Looking Ahead Libby Rowe

LOOKING AHEAD

LIBBY ROWE

ASSISTANT CHAIR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ART AND ART HISTORY & AREA HEAD FOR PHOTOGRAPHY AT UTSA

Rowe is an artist working in photography, sculpture, interactive installation, and performance. Her artwork explores sociological, physiological, and psychological aspects of femininity, and ideas of identity and belonging through self-definitions as informed by social and domestic constructs. Rowe is interested in breaking from traditional presentation strategies for photographs to engage viewers in a more interactive experience as well as the role of the photographic image in relation to other media. Rowe’s work has been exhibited widely across the US and abroad. Rowe received her BFA from the University of Northern Iowa and her MFA from Syracuse University.

What excites you about the merger between UTSA and SSA? I am excited about a lot of things related to this merger! Bringing the faculty from SSA into the Art and Art History Department will provide our students with an even richer experience than they already have. We pride ourselves on having a vital faculty that can show students first-hand what is involved in being a working artist. Our SSA colleagues will fold beautifully into our current faculty. I'm also excited for the addition of the adult community education and the kids art programs. These bring so much opportunity for the San Antonio community to engage in the arts and we are thrilled UTSA is maintaining those programs as the merger is completed. Having had the opportunity to meet and engage with the SSA faculty and staff throughout this merger, I have so much faith that this merger will result in a dynamic and exciting new Department of Art and Art History!

What does the future hold for arts education in San Antonio (and beyond)? Bringing the SSA programming together with the UTSA programming can only poise the department to become a key art program in Texas. With the news in December that UTSA has been assigned the Research 1 designation by the Carnegie folks, we anticipate our programs will be more visible among the other strong arts programs in Texas and the region. In terms of San Antonio, I am thrilled we are able to honor the legacy of SSA and what they represent in terms of arts education for our community. I think this merger brings further opportunity for UTSA to be more active in engaging the arts educators in our city and to do more to support their work with students. Our faculty are active in the San Antonio arts community, and we look forward to more chances to bring young artists to our campus. What are some things SSA students can look forward to at UTSA? I think the most exciting thing for SSA students would be the voices of our faculty adding to those of the SSA faculty. This is a change that will offer opportunity for further development. I know the shift in size will be both exciting and challenging for students used to small classes and a small campus; however, I am optimistic that SSA students will still find they receive a lot of individual attention in their classes. UTSA also offers some different technologies than SSA, so both student bodies will benefit from expanded access to facilities and equipment. We are fortunate to offer students access to new media cameras and other equipment. We have three freshly updated computer labs, a newly renovated photo darkroom, state-of-the-art capturing systems in the DAVS lab, a new plasma cutter, and a foundry. Students also have access to the maker space in the new engineering building that has laser cutters, 3D printing, and all sorts of other technology. With UTSA's focus on technology in the arts, SSA students will also benefit from the development of a new digital arts facility in the next few years.

What advice would you give to students who are struggling with finding their niche in their new college environment? They should know we are sensitive to the differences in going to school at a small, private art school and attending a large university. To that, we will be making sure there are many opportunities for students to engage as we bring our programs together. I would advise the SSA students to jump in with both feet and see what the art clubs are doing, participate in events, screenings, workshops, exhibition openings and if they are still struggling, to reach out to the faculty for support.