Letter from:
Gary C. Hatcher, Professor and Department Chair,
Department of Art and Art History

On behalf of the art faculty and staff in the Department of Art and Art History at The University of Texas at Tyler, let me welcome you. The study of art provides rich and exciting possibilities whether you choose to establish yourself as a professional artist, educator, or elect to become involved in one of the many professions related to art such as curatorial or art direction.

Many successful graduates from the Department of Art and Art Histroy at The University of Texas at Tyler have gone on to become successful practicing artists, museum curators, manage private art collections or become art directors in public or private sectors. Our undergraduate degree curriculum prepares students for successful graduate study in art history, studio art or art education. Options are also provided for those wanting to minor in art or to take art as an elective. Advanced graduate degrees are offered in studio art and art history as well.

Our Department is focused on the study of studio art and art history with emphasis on high quality individual instruction. Art students at The University of Texas at Tyler find that class sizes are kept small to ensure an optimum learning environment. Painting, drawing, printmaking, ceramics, sculpture, small metals and aqua-media are all taught in well-equipped studios with the latest tools and equipment for student use. Students have access to the studios twenty-four hours a day while enrolled.

Art History classes are taught in a “state of the art” facility located in the Cowan Performing Arts Center with the latest digital and audio technology. The Cowan Performing Arts Center also houses The Meadows Gallery managed by the Department of Art and Art History. Our art history curriculum spans the entire history of art augmented by visiting scholars, museum studies and exhibitions of contemporary art.

A large expansion of art facilities adding around 30,000 square feet to our current art instruction space is scheduled for completion in 2009. This expansion will assist in accommodating our significant growth as well as provide expanded course offerings.

I invite you to compare the Department of Art and Art History at The University of Texas at Tyler with departments at other universities. You will find that we are not the largest in the region. What you will find is that we are among the best universities to study art due to our small class sizes, individual attention and above all our outstanding cadre of professors who are practicing artists and committed scholars.

Upon closer inspection you will find many attractive things about art at The University of Texas at Tyler. We welcome your questions and opportunity to tell you more about our exceptional programs. Above all I encourage you to make art an ever expanding part of your world. Art has the ability to add deeper dimension to our human existence, expand our awareness, psychological boundaries and sense of purpose.

Sincerely,
Gary C. Hatcher, Professor and Department Chair,
Department of Art and Art History