Christa Irwin

Christa Irwin is a Professor of Art History at Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), where she has held the position since 2024. Previously, she served as Associate Professor at SCAD (2020–24), Assistant Professor at Marywood University (2015–20), and Adjunct Professor at multiple institutions, including Drexel University, Rowan University, and Moore College of Art and Design. She holds a Ph.D. in Art History from the City University of New York, an M.A. from Williams College, and a B.A. from Temple University.

Her research focuses on colonial Latin American art, particularly the works of Italian artists like Bernardo Bitti and Angelino Medoro in Peru and Lima. Key themes include Jesuit art’s role in colonial conversion, Mannerist techniques in South America, and the intersection of art history with cultural identity. She has also explored pedagogical methods, such as museum-based learning and pandemic-era teaching strategies.

Irwin’s publications span scholarly articles, book chapters, and edited volumes, with a focus on early modern art’s global connections and colonial contexts. Her recent work examines power dynamics in colonial art and the symbolic roles of paintings in urban settings. She has presented widely at conferences like the College Art Association and Sixteenth Century Studies Conference.

Her contributions include encyclopedia entries on colonial art and collaborative projects with art therapists to integrate cultural identity into museum practices. While no formal grants or awards are listed, her extensive teaching experience and interdisciplinary approach reflect her commitment to art’s societal impact.