Utah State University Eastern News Release
The art program at Utah State University Eastern is built for students who want more than technical instruction. It is a place where creativity is personal, exploration is encouraged and students are supported as they develop both their skills and their artistic identity. With small class sizes and hands-on studio courses, students receive a university-level education in an environment where they are known, challenged and mentored.
The program has offered art courses for more than a decade and in recent years has expanded to include an Associate of Arts degree in Art. The associate’s degree program has been successfully operating for over two years, providing students with a structured pathway that combines foundational training with opportunities for personal exploration across a range of artistic disciplines.
Students enter the program from many different starting points. Some arrive with a clear creative direction, while others are still discovering what medium best fits their voice. What unites them is the opportunity to experiment, grow, and create meaningful work grounded in strong artistic foundations. Courses span both traditional and contemporary practices, including drawing, watercolor painting, ceramics, photography, two- and three-dimensional design, sculpture, and portfolio preparation.
For art student Jean Larsen, USU Eastern offered a welcoming environment where creative thinking is encouraged. Through her coursework, she has learned to approach projects with confidence and curiosity, developing both technical ability and creative independence.
“I love being able to create using my mind and my ideas,” Jean said. “Photography is where I can express myself and my unique point of view.”
While photography remains a primary focus for her work, the structure of the program also allowed her to explore ceramics — an experience that helped her connect art with personal relationships, culture, and global awareness. Working across multiple media helped Jean see how art can function both as individual expression and as a way to communicate shared human experiences.
That openness to exploration is a defining feature of the Art Program and has been especially meaningful for students like Taylor Stash, who came to USU Eastern from Blanding, Utah. With limited access to art classes at home, Taylor found new creative opportunities and a strong sense of belonging within the program. Through studio courses, Taylor has blended traditional symbolism with contemporary materials, creating work rooted in cultural identity and personal meaning.
“This vase is called shádí, which is my elder sister,” Taylor said of a copper vessel created in a 3D design class. “This vase is literally her.”
Experiences like these are supported by close faculty mentorship. Professor Noel Carmack, who has helped build and guide the art program for more than a decade, emphasizes strong foundational skills while encouraging students to develop their own creative direction. Faculty members work closely with students to recognize individual strengths and help guide them toward artistic and professional goals.
“We teach the fundamental principles of design and art methods,” Carmack said. “When we recognize students’ individual abilities, we encourage them to find their voice.”
Students also benefit from opportunities to exhibit their work through pop-up shows and formal gallery exhibitions, gaining experience in presentation, critique and professional recognition. These experiences help students build confidence, strengthen portfolios and prepare for future academic or career paths.
While art is often misunderstood as an easy major, students quickly learn that creative work requires discipline, persistence and problem-solving. At Utah State University Eastern, those challenges are met with support, collaboration and encouragement — helping students grow not only as artists, but as thinkers and individuals.
For many students, the Art Program becomes a space where creative identity is discovered, refined and strengthened — one project, critique and conversation at a time.