The UW-Stevens Point at Wausau art program boasts a large facility, including two buildings on campus, and an array of offerings. Drawing, painting, sculpture, glass, digital imaging, photography and ceramics are courses offered on our campus with plenty of equipment and studio space to create and make what you might imagine.
Students who have begun their studies here have continued with their careers to become fashion designers in London and San Francisco, fine artists and gallery directors in Berlin, Germany, painters in Los Angeles, installation artists and graphic novel illustrators in Portland, Ore.
Internationally recognized artists have also visited UW-Stevens Point at Wausau and worked with our students on special projects; these artists have included Harrell Fletcher and Patricia Johanson.
Art Awards and Scholarships
Appel Artist Award
This is considered the highest honor given by the art department. This award provides for a major funded exhibition of the student’s work to be held 3 or 4 years after leaving UW-Stevens Point at Wausau. Along with the exhibition, a substantial catalogue is published covering the work.
Appel Scholarship
This is a partial tuition scholarship for an Art major who has submitted a collection of their work for review.
After the art faculty has examined the student’s work a recommendation is made to the Scholarship and Awards Committee. Portfolio Review is in the Spring by appointment or by viewing an exhibition of the students work.
Art Majors Award
This award selects a number of art students to travel to New York and experience the heart of contemporary art, through visiting world-class museums and galleries. The length of time is approximately 4 days during Spring break.
Students must have a declared art or art-related major to be eligible, with at least 6 credits in art to be considered. Students who have already completed a BA or BFA degree in an art-related field are not eligible.
Carlton Hill Award
This is a tuition scholarship for those who graduate from Wausau East or D. C. Everest High Schools and who are planning to major in Art, Creative Writing or Journalism. Incoming Freshman are chosen by the UW-Stevens Point at Wausau Scholarship and Awards Committee based on recommendations and High School academic record.
Departmental Distinction Award
The recipient of this award has had a strong influence, through their work and method of working, on other students in the department, and has also contributed to the spirit and vigor of the department.
Easton Shryne Memorial Scholarship
The Easton Shryne Memorial Scholarship was established by Mary McCarthy in honor of her son, Easton, a UWMC art student. Four awards are given annually.
Festival of the Arts Award
This award is given by the Wausau Festival of the Arts for the “best” art student of the year. After examining classroom work, student exhibitions and qualities important for success, the art faculty nominates a recipient to the Scholarship and Awards Committee.
John S. Newberry Award
This is an award for creativity in any field of learning and is open to all students of UW-Stevens Point at Wausau who are full time and are in good academic standing. Application to the Newberry Award Committee every spring is needed to be considered.
The Wisconsin Valley Art Association Art Award
This award is given by the Wisconsin Valley Art Association for an outstanding art student continuing at UW-Stevens Point at Wausau. The student must also qualify for financial aid.
FACILITIES
UW-Stevens Point at Wausau art students enjoy ample studio spaces in two buildings to work in sculpture, ceramics, glass, drawing, painting, photography and digital imaging. The art department provides a wood shop, a welding area, a black and white darkroom, several kilns, a plaster room and a computer Mac lab.
Students are encouraged to develop traditional skills in oil painting, life drawing and ceramics; they are challenged to experiment in multi-media, glass, installation work, conceptual work and digital animation.
Annually, painting and drawing and sculpture students exhibit their work in the Ahrnsbrak Room art gallery and other areas throughout campus. Students benefit from working closely with visiting artists, including Carlos Salgado from Brooklyn-based Scrapile, Oregon State University Professor Miles Inada, known for his graphic novel and animation skills.
The art department’s community engagement efforts give students the opportunity to work in area elementary schools, art venues such as the Center for Visual Arts and the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum, and in parks and wildlife areas such as Robert W. Monk Gardens.