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Women's History Month: Dr. Sophia Farmer
This Women's History Month, as we celebrate the contributions of women throughout history, our UAFS faculty and staff took time to share the stories of the incredible women who have influenced their lives and careers.
This series aims to not only highlight the impact of these women but also to dive into a diverse range of narratives that reflect the strength, resilience, and creativity of women across various fields and backgrounds. It's a chance to recognize, reflect, and be inspired by the legacies that shape our world today.
Kicking off our Women's History Month series, Dr. Sophia Maxine Farmer, Assistant Professor of Art History in the UAFS Art and Design Department. Dr. Farmer is dedicated to enriching academia and the arts with the contributions of women, aiming to inspire her students and colleagues by uncovering the often-overlooked narratives of women artists.
"As a woman leader at UAFS, I hope to both provide representation and inspiration for other women, particularly my students, seeking careers in academia and the arts," Farmer stated, emphasizing the importance of mentorship and connection within the academic community. “It can be difficult for women in academia to find female-identifying peers, mentors, and legacies. Therefore, I make a concerted effort to connect women within my classes, discipline, community, and across campus at UAFS.“
Farmer’s own work focuses on revealing the hidden histories of women in art, a mission informed by her academic lineage and the influential figures who shaped her career.
"I am particularly inspired by the women who trained me to be the art historian I am today, my graduate advisors, Professors Barbara C. Buenger, and Anna Andrzejewski. Moreover, I count myself privileged to be in the academic lineage of other key women scholars in the field, such as the feminist art historian Linda Nochlin, whose 1971 seminal text, ‘Why Have There Been No Great Women Artists?’ is still widely read and engaged with today.”
Dr. Farmer also shares her recent experience at the "Judy Chicago: Herstory" exhibition at the New Museum of Contemporary Art in New York City. This innovative exhibit not only showcased Chicago's work but also paid homage to the myriad of women artists who have influenced her, challenging traditional art historical narratives and shining a light on lesser-known women practitioners.
Through her teaching, research, and advocacy, Dr. Sophia Maxine Farmer embodies the spirit of Women's History Month at UAFS, fostering a culture of inclusivity and recognition for women's contributions.