Ruth M. Smith, PhD
While studying at the Marchutz Studio of Painting and Drawing in Aix-en-Provence, France in 2008, I experienced first hand the power of the arts to change people's lives. During a visit to friends in Grasse I saw them offer photography as a gift to help build bridges between immigrant and native French communities. Upon my return to the States, I dedicated my artmaking to improving the lives of those around me by adding beauty, creating opportunities for people to learn about each other through making and viewing art, and to create spaces for people to engage with difficult topics through dialogue, artmaking, and art exhibition.
I completed a master's in Art Education and Museum Education (2012) and a doctorate in Arts Administration, Education and Policy (2014) at The Ohio State University. My research focuses on community arts education, the use of poststructural philosophies in community art practice and research, narrative inquiry, and participatory action research. I am also an alumni of Anderson University, where I studied studio arts (painting) and French. My specialization is plein air landscape painting in oil and watercolor.
I am currently an Assistant Professor of Teaching for the Department of Arts Administration, Education and Policy at Ohio State, teaching primarily in the Online Master's in Art Education program. I also am a community engagement and non-profit consultant for faith-based organizations interested in serving their communities in creative, relational and sustainable ways.
I completed a master's in Art Education and Museum Education (2012) and a doctorate in Arts Administration, Education and Policy (2014) at The Ohio State University. My research focuses on community arts education, the use of poststructural philosophies in community art practice and research, narrative inquiry, and participatory action research. I am also an alumni of Anderson University, where I studied studio arts (painting) and French. My specialization is plein air landscape painting in oil and watercolor.
I am currently an Assistant Professor of Teaching for the Department of Arts Administration, Education and Policy at Ohio State, teaching primarily in the Online Master's in Art Education program. I also am a community engagement and non-profit consultant for faith-based organizations interested in serving their communities in creative, relational and sustainable ways.
