Art and Design

Art & Design Majors

Graduate Degrees »

Visually Speaking

Jiani Su ‘17 switched to the visual communication design program after discovering the artistic freedom in graphic design.

Passion — and Pay

Passion and Pay: Preparing artists for creative, rewarding careers

Study Abroad

Study for a semester or year abroad in Rennes, Florence, or another one of the study abroad programs through the Center for International Education.

Incredible internships

Kai Pepler '18, visual communication design: Communicating philosophy in American Sign Language

Julia Madore '17, art history: Summer at Fenimore Art Museum

Alumni Spotlight: Carolyn Palmer '83

The artist who earned national acclaim in 2016 for her life-like sculpture of comedienne Lucille Ball says professors at Nazareth encouraged her talent for sculpture and "taught me to be more expressive and creative." Read more »

The Words Behind the Work

Works by Nazareth faculty and student artists at the Franco-American Institute in Rennes, France

Student Work | Ceramics • Drawing • Graphic Design • Illustration • Jewelry and Metalsmith • Painting • Photography • Printmaking • Sculpture

Alum Andrea Durfee

Andrea Durfee, featured on the cover of Post magazine, worked as a licensed art therapist and then co-founded an artisan invitation and stationery company. The watercolor artist, printmaker, and illustrator majored in studio art/printmaking and earned a master's in creative arts therapy at Nazareth in 2011.

Opportunities outside the classroom

Fieldwork in the Saturday Art Program at Naz for art education majors.
Nazareth students win awards from the Rochester Advertising Federation.
Participate in professional networking events and portfolio reviews with professional graphic design associations including AIGA (American Institute of Graphic Arts) and the RAF (Rochester Advertising Federation).
Student groups go to "First Friday" city-wide gallery night events in the community. "It’s a great way to experience the art culture here in Rochester," says student blogger Claire Malboeuf '16.
Intern at an ad agency or museum or while studying abroad. Or gain field experience with an artist. Learn more about Internships »

Why I Teach by Mitch Messina

"Every day, I hope to be instrumental in helping at least one student find their right pathway." — Mitch Messina, professor in the art department.

Faculty Spotlight: Samantha Nolte-Yupari

"When I teach students to become art teachers, I combine the visual and the verbal to help them build connections. We look at how art-making and teaching overlap and how what they know about each one holds true in the other. We regularly reflect, problem-solve, and adapt, which are necessary to teach well." Read more »

Campus Galleries

Nazareth has three gallery spaces on campus that host shows curated by the art department faculty. Learn more about the Arts Center Gallery, Arts New Media Gallery, and Colacino Art Gallery »

Vibrant Arts Community

The Rochester metro area ranked #19 in the country in 2017 for arts and culture in The NCAR Arts Vibrancy Index Report: The Arts Markets in America. Art & design curricula regularly integrate guest speakers, tours, and collaborative projects with many of the Rochester community’s arts organizations.

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