Art and Design

Turn your art instincts and passions into personal development and significant career paths in a time when artists and designers are taking a much more active role in influencing society and their environment. The role of art education was once teaching how to connect with and celebrate culture. New technology provides advanced methods to expand your vision and address more diverse audiences. You’ll engage the ancient as well as the contemporary while you develop perspective, improve skill, invent new imagery, and contribute to the next stages of creative experience. Bradley offers three distinct degree pathways: Bachelor or Arts, Bachelor of Science or a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Art.

We’re interested in students who wish to collaborate with their immediate surroundings as well as embrace global opportunities in fine art, graphic design, art history, and criticism. Explore painting, historic hand-build ceramics, public sculpture, printmaking, photography, illustration, digital and print graphic design and user experience, through a range of classes taught by nationally recognized artists and designers. At Bradley, you’ll go on to become a part of new leadership in visual culture, and impact your specific areas of study. Push the boundaries of what art and design means today and explore your potential at Bradley University.

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The 2024 Student BFA Thesis Exhibition, Senior Graphic Design Portfolio Show, and Senior Capstone Photography Show.

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“I learned how
important
thought process
and intent are to

the presentation
of your work
to an audience.”


Sarah Kelly '09
Senior Visual Designer | West Monroe Partners

Nana Ekow Maison

Nana Ekow Maison grew up in Ghana. He received his bachelor’s degree in painting from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana and a Master of Fine Arts degree in Interdisciplinary Art Studies (painting and printmaking) from Bradley University. In Ghana, he also received cultural education serving as an apprentice to a traditional relief wood carver. He is an integral adjunct at Bradley University and is a senior instructor at the Peoria Riverfront Museum.

“My Success
as an artist
is directly
linked to

that creative environment.”


Nick Chapman '01
Sr Designer | Deforest Group

Rachel Hill

Rachel Hill graduated from Bradley with a degree in art education. In 2018, she had the opportunity to blend her love of art and teaching as an art camp counselor at Laumeier Sculpture Park in St. Louis. She moved back to the Chicago area to prepare for her teaching career and plans to relocate to Denver to teach art at the high school level.

“Art is work
90%
perspiration,
5%
talent and
5% luck.”


John Cizmar '00
Director | MC+A

Jack Crouch

Jack Crouch is an alum of Bradley University, graduating in May 2020 with his Master of Fine Art. In 2009, and is now Assistant Professor in the Department of Art, Music, and Theater Arts at Cameron University OK. Crouch is primarily interested in the formal issues of color, composition and design while telling his own narratives.

“the Bradley
education that
I received had
a strong influence
on my success
as an artist and

as a professional
in my field.”


Venise Keys '13
Professional Visual Artist | Adjunct Faculty
Illinois Central College

Our Partners

Friends of Art
Illinois Women's Artist