Art History Club sparks inspiration in the virtual space
Club president shares about starting a new club during the pandemic
Women’s History Month is a time for all to reflect upon the impact women have had throughout history. Women have influenced the course of human understanding in literature and art, education and medicine, and beyond. Universities breathe life into this reality by empowering students of all backgrounds, cultures, and genders to get involved and follow their passions — Fresno State is no exception.
Fresno State graduate student, Ohio native, and President of Fresno State’s Art History Club, Sarah Theller, started her college life at Fresno City College. She took up the mantle as President of Art History Club in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic and has since grown the club’s ranks to eight members. Despite our virtual environment, she and her club were able to host a two-part Zoom lecture featuring an art historian in which 75 people attended. Her greatest influence has been 17th century Italian painter, Artemisia Gentileschi, who, “used painting as a way to fight against sexual assault and kind of tell her story the best way she could for her time frame.”
Sarah touches on art history, “To me, art history encompasses everything. It’s not just art techniques, it’s not just artists, it’s the historical context of everything… when you’re learning about our history, you’re learning about a personal history, scientific developments leading to certain techniques being possible… it opens an understanding of much, much more.”
Getting involved at Fresno State can make a world of difference in your student experience — Sarah has used this opportunity not only as a networking tool, but to build her communication, professionalism, and organizational skills as well.
Interested in connecting with the Art History Club? Follow @ArtHistoryClubCSUF and join their ENGAGE profile!
