From the Chair: Celebrating 100 years!

Dear Art Practice Community,

Welcome to the 100th year of Art Practice at UC Berkeley! Founded in 1923, when very few universities in the country had formal art education programs, the State of California expanded its academic offerings into the visual arts. Its first Department Chair was Eugen Neuhaus, an oil painter born in Germany who emigrated to the United States in 1904 and taught at UC Berkeley from 1907 to 1949. One hundred years later, we are one of the premier programs in fine art in the country, thanks to the department's incredible staff and the faculty's dedication and talent in teaching, research, service, and creative practices. This year, with your help, I hope we can create a year of celebration marked with special events, learning more about the history of the department, and also recognizing that every day we should celebrate our accomplishments.

Joining us this year are several new faculty! Luanne Redeye is a new Assistant Professor and Area Head for Painting and Drawing; Darian Longmire is a new Assistant Professor and Area Head for Printmaking; and Mores McWreath is joining us as Adjunct Full Professor with a joint appointment in the Department of Film & Media.

We will also host an all-department Welcome Event at Platform Artspace on Wednesday, August 30 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. I look forward to seeing you all there and to personally welcome everyone to the new semester!

Warmly,

Ronald Rael
Chair, Department of Art Practice
Professor and Eval Li Memorial Chair of Architecture, College of Environmental Design