Art student Coe explores history, race and art at Newberry Library workshop
Wednesday, March 12, 2025
Media Contact: Elizabeth Gosney | CAS Marketing and Communications Manager | 405-744-7497 | egosney@okstate.edu
Oklahoma State University art history major Max Coe attended a highly selective one-day undergraduate workshop at the Newberry Library’s Center for Renaissance Studies in Chicago on Feb. 14.
This learning experience at an iconic cultural institution was fit for a participant such as Coe, who is dedicated to art history and its preservation.
“Initially, I was drawn to art history after taking a survey course, where I discovered not only my enjoyment of the subject but also a natural aptitude for it,” Coe said. “Now, with more experience, what I truly love is the freedom to critically analyze an artwork’s historical context, symbolism, cultural significance and the artist’s intentions.”
This year’s undergraduate workshop, “Race and Book History,” showcased books and documents from the Newberry's Special Collections related to issues of race and history.
“This allowed us to discuss and critique the effects of racism and develop productive responses to each issue,” Coe said. “Being able to connect with other undergraduates over such a heavy topic allowed me to broaden my perspectives and strengthen my knowledge of history and race.”
Coe took full advantage of the opportunities and connections the Newberry Library workshop afforded them, including the chance to talk with the workshop’s facilitator, Stacey Gibson, about race and its part in global and American history.
“Max was one of the most enthusiastic participants at our workshop, even though it was not strictly about art history,” said Christopher Fletcher, assistant director of the Center for Renaissance Studies. “They were constantly bringing in helpful insights and observations from their art history background, which especially enriched the conversations about the medieval and early modern books on display in the second half of the workshop. In so doing, Max showed a level of ability that I more often expect to see from graduate students.”
According to Coe, their passion for history and art can be credited to the art history program at OSU, the faculty support and the rewarding academic experience.
“Although it is a small program, it allowed me to build lasting relationships with each of my professors and feel that I was truly receiving the attention and care that every student hopes for,” Coe said. “Most notably, Dr. Cristina Gonzalez has acted as a mentor to me and countless other students, allowing us to reach our full academic potential. I am also incredibly grateful for the relationships I have built with Dr. Karen Greenwalt and Dr. Shaoqian Zhang. They are what truly shaped my academic path at OSU.”
Coe's participation in experiential learning opportunities, like attending the “Archives and the Americas” seminar and interning at the Princeton Art Museum Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, further supported their development.
“I firmly believe Max will go as far as they want to go,” Fletcher said. “I see them as someone who will be able to bring the lessons of art history into spaces and conversations happening well outside the academy, should they choose to do so. I wish every participant — graduate student, faculty or independent scholar — in our programs brought the same enthusiasm, collaborative spirit and welcoming presence that Max brought to our workshop.”
Moving forward, Coe plans on getting a master’s degree in art history but is also actively applying for full-time positions and internships in the library and archive fields.
“My senior symposium project is my most relevant work, which is a research paper and presentation exploring the art of tarot cards and their connections to femininity,” Coe said. “This is also the research I hope to continue in my master’s program. After I receive my master’s degree, I hope to have my research and personal creative writing published and to find a rewarding position within a research, writing, museum or university setting.”
Story By: Adeola Favour, CAS graduate assistant | fadeola@okstate.edu