Art Department
Department Faculty
The Muhlenberg Art Department faculty, with seven full-time and three part-time members, is a diverse group of scholars and artists. Our range of skills and interests allows us to teach an extremely wide variety of courses at all levels, and our active professional practices ensure that we remain well- connected with numerous contemporary art and art historical discourses. The department’s small class sizes provide many opportunities for us to work closely with students, designing independent studies, collaborative research and studio projects.
Raymond S. Barnes, Professor of Art (Painting)
B.A., Norwich School of Art, England
M.F.A., Yale University (date needed)
Professor Barnes is a practicing painter and installation artist. A master of allowing the actual to speak for itself, his work explores new relationships between audio, visual and scientific forms an analysis and presentation. Professor Barnes teaches all levels of painting, as well as the First Year Seminar: Thinking About the Visual Arts.
Jadviga da Costa Nunes, Professor of Art (Art History)
B.A., Paterson College
M.A., Ph.D., Rutgers University (1984)
Professor da Costa Nunes has specialties in American Art, American Studies and History of Photography and has published and curated exhibits on the themes of American industry and technology. Widely travelled in Europe and the Mediterranean, she teaches Art History I and II, as well as upper level courses in European and American Art.
Joseph E. B. Elliott, Professor of Art (Photography)
Head of Department
B.S., University of Minnesota
M.F.A., Pratt Institute (1983)
Professor Elliott makes photographs on the themes of historic architecture, industry, and infrastructure, using both traditional film, and high end digital technology. He works at the intersection of art and documentation, usually in collaboration with architects, historians, preservation experts, and/or ecologists. Professor Elliott teaches all levels of digital and analog photography, as well as the team-taught course: Field Studio in Costa Rica (with Sustainability Studies).
Scott Sherk, Professor of Art (Sculpture)
B.A., Haverford College
M.F.A., University of Pennsylvania (1985)
Professor Sherk explores the depiction of space and form, the traditional elements of sculpture. His continuous research and evolution as an artist has led him to the modulation of light and sound as primary media. Professor Sherk has produced work abroad, in Japan, Iceland, and Italy, and exhibited steadily across the United States. Professor Sherk teaches all levels of sculpture, as well as the new course: Sound Art
Margo Thompson, Assistant Professor of Art (Art History)
B.A., St. John's College
M.A., School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Ph. D., Northwestern University (graduation date)
Professor Thompson is a specialist in contemporary art, specifically feminist art and graffiti art. She is a very active scholar, publishing and presenting regularly at conferences. Her large format book, American Graffiti, was published in 2009. Professor Thompson teaches Modern Art, Contemporary Art, Women and Art, African American Art, and several other courses.
Kevin Tuttle, Lecturer (Drawing and Sculpture)
B.A., College of William and Mary
B.F.A., Kansas City Art Institute
M.F.A., University of North Carolina Greensboro (1979)
Professor Tuttle is primarily a figurative artist, working in drawing, painting, and sculpture. In addition he explores abstract form through the construction of reliefs and installations, and is highly skilled in mold making and bronze casting. Professor Tuttle teaches all levels of sculpture and drawing.
Les Fletcher, Adjunct Lecturer of Art
David Haas, Adjunct Lecturer of Art
Carol Heft, Adjunct Lecturer of Art