Visual Arts

When you look at the world, do you feel compelled to translate what you see into something beautiful or provocative to express yourself? Nurtured by experienced faculty and surrounded by the limitless inspiration of a pristine natural environment, Visual Artists at Idyllwild Arts have access to the well-equipped studio spaces needed to create groundbreaking artworks in all 2D and 3D mediums. Explore and experiment with all materials, techniques, genres, and styles to cultivate your talent, produce artistic wonders, and flourish in a supportive, committed, and dynamic community.

Artwork displayed in frames.
A student working on a sculpture piece.

Curriculum

Idyllwild Arts offers an exciting range of Visual Arts courses that ignite the imagination, refine technique, and deepen connections with the world. Through our dynamic curriculum, students explore traditional and cutting-edge methods, materials, and ideas that shape their art-making journey. From the foundational Art Fundamentals to the capstone Senior Seminar, every layer of training is designed to empower students with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to thrive at the college level and beyond.

A visual arts student sketching a portrait.

Philosophy

The expression and application of the imagination is at the core of all artistic creation. At Idyllwild Arts, we provide an immersive, thoughtful, and collaborative environment where technical ability intersects with inspiration, empowering visual artists to question, envision, and create the ideas that shape our culture. By examining the context in which art is created and interpreted through the study of art history, theory, and criticism, students gain a deeper understanding of their own artistic voice and how to express it in meaningful ways.

Academy Courses Include:

  • Animation
  • Art History
  • Art and Technology
  • Art Fundamentals
  • Architecture
  • Ceramics
  • Computer Graphics
  • Curatorial Studies
  • Drawing
  • Jewelry/Metalsmithing
  • Masterclasses
  • Mural Painting
  • Painting
  • Performance
  • Portfolio/Senior Seminar
  • Photography (film and digital)
  • Printmaking
  • Sculpture

Opportunities

Students regularly exhibit their work at Parks Exhibition Center, our state-of-the-art 2,000 square foot professional fine art gallery on campus, as well as at regional professional galleries, such as the Melissa Morgan Fine Art Gallery in Palm Desert.

Visual Artists participate in and have won top honors at prestigious competitions including the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, the Young Ceramicists Competition of the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts.

Learn other art disciplines and collaborate with other art departments.

Explore career opportunities in the arts in a variety of fields and disciplines and participate in National Portfolio Day, Los Angeles Printer’s Fair, and other professionally focused occasions. Meet and show work to representatives from top colleges and universities who visit campus.

Take Masterclasses and work with professional artists from around the world in specialties such as glassblowing, screenprint monotype, giant steamroller woodcuts, linocut paste-ups, and more.

Visit the International Printing Museum, Palm Springs Art Museum, Riverside Art Museum, The Getty, Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), Norton Simon Museum, American Museum of Ceramic Art and more to expand your perspective and support your learning and artistry.

Audition/Portfolio Requirements

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes! Students have the opportunity to have their work considered for our Annual Juried Theme Show where we invite different professionals in the arts (such as Dr. Lauren Cross and Professor Devon Tsuno) to review and jury the work based on a theme chosen by students. We also host annual grade-level exhibitions including our capstone Senior Shows (mentioned in the New York Times), Junior Show, and 9th & 10th Grade Show in our professional gallery, Parks Exhibition Center.

Absolutely! At Idyllwild Arts we value practice, commitment, and willingness to learn. Our dedicated faculty of teaching artists provide the tools and framework for students to bring creative ideas and artistic visions to life.

We want to see how you view the world and what interests you. In addition to the portfolio requirements we encourage you to include images from your sketchbook and any other creative projects or pieces you want to share.

Yes, many of our students go on to study different disciplines, such as medicine, engineering, political science, etc. Alumni share that their education and experiences at Idyllwild Arts help them interact with the world in creative and innovative ways.

Featured Visual Arts Alumni

Shepard Fairey headshot.

Shepard Fairey, 1988

Obey

Richelle Gribble headshot.

Richelle Gribble, 2010

Founder, Supercollider

Mich Miller headshot.

Mich Miller, 2013

Founder, Print Shop LA

Nate Lowman headshot.

Nate Lowman, 1997

International Exhibiting Artist

A dancer.

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