Art History - Art - Lewis & Clark College Quick Links Apply Visit Alumni Library Giving The Source Newsroom Majors Art (Studio) Art History Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Biology Chemistry Classics Computer Science Computer Science and Mathematics Data Science Economics English Environmental Studies French Studies German Studies Hispanic Studies History International Affairs Mathematics Music Philosophy Physics Political Science Psychology Religious Studies Rhetoric and Media Studies Sociology and Anthropology Student-Designed Major Theatre World Languages Minors Art and Art History Artificial Intelligence Asian Studies Chemistry Chinese Classics Computer Science Cybersecurity Dance Data Science Earth System Science Economics Education English Entrepreneurial Leadership and Innovation Environmental Studies Ethnic Studies French Studies Gender Studies German Studies Health Studies Hispanic Studies History Japanese Latin American and Latino Studies Law and Policy Mathematics Middle East and North African Studies Music Neuroscience Philosophy Physics Political Economy Political Science Religious Studies Rhetoric and Media Studies Russian Theatre
Associate Professor of Art History Dawn Odell was awarded the Lorry Lokey Faculty Excellence Award in 2019.
Home / Academics / Art / Art History Art History We provide an exciting learning environment in which to study art in historical and theoretical contexts. You will also have direct ties to experiential learning in Portland, the third most creative city in America! Majors Art (Studio) Art History Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Biology Chemistry Classics Computer Science Computer Science and Mathematics Data Science Economics English Environmental Studies French Studies German Studies Hispanic Studies History International Affairs Mathematics Music Philosophy Physics Political Science Psychology Religious Studies Rhetoric and Media Studies Sociology and Anthropology Student-Designed Major Theatre World Languages Minors Art and Art History Artificial Intelligence Asian Studies Chemistry Chinese Classics Computer Science Cybersecurity Dance Data Science Earth System Science Economics Education English Entrepreneurial Leadership and Innovation Environmental Studies Ethnic Studies French Studies Gender Studies German Studies Health Studies Hispanic Studies History Japanese Latin American and Latino Studies Law and Policy Mathematics Middle East and North African Studies Music Neuroscience Philosophy Physics Political Economy Political Science Religious Studies Rhetoric and Media Studies Russian Theatre Why Choose a Degree in Art History? We are committed to helping you achieve the visual literacy that is increasingly essential to negotiating the world today. You will be prepared to pursue advanced degrees in graduate school; for careers in galleries, museums, or arts administration; and for a life enriched by the visual arts. Our students graduate with an art history degree, plus the ability to think creatively and critically through the way they analyze and discuss past and contemporary art. Apply Visit What You’ll Study The department offers two majors (studio art and art history) and one minor (art and art history). Our art history program exposes students to a wide variety of art from around the globe and throughout human history. Faculty offer rigorous introductions, advanced courses in specific periods in art history, and thematic seminars that consider art in the context of ideas rather than simply by chronological order. Many of our students study art history and earn course credit while on an overseas or off-campus program. In addition to general cultural programs that are open to all students, there are programs designed and led by art faculty to England and New York City. Outside the classroom, many of our students have been awarded numerous arts-related internships in Portland. Our visiting artist lecture series features nationally and internationally recognized artists working in a broad range of disciplines. Curriculum Connect With Lewis & Clark! After you hit submit, we will follow up with information about L&C, and you will have the opportunity to share a bit more about yourself. Loading...
Major: International affairs and art history (double)
Favorite Class
Ovid and the Visual Arts With Professor Benjamin David
This class introduced me to the intertextual and intervisual matrixes of allusion, which hold tremendous sway over artists of the past and present. Though couched in history, this class continues to be relevant to the way I view and move through the modern world.
Theory Through Ethnography With Professor Jennifer Hubbert
If you like to read, talk, and learn more than you could ever imagine in a semester, this is the class for you! I recommend this class to people whenever I get the chance.
Nonextant Art with Associate Professor Dawn Odell and Reed College professor Dana Katz
This was a collaborative class with Reed students and a Reed professor that focused on artworks that can no longer be experienced firsthand to explore how nonextant art informs our understanding of the past. I loved this class because it was largely discussion-based, which allowed me to really engage with my classmates.
