Heather Layton

Heather Layton is an Associate Professor of Art at the University of Rochester with a diverse background in art education, creation, and social engagement. Here are some key details about her:

Education and Career

Heather Layton received her MFA in Painting from SUNY New Paltz in 2002 and her BFA in Art Education from Syracuse University in 1997.1 She has been an Associate Professor of Art at the University of Rochester since 2006, where she currently serves as the Director of the Art NY Program.1

Teaching and Research Interests

At the University of Rochester, Layton teaches undergraduate courses including:

• Painting
• Performance Art and Social Intervention
• Food Matters: Gender, Ethnicity, and National Identity5

Her research interests encompass:

• Art diplomacy
• Socially engaged art
• Painting and drawing
• Installation
• Interdisciplinary art4

Artistic Work and Exhibitions

Layton is a contemporary artist whose work spans various mediums, including painting, mixed media, and performance art.2 Her art often addresses current sociopolitical events and has been exhibited both nationally and internationally.3 Some notable exhibitions include:

• "The Weight of Optimism" at Iona College (2022)
• "The Sum of Wishful Thinking" at MoCA LI (Museum of Contemporary Art Long Island) (2019)
• "Home Drone" at the Hampden Gallery, University of Massachusetts Amherst (collaboration with Brian Bailey)2

Social Engagement and Activism

Layton is known for her commitment to social intervention and cultural exchange projects. Some of her notable initiatives include:

• Collaborations with health centers to transform hospital spaces
• Workshops for social workers and foster care professionals in Alaska
• Projects with refugee communities1

She has been recognized as a "Citizen Diplomat" by the U.S. State Department Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs for her intercultural projects in Pakistan and Nagaland.1

Awards and Recognition

Layton has received several awards and grants for her innovative teaching and community engagement, including:

• Professor of the Year in the Humanities, University of Rochester Student Association (2013)
• Multiple Community-Engaged Course Operational Grants
• Teaching Innovation Grant from the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning1

Despite the challenges in the world, Heather Layton remains "stubbornly optimistic" and continues to use her art and teaching to bridge cultures and inspire positive change.3