Three UNC Pembroke art history students were among the presenters at the 2023 SUNY New Paltz Undergraduate Art History Symposium, which was held virtually April 13-16.

The State University of New York symposium, a highly recognized conference for undergraduate students in the discipline, accepted papers submitted by Maggie Trimpe, Brennan Jenkins and Nairobi Lewis.

Trimpe’s research was titled, “Recontextualizing Representation: Kent Monkman’s Approach to History Painting.” Jenkins presented on “The Queen Mothers Ikegobo: A Symbol for the Achievements Expected of Benin’s Royal Women.” Lewis’s current research is entitled “Cultivating the Soul.”

The research projects of Trimpe and Lewis were conducted in contemporary art classes under the direction of Dr. Beata Niedzialkowska, assistant professor of Art History. Niedzialkowska served as Jenkins’ advisor as part of his art history capstone course work.

The symposium featured the work of more than 100 talented students from institutions across the globe. The symposium aims to provide an inviting, nurturing and inclusive space for undergraduates to give their first professional talks and to increase students’ self-confidence.