Natalija Mijatović is the chair of the Department of Art and Design. An award-winning visual artist who specializes in painting and has exhibited internationally, her first objective since joining the University of Delaware in 2023 has been to bring visibility to the arts.

“My goal is to champion the arts as an essential cornerstone of academic excellence, creative research and cultural enrichment,” she said. 

One of Mijatović’s efforts is to effectively use gallery space around campus, like the lobby displays in the Roselle Center for the Arts (CFA). Hundreds of patrons visit the CFA for events in Thompson Theatre, Puglisi Orchestra Hall and Gore Recital Hall, making it an ideal location to highlight work by UD faculty and students. The UD Wind Ensemble, under the direction of Associate Professor Lauren Reynolds, will be curating an art exhibition showcasing works by fine arts students. The exhibition will take place alongside their performance of Adam Schoenberg’s composition “Picture Studies,” a modern interpretation of Modest Mussorgsky’s famous 1874 piece “Pictures at an Exhibition,” at Puglisi Hall on November 20.

The department consists of two programs — studio arts and visual communications. Three undergraduate degrees are offered, along with a master of fine arts degree.

Both programs start out together, growing through the foundations of the core curriculum, and then branch out into their respective specializations. Studio arts encompass drawing, painting, printmaking, ceramics, sculpture, video, photography, and animation.

Visual Communications students specialize in interaction design, graphic design, advertising, illustration and motion graphics.

“We view the university context as fertile ground for fostering intellectually rigorous and provocative artistic endeavors, urging our students to draw inspiration from the diverse array of ideas permeating disciplines beyond the arts,” Mijatović said.

“Our program's small scale fosters close interaction between graduate faculty and students, nurturing artistic endeavors stemming from personal vision rather than conforming to a predetermined artistic philosophy.”

Mijatović, whose paintings will be on display in the CFA lobby through the end of 2024 – the first in a series of faculty exhibitions – recently spoke about her goals, the future of art in today’s technology-based society and how the department is adapting to the advent of AI. 

What drew you to UD?

Mijatović: I have known of the quality of the UD arts community since my graduate studies in Philadelphia. UD’s Department of Art and Design is a vibrant and diverse international community of practicing artists and designers with a great reputation.

Our undergraduate programs in studio arts and visual communication are known for a strong and nurturing alumni network, and our M.F.A. program in studio arts is distinguished for its trans-disciplinary approach to making and thinking art.

How do you want to make an impact at UD?

Mijatović: I am fortunate and grateful to be part of an excellent professional collective. My role is to support, nurture and advocate for my students and colleagues. I strive to inspire and galvanize my colleagues to reach their maximum potential.

Tell us a little more about the department.

Mijatović:  We encourage experimentation, critical thinking and a theoretical approach, and provide a solid foundation with multidisciplinary breath. Students learn by doing. This degree prepares them for a future in which they see the disciplines as the tools and provides them with the understanding that training is a lifelong learning process.

With their creativity, technical skills and versatility, our graduates are well-equipped to pursue fulfilling and rewarding careers across diverse industries and professions. Our alumni hold top positions in creative professions and maintain a close relationship with current students. Through internships, study abroad programs, field trips, and visiting artists and designers, our graduates leave school already "plugged in" to their career path.

How do UD arts students make connections between art and issues that are important to them, such as social justice, mental health and sustainability?

Mijatović: We believe art and design are fundamental to understanding, expressing and activating the human experience. Our students leverage their creativity and passion to address pressing issues in society, contributing to meaningful dialogue, advocacy and positive change. They delve deeply into these issues through thematic exploration in their work, exploring sustainable art practices, and utilizing digital platforms and social media. Art students are reaching broader audiences with their messages.

AI is everywhere. What is the department doing to adapt to the AI era?

Mijatović: One of our professors, Ashley Pigford, has been using generative AI tools in his courses for several years. In his curriculum, students explore how to use ChatGPT for brainstorming ideas, lateral thinking and shifting perspectives. Additionally, students have utilized generative tools like Midjourney and Adobe's "generative fill" to explore narratives, visualize alternatives and enhance contextual information within image-making. Understanding these tools and how to incorporate them into one's creative process are important skills for young creatives, as they witness the impact of artificial intelligence on our understanding of reality and the future of our society.

Why are art and design still important in today’s STEM/data-driven world?

Mijatović:  While STEM disciplines focus on developing technology and analyzing data, art and design emphasize the human experience. We help ensure that technological advancements are user-friendly, aesthetically pleasing, and aligned with human needs and preferences. We facilitate storytelling and emotional connections, providing a humanistic lens, fostering creativity, enhancing communication, addressing ethical considerations, and promoting interdisciplinary collaboration, influencing how we perceive the world and our place within it.

Our graduates enter the world as problem-solving creative thinkers who impact culture and activate the future. ​