The Department of Creative Arts offers majors in Art Education, Fine Arts, Graphic Design, Music, and Music Education. The Department of Creative Arts is the home of visual and performing arts at the Mount including MSJ Renaissance, Perform at the Mount, and Studio San Giuseppe Art Gallery. Minors are offered in Art, Art History, Graphic Design, Music, and Photography.







The Department of Creative Arts, within the School of Arts & Sciences, is a place for visual and performing arts. In addition to several theatre and musical performances throughout the academic year, Studio San Giuseppe, the on-campus art gallery, offers a wide array of exhibits and activities year-round.
Are you interested in visual and performing arts?
Check out MSJ Renaissance and Perform at the Mount for your chance to partcipate in the arts at the Mount!
Studio San Giuseppe Art Gallery
MAY 3 – AUGUST 25, 2025
MSJ Student Art Exhibition
Features selected art and design student works that represent the best of the Mount’s Art & Design programs.
Gallery Closing Reception: Monday, August 25, 4:00 – 6:30 pm
Awards Recognition 5:30 pm
Mid-Semester Holiday: Friday, October 3, 2025 (Gallery Closed)
SEPTEMBER 12 – OCTOBER 15, 2025
Artists of the Pendleton – featuring artists that call the Pendleton home
Artists: up to 25
Artists of the Pendleton will be a celebration of the wide variety of artists that call their studio home “The Pendleton.” This spectacular exhibit will feature artworks created by Greater Cincinnati regional artists. The artists of the Pendleton will submit up to five pieces of artwork to be juried. The SSG gallery will choose the artists and their work to be featured. The Pendleton houses over 200 artists and the SSG gallery is proud to present a curated collection of the work. All submitted artwork must be ready to hang – either framed or wired canvas.
Gallery Reception: Sunday, September 21, 2025 from 1:00 – 4:00 pm
Thanksgiving Recess: November 22 – 30, 2025 (Gallery Closed)
NOVEMBER 1 – DECEMBER 3, 2025
Selections 2025
The 22nd biennial exhibition and awards gala spotlighting art works created by talented area high school students as selected by their art teachers. The high school students will have the opportunity to apply for four scholarships – two senior and two junior awards.
Gallery Ceremony & Reception: Sunday, November 2, 2025 Awards Ceremony at 1:00pm in Theatre with Gallery Reception from 2:00-4:00pm in the Studio San Giuseppe Gallery
Semester Break: December 11, 2025 – January 5, 2026 (Gallery Closed)
Martin Luther King Holiday: Monday, January 19, 2026 (Gallery Closed)
JANUARY 22 – MARCH 18, 2026
Cultural Tradition & Artistic Voices
Artists: Names of artists in CAS
Studio San Giuseppe Gallery is excited to present the Creative Asian Society for an extended exhibition highlighting the Asian influences in the Greater Cincinnati area. The exhibition will feature artists from a variety of regional backgrounds providing an expanded look at the artistic voices of non-western artists, geographical areas, and stylistic traditions. Artists will be providing workshops to MSJ art and design students throughout the exhibition.
Theatre Presentation and Reception: Saturday, February 7, 1:00 – 4:00 pm (tentative)
Artist Talk and Reception: Sunday, March 1, 2:00 – 4:00pm
Mid-Semester Holiday: February 13 - 15, 2026 (Gallery Closed)
Spring Break, March 7 – March 15, 2026: (Gallery Closed)
Easter Holiday: April 3 – 6, 2026 (Gallery Closed)
MARCH 23– MARCH 31, 2026
Art Guild Egg Auction Show
Luncheon and Auction: Wednesday, March 25, time is TBD
APRIL 13 – APRIL 28, 2026
2026 Senior Thesis Degree Exhibition:
Artworks and Design Projects created by Art Education, Fine Art,
and Graphic Design Candidates
Comprehensive works that reflect the culmination of studies in each student’s major area of concentration and serve as a bridge to professional careers in the visual arts and design field.
Gallery Opening Reception: Friday, April 17, 6:00 – 8:00 pm
MAY 8 – SEPTEMBER 4, 2026
MSJ Student Art Exhibition
Features selected art and design student works that represent the best of the Mount’s Art & Design programs.
Gallery Closing Reception: Friday, September 4, 4:00 – 6:30 pm
Awards Recognition 5:30 pm
Creative Arts Academic Programs
Featured News
CREATIVE ARTS FACULTY

Ulli Brinksmeier
M.M. Associate Professor
Swati Chopra
MDes Assistant Professor
Kurt Grannan
MFA Associate ProfessorMichaelann Kelley
Ed. D Chair and Assistant Professor
Susan Ruttle Lawrence
MA Program Director, Art Education
Mark McCafferty
M.F.A. Program Director, Music and Assistant Professor, Director of Bands
Emily Wiethorn
MFA Assistant ProfessorCREATIVE ARTS Staff
Lauren Carr
BFA Director of Theatre Arts
Kelsey DeMange
M.M. Director of Choral ActivitiesCREATIVE ARTS PART-TIME/ADJUNCT FACULTY

Bryan Berwanger
B.M. Bass Instructor
Martha Carroll
Adjunct Faculty
Lauren Gaines
M.A.A. Adjunct Faculty
Brenda Sandy Grannan
Adjunct Faculty
Elizabeth Kauffman
Adjunct Faculty
Minhwa Kim
D.M.A. Adjunct Faculty, Violin and ViolaEunhwa Lee
Adjunct Faculty, Piano
Eugene Marquis
M.M. Adjunct Faculty, Clarinet, Saxophone, and Woodwinds
Lauren McAllister
Adjunct Faculty
Debra McDonough
M.M.Ed. Adjunct Faculty, Music Education
Josh Omaits
BM Adjunct Faculty
Robert Ross
Adjunct Faculty
Daniel Stenger
Adjunct Faculty
Caroline Stine
MFA Adjunct Faculty, ActingTom Tsuchiya
B.A. Adjunct Faculty
Jim Tucker
Adjunct Faculty
Therese Waldbillig
B.F.A. Adjunct FacultyChris Wilke
BA Adjunct Faculty, GuitarART & DESIGN EMERITUS/RETIRED FACULTY

Gerald Bellas
MFA Faculty Emeritus
Cecelia Dorger
Ph. D. Retired
Dr. Sharon Kesterson Bollen
Ed. D. Professor Emerita
Beth Brann
MDes Professor Emerita
Sylvia Dick
Retired
John Griffith
MeD Faculty Emeritus
Pam Korte
Retired
Craig Lloyd
MFA Professor Emeritus
Dan Mader
MFA Professor EmeritusKathy Salchow
Retired