Open studio access:
During academic sessions all VISA studio spaces (with the exception of the MWS 411 Cutting/Build rooms and MWS 147 Media lab) are available for use by VISA students outside of scheduled class times 24 hours a day and seven days a week during academic sessions.

Access protocols:
Students continuing work in any VISA studio after 10:00 p.m., or when entering the building week nights after 10:00 p.m. or on weekends must notify the MIWSFPA security detachment at 905-688-5550 ext 6300, or by visiting the security kiosk in the lobby.
Only VISA students are permitted in VISA studios during scheduled class times or open studio access times.

Proxy card studio access:
Like all other Brock students you will need a Brock ID card, however given that the MIWSFPA has a unique proxy card system that allows students to swipe into certain studio spaces you need to ensure that when you request your Brock ID card that you specify that you are a Visual Arts major and that you need a proxy card for the Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine & Performing Arts. For more information on procuring your MIWSFPA proxy card please visit the Brock Card office HERE.

If you have any problems with proxy access to any of our studio spaces please contact Max Holten-Anderson at [email protected].

Visual Arts students enrolled in studio courses that rely heavily on art materials (painting, drawing and sculpture) may use a locker for the for the duration of their courses within the academic year. Due to limited availability, lockers are available on a first-come, first-served basis and are not guaranteed for all VISA students. Lockers are only available for the duration of your studio course enrollment and must be vacated in April unless you are registered in a Spring studio course.

Please note that Brock University is not liable for the loss of any items stored in these lockers. You are required to supply your own padlock.

Locker assignments are managed by the Visual Arts Department Facilities Coordinator. For inquiries, please visit The Art Store (MWS 413A).

Fall/Winter Semesters:
Monday-Thursday, 12-8 p.m.
Friday, 12-6 p.m.
Saturday, 1-5 p.m.

Spring/Summer Semesters (third week of April – end of August)
By appointment only. Please contact Rachelle Wunderink at [email protected] or 905-688-5550 ext. 5046

411A, The Woodshop: By appointment only; limited tools available. Please email Rachelle Wunderink at [email protected] to discuss your project.

411, The Stretcher Room: Available for use when a studio monitor is present. Space is limited to 3-4 users at a time. Students wishing to reserve a spot can email Rachelle Wunderink at [email protected].

Monday-Thursday, 12-8 p.m.
Friday, 12-6 p.m.
Saturday, 1-5 p.m.

Access protocols for MWS 411/411A:

• Only Visa students who have received safety/equipment training are permitted in the woodshop.
• Failure to abide by the rules of safe practices as part of training may result in loss of Cutting/Build room privileges.

Visual Arts Equipment Kiosk: MWS229C – Hallway Gate
Monday to Thursday: 10:00 am – 2:00 pm | 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Friday: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Saturday & Sundays: 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm

The kiosk has audio-visual equipment for the exclusive use of Visual Arts students. The equipment is tracked using the main Library’s system, and students are contacted and fined when equipment is overdue. Borrowers must show their student card and agree to liability for repairing or replacing any broken or missing equipment signed out in their name.

Students borrowing equipment must familiarize themselves with the VISA Equipment Loaning Policy which outlines details such as overdue fines, borrowing times etc. Click HERE to download this document.

The Learning Commons: MWS229
Monday to Friday: 8:00 am – 8:00 pm
Saturday: 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm

The Commons is a quiet study space on the second floor that is open to all Brock students. There is a variety of seating to suit solo or group study sessions as well as two Apple workstations.

Large Format Printer: MWS325

Mondays 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm (September – April)
Thursdays 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm (September – April)

The VISA Large format print room is equipped with a state of the art Epson large format printer and scanner, two Mac editing stations and a 4’ x 8’ photo trimming/cropping work table.

Digital Media Lab: MWS147

Drop-in Hours:
Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays:
11:00 am – 3:00 pm (September – April)

The Department of Visual Arts has a state-of-the-art audiovisual production studio, with industry-standard recording and video equipment. The studio is designed for small to mid-size audiovisual productions, ideal for pedagogical needs and individual projects. The Digital Media Lab Studio features:

~ 4K Blackmagic video cameras and accesorie
~ Green screen infinity wall
~ Animation stands
~ Professional studio microphones for all applications
~ Acoustic isolation panels
~ Professional lighting system

Visa Darkroom: MWS143

Mondays: 9:00 am – 1:00 pm (September – April)
Thursdays: 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm (September – April)
Saturdays: 10:00 am – 2:00 pm (September – April)

MW143 Darkroom & breakout space features:
~ handicap accessible darkroom equipped with 16 Beseler enlarger stations
~ breakout room for meetings and lectures that also features two computer stations equipped with two professional grade Epson digital photo printers and a Panasonic digital projector for demonstrations and lectures.

Visual Arts Gallery: MWS159 (main floor, west lobby).

Tuesday through Saturday, 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm (September – April)
Thursday through Saturday, 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm (May – June)
Closed July and August

The Visual Arts Gallery is a student-focused non-professional art gallery. Regular programming includes guest artists, student curated exhibitions, student independent study exhibits, exchange exhibitions with other institutions, etc. For more information regarding submissions and our gallery mandate click HERE to visit the Visa Gallery web page.

Read here for more information about university residence, meal plans, transit, and parking options when you are a student at the MIWSFPA.

Many VISA courses include a course fee in addition to tuition. These fees are used to purchase art materials required for coursework. Materials are distributed by instructors during class or made available at The Art Store in MWS 413.

Course fees for painting and drawing courses are divided into 3 parts:

1. Art Materials: ordered by your professor related to direct instruction within the course.
2. Consumable communal supplies: available for all students within the studio (kraft paper, gesso, staples, nails, etc.)
3. Art Store credit: allows flexibility for students to shop the art store to buy materials related to final projects or experimentation.

All other course fees, such as Photography or Studio Foundations, cover communal supplies distributed throughout the semester.

No. Although the majority of your supplies are provided there are certain special materials you will need to acquire on your own. This is more often the case in advanced level studio courses.

1. You’ll be notified by the Visual Arts Facilities Coordinator when your Art Store credit has been used up.
2. Once your credit is used up, you are no longer able to shop in The Art Store.
3. Your Art Store credit will be restored the next time you register for another VISA drawing or painting course.

No. Art Store Credit it not able to be refunded because we use course fees to create a needs-based inventory within the store. Please make sure to use up your credit by the end of each semester!

No. The Ministry of Education requires all course fees to be used within the academic year, we cannot carry over art store credit. Please make sure to use all of your credit by the end of the academic year.

No. All art supplies are procured for use by current students enrolled in specific courses, as such the Visual Arts Department Art Stores is not open to the public or alumni.

For support and information regarding sexual assault and harassment, please visit asaferbrock.org

John Bott Memorial Scholarship
Warren Hartman Bursary
Arthur Houston Prize in Life Drawing
L. Amy Kerr Book Prize
Sylvia Osterbind Prize in Art History
Dr. Marion B. Smith Prize in Fine Arts
Harpweaver Prize for Visual Art
Senior Scholarship in Visual Arts
VISA Endowed Awards/Scholarships
VISA Faculty Award
VISA Soiree Scholarship
Visual Arts Scholarship