Liam Fitting ’23
Major: Psychology; Minor: Studio Art
Project: “Shades of Living Light: Historic Collections through an Intersectional Feminist Lens”
Advisor: Angela Fraleigh, professor of art
Liam Fitting’s educational path in psychology and studio art led to a research initiative with Angela Fraleigh, professor of art, at a local museum.
Their research project focused on the Allentown Art Museum’s collection and the textile industry throughout history, with the goal of creating resources from which to build a body of artwork to be shown in the museum.
Throughout the process, Fitting ’23 discovered the intricacies involved in curating a piece as an independent artist. The research left no stone unturned, Fitting says. He and Professor Fraleigh considered many different approaches to this project, which allowed him to see the various avenues he will have when preparing research for his own work.
“The biggest obstacle is narrowing down such a wide range of information on the subject into coherent topics that can be used to fuel artwork,” Fitting says.
While all the possibilities can be overwhelming, Fitting didn’t lose sight of the good that came out of this project. He experienced real-life applications that gave him a firsthand glimpse of what it’s like to be an independent artist. And he learned how to set up meetings with curators, work with museums, and research ideas for work—all experiences he can apply directly to his own life.
Fitting may not be expanding on this particular research, but in his future art journeys, he will be expanding on the methods he and Fraleigh used.