Art and Art History

A new vision for Eastern’s Art Gallery
Director Sarah Churchill reimagines a gallery shaped by many voices

For Art Professor Sarah Churchill, Eastern’s new Art Gallery Director, art exhibitions are about storytelling. To be an effective and ethical director, one must ask who historically has been...

Posted on October 29, 2026 by Tim Stevens

Students with Professor Steve Muchiri during the "Data Analytics-Oriented Undergraduate Research: Industry 4.0 and Big Data Analytics in Healthcare" institute.

Eastern expands Summer Research Institutes
Seven institutes provide research opportunities to students

Nearly 70 Eastern students began their summer immersed in research. This June, the University expanded its Summer Research Institute (SRI) program from three to seven faculty-led institutes,...

Posted on June 23, 2026 by Savannah Striano ‘25

VIDEO: Students shine at CREATE conference

Student research and creative activity took center stage at Eastern Connecticut State University on April 24 during the annual CREATE conference, a campus-wide celebration of undergraduate...

Posted on May 04, 2026 by Michael Rouleau

Art history students explore enigmatic themes
Jones and Beauregard present senior theses

Two students in Eastern’s Department of Art and Art History recently showcased their research exploring surrealist and gothic art. Seniors Carmelena Jones and AJ Beauregard presented their...

Posted on December 08, 2025 by Elisabeth Craig '26

Art Gallery showcases faculty artists in 'Local Ground, Global Circuits'

Eastern Connecticut State University celebrated the opening of its biennial art and design faculty exhibition, titled “Local Ground, Global Circuits,” with a reception on Sept. 18 in...

Posted on September 26, 2025 by Darlene Orozco B. '28

Medieval artifacts find home in University archives
Eastern acquires 800-year-old manuscripts

A curation effort by a team of faculty members at Eastern Connecticut State University recently brought two medieval artifacts to the University Archives and Special Collections. Located on the...

Posted on September 15, 2025 by Elisabeth Craig ’26

Longtime art professor designs signage for Mansfield Artwalk

A longtime faculty member at Eastern Connecticut State University has spearheaded a public art initiative that encapsulates Mansfield’s natural beauty and community identity. Art Professor...

Posted on July 07, 2025 by Elisabeth Craig

Student curates exhibition on her artist grandfather
Art major Kate Moss honors the late Tom Gargiulo

The Art Gallery at Eastern Connecticut State University is currently presenting a colorful array of mixed-media art by Tom Gargiulo (1938-2022). Curated by his granddaughter, junior art major Kate...

Posted on June 10, 2025 by Elisabeth Craig

Research institutes delve into data analytics, DNA sequencing, picture books

Eastern Connecticut State University began its summer session with three week-long summer research institutes, culminating in a final presentation on June 6 in the Student Center Theater. Students...

Posted on June 10, 2025 by Elisabeth Craig

Graduating artists celebrated at Senior Art Exhibition

The Department of Art and Art History at Eastern Connecticut State University invited its graduating seniors to showcase their masterpieces at the annual Senior Art Exhibition in the Fine Arts...

Posted on May 19, 2025 by Elisabeth Craig

Son of influential art professor, Julian Akus, donates father’s works to Eastern

Eastern’s Art Gallery recently received a donation of about 40 paintings created by a key figure in the art program’s history. Jan Akus, son of former art Professor and Department Chair...

Posted on March 04, 2025 by Noel Teter '24

Art exhibition ponders a world of 'no maps and no borders’
Big Read-inspired show explores nature’s resilience

The Art Gallery at Eastern held a reception for the exhibition “When There Were No Maps and No Borders: The Grandeur of Nature” on Feb. 18 at 5 p.m. The exhibition will be on display...

Posted on February 20, 2025 by Darlene Orozco B. '28

Folktales and culture come alive at Asian Studies Expo

The Department of Art and Art History at Eastern held its biannual Asian Studies Expo in the Fine Arts Instructional Center Art Gallery from Jan. 31 to Feb. 14. Coordinated by art Professor Soojin...

