Visual Arts

Visual Arts offers hands-on degree programs focused on developing technical and conceptual skills needed to transform ideas into art. Two streams of study provide the option to develop skills that are necessary to succeed as a practicing studio artist, or to enter a Concurrent Education program toward a future in teaching at the elementary or secondary school level.

Students explore all of the studio disciplines in the first year to experience the range of options to follow through the upper level courses. Studies in art history and theory help to develop research and writing skills, enhancing the individual voice that student artists bring their work.  Small class sizes provide direct interaction and support from Instructors that are all practicing in their fields as artists, writers and researchers.

A Portfolio of artwork for admission to degree programs in Visual Arts is no longer required after May 15th, 2019.

Interested in Visual Arts?

Students interested in the Visual Arts program at Lakehead University will learn....

  • To communicate visually through various means of drawing, painting, sculpture and ceramics
  • Develop studio skills through practical applications
  • Creative ways to interpret the world and significant events
  • Critically analyze visual culture

The Program will Include:

  • Studies of art history and art theory
  • In depth studies of the different studio disciplines
  • Outreach programs with local art galleries and arts organizations

News

2024
Mar
12
39th Annual Juried Student Art Exhibition
Fifty-four students will be participating, with artworks represented in painting, drawing, sculpture, ceramics, digital art and Indigenous art... full story
2023
May
8
Indigenous artwork is inspiring Lakehead University’s Nursing and Psychology students
To the delight of students, faculty, and staff, Lakehead University recently added paintings by Indigenous artists to the Olga Merz School of Nursing... full story
2022
Dec
21
Lakehead University professor emeritus inducted into Royal Canadian Academy of Arts
Prof. Mark Nisenholt was recently inducted into the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts.
2021
Oct
7
UNLOCKED, THE EXHIBIT
2020
Mar
27
Students win big at Annual Juried Exhibition
The Department of Visual Arts has announced the winners of the Annual Student Juried Exhibition.
2019
May
28
Voices from the Class will inspire Lakehead University graduates
Lakehead University has chosen three students to speak as the Voices from the Class at this year’s convocation ceremonies at the Thunder Bay... full story
2018
Sep
10
Lakehead University student’s art featured on new coin
A fourth-year visual arts student at Lakehead University says it feels incredible to have designed one side of a new coin for the Royal Canadian Mint...
Jul
2
Canada’s brightest youth are at SHAD Lakehead for month of July for intense enrichment and entrepreneurship
Grade 11 student Brianna Heal of Whitehorse, Yukon, is familiar with finding creative solutions to problems. She runs her own business and has had to... full story
2016
Apr
27
Award Winning Student Artist Subject of Local Documentary
2015
Nov
16
Solo Art Exhibit Opening: Kurrents by Quentin Maki
Nov
11
Visual Arts Student, Mary McPherson, recipient of Governor General's Award
Oct
7
1000 Miles Apart, ceramics conference 2015

Events