Art Showcase: Displaying Creation in Multiple Disciplines by the Faculty of Art, Architecture, and Design
Lehigh University's Art, Architecture and Design (AAD) department showcased the innovative work of its faculty members in the spring 2020 exhibition at the University's Art Galleries (LUAG). The exhibition served as a platform for the AAD department faculty to share their research and creative work with the broader Lehigh community and beyond.
The works displayed encompassed various mediums, including painting, drawing, sculpture, architectural design, and graphic design. The diverse pieces reflected the individual creative approaches of each faculty member, offering insights into their artistic processes and teaching methods.
The exhibition also demonstrated that research in the AAD department informs teaching in a direct manner. Mark Wonsidler, the curator, stated that the faculty's work in their studios, offices, and workshops directly translates into their teaching. This was evident in the works showcased, which not only displayed artistic excellence but also showcased the faculty's dedication to their craft and their commitment to inspiring the next generation of artists and designers.
The exhibition's programming encouraged cross-disciplinary dialogue and collaboration among faculty members. Stacie Brennan, LUAG's curator of education, organized interdisciplinary programming for the spring 2020 exhibition. Several faculty members were paired with individuals from different fields for a series of conversations, aimed at highlighting cross-disciplinary connections and how works can influence each other.
William Crow, the LUAG Director, emphasized the importance of authentic, interdisciplinary conversations in contributing back to individual disciplines. According to Crow, interdisciplinary conversations can contribute to fields such as psychology and engineering. Lehigh's AAD department's two art historians, Susan Kart and Nicholas Sawicki, contributed written commentary on works from LUAG's permanent collection that they use in their teaching.
The exhibition at LUAG showcased a range of artistic and design work from Lehigh's AAD department faculty, offering insights into their creative processes and teaching methods. The spring 2020 exhibition at LUAG's Art Galleries continues to provide opportunities for faculty members to share their work and research with the broader community. For more information, visit www.luag.org.
The department's environment, highlighted by Lehigh's "hub for interdisciplinary collaboration and entrepreneurial innovation" located at 472 Vine Street, supports cross-disciplinary initiatives that likely influence faculty research directions and pedagogical methods. Faculty benefit from such collaboration by being part of dynamic projects including advanced topics like the integration of Artificial Intelligence in architecture and design, demonstrating how interdisciplinary approaches are reshaping both teaching content and research practices.
Organizationally, Lehigh supports interdisciplinary efforts through dedicated administrative roles, such as the Associate Dean for Interdisciplinary Programs and International Initiatives, indicating institutional commitment to cross-departmental collaboration which involves the Art, Architecture & Design department. This structure enables faculty to engage with broader academic networks, access diverse expertise, and incorporate global and cross-disciplinary themes into their work.
In summary, interdisciplinary collaboration at Lehigh University's Art, Architecture and Design department enriches faculty teaching by promoting teamwork on complex, real-world projects and advances research by integrating emerging technologies and multiple disciplinary perspectives, supported by institutional frameworks designed to foster such integration. The spring 2020 exhibition at LUAG's Art Galleries is a testament to this approach, showcasing the potential for interdisciplinary collaboration in the AAD department.
- The works displayed at Lehigh University's Art Galleries showcased research and creative work from the faculty of the Art, Architecture and Design (AAD) department, spanning mediums such as painting, drawing, sculpture, architectural design, and graphic design.
- The Spring 2020 exhibition at LUAG demonstrated how research in the AAD department informs teaching, with the faculty's work in their studios, offices, and workshops directly translating into their teaching.
- Stacie Brennan, the curator of education at LUAG, organized interdisciplinary programming for the Spring 2020 exhibition, bringing faculty members together with individuals from different fields for conversations aimed at highlighting cross-disciplinary connections.
- William Crow, the LUAG Director, emphasized the importance of interdisciplinary conversations in contributing to fields such as psychology and engineering, and mentioned the two art historians in the AAD department who contributed written commentary on works from LUAG's permanent collection that they use in their teaching.
- Lehigh's Art, Architecture and Design department benefits from collaboration with other departments and the University's structure, which features roles such as the Associate Dean for Interdisciplinary Programs and International Initiatives, enabling faculty to engage with diverse expertise and global themes, reshaping both teaching content and research practices.
