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Art at MSU Denver

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The Department of Art at Metropolitan State University of Denver is a vibrant, diverse environment full of options for students interested in pursuing a degree in a creative field. Whether you are interested in being a professional artist, designer, educator or researcher, you will learn traditional methods of art production and research as well as innovative approaches to art and design. Read more and explore…

 

Liminal: Metropolitan State University of Denver Art BA Thesis Exhibition

Fall 2025 Art BA Thesis Exhibition: LIMINAL

December 6, 2025 – January 2, 2026 LIMINAL is a showcase of MSU Denver BA Art seniors’ amazing work at The Three Leaches Gallery in Lakewood. Opening reception Saturday December 6, 2025 from 5 – 7pm, with music by DJ Soleil.

Read more about the Fall 2025 Thesis Exhibitions

Poster on black background with text that reads: BFA Thesis Exhibition Information FALL 2025BFA Thesis ExhibitionMetropolitan State University of Denver Exhibition Dates: Nov 7 – Dec 5, 2025 Opening Reception: Nov 7, 2025, 6 – 8 pm Open Hours: Tues – Fri, 11 am – 6 pm Sat, 12 pm – 5 pm Center for Visual Art msudenver.edu/cva 965 Santa Fe Drive Denver, CO 80204

Fall 2025 Art BFA Thesis Exhibition

The Fall 2025 BFA Thesis Exhibition marks the culmination of graduating Art seniors’ studies.

Read more about the Fall 2025 Thesis Exhibitions

Words un/fold exhibit volume 3

DEAP Exhibition: worlds un/fold v.03

Open portals to explorations in digital and emerging art. Created by students in the MSU Denver – Department of Art Digital and Emerging Arts Program (DEAP), these works un/fold speculative narratives, immersive environments, and experimental forms, tracing the prospects of creative practices

View DEAP Exhibition Online [Exhibition is completely online]

Two students smiling and laughing while working on the light table in the Print Studio.

Professor Tsehai Johnson assists a student with their pottery-throwing exercise.

A student works with heavy machinery while wearing a heavy leather protective smock and gloves, along with soundproof headphones and safety goggles.

Students post finalized examples on a white board, for their project which creates advertisements for the Visiting Artist Scholar and Designer Program. In use are many bright and complementary color palettes including teal, sky blue, orange, lime green and navy, along with a dark cream and light lavender. Both students happen to have prominent tattoos showing on their arms.

Students work in the Letterpress Studio in Communication Design. You can see the many slender drawers and cubbies which hold the individual letters to use in the Press.

Two Communication Design students flip through the Metrosphere magazine, which they helped to design and create. They stand in the CDES library in front of the many books and periodicals which are available for student research and reading.

Professor Heidi Cies consults with a student about their final project. Posters on display in the background show graphics of larger-than-life portraits the students created.

Professor Michael Bernhardt walks through a critique with his class in Gallery 199. By their hand gestures, they are discussing certain angles of the cardboard sculpture on a pedestal in the foreground. One student has electric pink hair.

Two students chat while standing at the front desk of the Art Deparment. Behind them is a painting of a diverse group of individuals representing the many peoples of earth. They hold a central floating orb and cube, in poses of reflection and contemplation.

A view of the multi-storied buildings of downtown Denver, taken from outside the Arts Building.

Land Acknowledgement Statement

By knowing our history, we can better understand our place within it and seek to be in right relationship with the people who were here before us and are here now.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Policy

The MSU Denver Department of Art represents a diverse community of individuals who study, teach, create, and advocate for art and design.

Safer Spaces Resolution

For Black, Brown, and Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) Impacted by State and Police Violence.

Featured Highlights

geometric pattern

Fall 2025 MSU Denver Thesis Exhibitions

These showcases mark the culmination of graduating Art seniors' studies.

BFA: Nov 7 - Dec 5 at the CVA

BA: Dec 6 - Jan 2 at The Three Leaches Gallery

Learn About the Fall 2025 Thesis Exhibitions
AiR - Artist in Residence Program - Open Call

MSU Denver Alumnus in Residence Program- AiR

The Department of Art at MSU Denver invites applications for the inaugural Alumnus in Residence Program.

Learn About the 2026 AiR Residency
Interns place a series of rainbow painted geometric wood shapes.

National MOA Design and Build Summer Intern Program a Success

Seven emerging artist interns completed the paid 8 week Museum of Outdoor Arts Internship in the summer of 2025.

Learn About the Auraria/MOA Summer Internship
Portrait of Teresa Castaneda

Mentee Becomes Mentor

Art alumni Teresa Castaneda returns to the Department of Art as a 2D Foundations professor.

Meet Teresa
Matt Jenkins

Welcoming Incoming Chair, Thanking Outgoing Chair

Professor Matt Jenkins takes the helm as Art Department Chair

Meet Matt
Kelly Monico, professor of Art at MSU Denver, teaches students in her 4D foundations class how to use the generative-AI platform DALL-E.

Putting the Art in Artificial Intelligence

Artists find predicament and promise as they sail into the new world of generative AI.

Learn About Art and AI
Portrait of student Kenyatta Cole

Student Focus


STUDENT STORIES
Mandala window with Faculty member's silhouette

Faculty Focus


FACULTY STORIES
MSU Denver Art Student Cyrena Rosati's work is currently featured at Meow Wolf.

Alumni Focus


ALUMNI STORIES

Explore the Department of Art

Our Mission, Facilities, Career Prospects, and Student, Faculty and Alumni Stories

EXPLORE ART AT MSU DENVER

Program Options

The Department of Art offers Bachelor's degrees, minors, and a teaching licensure, as well as coursework and special programs for both art majors and non-art majors.

Majors, Minors, and More

Department of Art Student Work

Exhibitions by Bachelor of Fine Art Students
in Studio Art and Communication Design

VIEW STUDENT WORK

Center for Visual Art

Study Abroad

Visiting Artist, Scholar & Designer Program

Accreditation

Metropolitan State University of Denver is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission.

The University’s offerings in Art and Industrial Design are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).

Learn more about NASAD.


National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) logo wordmark

Art Stories and Events

Let Us Know What's Happening!

MSU Denver Art students, alumni, faculty and staff are invited to submit your art stories and events so we can help spread the word on this website, in social media and via other promotions.

Submit Your Stories Here!

MSU Denver
Art Department
Office Location:

Auraria Campus Arts Building
First Floor, Suite 187

Office Hours:

Monday-Friday 10am-5pm
Closed from 12-1pm daily

Office Email:

[email protected]

Office Phone:

303-615-0300

Mailing Address:

Metropolitan State University of Denver
Department of Art
Campus Box 59
P.O. Box 173362
Denver, CO 80217-3362

Shipping Address:

Metropolitan State University of Denver
Department of Art
Attention: (faculty or staff member name)
1201 5th Street
Denver, CO 80204

Art Department Tours
Shadow Day Visit for High School Students

 

 

Giving to the Department of Art

Help the Department of Art and the Center for Visual Art reach their campaign goals.

GIFT TO MSU DENVER ART

See More About the Department of Art

Our Mission, Facilities, Career Prospects, and Student, Faculty and Alumni Stories, & More

EXPLORE ART AT MSU DENVER

Happy graduates sit in the audience prepared to receive their diplomas at MSU Denver Spring 2023 commencement ceremony.

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