Explore Art at MSU Denver:

Visit Center for Visual Art (CVA) Website

 

Art at MSU Denver

Wordmark: Art at MSU Denver
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…

 

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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.

Portrait of Italu Hernandez

Italu Ramos Hernandez, CLAS Spring 2025 Graduate Honoree Award Recipient

Awarded by the Art Department and the College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences (CLAS)

Meet Italu
Portrait of Teresa Castaneda

Mentee Becomes Mentor

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

Meet Teresa
Erica Rawson makes an adjustment while installing a sculpture.

MOA Names Erica Rawson 2025 Design and Build Fellow

Alumna Erica Rawson returns for an expanded Fellowship role within the Museum of Outdoor Arts Design and Build Program.

Learn About the Fellowship
Mary Sullivan stands holding a skateboard.

Changemaker Alum Embraces ‘One of the Last True Rebellions’

Alum Mary Sullivan is shredding norms in skateboarding and empowering the women’s skate community in Colorado.

Meet Mary
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
Office Location
Auraria Campus Arts Building
First Floor, Suite 187

Office Phone
303-615-0300

Office Email
[email protected]

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 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.

Discover more about MSU Denver

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Ready to find out what MSU Denver can do for you? We’ve got you covered.

Academic Programs

200+ undergraduate, graduate, and non-degree customizable paths to choose from.

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Wherever you’re heading, your road begins here. Let’s go.