Complement Your Education With One of These Minors The most popular minors for our art history majors are English , entrepreneurial leadership and innovation , and any of our world languages and literatures sections . What Students are Saying about Lewis & Clark I’m studying international affairs because I want to make a real difference in the world and try to help people. I added art history as a second major because I genuinely love art appreciation, going to museums, and learning the stories behind works. Jason Kowalski BA ’23 International affairs and art history (double) | Vancouver, Washington More about Jason Art history seems niche, but it includes practices from every discipline, making it an extremely interesting and well-rounded major. Jodi Fallas BA ’25 Art History | Asian Studies | Waialua, Hawai’i More about Jodi My favorite class has been Professor Benjamin David’s Ovid and the Visual Arts. This class introduced me to the intertextual and intervisual matrixes of allusion, which hold tremendous sway over artists of the past and present. Though couched in history, this class continues to be relevant to the way I view and move through the modern world. Apollo Beaber BA ’25 Art History | Denver, Colorado More about Apollo What Can You Do With a Degree in Art History? Our alumni use their BA in art history to pursue a wide range of careers within academia, nonprofits, arts production and administration, and beyond. While some students pursue a studio practice with their bachelor’s degree, others apply their critical thinking, research and writing skills, creativity, and visual literacy to many areas other than art and art history. Dedicated Faculty Our expert professors are your expert mentors. You will learn directly from faculty (no graduate assistants here!) that are nationally recognized in their fields of study and who love to work with and learn from their students. Your professors will inspire you to be a thoughtful and passionate participant in a diverse world. Your small classes will support you as you explore new ideas, find your voice, and speak your truth. Art faculty are some of the most engaged working artists in the Pacific Northwest. They are fellowship winners, run nationally recognized arts nonprofits, and have had their work supported through residencies, foundations, and grants. Our art faculty produce events annually, often bringing students on as assistants or collaborators. Meet the Professors U.S. News Lewis & Clark is on U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 “Best National Liberal Arts Colleges” list . 52 nationalities represented in our undergraduate student body 96% Within six months of graduation, 96% of the Lewis & Clark Class of 2024 was already changing the world through employment (71%), continuing studies (22%), and service work (3%), like the Peace Corps. 12% of our students are from countries other than the U.S. 125 of our undergraduate students are Third Culture Kids. Invest in Yourself A private liberal arts education is often more affordable than you think . Last year, Lewis & Clark distributed over $74 million in assistance from institutional, federal, state, and private sources. Additionally, we’re so confident that our first-year students will graduate with their bachelor of arts degree in four years that if you don’t, we’ll cover the extra semester of tuition . Find Your People The Art Club is an entirely student-run organization that coordinates lots of extracurricular art opportunities including art exhibitions, visiting artists, and the annual Art Week. Our campus also has a few student-run art and creative spaces, like the Platteau and the Coop . Incoming students can take advantage of our Creative PDX New Student Trip, which gives them the opportunity to get to know the Portland arts scene and connect with the vibrant arts programs at L&C, all before classes start. Where Lewis & Clark Will Take You We have the best professors at Lewis & Clark—especially in the art history department! The classes I took with Dawn Odell, Ben David, and Matt Johnston prepared me for the rigor of a PhD program. Claire Lyman BA ’18 Art History | Classics | Wilmette, Illinois More about Claire The art history department helped me develop a foundation of knowledge that I apply everyday at my job, as well as strong writing and speaking skills. Tyler Short BA ’21 Art History | French Studies | Chandler, Arizona More about Tyler My time at Lewis & Clark prepared me to engage with the world critically and with an open mind. My coursework challenged me to consider perspectives other than my own and to advocate for my own beliefs. Hannah Ronningen BA ’20 Art History | Religious Studies | San Diego, California More about Hannah Featured News SPRING 2026 Artist-in-Residence JACOB KIRKEGAARD Join us in welcoming of our spring Artist-in-Residence Jacob Kirkegaard’s coming to Lewis and Clark from Copenhagen, Denmark. Artist Opening will be April 16, 2026 at 5:30pm Read the story More News and Events → Art is located in Fields Center for the Visual Arts on the Undergraduate Campus. email art@lclark.edu voice 503-768-7390 fax 503-768-7401 Chair Jess Perlitz Art Lewis & Clark 615 S. Palatine Hill Road Portland OR 97219 Admissions Academics Financial Aid Alumni
