Painting & Drawing
Our reputation is founded upon our deep commitment to personal expression, experimentation, and risk taking, while remaining rooted in the unique fundamentals of history and methodology.
New Mexico, with its rich cultural heritage and stunning variety of landscapes has been a magnet for artists for a long time. Early in the 20th century Professor Raymond Jonson was drawn to New Mexico from Chicago and was instrumental in forming the Transcendentalist Painting Group, an innovative group of non-objective painters that include such luminaries as Florence Pierce and Agnes Pelton.
During the 20th century, artists such as Richard Diebenkorn and Agnes Martin have been associated with the school. Close connection to Native American and Hispanic fine arts traditions energized these European traditions of painting—this energy continues into the 21st century, and New Mexico is home to many contemporary artists.
Facilities
For undergraduates the area has multiple large painting and drawing rooms, each outfitted with video projection, sound, and Internet. At the advanced levels, undergraduate students receive their own designated work areas. Graduate students have personal studios in the Art Annex and Mattox Buildings.
In addition, all students, depending on their coursework and focus, have access to multiple tools, labs, shops, and technologies, to expand upon elements critical to their work. The John Sommers Gallery features Honors Thesis and Graduate Thesis exhibitions as well as student and faculty curated exhibitions. The College of Fine Arts includes a newly renovated Fine Arts Library, the University Art Museum, and the internationally renowned Tamarind Institute.
Painting & Drawing Faculty
Associate Professor
Interim Chair
Assistant Professor
Associate Professor