Program Overview
Introduction to the MFA in Painting Program
The Tyler School of Art and Architecture at Temple University offers a distinguished, full-time, two-year graduate program designed to cultivate professional painters in a supportive yet rigorous educational environment. The MFA in Painting emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches guided by conceptual practices.
Program Overview
The program is ranked among the top 15 MFA programs in the nation by U.S. News & World Report and offers students access to unparalleled facilities and strong, personal mentorship. The MFA in Painting is a 60-credit program leading to the Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree.
Guiding Principles
The program is guided by the following principles:
- Expanded Practice: Painting at Tyler is an open field, encouraging students to work across media and disciplines.
- Critical Inquiry: The program emphasizes research-driven practice grounded in theory, history, and cultural critique.
- Community and Dialogue: The program fosters a tight-knit, collaborative environment where dialogue is central.
- Professional Development: The program supports professional practice through exhibitions, publications, grant writing, pedagogy training, and career guidance.
Studio Space and Facilities
The MFA in Painting program offers access to exceptional facilities designed to support both traditional and experimental practices. These facilities include:
- Private graduate studios
- Six large drawing and painting rooms with north-facing windows
- Critique area with projection capabilities
- Conference room
- Easy access to a freight elevator
- Storage areas for artworks and materials
- 12-foot doorways between rooms to accommodate large works
- Painting racks suitable for oversized artworks
Career Options
Graduates of the MFA in Painting program are distinguished by their expansive approaches to image-making, critical rigor, and professional versatility. Career options include:
- Studio Artist
- University Educator
- Community Arts Organizer
- Arts Writer
- Interdisciplinary Researcher
Faculty
The faculty are critically engaged artists and educators who bring diverse practices and perspectives to an expansive understanding of painting. They foster a rigorous yet supportive environment rooted in conceptual inquiry, material exploration, and professional growth.
Notable Faculty Members
- Gerard Brown: Associate Professor and Program Head of Painting
- Miriam Angeles Arrey: Adjunct Faculty
- Shawn Beeks: Adjunct Faculty
- Ziui Chen Vance: Adjunct Faculty
- Kati Gegenheimer: Adjunct Faculty
- Philip Glahn, PhD: Professor of Aesthetics and Critical Studies and Chair of Art
- Simona M. Josan-Barkley: Associate Professor and Curriculum Coordinator
- Tyler Kline: Adjunct Faculty
- Alicia Link: Adjunct Faculty
- Stephanie Manzi: Adjunct Faculty
- Samantha Nye: Adjunct Faculty
- Odili Donald Odita: Professor
- Mark Shetabi: Associate Professor
- Maria Stracke: Adjunct Faculty
- Joni Sullivan: Adjunct Faculty
- Lauren A. Whearty: Adjunct Faculty
Alumni Spotlight
The program highlights the work and achievements of its alumni, including:
- Julia Clift: MFA '20
- Naomi Lemus: MFA '21
Alumni Voices
Alumni share their experiences and the impact of the program on their careers and artistic practices:
- Austen Weymueller: MFA '20
- Nick Carter: MFA '21
Student Work
The program showcases the work of current students, demonstrating the diversity and quality of artistic production within the program:
- Molly Burt-Westvig: MFA Painting '24
- Blithe Ophelia Grey: MFA Painting '24
- Claire HarnEnz: MFA Painting '24
- Victoria Ravelo: MFA Painting '21