Lea Norcross, a graduate student in Art History and Museum Studies, was selected by DU students and faculty late February to represent DU’s art history program at a statewide symposium, which will take place at the Denver Art Museum later this month.
Norcross, a Colorado native, will represent DU at the Front Range Art History Student Symposium of the College Advisory Committee on April 14.
The symposium is not a competition, but rather organized to enhance understanding and community of art history, said Scott Montgomery, associate professor of Art History.
“It is about fostering a larger environment of scholarship and collegiality, it is about bringing together the various art history programs in the state and celebrating the accomplishments of our students and fostering a sense of academic community,” said Montgomery. “This not only echoes the practice of most conferences, it helps make a richer environment of shared learning in art history throughout the Front Range area. It is essentially a collegial coming together of different programs that share a common dedication to the study of art history.”
According to Montgomery, Norcross was selected for the symposium after DU held an “in-house” symposium, where students were invited to submit proposals for papers. Students and faculty who attended the symposium selected the ones most promising to include in the DU Art History symposium. Five graduate students, including Norcross, presented papers this year.
Norcross, who completed her undergraduate studies in Art History and History with Distinction from Colorado College in 2010, said she someday hopes to be employed by a museum and help people connect to the documents and materials she’s interested in, such as Medieval documents.
“In terms of research, I have many interests spanning from the Middle Ages through the seventeenth century,” she said. “I am particularly drawn to illuminated manuscripts and early printed books.”
She also said she is interested in early scientific texts, printed works and the interaction of magic, science and religion.
“In the future I would like to work in an archive or museum with holdings related to this time period and where I would be able to help patrons connect with the materials they need, as well as pursue my own research,” said Norcross on her website.
