Acquire and hone artistic skills in an encouraging environment where ideas, and the students themselves, are respected and valued. Producing art that is purposeful, students explore the collaboration of art and faith through content that reflects their spiritual growth in relation to their study of art. This major develops students into skillful artists; to prepare them for employment and leadership in the arts within a distinctly Christian environment.
Gaining skills in drawing, design, color theory, and art history, you can choose from 2 areas of specialization to focus your Art degree:
As an Art major at Concordia, you will find a place where artists can hone their craft while also taking advantage of the time and opportunity to explore artistic interests and experiment with new techniques. The Art Department seeks to provide a well-rounded experience that molds students into confident artists and caring individuals while they work toward a successful career.
Concordia University and its staff not only imparted unto me the skills necessary to create the art that I’ve always found intriguing, but they also instilled in me a confidence that I never knew I had.- Lauren Tucci '07
At Concordia, makers and artists will be equipped to pursue a vocational path in the visual arts. Building on your core skills as an artist, you will practice drawing, design, and color theory while growing your knowledge of art history - forming a solid foundation for pursuing your individual passion. You can choose one of two emphases as your concentration.
Art Sample Courses
Graduates from Concordia University Irvine’s School of Arts are pursuing their passion and creating work in a variety of professional callings and postgraduate studies.
Lindsey Sinatra '07
Founder, A Wish and a Whisk
From a bright and airy bakery in Orange County, CUI alum Lindsey Sinatra ’07 has become one of the premiere cake-makers in California thanks to a defining moment with CUI professor Niclas Krüger.
David Dargatz '14
"Every Object Tells a Story"
Since he was a young boy, David Dargatz has been mesmerized by design and the thought that is put into creating a work of art.
We view the CUI Art Department as an integral asset to Concordia’s distinctly Christian liberal arts education. We offer students a rich artistic environment where they grow intellectually and spiritually as visual artists.
As an Art major, you will be exposed to a variety of artistic opportunities including visiting artist lectures; practicum opportunities; design internships; exhibition opportunities; and the chance for your work to appear in student publications. The John and Linda Friend permanent art collection occupies space in Grimm Hall and includes more than 40 art pieces worth $265,000, including a Rembrandt and a Salvador Dali. Art majors display their work in student exhibitions, held at the end of each semester.
The Art Major offers several opportunities to share your art with others at Concordia. Special projects can be created throughout the art curriculum that explore faith, diversity and multicultural themes.
Our goal is to guide students toward their vocation by developing their performance abilities, creativity, leadership and collaboration skills, critical thinking, and contextualization of art forms. Below are just a few examples of where our students have interned.
Concordia’s Art instructors instill creativity and integrity into the courses they teach and encourage students to take ownership and pride in their personal work. Our faculty model and promote a lifestyle of aesthetic awareness and practice.
Prof. Niclas Kruger
“The fundamental approach to art is...learning to see differently, and by extension, to think differently...to develop a different way of experiencing the world.” Professor Kruger’s art covers such universal themes as love, distress, separation, pain, joy, isolation, complacency—all feelings that are part of our human existence. Originally from Sweden, Professor Kruger has studied art in Austria, Germany, and France. He earned his BA in Art from the Art Institute of Southern California and his MFA from Cal State Fullerton, and has been teaching at the university level for 18 years.
Prof. Rachel Soo
Professor Soo is Co-Chair of the Art Department at Concordia University, Irvine. She teaches digital image manipulation, digital illustration, digital publishing, typography, and graphic design classes. Utilizing both traditional and digital media, she creates artwork which investigates issues of identity and culture. She explores self-discovery by examining memories, perceptions and personal relationships. Professor Soo earned her BFA in Commercial Art from Concordia University in Nebraska, and an MFA in Integrated Visual Art from Iowa State University, Ames. Soo lives in Irvine with her husband and two sons.
Prof. Rachel Hayes
Professor Hayes enjoys all types of art, but especially loves drawing, mixed media and textiles. She started her art career right here at Concordia University, Irvine, earning a BA in Art and Secondary Education. She went on to earn her MFA at Southern Illinois University before teaching art in the K-12 setting. Hayes has been an art instructor for various non-profit groups, and is happy to now find herself back at her alma mater where she teaches painting, design, and children’s art. She is inspired by “found photographs infused with hidden history, and the task of creating/reliving a story.”
One of our greatest assets at Concordia University, Irvine is our dedicated faculty. In a small learning environment, our professors care about you—not just your performance—and they cultivate lifelong mentoring relationships with the students they teach.
For more information about the Art major at Concordia University Irvine, we invite you to contact us directly.
Prof. Rachel HayesDepartment Chair rachel.hayes@cui.edu(949) 214-3290
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In your college search, it's important that you find the right fit for you. That's why we offer both group visits and individual visits for you and your family throughout the year. Come experience our beautiful hilltop campus, sit in on a class, attend chapel, and dine in our cafeteria.
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If you are seeking a place that honors your "andness"-your individuality, your perspective, your interests, your questions and contributions-you will find it at Concordia.
Applications received after April 1 are reviewed on a rolling bases.