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

click for past SOAR Projects

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