FINE ARTS, FINE FUTURE By Martha Simmons
Mural at Mobile Convention Center | Photos by Katie West
The University of Mobile’s art department is growing and making an impact, with the addition of two new Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees in a program that has more than tripled the number of art majors from a decade ago. In addition to the Bachelor of Arts in art, UM now offers the Bachelor of Fine Arts in graphic design and Bachelor of Fine Arts in studio art. Phillip Counselman ’01, associate professor of studio art and chair of the art department in the Alabama School of the Arts, said the BFA is a valuable degree. “Many of our graphic design students get jobs even before they graduate. Our graphic design majors take positions as entry level designers and creative directors. Our studio majors are prepared for further studies in graduate programs,” he said. Counselman credited Megan Cary, associate professor of graphic design, with designing the
24
TORCHLIGHT | Fall 2019
new Bachelor of Fine Arts programs and introducing new technology and equipment to the graphic design program. “The BFA degree is the academic and professional standard for artists and designers,” Cary said. “It offers more extensive coursework in the academic area of interest. For both studio artists and graphic designers, that means they spend more time in the studio creating work, gaining practical experience through internships and building a portfolio of work to prepare them for a professional career in their field, or going on to graduate school. “Most of our majors are employed in their field within three months of graduation due to their professionalism and experience,” Cary said. “In fact, several of our students accepted jobs in their field before they finished their finals this past May.” Jacob Burkhardt is looking forward to finishing his senior year at UM and graduating with a BFA in graphic design.
