Hi, I'm Nancy (she/her/hers)
I have a very vivid memory of being eleven years old at an art museum and overhearing other young people discussing a painting of a boat by JMW Turner and a cubist abstraction from Pablo Picasso. In eavesdropping on this conversation, I was immediately and forever enamored by the possibilities presented by art to have critical, interpretive discussions about what we see and how we see it. From that moment, I wanted to do something related to education and the visual arts focused on dialogue building fueled by creative (re)imagining. And I have pursued that goal in my communities, in academics, and in professional practice.
I have a PhD in education with a research focus on the intersection of art and social justice, and a particular interest in the practice of artivism. My dissertation used a research methodology called social science portraiture to understand community-based arts education and activism with and for Midwestern youth. I believe art is active, and through action creates opportunities for social change. Activists seek social change through imagining a different future that is just and rooted in equality of opportunity for all. Art represents visually what is felt and experienced by individuals and communities, and it can generate critical societal evaluation that builds and supports community driven efforts for social justice.
I have a PhD in education with a research focus on the intersection of art and social justice, and a particular interest in the practice of artivism. My dissertation used a research methodology called social science portraiture to understand community-based arts education and activism with and for Midwestern youth. I believe art is active, and through action creates opportunities for social change. Activists seek social change through imagining a different future that is just and rooted in equality of opportunity for all. Art represents visually what is felt and experienced by individuals and communities, and it can generate critical societal evaluation that builds and supports community driven efforts for social justice.