Posted on February 18, 2025 by Elisabeth Craig

Art Gallery celebrates the abstract in 'Different Things and in Different Amounts'

The Art Gallery at Eastern Connecticut State University recently held a reception for its latest exhibition, "Different Things and in Different Amounts." Held on Sept. 18, the event...

Posted on September 26, 2024 by Elisabeth Craig

Mixed-media artist Suzanne Jackson joins Eastern’s permanent collection

Eastern Connecticut State University recently installed a painting by renowned artist Suzanne Jackson in the Student Center. The painting, titled “Self-Portrait Drawing: A Future Life Story...

Posted on August 26, 2024 by Elisabeth Craig

Graduating artists celebrated at Senior Art Exhibition

The work of graduating students from the Department of Art and Art History was highlighted during the annual Senior Art Exhibition in the Art Gallery this May. With an opening reception on May 9,...

Posted on May 22, 2024 by Elisabeth Craig

Student art installed in 'Nooks and Crannies' of fine arts center

Eastern Connecticut State University’s Fine Arts Instructional Center (FAIC) was recently filled from the lobby to the top floor with mixed-media installation art. The dispersed exhibition,...

Posted on March 01, 2024 by Elisabeth Craig

Faculty artists exhibit in galleries off campus

Two art professors at Eastern Connecticut State University have recently exhibited their work at galleries in Connecticut. Paul Michael’s work at Pegasus Gallery in Middletown is an...

Posted on December 12, 2023 by Elisabeth Craig

No two alike: Student’s research finds LeWitt drawing inspires varied versions

Tiffany Henry's research into a Sol LeWitt drawing that was part of a recent exhibition at the Art Gallery found that versions of drawing #797 vary around the world, even though installers...

Posted on November 22, 2023 by Lucinda Weiss

Student artists succeed in juried art show

Twenty-one Eastern students had the opportunity to display their art for more than 80 attendees at Hope Lodge in Moosup, CT. A total of 43 student artworks were curated by Eastern faculty to be...

Posted on November 06, 2023 by Elisabeth Craig

Student designs usher in fall holidays in Willimantic

Fall holidays will get a bright boost in Willimantic with digital billboard images designed by Eastern Connecticut State University graphic design students.

Posted on October 20, 2023 by Lucinda Weiss

Rahmanifar exhibits in 2 New York City shows
Interpreting creation and the role of Iranian women

An Eastern Connecticut State University art professor, Afarin Rahmanifar, has works on exhibit at two New York City galleries this month.

Posted on May 11, 2023 by Lucinda Weiss

Students present in Wisconsin at National Conference on Undergraduate Research

Eastern Connecticut State University sent eight students to the University of Wisconsin- Eau Claire on April 13 to present their research findings at the National Conference for Undergraduate...

Posted on April 27, 2023 by Jack Jones

Art Square holds gala for student artists

The student organization Art Square showcased more than a dozen student artists its first gala since before the pandemic on March 10, featuring 20 works spanning a multitude of styles and creative...

Posted on March 23, 2023 by Jack Jones

Exhibit tells the story of a Holocaust survivor’s resilience and creativity

“Sidonia’s Thread – Crafting a Life from Holocaust to High Fashion” will be exhibited at the Mandell Jewish Community Center Jan. 2-Feb. 10, 2023, with an opening reception...

Posted on January 04, 2023 by by Lucinda Weiss

Eastern’s Spider-Man takes kindness to new heights

Eastern’s campus community may have received the hero it needs. An anonymous student dressed in a Spider Man suit has been spotted patrolling the campus on Friday nights and at special...

Posted on November 29, 2022 by Noel Teter

Art exhibit highlights faculty ceramics and sculpture

Three dramatically different artistic interpretations of the human experience and how we rebound from setbacks are expressed in the faculty Sculpture and Ceramic Exhibit on view in the Art Gallery...

