Art History is the study of the visual arts in civilization. It
examines changing values in all fields of visual culture,
including painting, sculpture, graphics, photography,
architecture, film, the mass media, and forms of popular
expression. Its interdisciplinary reach encompasses literature,
history, anthropology, sociology, philosophy, gender studies,
critical theory, and cultural studies. Art History emphasizes
visual as well as verbal and written literacy, providing more
than the standard advantages to a liberal arts education.
Students majoring in Art History will engage with the
wide-ranging opportunities its curriculum presents for learning
and research. Studying Art History develops visual
literacy, communication skills, critical/creative thinking and an
understanding of diversity.
Each year, UC Davis undergraduates in all academic fields are
invited to submit an abstract and participate in the Undergraduate Research,
Scholarship and Creative Activities Conference. This year,
art history was well represented with six majors
presenting research papers in Oral Session 2
on Saturday, April 25.
Professor Katharine Burnett recently attended the Global Tea
Conference at the University of VIrginia where she participated
in the Tea and Material/Visual Culture session to discuss
“Teapots Shaped by Cultural Forces: 17th-Century Art Theory and
Innovative Yixing Teapot Design.”
Professor Heghnar Watenpaugh will present a public lecture at the
National Institute of Oriental Languages and Civilizations
(INALCO) on Mar. 27 in Paris.
Marty Powers, Professor Emeritus, University of Michigan and
Professor in the School of Arts, Peking University, will present
a a public lecture examining garden design in 18th century Europe
and China and intergroup dynamics.
The free public opening features performances by master’s and
doctoral students, as well as the presentation of the LeShelle
and Gary May Art Purchase Prize, the Keister and Allen Art
Purchase Prize, the Letters and Science Prize, and the Savageau
Award in the Department of Design.
Work from 20 UC Davis graduate students in Art History, Studio
Art, Design and Performance Studies are represented:
Zahra Baxi, M.F.A., Design
Rafael Bertacini, M.F.A., Design
Nick Block, M.F.A., Studio Art
Tara K. Daly, M.F.A., Studio Art
Elieza Delaney-Lewis, M.F.A., Design
Nathalia Guimaraes, M.F.A., Design
Levi Keatts, M.F.A., Studio Art
Elmira M. Sultan Rashid, Ph.D., Performance Studies
Davion Mack, M.F.A., Studio Art
Madeline Madrid, M.A., Art History
Melinda Marks, Ph.D., Performance Studies
Nidhi Mittal, M.F.A., Design
Sean Olmstead, M.F.A., Studio Art
Megan Plunkett, M.F.A., Design
Gino Robair, Ph.D., Performance Studies
Lena Sakkab, M.A., Art History
Emily Tonnos, M.F.A., Design
Erika Tsimbrovsky, Ph.D., Performance Studies
Marjorie Williams, M.F.A., Studio Art
Grace Wu, M.A., Art History
Jan Shrem and Maria Manetti Shrem Museum, Davis, CA
Experience new ways of seeing and understanding the past, present
and future in this multidisciplinary exhibition. Work from 20 UC
Davis graduate students in Art History, Studio Art, Design and
Performance Studies are represented:
