For admission to the Department of Fine Arts, prospective
students must first meet the minimum entrance requirements of the
St. John's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Before a final
determination is made, however, the applicant must also pass a
Portfolio Review. The portfolio is presented to the faculty chair
or a faculty advisor of the Department by individual appointment.
Notification of a portfolio appointment is given by the Office of
Admissions.
The Portfolio Requirements
10 -12 original pieces using a variety of materials.
Judging will be based on the following criteria: creativity,
conceptual ability, design, color sense, idea communication,
draftsmanship, and use of materials. It is suggested that you
include in your portfolio at least two examples of each of the
following:
- original drawings (studies from life; objects, nature,
people)
- two-dimensional design compositions
- painting(s) on paper using at least three colors
Fine Arts candidates may add:
- flat canvas oil or acrylic paintings
- slides of ceramics or sculpture
- graphic design projects
- original photographs
Graphic Design candidates may add:
- illustrations
- graphic design projects
- layout designs
- typographic designs
- original cartoons
- original photographs
Photography Candidates may add:
- black and white original photographs
- original 35 mm color transparencies
Note: Photography candidates may also present a portfolio
consisting only of photographic work.
Portfolio Presentation
- All two-dimensional work should be matted if enclosed loosely
in a portfolio. (Work that is presented in a portfolio with plastic
pages would be the only exception to matting.)
- All pieces should be facing the same direction.
- If slides of sculptures or ceramics (or original slides for
photo majors) are presented, they must be in a plastic slide
sheet.
- It is of the utmost importance that the portfolios be presented
in a neat and attractive manner.
Out-of-State and International Portfolio
Reviews
Out-of-state and international portfolio submissions are also
accepted. Although we prefer to see work in its original form,
students may also submit slide or digital reproductions of their
work for portfolio evaluation.