Posted on November 21, 2022 by Lucinda Weiss

Student artist displays her Mental health inspired work

Eastern hosts COPLAC’s Northeast research conference

Eastern hosted the Northeast Regional Undergraduate Research, Scholarly and Creative Activity Conference of the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges (COPLAC) on Oct. 28-29. The conference...

Posted on November 07, 2022 by Jack Jones

Student Amanda Ouk receives Honors Thesis award

Art major Amanda Ouk ’22 received the Phillip Elliot Award for writing an exceptional thesis for the University Honors Program. Ouk’s thesis demonstrated a higher order of thinking and...

Posted on June 30, 2022 by Noel Teter

Art major wins Eastern’s Library Research Award

Isabel Butterick ’21, of Willimantic, who majored in Art with a Studio Art concentration and a minor in Art History, has been named the recipient of this year’s annual J. Eugene Smith...

Posted on May 18, 2022 by Dwight Bachman

Art Gallery celebrates Eastern theatre in 'Capturing the Ephemeral'

Art Gallery at Eastern Connecticut State University hosted an opening reception on Jan. 27 for the first exhibition of the spring semester. Titled “Capturing the Ephemeral: Theatre and...

Posted on February 07, 2022 by Bobbi Brown

Eastern senior wins design challenge to help brand Connecticut arts nonprofit
Anayeli Arroyo’s banner designs to grace the EC-CHAP in Willington

In the coming months, Eastern Connecticut State University senior Anayeli Arroyo’s jewel-toned geometric designs will flap in the winter winds outside a century-old former mill in Willington,...

Posted on January 12, 2022 by Amanda Irwin

Art Gallery showcases prison artwork
'The Artist as Witness' runs until February

On Oct. 18, Eastern’s Art Gallery, in collaboration with the Connecticut Prison Arts program, opened the exhibition, “The Artist as Witness.” The exhibition runs through Feb. 1,...

Posted on October 26, 2021 by Dwight Bachman

Art Gallery welcomes patrons to ‘Our Tears Are Sweet, Our Laughter Venomous’
Exhibition features 14 Iranian-American women artists

Eastern Connecticut State University’s Art Gallery held an opening reception for “Our Tears are Sweet, Our Laughter Venomous” on Sept. 9. The first exhibition of the fall 2021...

Posted on September 14, 2021 by Bobbi Brown

Art Gallery presents ‘Our Tears Are Sweet, Our Laughter Venomous’
Exhibition features 14 Iranian-American women artists

The Art Gallery at Eastern Connecticut State University will present “Our Tears Are Sweet, Our Laughter Venomous” from Aug. 23–Oct. 8. The first exhibition of the fall 2021...

Posted on August 11, 2021 by Michael Rouleau

Graduating artists showcased in Senior Art Exhibition

The Art Gallery at Eastern Connecticut State University opened its final show of the 2020-21 academic year on May 7. The annual Senior Art Exhibition showcases the artwork of 31 graduating seniors...

Posted on May 12, 2021 by Bobbi Brown

“Turn on the Light” by Karla Pacheco-Sahagun

21st CREATE conference available online
Virtual symposium showcases the best of student research and creativity

Eastern Connecticut State University’s 21st annual CREATE conference is being presented online for the second year in a row. CREATE stands for “Celebrating Research and Creative...

Posted on April 28, 2021 by Michael Rouleau

Biodegradable Art
Students create nature-based installations in campus arboretum

Social distancing wasn’t an issue for students in art professor Robert Greene’s “Installation Art” course, who created nature-based installations in the woodland setting of...

Posted on December 07, 2020 by Michael Rouleau

Wife of Professor Jones, Deborah Grant Jones (second to right), alongside associate professor of Art and Art History Afarin Ahmanifar (far right), professor of Art Qimin Liu (Center back), their daughter Lydia Jones Hall (far left) and her husband, Matthew Hall (second to left).

Faculty art exhibition honors late Painting Professor Andy Jones

Eastern Connecticut State University’s Art Gallery is hosting an exhibition to honor the memory of art professor Andy Jones, who passed earlier this year on Jan. 25. The exhibition titled,...

