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!

  Performing Arts at the Mount - 2025-2026 Schedule
  Studio San Giuseppe Art Gallery Exhibitions 2025-2026

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

  Art Education Major
The Art Education Major will help students discover a wealth of opportunities to explore and develop their artistic abilities through an education lens.
  Fine Arts Major
The Fine Arts Major will help students discover a wealth of opportunities to explore and develop their artistic abilities.
  Graphic Design Major
The Graphic Design Major is a career-oriented program that will launch students into the creative world of visual communication.
  Music Major
The Music Major teaches performance skills and provides knowledge for careers requiring general musicianship.
  Music Education Major
The Music Education Major teaches performance skills and provides knowledge for teaching a new generation of musicians.
  Art Minor
The Art Minor will discover a wealth of opportunities to explore and develop their artistic abilities.
  Art History Minor
The Art History Minor gives students an appreciation for the long and varied history of visual communication.
  Graphic Design Minor
The Graphic Design Minor is a perfect option for creative individuals interested in augmenting their areas of study.
  Music Minor
The Music Minor provides students with a broad base of knowledge and performance skills.
  Photography Minor
The Photography Minor teaches students to communicate visually.

CREATIVE ARTS FACULTY

Ulli Brinksmeier

M.M. Associate Professor

Swati Chopra

MDes Assistant Professor

Kurt Grannan

MFA Associate Professor

Michaelann 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 Professor

CREATIVE ARTS Staff

Lauren Carr

BFA Director of Theatre Arts

Kelsey DeMange

M.M. Director of Choral Activities

CREATIVE 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 Viola

Eunhwa 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, Acting

Tom Tsuchiya

B.A. Adjunct Faculty

Jim Tucker

Adjunct Faculty

Therese Waldbillig

B.F.A. Adjunct Faculty

Chris Wilke

BA Adjunct Faculty, Guitar

ART & 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 Emeritus

Kathy Salchow

Retired

Loyola Walter

MFA Emerita Faculty