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Denise Smith

Associate dean, School of Liberal Arts

Education

  • Ph.D., art history, University of New Mexico
  • M.A., art history, University of New Mexico
  • B.A., art history, Colorado State University

Credentials

  • Associate dean of the School of Liberal Arts, Sept. 2014–present, Atlanta
    Professor of liberal arts, Sept. 2012–Aug. 2014, Atlanta
    Associate dean of the School of Liberal Arts, June 2009–May 2012, Atlanta
    Academic director, School of Design and School of Liberal Arts, Sept. 2006–May 2009, Atlanta
    Professor of art history, Sept. 2005–Aug. 2006, Atlanta
    Professor of art history, Aug. 2000–Aug. 2005, Savannah
    Chair of art history, July 1997–July 2000, Savannah
    Professor of art history, Sept. 1994–Aug. 1997, Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah
  • Teaching assistant, Art and Art History, 1993, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM
  • Assistant, 1993, Native American Art Studies Association Ninth Biennial Conference, Santa Fe, NM
  • Teaching assistant, 1990, Fine Arts Slide Library, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO
  • Commissioned officer, 1984–1988, United States Air Force

Awards, recognitions, and honors

  • Sabbatical, Savannah College of Art and Design, 2009
  • Sabbatical, Savannah College of Art and Design, 2001
  • Research grant, Office of Graduate Studies, University of New Mexico, 1994
  • Research grant, Graduate Student Association, University of New Mexico, 1993
  • Research grant, Albuquerque Archaeological Society chapter of Archaeological Society of New Mexico, Albuquerque, 1993
  • Travel grant, Graduate Student Association, University of New Mexico, 1993
  • Research and travel grant, Department of Fine Arts, University of Colorado, 1990

Organizations

  • President, Eastern States Rock Art Research Association
  • Member, Society of Georgia Archaeology
  • Member, International Federation of Rock Art Organizations

Publications and presentations

Publications

  • "Sweetwater Creek's Stone Enigma" (peer-reviewed), in Early Georgia, ed. Jared Wood, vol. 42(1), Spring 2014.
  • "Multi-disciplinary Collaboration?" Rock Art Research, ed. Robert Bednarik, vol. 30(2), Nov. 2013.
  • "Style vs. Memetics: Exploring Some New Ideas" (peer-reviewed), in Rock Art Research, ed. Robert Bednarik, vol. 26(1), May 2009.
  • Continuing Traditions: The Hanson Collection of Native American Art, exhibition catalog. Savannah, GA: Telfair Museum of Art, 2004.
  • "History Recorded in Stone: The Rock Art of Abo Pueblo," Archaeological Society of New Mexico, volume 28, Albuquerque, NM, 2002.
  • "Rock Art and the Shape of Landscape," In Painters, Patrons and Identity: Essays in Native American Art to Honor J. J. Brody, ed. Joyce M. Szabo, pgs. 211–240. Albuquerque, NM: University of New Mexico Press, 2001.
  • De Diversis Artibus: Eight Roads to Art History, exhibition catalog, CU Art Galleries, University of Colorado, May 1990.

Invited Lectures

  • The Rock Art of Georgia. Bartow History Museum, Cartersville, GA, July 2022.
  • Dense Metaphors: Rock Art as Cosmos, Liberal Arts Speakers Series, Savannah College of Art and Design-Atlanta, Oct. 2017.
  • The Latest and Greatest: New Discoveries at Stone Mountain, Liberal Arts Speakers Series, Savannah College of Art and Design-Atlanta, Oct. 2010.
  • Stone Mountain Memorials, Lenbrook Retirement Home, Atlanta, GA, Jan. 2010.
  • Stone Mountain Memorials, Savannah College of Art and Design Writer's Speakers Series, Atlanta, GA, March 2009.
  • Defining the Inner Sanctum: The Role of Rock Forms in Shaping Sacred Space, Savannah College of Art and Design Liberal Arts Speaker's Series, Nov. 2006.
  • Continuing Traditions: The Collection of Dr. Stanley and Mary Frances Hanson. Telfair Museum of Art, Savannah, Georgia, Oct. 2004. Discussed origin and philosophy, plus selected works in exhibition.
  • Continuing Traditions: Inspiration, Innovation and Transformation in Southwest Native Art, Colloquium, Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah, Georgia, Oct. 2004. Discussed selected works as examples of work inspired by traditional form, but incorporating the artist's unique vision.
  • The Rock Art of Georgia, PEO organization, Savannah, Georgia, July 2002. Discussed various sites in northern Georgia that I had recently recorded.
  • Twentieth Century Native American Painting, Art Educator's Forum, Savannah College of Art and Design, June 2001. Discussed twentieth century developments in painting, focusing primarily on later artists.

Exhibition Experience

  • SNKR Design Minor. Savannah College of Art and Design, Atlanta, GA, Spring Quarter 2022.
  • Continuing Traditions: The Hanson Collection of Native American Art, Telfair Museum of Art, Savannah, Georgia, Sept. 2004–Jan. 2005.
  • Continuing Traditions II: The Hanson Collection of Native American Art, Pepe Hall, Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah, Georgia, Oct.–Nov. 2004
  • Hindsight is 20/20, Ex Libris Gallery, Savannah College of Art and Design, Sept. 16, 1999–Jan. 2, 2000.