The Department of Fine Arts has been operating since 1978 and develops in accordance with contemporary trends in fine arts education. In 1992, the specialty “Pedagogy of Teaching Fine Arts” was established, and in 1997 the specialty “Industrial Arts – Fashion” was opened, which was renamed “Fashion” in 2015. Throughout these years, students preparing to become fine arts teachers, as well as future clothing designers, have benefited from the excellent conditions and established teaching traditions. Comfortable studios and classrooms allow every student to draw, sculpt, or complete their educational and creative tasks using graphic techniques. Fashion designers create and transform their sketches into beautiful garments and costumes in well-equipped sewing studios. The specialized reading room in the spacious University library provides access to artists’ albums, theoretical and historical works on fine arts, as well as materials related to clothing, fashion, and contemporary creative processes in this field (fashion design). The free use of modern technologies and computer-based completion of tasks, as well as obtaining up-to-date information through the Internet, also facilitate the early orientation of future specialists towards current realities in Bulgaria and abroad.
A visual and direct connection with historical masterpieces and contemporary avant-garde developments is achieved through the presentation of various artworks using video films and multimedia technologies during theoretical classes in the history and theory of fine arts.The available exhibition spaces provide opportunities for students to present their creative achievements.
An attractive, modern, and beloved tradition among students and lecturers is the established educational practice known as the Summer Academy “Kovachevitsa”. For 25 years, all students studying in the two programs of the Department of Fine Arts have been drawing outdoors and working in the beautiful mountainous surroundings of the old village of Kovachevitsa. The annual exhibitions following these creative activities naturally bring students and lecturers closer together, providing the joy of contact with nature, living traditions, and the historical atmosphere of the village.
Students also have the opportunity to further develop their knowledge through two Master’s programs: “Pedagogy and Social Format of Fine Arts” and “Graphic and Advertising Design in Fashion” as well as through the doctoral program “Design and Plastic Arts”.
A team of lecturers with proven qualities in teaching and artistic-creative activities has been formed for the two Bachelor’s programs and the two Master’s programs in the department. Students – future educators and fashion designers – are trained by:
- Emil Kukov, PhD,
- Ralitsa Ignatova, PhD,
- Georgi Drachev,
- Prof. Diana Zaharieva, PhD,
- Prof. Anna Pokrovnishka, PhD,
- Prof. Tatyana Hristova, PhD,
- Prof. Zdravka Lisiyska, PhD,
- Chief Assistant Prof. Rositsa Rangelova, PhD,
- Chief Assistant Prof. Milka Aleksandrova, PhD,
- Assistant Yordan Yordanov,
- Senior Lecturer Maria Onteva,
- Lecturer Rumen Deshev,
who continue the traditions and develop the achievements created in previous decades by prominent lecturers and artists, who laid the foundations of the Department of Fine Arts and significantly influenced its prestige.
Current information about the activities of the Department of Fine Arts is presented on the Facebook pages: