Art & Art History Department
Why Study the Arts at UNC Asheville?
The Art and Art History Department offers a vibrant blend of practical creativity and scholarly insight, guiding students through hands-on studio work—painting, drawing, sculpture, graphic and multimedia arts—as well as rigorous historical and theoretical study. On the Studio Art side, learners engage directly with materials and techniques, refining their visual language and creative voice. Meanwhile, the Art History curriculum illuminates how painting, sculpture, architecture, and visual culture have evolved in tandem with shifting political, religious, social, and cultural landscapes—from prehistoric origins through the Renaissance and Baroque periods to modern and contemporary global art. Together, the department cultivates both making and meaning, empowering students to create art with purpose and understand its broader role in the world’s unfolding story.
Art and Art History Department Programs
Studio Art
B.A. B.F.A. Minor Teacher Licensure
As a Studio Art major at UNC Asheville, you’ll transform ideas into impactful works of art—whether you’re illustrating stories, designing for social change, or building immersive installations. Rooted in critical thinking and creative exploration, our program prepares you to express your vision and engage the world through visual language.
Art History
B.A. Minor
As an Art History major at UNC Asheville, you’ll uncover the stories behind images, objects, and spaces—from ancient artifacts to contemporary installations. You’ll develop critical research and visual analysis skills as you explore how art shapes, and is shaped by, culture, politics, and identity across time and place.
Careers & Outcomes
Careers & Outcomes
Graduates from UNC Asheville’s Department of Art and Art History pursue a wide range of careers across the creative and academic sectors. Alumni have gone on to work as museum curators, gallery managers, art educators, conservationists, illustrators, designers, and arts writers. Others continue their education in top graduate programs. The department’s emphasis on critical thinking, creative problem-solving, and interdisciplinary exploration prepares students for dynamic roles in cultural institutions, creative industries, and freelance or entrepreneurial paths.
Studio Art Concentrations
Studio Art Concentrations
UNC Asheville offers six distinct concentrations in studio art, allowing students to explore and deepen their creative practice in a chosen medium. Students can focus on ceramics, drawing, painting, photography, printmaking, or sculpture—each providing a strong foundation in both technical skill and conceptual development. These concentrations encourage personal expression, critical thinking, and hands-on experience, preparing students for careers in the arts or further study in graduate programs.
Outside the Classroom
Outside the Classroom
Art Exhibitions
At UNC Asheville, your art education spans beyond the classroom. Our galleries across campus host student, faculty, and visiting artist exhibitions. All senior-level students create a major body of work—presented in a solo or group exhibition and portfolio—that provides strong preparation for postgraduate opportunities. Students are also encouraged to gain real-world professional experience through internships with local museums, arts organizations, and galleries.
State-of-the-Art Facilities
State-of-the-Art Facilities
Owen Hall is the creative heart of UNC Asheville’s Art Program. Offering state-of-the-art facilities that inspire innovation, inside you’ll find spacious studios for ceramics, drawing, painting, photography, printmaking, and sculpture. The building also features bright gallery spaces, student lounges, and smart classrooms—all designed to support your growth as an artist. Just a few minutes away in the River Arts District, our STEAM Studio expands your possibilities with 12,000 square feet of advanced fabrication tools, from 3D printers and CNC routers to full metal and woodworking shops. Together, these spaces empower students to create bold, interdisciplinary work that blends tradition with cutting-edge technology.
I’d like to tell anyone going into the arts program (and especially the BFA program), do not overload yourself with expectations. I walked into college wanting to be a sculptor, and I’m walking out of it as an illustrator. Take the time to immerse yourself in each new media and you’ll find that the concentration chooses the artist.
Art & Art History Department Faculty
Our Art and Art History Department faculty are passionate about the work they create and the subjects they study, bringing their wealth of knowledge to the classroom, the studio, and beyond. With small class sizes, you build meaningful connections with professors dedicated to your academic and artistic growth.
Jackson Martin
Department Chair and Associate Professor of Art
Sculpture Concentration
Office: 214 Owen Hall
Phone: (828) 251-6877
Email: jmartin5@unca.edu
Duncan Pittman
Administrative Assistant
Office: 222 Owen Hall
Phone: (828) 251-6559
Email: dpittma1@unca.edu
Eva Hericks Bares, Ph.D.
Senior Lecturer of Art History and Humanities Coordinator
Office: 213 Owen Hall
Phone: (828) 258-7724
Email: ebares@unca.edu
Tamie Beldue
Professor of Art
Drawing Concentration
Office: 211 Owen Hall
Phone: (828) 251-6845
Email: tbeldue@unca.edu
Louise Deroualle
Lecturer of Art
Ceramics Concentration
Office: Owen Hall
Phone:
Email: lderoual@unca.edu
Suzanne Dittenber
Associate Professor of Art
Painting Concentration
Office: 212 Owen Hall
Phone: (828) 251-6875
Email: sdittenb@unca.edu
Robert Dunning
Professor of Art
Printmaking Concentration
Office: 220 Owen Hall
Phone: (828) 251-6879
Email: rdunning@unca.edu
Scott Lowrey
Adjunct Associate Professor of Art
Drawing Concentration
Office: 233 Owen Hall
Phone: (828) 251-6559
Email: slowrey@unca.edu
Leisa Rundquist, Ph.D.
Professor of Art History and University Curator
Office: 216 Owen Hall
Phone: (828) 251-6848
Email: lrundqui@unca.edu
Brent Skidmore
Professor of Art, Collaborative Co-Founder of STEAM Studio
Sculpture Concentration
Office: 219 Owen Hall
Phone: (828) 250-2390
Email: bskidmor@unca.edu
Laurel Taylor, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Art History
Office: 218 Owen Hall
Phone:
Email: ltaylor@unca.edu
Carrie Tomberlin
Senior Lecturer of Art and Gallery Director
Photography Concentration
Office: 209 Owen Hall
Phone: (828) 258-7723
Email: tgeorge2@unca.edu
Eric Tomberlin
Associate Professor of Art
Photography Concentration
Office: 215 Owen Hall
Phone: (828) 258-7722
Email: etomberl@unca.edu
Megan Wolfe
Professor of Art
Ceramics Concentration
Office: 217 Owen Hall
Phone: (828) 251-6876
Email: mwolfe@unca.edu
Ready for what's next?
Discover your true potential in UNC Asheville’s art programs, where you can choose from six dynamic concentrations designed to ignite your creative spark and deepen your understanding of history, critique, and craft. Whether you’re pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Art or Art History, you’ll benefit from small class sizes, hands-on learning, and a holistic curriculum that prepares you for careers in the art world, graduate study, or education. Our immersive and flexible programs are built to support your goals and empower you to thrive as a thoughtful, skilled, and creative professional.