Recent News
Cal Poly Art Historians Contribute to World-touring Getty Exhibition
Dec 20, 2018
Two Cal Poly art and design professors contributed to the world-renown touring art exhibition The Renaissance Nude, currently on display at the J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles.
Featuring more than 100 works by some of history’s best-known artists — Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Dürer, and others, The Renaissance Nude is the first exhibition of its kind to focus on themes of nudity, morality and beauty from the period in depth. From paintings to sculptures to drawings to prints, the exhibition brings together a wide range of objects from the Renaissance period. The exhibition will be on display at the Getty from Oct. 30, 2018 – Jan. 27, 2019 before it tours internationally.
ART 371 students viewing the The Renaissance Nude Getty exhibit
Professor Thomas Depasquale was one of the key developers of the exhibition and contributed his expertise in Italian Renaissance art. For five years, Depasquale worked closely with the Getty’s Senior Curator Emeritus Thomas Kren to bring the exhibition together from its inception. Depasquale also contributed as an art historian to its accompanying catalog, The Renaissance Nude, which is available for checkout at Robert E. Kennedy Library.
“Tom DePasquale played an important role in the exhibition, especially in its formative phase,” curator Kren said. “Hired as a research assistant, he helped me to conceptualize the show and to devise the organization of art works within the galleries, which was fundamental to the exhibition’s argument and the public’s experience of it.”
ART 371 students outside the Getty exhibit
Art and Design Department Chair Giancarlo Fiorenza also contributed his expertise to the exhibition’s accompanying publication. Fiorenza will travel to the Getty to give lectures to the public and attend conferences surrounding The Renaissance Nude.
“Both Giancarlo and Tom have both been generous and accessible colleagues,” Kren said. “The Getty feels fortunate to have had such outstanding scholars of the Italian Renaissance nearby to work with.”
Students in Depasquale’s class ART 371 Topics in Renaissance Art learned about the exhibit and its themes throughout fall quarter. Along with students in the Italian studies program, the students had the opportunity to travel on a field trip to the Getty in Los Angeles to view the exhibition for themselves.
“That, for me, is one of the great satisfactions,” Depasquale said. “Having been a part for many years of the planning of this exhibition, I’ve learned a tremendous amount about art that I didn’t know before. My understanding of the period, culture and art has expanded enormously thanks to the work on the show. And what do you do with that? You only get satisfaction out of that if you can teach it, if you can pass it on to other people. For me, the biggest reward is to be able to pass on this fascinating aspect of art to my students.”
And his students have responded enthusiastically. Many opted to attend the voluntary field trip to enhance their understanding of the topics discussed in class.
“It’s a wonderful learning experience for all involved: those involved in the show, and those who are seeing it,” Fiorenza said. Some of the exhibition talks, including one given by Fiorenza, are available online. Learn more on the Getty’s website.
Story originally appeared in the Art and Design Department fall 2018 newsletter
Julie Garcia Named Interim Associate Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion
Nov 20, 2018
Julie A. Garcia has been appointed interim associate vice president (AVP) for Diversity and Inclusion for Cal Poly's Office of University Diversity and Inclusion (OUDI), effective June 29. Garcia, who has served as associate chair for the Psychology and Child Development Department since 2014, has been involved in diversity and inclusion work throughout her 11 years at Cal Poly.
Recent Journalism Grad is Finalist for CSU Media Arts Festival Award
Nov 5, 2018
Recent Cal Poly grad Nikki Petkopoulos (Journalism, ’18) is a finalist for the prestigious CSU Media Arts Award for her film Young American.
Cal Poly Professors Partner with Artificial Intelligence Pioneer to Publish Innovative Research
Nov 5, 2018
Two Cal Poly professors and Unanimous AI presented a new study showing that business teams, when connected by AI algorithms and operating as an internet-linked “swarm,” functioned with significantly higher social intelligence than individuals working alone.
Won't Be Erased
Oct 26, 2018
Dear CLA Students,
The College of Liberal Arts stands with the Cross Cultural Centers' message in support of transgender, intersex, non-binary, and gender non-conforming students, faculty, and staff. We support the right of all in our Cal Poly family to be a part of our vibrant and diverse campus. We ask all of our students, faculty, and staff to look out for one another during times like these and to reach out to each other if help is needed. Below please find a few resources on our campus and in our community.
We see you.
#WontBeErased
Sincerely,
The College of Liberal Arts Deans Office
Dr. Rummell, Interim Dean
Dr. Teramoto Pedrotti, Associate Dean for Diversity and Curriculum
Dr. Valencia-Laver, Associate Dean for Administration
Dr. Bennett, Associate Dean for Student Success
Resources
Cal Poly Counseling Center
805-756-2511
https://hcs.calpoly.edu/counseling
SLO Community Counseling Center
805-543-7969
https://www.cccslo.org/
Gender Equity Center
805-756-2600
https://culture.calpoly.edu/GenderEquity
Tranz Central Coast
805-242-3821
http://www.tranzcentralcoast.org
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Kathryn Rummell
Interim Dean, College of Liberal Arts
California Polytechnic State University
San Luis Obispo, CA 93407-0322
805-756-2706
krummell@calpoly.edu
Social Sciences Department Receives $5,000 Donation from PG&E for Learn By Doing
Oct 25, 2018
Two award-winning Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) employees have donated $5,000 to the Social Sciences Learn by Doing fund.
CLA Athletes Honored at Big West Conference
Oct 16, 2018
The following Cal Poly student-athletes from the College of Liberal Arts were honored on the 2017-18 Big West Conference or Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (men’s and women’s swimming) All-Academic Team for the winter and spring quarters.
Ethnic Studies Course Highlights Hip Hop History and Creates Important Dialogue
Jun 27, 2018
Hip hop studies is an emerging field in academia, and Professor Jenell Navarro has increased its prevalence at Cal Poly.
Psychology Major Recognized as Cal Poly Great Grad
Jun 25, 2018
Growing up, psychology major Marcos Ramirez-Santos never thought much about his education.
Dance Professor Teaches and Performs in Lebanon
Jun 22, 2018
Dance professor Christy Chand had the opportunity to teach dance and perform in Lebanon at the International Dance Day Festival in April.