Lisa Gadinas: The Beauty of Art History
Photo by Billie Throm
Article by Madeline Teeter
NEWBERG, Ore. – Lisa Gadinas, assistant professor of art and design, is the primary art history professor at George Fox University (GFU). Gadinas helps students appreciate not only art but also the cultures and context from which it comes.
Gadinas has been involved with GFU since 2022, when she began work as an adjunct instructor. Her teaching career extends much further than that, as she began teaching in the late 80’s at the University of Portland (UP), where she got her bachelor’s degree. When starting college, however, Gadinas did not have art history in mind.
“When I was a student [at UP], I got to go on the Salzburg program,” Gadinas said. The program allowed her to live in Salzburg, Austria for a year. She was able to travel to other European countries during that time as well.
“I met some of my dearest friends there,” Gadinas said. She joined her friends’ activities, one of which was visiting the British Museum. “I still remember walking into that hall in the British Museum. My life has never been the same since. It was truly a God thing.”
“We walked into the Greek section, where they had the Parthenon sculptures. It really touched my soul that someone from the fifth century B.C. can reach a 19-year-old today, in a country that didn’t even exist back then,” Gadinas said.
That moment ignited the love of art history in Gadinas, as she realized that art can transcend time and culture in its impact. “Art history does not have a great reputation. It’s seen as a dull subject,” Gadinas said. “I love it when people find out the art is so compelling, vital and fascinating. Most people by week six can’t resist learning more.”
Gadinas has seen the transformative effect of learning in her students. “You are part of a huge, beautiful, horrific, magnificent history. Learning about it bonds people in the ways that matter most: in our hearts.”
Art history helps people to see things in a new light and gives insights into other times and cultures. “I like people to reassess what makes something or someone beautiful,” Gadinas said. “Beauty is much broader and all encompassing than people realize.”
Gadinas believes this view of beauty is godly as well as encouraging. “Beauty is one of those side doorways to lead us to God,” she said. “Beauty comes from God. We’re all made in His image. It connects us.”
Currently, Gadinas is teaching an Art History survey class, Art and Global Culture, 20th Century Art History and Comic Book Art History. While it may be surprising to hear of comic book art history, Gadinas says it stretches back much farther than most would imagine.
“What we’re doing right now has so many deep roots. Many people don’t realize how interconnected everything is,” Gadinas said. The class began by looking at cave paintings and other forms of visual storytelling, which set the scene for modern day comics.
“I dearly and deeply want my students to know you are a part of art history,” Gadinas said. “Learning the context reminds us there’s meaning. We’re part of the meaning.” Through her work, Gadinas helps students to see the beauty and meaning hidden in their lives.
