Research
Senior Thesis Exhibition
Research for our art students culminates in our Senior Thesis Exhibition, which emphasizes the rigorous, intense nature of an art practice. Our seniors delve deeply into their chosen field, whether creating an entire body of studio work along with a supporting 15-20 page thesis paper, working in the field at an internship while creating their final portfolio for graphic and interactive design, conducting art history research, or student teaching full-time during their last semester. Displaying their work in Payne Gallery at the conclusion of their final semester is an exciting opportunity for our seniors.
SOAR
SOAR (Student Opportunities for Academic Research) provides stipends and support for students in any major who is engaged in scholarly research or creative activity in collaboration with a faculty member. And since the idea of “scholarship” can take on a seemingly-infinite number of forms, this faculty-student research pairing program is designed to be as inclusive as possible. For more information about the SOAR program, click here.
Recent SOAR Projects
Shadows Searching for Light: The Learning Experience of Being a Studio Assistant for Three Large Projects
Erika Salus, Class of 2019, Studio Art BFA / Peace and Justice Studies
Jillian McLuhan, Class of 2020, Studio Art BFA
Project Mentor: Angela Fraleigh
Teaching Philosophy and Leadership through Children's Literature and Puppetry
Melissa Walko, Class of 2017, Art Education
Renee Leidig, Class of 2017, Art Education
Project Mentor: Dr. Kristin Baxter
Partnering in Research: Dynamic Interplays of Context and Leadership: History of the Pennsylvania Art Education Association
Sabrina Signorelli, Class of 2017, Graphic Design Major, with a concentration in Art History
Project mentor: Dr. Kristin Baxter
Sculpting in Our Community: Working Three-Dimensionally with Elementary School Children Through a Summer Art Camp Curriculum
Abby Jeffries, Class of 2017, Early Childhood Education and Psychology
Colleen Hait, Class of 2015, Art Education
Project mentor: Dr. Kristin Baxter
Working from Life: Investigating best practices for teaching children to construct their own drawing and painting strategies in a summer art camp
Caitlyn Heil, Class of 2016, Art Education/Graphic Design:
Project mentor: Dr. Kristin Baxter
How Do Teachers Define Their Values & Virtues? An Examination of ˿Ƶ Teacher Action Research Studies 2003-2013 and Teachers’ Reflective Responses
Brianne Schoolcraft, Class of 2015, Studio Art/English
Project mentor: Joseph Shosh
Using A Children’s Art Exhibit As A Curriculum Strategy
Kelsey King, Class of 2014, Art Education/French and English
Project mentor: Kristin Baxter
An Exploration of Social Class in the Context of Historic and Contemporary American Portraiture
Aisling Housel, Class of 2014, Studio Art
Tanner Apple, Studio Art/English
Project mentor: Aron Johnston
Constructivist Theories in Practice: Art Camp for Children
Colleen Hait, Class of 2015, Art Education
Nicole Clark, Class of 2014, Art Education/Spanish
Project mentor: Kristin Baxter
Creative Expression for the Rural Youth in India
Melissa Marazas, Class of 2013, English with Elementary Education Certification
Nokukhanya Langa, Class of 2013, Studio Art
Project mentor: Kristin Baxter
After: A series of paintings questioning issues of gender power and identity
Stephanie Mount & Nicole Shamy
Project mentor: Angela Fraleigh
Honors Program
Honors research programs allow students to delve deeply into areas of personal interest. Such programs also give students the chance to work closely on research projects with senior faculty members—an unusual opportunity at the undergraduate level. Some independent study and Honors students have been awarded scholarships and fellowships—including Woodrow Wilson, Goldwater, and Mellon fellowships and Fulbright scholarships—to continue their academic and professional work.
For more information about the Honors program, including policies, procedures, and calendar, see: www.moravian.edu/honors, and speak to your advisor for information about honors eligibility.
Recent Honors Projects
(Student Name – Major – Honors Adviser – Year)
Katie Lynskey – Graphic & Interactive Design – C. Murphy – 2018
Disrupted: Shatter Your Perceptions – The Portrayal of Women and Minorities in Video Games
Sarah Atwood – Art History – M. Kearns – 2017
Vulva: Female Sexuality in Interwar American Artwork
Rowan Laitila – Art History – D. Radycki – 2017
Women in Art: Exploring the Role of Feminism for American Women
Matthew Pring – Studio Art – A. Fraleigh – 2017
Color of Law: The Complexities of Power; A Case Study of Police Brutality Against African-Americans
Emily Marchello – Art History – K. Baxter – 2016
The Landscape Paintings of Gustavus Grunewald: The Role of Romantic Nationalism in Documenting Historic Bethlehem
Colleen Hait – Art Education – K. Baxter – 2015
Understanding the Mechanics of the Ceramics Studio using Teacher Action Research and Art-Practice As Research Methods
click for past Honors Projects
(Student Name – Honors Adviser – Year)
Elise Bremer – D. Radycki – 2013
Images of Women in Late 19th Century Paris
Miranda Cooper – D. Radycki – 2012
Femme Savante or Leisure Painter: Translating the Text of Catherine Perrot
Shannon Casey – J. Bell and A. Fraleigh – 2007
Synesthesia: The Unification of the Senses through Painting and Music
Chelsea Shepherd – D. Radycki – 2007
Contemporary Challenges to the Modernist Canon
Heather McGarvie – D. Zucco – 2005
Contemporary Paper Art: Integrating Raw Botanical Fibers and Experimenting with Collage
Erica Heusser – A. Dutlinger and J. Hinnefeld – 2004
Correspondences: Visual Analogies and Poetic Imagery
Nicole Casola – D. Radycki – 2004
Beauty and American Women Artists
Colleen Brand - C. Lalin and A. Dutlinger - 2001
Children's Book Illustration
Elizabeth DiFebo - D. Schattschneider - 2000
Geometry and the Golden Section in Art and Architecture
Christie J. Jacobsen - A. Dutlinger and C. Brown - 2000
Web Information Design and Architecture
Michael Babwahsingh - A. Dutlinger - 1999
An Investigation of Signage in the New York Subway System
Kathryn Fiandaca - A. Dutlinger - 1999
Design at Harper's Bazaar
Katrina Heebner - J. Hurwitz - 1998
Photographic Imagery as a Tool of Introspection
Cheryl A. Dougan - L. Reker - 1996
In-Vision: Revealing the Unconscious in Art
Stephanie Czyryca - R. Ackerman - 1995
Visual Arts and Literature: A New Connection with an Ancient Tradition-- An Analysis of Anselm Kiefer's Integration of Word and Imagery
Kovalchick - L. Reker - 1995
Chevreul's Principles of Harmony and Contrast of Colors and Their Application to the arts as They Relate to the Color of the Impressionists and Post-Impressionists
Christine Funk - R. Ackerman - 1992
A New Medium for the Imagination: The Computer as a Tool in Children's Book Illustration
Sherry Lyn Osmun - J. Franki - 1990
The Portrayal of Women in American Print Media Advertising from 1950-1989