History of the Art & Design Department
Art & Design Mission Statement, adopted by the art faculty October 4, 2024:
“The Art and Design Department at Colorado Mesa University fosters a dynamic and inclusive environment where we prepare students for the evolving global landscape of art and design by integrating the foundational principles of a liberal arts education with cutting-edge professional instruction. This is achieved by teaching the technical skills, creative processes, and critical methods necessary for analyzing visual expression. Our studio-based concentrations equally emphasize the methods, theories, and concepts of art, design, and media, fostering critical thinking, creative expression, and a clear articulation of ideas. Our well-equipped studios and dedicated faculty provide students with the tools and experiences to fully engage in the production and analysis of traditional and contemporary art, design, and media practices.”
The art faculty believes this to be a more comprehensive statement of our goals and mission today. These departmental principles are consistent with the Colorado Mesa University Institutional Mission Statement and the Institutional Vision and Values as stated in the Colorado Mesa University 2020-2021 Catalog, particularly the emphases on “A curriculum, often bridging liberal education and professional programs, that successfully prepares students for the 21st century in the areas of personal and social responsibility, civic engagement, ethics, and intercultural/ global learning.”
Brief history of the program
1925
Founded as Grand Junction State Junior College, 39 students registered.
1933
College catalog lists art course work for the first time with one faculty member, Cecilia Cardman. Enrollment exceeds 200 for the first time.
1937
Name changed to Mesa College.
1941
Margaret Lewis, Instructor. Home Economics and Art courses offered.
1948
Alvie Reddin listed as Instructor of art.
1952
Eight courses in Art listed in catalog.
1957
Mesa College accredited by North Central Association.
1961
College Enrollment exceeds 1000 students.
1964
Don Meyers added as a second faculty member to the Art Department.
1967-68
13 Courses within the Art Department curriculum including Art in the Home and Commercial Design.
1968-69
Ten courses within the Art Department curriculum including Printmaking.
1974
Mesa State College authorized to offer baccalaureate degree programs.
1975-76
Baccalaureate Degrees offered at Mesa State College for the first time.
The Art Department offers a 183 credit-hour Bachelor of Arts in Visual and Performing Arts.
1976-77
The Art Department makes substantial additions in course offerings including Art History and Studio coursework in jewelry, fibers, ceramics, drawing, printmaking, sculpture and painting.
1994
First Graphic Designer hired.
1995
First Art Historian Hired
1996
BA in Graphic Art and a BA in Art Education K-12 Teaching Licensure added.
2002
New Fine Art facility — classes offered in new facility spring semester 2002.
2005
Bachelor of Fine Arts implemented, Graphic Art changed to Graphic Design
2008
Three new concentrations implemented in Art History, Visual Arts Administration, and Graphic Design: Animation. Studio courses expanded to include workshops in all areas.
2010
New college center construction includes a larger gallery space for the Art Department in a 720 square-foot gallery.
2012
First Road Roller Printmaking Event
2013
co2, a biennial international Poster Exhibition launched.
2013
A Vandercook Letterpress was added to the department equipment
2014
Opening of the new downtown gallery (437 CO) and classroom after closing the
on-campus gallery
2015
Extensive Photography Course work added to the department curriculum
2015
BFA in Animation, Film and Motion Design added.
2015
First Film Faculty position added.
2015
Artober Fest established.
2016
BA in Art: Studio Art added
2016
CNC and 3D Printing Technologies added to Curriculum
2017
Photography added to BFA in Animation, Film, Photography and Motion Design
2019
Desert Dog Press — Community Printmaking Press Established
2020
Minor in Interdisciplinary Film Studies added.
2021
Fine Art Building Renamed Jack Kephart Fine Arts Building in honor of Jac Kephart.
CMU Now Story on the Renaming Ceremony: Jac Kephart Naming Ceremony
2022
Minor in Animation added.
2024
Minor in Art History added.