Posted on September 17, 2020 by Bobbi Brown

Eastern Art Gallery presents ‘Racism: An American Pandemic’

The Art Gallery at Eastern Connecticut State University is presenting the virtual exhibition “Racism: An American Pandemic” on its website from July 15–Sept. 8.

Posted on July 15, 2020

Design students create logo for Town of Chaplin

Students in Tao Chen’s Graphic Design II class gained some exciting, real life practical skills this past semester, creating a new logo for the town of Chaplin. The students worked with...

Posted on July 07, 2020 by Dwight Bachman

Students Showcase COVID-19 in Digital Art Form

Eastern Connecticut State University students in the Graphic Design History class have created digital artwork to spread awareness about how to stay safe during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Posted on April 07, 2020 by Molly Boucher

Caribbean Historian Delivers Lecture on Haitian Art

As a part of Eastern Connecticut State University’s art exhibition “Creating Dangerously: Art and Revolution,” the University’s Art Gallery welcomed Anthony Bogues,...

Posted on March 10, 2020 by Bobbi Brown

Afarin Rhaminfar's exhibition “Women of Shahnameh” at Towson University’s Asian Arts and Culture Center Gallery

Afarin Rahmanifar Solo Exhibits at Towson University

Afarin Rahmanifar, professor of art and art history at Eastern Connecticut State University, is exhibiting her solo exhibition “Women of Shahnameh” at Towson University’s Asian...

Posted on March 04, 2020 by Molly Boucher

A picture of a steel sculpture in the shape of a head.

Art Gallery Presents 'Creating Dangerously,' Haiti Tribute

From Jan. 1–March 12, the Art Gallery at Eastern Connecticut State University is presenting “Creating Dangerously: Art & Revolution,” an exhibition that features six Haitian...

Posted on February 04, 2020 by Dwight Bachman

Eastern Art Gallery to Present ‘Creating Dangerously,’ a Tribute to Haiti

The Art Gallery at Eastern Connecticut State University will present “Creating Dangerously: Art & Revolution” from Jan. 1–Mar. 12 in the Fine Arts Instructional Center. The...

Posted on January 09, 2020 by Vania Galicia

Illustrator Raúl Colón spoke with students from two classes during his visit to Eastern.

Award-Winning Illustrator Raúl Colón Visits Eastern

Award-winning illustrator and picture book creator Raúl Colón visited Eastern Connecticut State University on Oct. 21 to speak about his journey as an artist and his process for creating...

Posted on October 23, 2019 by Michael Rouleau

Art Gallery Presents ‘Consistency of the Temporal’ Until Oct. 10

The Art Gallery at Eastern Connecticut State University hosted New York-based artist Beatrice Modisett on Sept. 5, who spoke on her current exhibition titled “Consistency of the Temporal.”

Posted on September 10, 2019 by Bobbi Brown

Senior Exhibition Spotlights Graduating Student Artists

The versatile talents of more than 30 Eastern Connecticut State University art majors were featured in the 2019 Senior Art Exhibition. The exhibition ran from May 10–21 in the Art Gallery of...

Posted on May 22, 2019 by Jordan Corey

Eastern Students Design for Access Agency

Ten graphic design students at Eastern Connecticut State University recently concluded a major project with the Access Community Action Agency in Willimantic. As part of Professor Terry...

Posted on December 12, 2018 by Michael Rouleau

Digital Art Exhibition at Eastern Begs for Human Interaction

The work of Hartford-based digital artist Balam Soto is on display at the Eastern Connecticut State University Art Gallery from Nov. 1-Dec. 7 in an exhibition titled “Interface.”...

Posted on November 06, 2018 by Raven Dillon

Faculty Present in 3 October Scholars Forums

Eastern faculty continue to share their prolific scholarship with the campus community during the University’s Faculty Scholars Forum. In the month of October, three professors shared...

