Lyon College's art department provides students with the tools and techniques necessary to explore and examine their creative, critical, and analytic voice. Combining the liberal arts with a broad studio experience, majors develop the necessary knowledge, technical skill, and commitment to work as an artist today.
Students are immersed in a creative learning environment and encouraged to cultivate an approach to art informed by traditional two- and three-dimensional art practices, experimental approaches, and new digital technologies. They will participate in regular critiques and interact with faculty and peers in a critical context. This critique system creates an environment that encourages students to try new techniques, solve difficult problems, and push boundaries.
Majors may choose to focus on a particular area as they work closely with faculty to prepare for graduate school, work professionally as artists, or pursue art-related fields.
Art students at Lyon can expect access to various facilities and unique opportunities provided by art faculty that are always available to their students. Lyon artists enjoy access to: the photography lighting studio, the Lyon College Kilted Kiln Ceramics studio in historic downtown Batesville, the painting and drawing studio, digital studio, and printmaking and design studio. Upperclassmen artists are given their own studio space for projects.
Led by Professor of Art Dustyn Bork, the College’s murals program offers community outreach and the chance for students to paint murals throughout the community. Students recently were paid by Coca-Cola to repaint a historic Coca-Cola mural in downtown Batesville.
Students will also have access to the Batesville Area Arts Council and all of its exhibitions. Many Lyon students receive first-hand experience working in the gallery and the chance to meet visiting artists.
Faculty members: Professor of Art Dustyn Bork, Visiting Professor of Art and Theatre Maggie Gayle, Visiting Professor of Art James Berry
Art majors are members of the Lyon College Art Student League, which hosts several events throughout the semester, including printmaking and selling Valentine’s Day cards. Students have the chance to participate in campus art projects, the murals program, the Lyon College Kilted Kiln ceramics studio, and the Batesville Area Arts Council, among others.
Art majors are also invited to join the art honor society, Kappa Pi, after meeting certain course and GPA requirements.
“Being an art major at Lyon is an amazing experience. Because the class sizes are so small, we get to jump right into projects. This also means that the professors are also able to dedicate more time to helping us refine our artistic skills.” -Logan Hubberd, ‘21
“When I came to college I never thought I would be participating in such impactful projects across the Batesville community. Being an art major has taught me how to make meaningful connections through public art. I have been able to design and complete two large-scale murals and promote the positive influence art can have on a community while attending Lyon College. The art program has not only taught me technical skills, but also how to be an involved citizen and community member.” -Hayley Cormican
Employers of recent Lyon College Art Graduates include:
Google, Metals Museum in Memphis, Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum, Arkansas Department of Transportation, and the San Francisco Ballet
Additionally, Lyon College Art Graduates move on to prestigious graduate schools including:
Studio Arts College International in Florence, Italy, Florida State University, and the Paris College of Art
Some popular careers for art majors include:
The starting median salary in the U.S. for a college graduate with an art degree is $35,800.
Illustrator- $50,974
Interior Designer- $53,687
Architect- $64,573
Videographer- $46,683
Graphic Designer- $48,105
For more information on admissions to Lyon College, visit our Admissions page.