The painting faculty work with each student to develop an individual direction and a set of aesthetic values that support his or her goals. The program is apprenticeship structured; 15 to 20 students work together in the same studio area, sharing ideas and resources. This format gives painters time to focus thought and energy on painting.

Faculty member Kofi Kayiga says that our "first objective in teaching is to foster the inner confidence and open or expand the awareness of the inner teacher that is ever present in our consciousness. The academic and formal issues rest on this inner conversation." Faculty member Roger Tibbets agrees: "It's important that students develop self-motivation and creative independence. We want to instill the knowledge and critical faculties necessary to develop a personal, expressive direction."

We consider drawing to be essential to the development of student work. A special course, Drawing for Painting, is required for all students each fall term. The class seeks to establish the important links between the instinct to draw and the conceptual processes that form the basis of painting. Our goal is "to energize the student’s enthusiasm for drawing, to strengthen the student’s drawing vocabulary, to expand the definition of drawing and demonstrate the variety of techniques available," says Professor Dean Nimmer.

All painting students meet for 9 hours of class painting time each week. We expect them to work in their studios for an additional 6 to 12 hours per week.

Sophomores study the most essential techniques of painting, from stretching canvas and learning to represent literal space on a flat ground.

Juniors and seniors meet together to undertake advanced problems in painting and drawing. We emphasize theme development and advanced techniques and processes, as well as experimentation with the form and content of painting.

Our goal is to "to discover painting as an expressive language and create a dialogue for personal content and imagery." as Professor Barbara Grad puts it. Critiques, slide lectures, and visiting artist presentations are important elements of the program.