It has been exciting to see the development of the Department of Art Master of Fine Arts degree program over the last five years. I am delighted with the work in this year's show which serves as a vivid illustration of the strengths of the Department of Art.
This year's graduating class utilized the various media of painting, sculpture, video, installation, and assemblage. The variety of materials and approaches create, above all, an exciting and confident collection of work. These artists move seamlessly between styles and approaches to explore the boundaries of their talent while creating new and innovative work.
All of these emerging artists speak with powerful individual voices and demonstrate an overriding belief and optimism in their artwork that they will take with them as they find their place in the larger art world as a future generation of artists.
The work in this exhibition by these committed students confirms the University of Maryland, College Park as an exhilarating and wonderful place to grow as an artist. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the faculty and students of the Department of Art and the entire staff of The Art Gallery who together have helped to create such a positive educational environment.
SCOTT HABES
Director, The Art Gallery
DEPARTMENT OF ART - UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND GRADUATE PROGRAM
The Department of Art at Maryland houses an internationally recognized MFA Program. Since the mid 1970s, its graduates have successfully moved into the art world, with their creative work recognized by museums, galleries, critical publications, and granting organizations such as the National Endowment for the Arts. Former Maryland MFA students are broadly employed in higher education nationally and internationally.
The MFA Degree is the terminal degree in studio art. Candidates enter our program with developed and coherent bodies of artwork that are both personally unique and focused. Although a number of our MFA students come directly from undergraduate programs, many are returning to graduate school after a period of independent artistic development. The three year program gives the students the opportunity to explore paths in their work that they may not have had the time to pursue in a two year program. During their second year of study candidates may arrange a semester abroad with another institution. Interaction with other students and our diverse faculty is encouraged. The Graduate Faculty consists of active professional artists specializing in drawing, painting, sculpture, installation, printmaking, design, photography, digital and time-based media, and art theory.
The Department of Art also emphasizes a multi-cultural awareness of historical, theoretical and contemporary art issues. This is reflected in the Colloquium and the Art History / Art Theory requirements for the MFA degree as well collaboration with other centers on campus, such as The David C. Driskell Center for the Study of the Visual Arts and Culture of African Americans and The African Diaspora.