USC Roski School of Fine Arts

While the white tempera paint on art major Neena Holzman cracked and dried, she modeled Epitaph in Wax, a sculpture created by fellow student Ariel McCleese, at the opening reception of 400 Percent, an exhibition showcasing advanced student work.

First organized in 1883, the USC Roski School of Fine Arts is the oldest art school in Southern California. A supportive environment for experimentation in visual art, the school encourages interdisciplinary, progressive approaches to studio art, design, curatorial practice and critical studies. With equal emphasis on making and thinking, USC Roski prepares artists, designers, curators and writers to impact visual culture in new ways.

Each year the school attracts 275 undergraduate majors, 175 undergraduate minors and 35 graduate students. USC Roski also welcomes more than 1,000 liberal arts, science and business students to its classes. The school’s undergraduate programs develop students’ visual acuity, technical ability and critical insight. Students pursuing a B.A. have ample opportunity to take advantage of the wide-ranging academic offerings at USC, while BFA students can immerse themselves more fully in the production of studio art. A faculty of distinguished, dedicated artists and designers teach innovative and comprehensive courses in painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, ceramics, photography, design, digital media and critical studies. Students have the freedom to work across media in order to push perceived boundaries and discover their individual creative voices.

The school’s highly competitive Master of Fine Arts program has quickly risen in prominence and competes with the nation’s finest graduate art programs. With spacious private studios; an extraordinary lineup of visiting artists, critics and curators; and just 16 enrolled students, the program provides an expansive though individualized experience. The Master of Arts, Art and Curatorial Practices in the Public Sphere program is a platform for scholarship in contemporary art that addresses social questions of public space and the public sphere. Individually, each student produces a thoroughly researched master’s thesis; together, they engage in a curatorial practicum, culminating in an exhibition project that explores city-space.

As a place to study art, Southern California is unparalleled. The region boasts major museums such as the Getty Center, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA), the Norton Simon Museum and the Hammer Museum, as well as a constellation of other influential art schools. In addition to hundreds of commercial galleries and alternative spaces, Los Angeles is home to a great number of artists and designers, who make the city one of the world’s creative capitals. Leading museums, galleries, advertising agencies, design firms, artist studios, and the music and film industries offer emerging artists and designers a wealth of internship and employment opportunities.

Administration

Erica Muhl, DMA
Interim Dean

Faculty

Ruth Weisberg Professorship in Drawing: Ruth Weisberg, M.A.*

Professors: Jud Fine, MFA; Robbert Flick, MFA*; Margaret Lazzari, MFA*; Ron Rizk, MFA; Rochelle Steiner, Ph.D.; Ruth Weisberg, M.A.*

Associate Professors: Bob Alderette, MFA; Sharon Lockhart, MFA; Charlie White, MFA

Assistant Professor: Frances Stark, MFA

Assistant Professor of Fine Arts Practice: Shannon Ebner, MFA

Assistant Professor of the Practice of Art Criticism: Rhea Anastas, Ph.D.

Full-time Lecturers: Caroline Clerc, MFA; Sherin Guirguis, MFA; Karen Koblitz, MFA; Lisa Lapinski, MFA; Haven Lin-Kirk, MFA; Ann Page, BFA; Julia Paull, MFA; Jennifer West, MFA

Adjunct Faculty: China Adams, MFA; Chris Barnard, MFA; Tanya Batura, MFA; Maura Brewer, MFA; Kristin Calabrese, MFA; Steve Child, MFA; Molly Corey, M.A.; Xavier Fumat, MFA; Oona Gardner, MFA; Rita Gonzalez, MFA; Phyllis Green, MFA; LouAnne Greenwald, MFA; Peter Holzhauer, MFA; Carmine Iannacone, MFA; Patrick Jackson, MFA; Helen Kim, MFA; Andrew Kuchera, MFA; Karen Liebowitz, MFA; Karen Moss Familian, Ph.D.; Thomas Muller, MFA; Richard Parker, MFA; Jennifer Phelps, MFA; Joseph Potts, MFA; Jonathan Pylypchuk, MFA; Jean Robison, MFA; Thomas Schorer, MFA; Julie Schustack, MFA; Alex Segade, MFA; Paul Sietsema, MFA; Carol Stakenas, B.F.A.; A.L. Steiner, B.A.; Jamie Sweetman, MFA; John Tain, B.A.; Caroline Thomas, MFA; Osvaldo Trujillo, MFA; Noura Wedell, Ph.D.; Alexis Weidig, MFA; Ewa Wojciak, MFA; Mark Wyse, MFA

Emeritus Professor: Jay Willis, M.A.

PDF reflects print version of the catalogue