Box 3011