GOOD LUCK
AT NATIONALS
BC CYCLING!
Oct. 25, 2013
Alumna recognizes the importance
of experiential learning at BC
By Patrick G. Veilleux
staff Writer
Wendy Ligon Smith is a Brevard College
alumna who is currently finishing her final
year of her PhD in Art History and Visual
Studies at the University of Manchester,
England. Her dissertation research is focused
on Mariano Fortuny y Madrazo, a Spanish
fashion designer famous for his work
throughout the first half of the 20th century.
“My research is on Fortuny’s work in
photography, painting, dress design and
theater lighting,” said Smith, “Because he
worked across so many mediums, my project
is inherently more interdisciplinary. This is an
approach I learned to appreciate during my
time at BC- where I was able to see broader
themes emerge from the range of courses I
took such as painting, photography, English
literature, wilderness leadership, and political
communications among other classes.”
Smith’s research has taken her from the
University of Manchester to archives in
London, England and Venice, Italy. Fortuny
himself lived in Venice, despite traveling
Europe as part of his work. Smith also did
research at the Palazzo Fortuny, Fortuny’s
home in Venice which has since been
converted into an art museum.
A graduate of 2004, Smith credited BC
with giving her formative experiences for her
current academic career. “What I have come
to value as the greatest asset from attending
Brevard was that I had so many excellent
professors who encouraged me to think
independently and critically. I felt encouraged
to pursue my interests and make connections
between my different areas of study.”
“Dr. Chapin taught me to look at and
interpret works of art in their historical
contexts. The stories around the objects
changed the way I looked at them,” she
continued, “Jo Pumphrey set aside time to
have philosophical discussions about artwork
with painters during their senior year. Over
breakfast we would discuss the various
approaches to art criticism and philosophy
of art, from Plato to Kant. In my research
on Mariano Fortuny’s photography and
darkroom practices, I draw upon my own time
in the darkrooms at BC. Bill Byers teachings
have helped me utilize photography to
document my work. One of my photographs
has even recently been published in the book
Blue Mythologies, by my PhD supervisor.
Professor Carol Mavor.”
Smith has given lectures at the Courtauld
Institute and Oxford University in England, as
well as the Renaissance Society of America.
In December she will deliver a lecture,
and a showing of a film she produced on
Fortuny and 19th century composer Richard
Wagner at the Bayreuth Festival in Bayrueth,
Germany.
Smith has also taught several undergraduate
courses on the history of art interpretation,
museum display and collecting, and Michael
Proust and visual art. She has helped
coordinate museum events in the Manchester
Art Gallery and convened an international,
interdisciplinary academic conference on the
study of fashion, Roland Barthes, and Walter
Benjamin at the University of Manchester.
Alumna Wendy Smith in Venice on
a research trip funded by a Delmas
Foundation Grant for Independent
Research.
Homecoming
Weekend
Schedule
Friday, October 25
10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Registration
Alumni House: Pick-up pre-ordered tickets.
9 a.m. - 3 p.m. BC Alumni Art Exhibition
Spiers Art Gallery
3 p.m. - Walking Tour of Campus, Alumni House
4 p.m. - 50th Reunion Reception
President’s House
6 p.m. - Distinguished Alumni & Athletic Hall of
Fame Awards Dinner ($20)
Porter Center for Performing Arts
7 p.m. - Volleyball Game ($5 payable at door)
Boshamer Gymnasium; BC vs. Mars Hill College
9 p.m. - Pep Rally and Campfire, Village Quad
Saturday, October 26
8:30 a.m. Baseball & Golf Team Alumni Golf
Tournament
9 a.m. - Walking Tour of Campus, Alumni House
9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Registration, Alumni House
9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Class Gathering Rooms
McClarty-Goodson
10 a.m. - Women's Basketball Alumni Game
Auxiliary Gymnasium
10 a.m. - 3 p.m. BC Alumni Art Exhibition
Spiers Art Gallery
10 a.m. - Co-ed Alumni Soccer Game, Soccer
field
11:30 a.m. - Golden Club Luncheon ($12)
Porter Center for Performing Arts
11:30 a.m -1 p.m. - Rock of Ages Lunch with
club fair ($7 for lunch, pay at door)
Myers Dining Hall
12 p.m. - Volleyball Game ($5, pay at door)
Boshamer Gymnasium; BC vs. Tusculum
2 p.m. - Walking Tour of Campus, Alumni House
3 p.m. - Homecoming Picnic ($5 pre-registration,
includes admission to football game)
Brevard High School Stadium
5 p.m. - Football Kick-off (admission included
with picnic ticket)
Brevard High School Stadium; BC vs. Catawba
College
Sunday, October 27
10 a.m. - Baseball Alumni Gathering & Men’s
Softball Game, GUCoan Field