Submitted by Dr. Jason Lester, dean of the HBU School of Fine Arts
HBU’s esteemed Master of Fine Arts in Studio Art degree, housed within the School of Fine Arts, has firmly established itself as one of the preeminent programs in Texas and beyond. Our program offers focused study in painting, drawing, printmaking, ceramics and sculpture. Over the past few years, a large number of our students’ work has been thoughtfully juried and included in top juried art competitions in our region by elite curators, exhibition committees and directors of visual arts programs and museums.
The vast accomplishments of these tremendous emerging artists continue to accumulate year after year, which is a testament to the fine instruction delivered by our internationally recognized faculty. Some of these accomplishments include recognition at juried exhibitions, solo shows, and internships.
In the most recent past, our students have won numerous regional competitions and placed more finalists than the 19 peer institutions in Texas with MFA Studio Art programs. Additionally, many of our graduates have gone on to teach at the university, junior college, and high school levels. One distinction of our program is the provision of individual studio space within the University Academic Center. This creates a cohesive, creative community that fully engages the MFA candidates with each other and our faculty. The revered Visual Arts faculty members provide deep inspiration for our students, not only through their expert individualized instruction that is customized for each student, but also through their scholarship as practicing professionals who are routinely showcased in exhibitions both nationally and internationally. The culture of mentorship in our program, guided by a pursuit of excellence and quality, continues to yield appreciable gains in the various artistic spheres.
A spirit of entrepreneurship is evident from matriculation to graduation, and each student’s individual artistic journey is carefully shaped within the integration of faith and scholarship. With this in mind, the thoughtful interpretation of our Christian worldview and the purity of the classics truly distinguishes our prized Master of Fine Arts in Studio Art program.