Faculty
The CSB/SJU art faculty includes painters, sculptors, printmakers, photographers, ceramicists, digital imagists, filmmakers, mixed media and installation artists, papermakers, letterpress printers, book artists, designers and art historians and theorists who know first hand the rigors and the rewards of professional competition as well as the desire to strive for excellence. CSB/SJU faculty members care deeply about teaching.
Department Chair:
Samuel Johnson
Faculty:
Carol Brash, Samuel Johnson, Steve Lemke, Rachel Melis, Scott Murphy, Simon-Hoa Phan OSB, Elaine Rutherford, Andrea Shaker
The art department educates both art majors and non-majors in the theory, practice and history of art. This education involves the understanding of historical development of art in contemporary and past cultures, understanding the critical process used to assess art forms, understanding the meaning and evolution of art theories, understanding the basic concepts related to the structure of forms and understanding the technical aspects of art. This education is intended to prepare students for careers or further education in art. For the non-major, this education provides a preliminary understanding of art forms, the creative process and a beginning ability to employ critical analysis.
The department’s studios, located on both campuses, provide facilities for drawing, design, painting, ceramics, printmaking, sculpture, computer art and photography. The Benedicta Arts Center Galleries and Saint John’s Art Galleries schedule diverse exhibitions of artwork throughout the year. Special areas are available for exhibition of student work. Visiting artists, speakers, artists-in-residence, field trips and workshops supplement the students’ experience of the art world.
Carol Brash
Art History: Art Moves I, Art Moves II, Modern and Contemporary Art, Museum Ethics and History, East Asian Gardens, and others
Sam Johnson
Ceramics, Foundations, 3D/Drawing, Senior Studio Thesis
Steven Lemke
Sculpture, Environmental Art & Architecture, 3D Design/Drawing
Rachel Melis
2D/4D,3D/Drawing, Art of the Printed Book
Scott Murphy
Photography, Papermaking, Handmade Photography, 2D/4D Design
Simon-Hoa Phan, OSB
Video, Animation, Sophomore Topics, Senior Studio Thesis
Elaine Rutherford
Painting, Drawing, Book Arts, 2D/4D, Mixed Media Installation, Senior Studio Thesis
Andrea Shaker
Computer Art, Photography, Mixed Media Installation
Joe Singewald
Technical Director
Sarah Bavelli
Office Coordinator
Favorite Thing
My favorite part about the art department here at CSB and SJU is that I am supported in my preferred medium of making art, and I am pushed and encouraged to think outside the box to create meaningful art. – Graham M.