We, in the Department of Art, would like to acknowledge that we are in Mi’kma’ki, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq People. This territory is covered by the “Treaties of Peace and Friendship” which Mi’kmaq and Wolastoqiyik (Maliseet) Peoples first signed with the British Crown in 1725. The treaties did not deal with surrender of lands and resources but in fact recognized Mi’kmaq and Wolastoqiyik (Maliseet) title and established the rules for what was to be an ongoing relationship between nations.

Welcome to the Art Department at StFX

Contemporary society is replete with visual stimuli and therefore it is important to know what these images mean. Visual imagery is a powerful means of communicating social, political, and spiritual ideologies. Our goal in the Art Department is to teach StFX students the importance of understanding images: studio art classes teach students how images are created; art history classes teach students how to understand the social power of images.

Studio Art courses explore the creation of artworks in a wide variety of media: drawing, painting, and printmaking; applied disciplines such as stained glass, textiles; and others such as design, photography, animation, filmmaking and experimental approaches. Advanced study in Studio Art can be accommodated by special student-led projects in which StFX students work individually with their instructor.

Art History courses explore artworks in their social and historical context. Courses include art and architecture from prehistory to the modern day, Renaissance, Baroque art, Contemporary and Indigenous art. Some take a thematic approach to understanding particular kinds of images throughout historical periods. Art History asks which political, technical and personal factors give rise to artforms.

All studio courses are taught by practising professionals who share their expertise with StFX students. StFX offers the only program in studio art in Atlantic Canada that is open to all students. Art History courses are taught by internationally-respected scholars. StFX is the only university east of Montreal to offer a comprehensive program of courses on art made before the 19th Century. Many art history courses are unique to StFX.

Students may take studio art courses as electives or they can achieve a Minor in Studio Art. Students may also take Art History courses as electives, or as a Minor area of study.

Timetable for Art courses offered in the 2022-23 Academic year.