Department of Art, Design and Art History

Leigh Gerdine College of Fine Arts

Create Your Space for Fostering Creativity, Inclusivity and Art-Making

At Webster University’s Department of Art, Design and Art History (DADAH), we offer our students an art academy-like education within a liberal arts institution. The program encourages students to confront challenging ideas and technologies while understanding and synthesizing tradition.

Explore below to learn more about our department, which emphasizes personal expression, alternative approaches and experimentation.

Engage with Art!

Upload your portfolio through Webster's Application Portal to apply to the Department of Art, Design and Art History, or find information about DADAH's art exhibitions, public lectures and Webster University’s public art collection — we have endless options for engaging with us and with art.

Meet the DADAH Faculty

Portfolio Review

Upload your portfolio to Webster's Application Portal and your artwork will be reviewed by two DADAH faculty. Portfolios will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

DADAH Student Exhibitions

Our BA and BFA art and design students exhibit in professional venues with work that stimulates thought and dialogue.

First Friday Departmental Meeting - DADAH is a family and we come together various times over the year starting with our First Friday Departmental Meeting, where you get to meet all the faculty and win prizes.

Printmaking Studio - Students have 24/7 access to studios and labs, and are present and working at all hours.

Graphic Design - Graphic Design student work on display in the Library.

Print Study Room at SLAM - We encourage students to understand and synthesize traditions, and to confront challenging ideas and emerging technologies.

Faculty not only know students’ names, they care about each one’s development and work hard with each individual to help him or her achieve expressed goals.

Bookmaking

Ceramics Studio - Our students constantly offer each other help, and serve as a support network.

We share the belief that intensive work, study, and involvement in art prepares the student for professional art training or personal career goals.

DADA Computer Lab

Sculpture Studio

Intermediate Photography - Faculty provide hands-on individual attention to students in the field.

Individual relationships seem to thrive and grow through discussions and collaborations on the patio or on late nights in the studios.

Student using 4x5 film camera

Ceramics Studio - Students have 24/7 access to studios and labs, and are present and working at all hours.

Cecille R. Hunt Gallery - Tom Lang "Scratching"

artwork by MyLoan Dinh, Myra Eastman, Noritaka Minami, Desireè Moore and Jeanene Nagy

Arcade Contemporary Art Projects - The Santo Foundation 10th Anniversary Invitational Exhibit

Majors, Minors and Certificates

Explore our premier programs

DADAH Summer Camps

Explore your creative potential during Webster University’s Department of Art, Design and Art History immersive summer programs. Our summer camps offer an intensive art-focused program for high school students. Ideal for students who are beginning to consider options for college, the DADAH summer camps will help you build your portfolio for college applications with artwork that reflects your individuality and unique skills.

View Summer Camp Offerings

DADAH Facilities

Located in the historic Arcade Building in the heart of downtown St. Louis, Arcade Contemporary Art Projects (ACAP) in Webster University’s Gateway Campus serves as a visual arts laboratory for regional, national and international artists, and for the Greater St. Louis community. To fulfill the University’s mission, Arcade Gallery programming promotes community and global engagement while offering educational opportunities for DADAH students. Home of DADAH’s annual spring BFA Exhibition, ACAP also features the work of local and global artists in rotating exhibitions, as well as other student and faculty projects. The space is also available for rent to community, corporate and private events. With floor to ceiling windows that overlook Olive and 8th Streets, ACAP's presence reinforces Webster University's identity as an anchor in downtown St. Louis.

812 Olive Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63101
Tuesday and Thursday, 12–5 p.m.
Friday, 4:30–8:30 p.m.

Arcade Contemporary Art Projects

Arcade Contemporary Art Projects Gallery

The Hunt Gallery is an integral part of our educational mission as well as our community outreach. As a non-commercial, alternative venue, the gallery provides professionally curated exhibitions of contemporary art for the academic community and broader St. Louis area public.

8342 Big Bend Blvd.
Webster Groves, MO 63119

Hours: Tuesday–Friday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

Cecille R. Hunt Gallery