Encounter, experiment, and engage with art in meaningful ways in UNC Asheville’s tight-knit, supportive art history bachelor’s degree program.
Why Study Art History at UNC Asheville
Student and Alumni Spotlights
Lydia Ham, a third-year painting major, was named a finalist for the 2023 AXA Art Prize, one of the nation’s leading student art competitions.
“The painting skills translate a lot in what I do now in terms of color theory, perspective, and all of the technical things I learned [and now] apply to a more magical, fantasy style,”
Hannah Bunzey
“I’d like to tell anyone going into the arts program (and especially the BFA program), do not overload yourself with expectations. I walked into college wanting to be a sculptor, and I’m walking out of it as an illustrator. Take the time to immerse yourself in each new media and you’ll find that the concentration chooses the artist. Also, don’t skip studio classes.”
Darby Mitchell, Class of ’22
Art History Outside the Classroom
Your educational journey at UNC Asheville goes beyond the classroom as you engage with art and become an active member of our vibrant campus community. From honing your skills in an internship to attending lectures featuring experts in the field, your time as an art history major enriches your understanding of the discipline and prepares you for a vibrant future.
Art History Internships
Master skills and prepare for your career through hands-on internships where you gain practical experience in real-world settings. Internships equip you with the adaptability, research, creative problem-solving, and communication abilities employers seek. Work at places such as the Asheville Area Arts Council, Asheville Art Museum, Arts for Life, Black Mountain College Museum and Art Center, and more.
Lecture Series
Our lecture events showcase the beauty and diversity of art. We invite artists working in a range of mediums to visit campus and share their processes and expertise. During many of these events, artists’ work is displayed in exhibitions followed by a reception and discussion where individuals in the community can engage with both the work itself and the artist, an invaluable learning opportunity.
Meet the Faculty
Our Art and Art History Department faculty are passionate about the work they create and the subjects they study, bringing their wealth of knowledge to the classroom, the studio, and beyond. With small class sizes, you build meaningful connections with professors dedicated to your academic and artistic growth.
Tamie Beldue
Department Chair & Professor of Art
| Office: 211 Owen Hall |
| Phone: (828) 251-6845 |
| Email: tbeldue@unca.edu |
Eva Hericks Bares, Ph.D.
Humanities Coordinator, Lecturer of Art History
| Office: 213 Owen Hall |
| Phone: (828) 258-7724 |
| Email: ebares@unca.edu |
Duncan Pittman
Administrative Assistant
| Office: 222 Owen Hall |
| Phone: (828) 251-6559 |
| Email: dpittma1@unca.edu |
Cynthia Canejo, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Art History
Suzanne (Suzie) Dittenber
Assistant Professor
| Office: 212 Owen Hall |
| Phone: (828) 251-6875 |
| Email: sdittenb@unca.edu |
Jackson Martin
Associate Professor of Art
| Office: 214 Owen Hall |
| Phone: (828) 251-6877 |
| Email: jmartin5@unca.edu |
Leisa Rundquist, Ph.D.
Professor of Art History and University Curator
| Office: 216 Owen Hall |
| Phone: (828) 251-6848 |
| Email: lrundqui@unca.edu |
Brent Skidmore
Collaborative Co-founder of STEAM Studio; Public Arts & Humanities Chair; Professor of Art & Art History
| Office: 219 Owen Hall |
| Phone: (828) 250-2390 |
| Email: bskidmor@unca.edu |
Laurel Taylor, Ph.D.
Senior Lecturer of Ancient Mediterranean Studies & Art
| Office: 218 Owen Hall |
| Email: ltaylor@unca.edu |
Carrie Tomberlin
Lecturer and Gallery Director
| Office: 209 Owen Hall |
| Phone: (828) 258-7723 |
| Email: tgeorge2@unca.edu |
Eric Tomberlin
Associate Professor of Art
| Office: 215 Owen Hall |
| Phone: (828) 258-7722 |
| Email: etomberl@unca.edu |
Scott Lowrey
Adjunct Associate Professor of Art
| Office: 233 Owen Hall |
| Phone: (828) 251-6559 |
| Email: slowrey@unca.edu |
Art History Degree Careers and Outcomes
A Bachelor of Arts in Art History from UNC Asheville empowers students to pursue a range of exciting career paths. Strong communication, analytical, and critical thinking skills, along with a deep understanding of art, culture, and societal forces, make our students excellent candidates for work in galleries, museums, research, academia, and more. Recent graduates have found success in professional roles, and others have continued their education in prestigious graduate programs.
Our graduates hold a diverse array of positions within arts management and administration in museums, galleries and non-profit agencies. Acceptance into graduate programs includes MA and PhD programs in Art History as well as Business school and Law school. Recent graduates have received scholarships for both MA/PhD programs and professional schools at Columbia University, Duke University, Syracuse University in Florence (Italy), John Cabot University in Rome (Italy), UNC Chapel Hill and the University of Arizona, among others.
Related Programs
Deepen Your Understanding in UNC Asheville’s Art History Major
In the Bachelor of Arts in Art History program, experience a transformative and immersive education that prepares you for a meaningful career in the art world. Small class sizes, hands-on learning, and a holistic curriculum enrich your time at UNC Asheville and empower you to reach your full potential.
Contact Us
| Art and Art History Department |
| Phone: 828.251.6559 |
| Email: DeptofArt@unca.edu |