Posted on November 01, 2018 by Dwight Bachman

Faculty Exhibition Opens Eastern’s Fall Art Gallery Season

Eastern Connecticut State University’s Art Gallery will host its first exhibition of the fall 2018 semester from Aug. 30 to Oct. 11. The exhibition will feature nine Eastern faculty artists...

Posted on August 28, 2018 by Michael Rouleau

Eastern Art Gallery Presents 2018 Senior Exhibition

The Art and Art History Department at Eastern Connecticut State University will present its 2018 Senior Art Exhibition from May 4-15 in the Art Gallery of the Fine Arts Instructional Center (FAIC)....

Posted on May 01, 2018

Eastern Professor Anne Dawson wins 2018 Ruth Emery Award

Anne Dawson, professor of art history at Eastern Connecticut State University, has been announced as the unanimous winner of the 2018 Victorian Society in America Ruth Emery Award. Her book,...

Posted on March 28, 2018 by Dawson victorian impressionist award

Designs to be revealed for Willimantic Whitewater community art project

On April 14, three Connecticut-based teams will reveal their designs for a new public art piece that generates renewable energy, to be located on the Willimantic River. The public is invited to...

Posted on March 22, 2018

Scholar Shines Light on Unsung Civil-Rights Hero Constance Baker Motley

Scholar and award-winning film producer Gary L. Ford Jr. examined black history triumphs and shared his insight on jurist and civil rights champion Constance Baker Motley as part of Black History...

Posted on February 27, 2018

Constance Motley Expert at Eastern

Gary Ford Jr., assistant professor of Africana Studies at Lehman College and author of the book, “Constance Baker Motley, One Woman’s Fight for Civil Rights and Equal Justice under...

Posted on January 24, 2018 by Dwight Bachman

Eastern's Imna Arroyo Presents Art

Professor Emeritus Imna Arroyo Exhibits Ancestors of the Passage

Posted on January 17, 2018 by Casey Collins

Eastern Students Present Art Work

Students in Eastern Connecticut State University’s “Museums and Exhibitions” course will host two art shows this December. “Spectrum,” an emotional exhibition about...

Posted on November 30, 2017 by Michael Rouleau

Eastern’s Rahmanifar Exhibits in NYC

From Nov. 17 to Dec. 22, Brooklyn’s SOHO20 Gallery will present “Women of Shahnameh, The Memories Between,” an exhibition by Afarin Rahmanifar, art professor at Eastern...

Posted on November 30, 2017 by Casey Collins

Mars: Sound Art Installed at Eastern

Sean Langlais is not your everyday contemporary artist. Rather than use canvas or clay, Langlais prefers to craft his art from metals and sound. In collaboration with the Department of Art and Art...

Posted on November 09, 2017 by Casey Collins

See/Hear ‘Mars’ Sound Art at Eastern

While no “little green Martians” in flying saucers will be on display, guests are still in for a surprise when Eastern Connecticut State University hosts contemporary artist Sean...

Posted on October 18, 2017 by Casey Collins

Eastern’s Dawson a Book Finalist

Eastern Connecticut State University Art and Art History Professor Anne Dawson has been announced as one of three non-fiction finalists for the 2017 Connecticut Book Awards. Dawson resides in...

Posted on October 06, 2017 by Casey Collins

Eastern Professors Collaborate on New E-Book

Eastern Connecticut State University’s Raouf Mama, professor of English, and Afair Rahmanifar, professor of art and art history, have collaborated on a new e-book, “Quiet...

Posted on April 11, 2017 by Christina Rossomando

Windham Project will Transform Downtown into Public Art Space

The Windham Project, a six-week public art showcase, will fill the streets of Willimantic from April 15 to May 25, 2017. The project features 22 artists who will transform historic downtown...

Posted on March 17, 2017

A gallery visitor gazes upward at another light painting

‘Elemental Light’ Illuminates Eastern’s Art Gallery Until Feb. 23

The transformational power of light is on display in the Art Gallery at Eastern Connecticut State University in an exhibition titled “Elemental Light.” Running from Jan. 12 to Feb. 23,...

Posted on January 27, 2017 by Michael Rouleau