Extended Through Monday, April 7!
Welcome Message
It is our seventh year hosting the SUNY New Paltz Undergraduate Art History Symposium, and there must be something lucky about that number. We doubled our previous record of submitted abstracts, which came from students attending colleges and universities on five continents. We are truly honored and delighted to provide a platform for undergraduate students from across the globe to share their research with a world-wide audience. Because of your incredible enthusiasm, we have extended the Symposium for an extra day to Monday, April 7, so the fun can continue for a bit longer!
In this time, characterized by ever-increasing political polarization and social division, I believe it is more essential than ever to build international communities in any way possible. Our continuing goal for the Symposium is that it will provide opportunities to foster connections and plant seeds of friendship that will continue to grow. Studying visual and material culture allows us to explore the longest and broadest record of the human experience, affording a deeper understanding of ourselves and an appreciation for the cultural and historical richness of all peoples, both past and present. Each year, I learn so much from our talented, intelligent presenters, who represent the rising generation of scholars. With them, I celebrate the diversity and the commonalities of our human family.
I have so many people to thank! Our volunteers make this event not only possible, but entirely cost-free to all participants. I am indebted especially to the dedicated SUNY New Paltz students who serve as moderators for all our Zoom sessions and Susan DeMaio Smutny, who is our website designer and all-around tech guru who helps make everything run smoothly. Deep thanks also go to far-flung faculty colleagues who have helped promote this event at their home institutions, and who mentor their students and encourage them to share their research more broadly through our event. Without their kind and unfailing support, the Symposium would never have grown to the level it is today. I also wish to express appreciation for the faculty panelists representing Masters and PhD programs who will share their insights in our first Graduate School Workshop on Sunday, April 6.
This year, our renowned keynote speakers, Dr. Sharon Stocker and Dr. Jack Davis of the University of Cincinnati, are generously sharing with us their extraordinary discovery of the Griffin Warrior Tomb at Pylos, Greece. And of course, I cannot forget all the wonderful family members and friends of our presenters who are joining us for the festivities – your presence and encouragement not only makes this event even more enjoyable, you also fundamentally sustain your student-scholars in reaching their full potential.
Here’s to another memorable five days of camaraderie and discovery!
With heartfelt gratitude,
Keely Heuer
Founder and Organizer
