Welcome to the Department of Visual Arts

Who We Are

The Department of Visual Arts at Cal State Fullerton is a diverse and vibrant community of artists, designers, scholars and educators focused on achieving excellence. Our mission is to foster an inclusive and inspirational learning environment where every member of our community can realize their greatest creative vision. The undergraduate curriculum offers thirteen specialized areas of study that span studio and design practices, scholarly research and art education. Graduate studies in parallel areas are an integral part of the department and the curriculum is amplified by assistantships and teaching opportunities. 
 
Students at Cal State Fullerton learn firsthand from dedicated and accomplished faculty who are all experts practicing in their fields. At the foundational level, students are introduced to historical and contemporary dialogues, and gain experience in professional practices outside of the classroom through exhibitions, visiting artists, scholars and professionals, internships and community engaged projects. With the guidance of faculty, students are empowered with the knowledge, skills and confidence they need to launch their creative careers upon completion of their degrees, or to pursue graduate studies.
 
The department is recognized for its excellence and Cal State Fullerton is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design. Our location in Southern California also affords us unique partnerships with a wide range of world class art and design institutions. This is an especially exciting time to be at Cal State Fullerton! The Visual Arts Modernization Project is now complete and our department is housed within in a brand-new facility that strengthens our curriculum and opens up dynamic learning possibilities to students. 

Michelle Murillo
Chair, Department of Art

Cement block with arrows, papel picado with skull

Visual Arts Alums Featured in Current Exhibitions at Muzeo Cultural Center

Riley Pettitt "creat[es] room for the uncomfortable questions we all carry" while Michelle Emami "celebrates the richness of her mixed heritage."  

"Questions of the Flesh:Revisited" (Riley Pettitt)Opens in new window

"BOTH, NEITHER AND ALL OF THE ABOVE" (MICHELLE EMAMI)Opens in new window

 

Modern buildings with landscaping

Cal State Fullerton Named a Top 10
California School for Graphic Design
by Animation Career Review

"CSUF’s program and coursework go beyond teaching technical proficiency to foster a deeply human-centric approach to graphic design," Professor of Art Chen Wang said.

READ THE ARTICLE IN "TITAN NEWS"Opens in new window

 

Close up of a mixed media artwork with numbers.

CSUF Student Uses Art to Deal with Loss
of Family Home in Altadena Eaton Fire

“Art making has been my way of processing... feelings I’ve been experiencing since the fire in January" said Mia Aghili. "It’s essential that I continue to make art during difficult times because not creating art is even worse.”

READ IN THE "FULLERTON OBSERVER"

mia aghili named blue roof artist
in residence
Opens in new window

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Last Published 1/21/26

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