Department of Visual Art & Art History

AMPD gave me permission to take my internal world seriously. It was a place where I learned to experiment, to trust the odd or intuitive impulses in my work, and to develop a visual vocabulary that still anchors my practice today. The grounding in drawing and material thinking that I developed at York continues to shape how I build images, whether I’m working on a small aluminum panel or a 10,000-square-foot mural.

Rebecca Munce (BFA ‘13)

I love how flexible my program is. There’s such a wide range of courses to explore, from contemporary art to works from the very beginning of art history. I also love being able to connect with BFA students and build friendships and professional relationships with other artists like me. The field trips and on-campus galleries, like the Goldfarb Art Gallery and the Archives of Ontario, make learning feel so hands-on and inspiring. It’s exciting to be surrounded by art and creativity every day.

Jocelyn Bourgeois

Third-year Visual Arts & Art History Student

What I enjoyed about my program were the numerous opportunities to exhibit my work, collaborate with my peers, and do more interdisciplinary work. During my time at AMPD, I'm grateful for all that it gave me—a chance to make the work I want, exhibit it, and develop both my practice and confidence in my work.

Joy Wong

Alumni & Assistant Professor

AMPD has really helped me grow as both a painter and an artist. I’ve learned so much from professors who are actively working in the field, so they’re up-to-date with what’s happening in the industry. I feel really prepared to create my portfolio and apply for future job opportunities.

Karina M

Fourth-year student, Visual Arts - Art History (BA)

I chose the Visual Arts – Studio program at York not only for it’s exceptional studio spaces but for the incorporation of art history into the program. In these Art History classes, I’m allowed to learn historical references and methodologies that I incorporate in my own body of work. With the help of professors, I’m able to better my skills and create a cohesive body of work that I can take outside of the university 

Brian G,

Third-year Visual Art – Studio Student

I had a great experience during my time at AMPD and York University. I benefited greatly from the exposure to various texts and readings and the rich exchanges and critical discourse I engaged in with my peers and professors in the MFA program and wider department. Courses like Methods in Practice-Based Research and the Goldfarb Summer Institute (about engaging photography and archives), and the guidance I received while working on my thesis project helped me to reflect more deeply about my own practice and develop more rigour in my form-making.

Abraham O
Visual Arts Graduate (MFA 2022)

I got really inspired by the experiences around me. I love that the arts faculty included music, theatre, film and design. You have to take other courses and integrate yourself amongst this whole arts umbrella.

Claire Scott (BFA ’16)

Artist & Curator

At York they encouraged us to try different disciplines. When I went there it was just about drawing but once I took my first sculpture course it spoke to me and became the most important discipline for me.

Ekow Nimako (BFA ’10)

Internationally Exhibiting LEGO Artist

The community that is here in the studios is supportive and they love my work and they always cheer me on. They inspire me - I found my community.

Revill Villanueva (BFA ’23)

Visual Arts – Studio 

There’s a really great community of PhD students here at AMPD – it’s important to have those people there to challenge you in the right kinds of ways.

Shannon Garden Smith (PhD Student, Visual Arts)