Department of Contemporary Art and Theater Faculty

The faculty in the Department of Contemporary Art and Theater at Shepherd University work as a team guiding the artistic development of each student. The full time faculty teach most of the entry-level art classes and take pride in piloting each student toward ever-greater achievements. The faculty believe a good teacher must continue to be involved and excited about the process and activity of art making. The faculty are actively engaged in learning and production and this enhances the opportunities for new ideas, new techniques and boosts the energy and quality level of the learning experience at Shepherd.

Take a moment and review the biographies of this diverse faculty who have come to Shepherd from across the United States because they wanted to be a part of this unique, dynamic contemporary art program where the focus is on learning and success.

Rick Bruner, Kristin Kaineg, Rhonda Smith, Melissa Scotton, Sonya Evanisko, Stephanie Robbins, Dow Benedict
From left to right: Rick Bruner, Kristin Kaineg, Rhonda Smith (Chair), Melissa Scotton, Sonya Evanisko, Stephanie Robbins, and Dow Benedict

Ms. Rhonda Smith View Bio
Professor of Art and Chair of the Department of Contemporary Art & Theater
Coordinator of B.F.A. Printmaking Program
Department of Contemporary Art and Theater
304/876-5294
rsmith@shepherd.edu

Mr. Dow Benedict View Bio
Professor of Art and Dean of the School of Arts and Humanities
Department of Contemporary Art and Theater
304/876-5393
dbenedic@shepherd.edu

Mr. Christian Benefiel View Bio
Assistant Professor of Art
Coordinator of Sculpture Program
Department of Contemporary Art and Theater
cbenefie@shepherd.edu

Mr. Rick Bruner View Bio
Professor of Art
Coordinator of B.F.A. Photography/Computer Imagery Program
Department of Contemporary Art and Theater
304/876-5372
rbruner@shepherd.edu

Mr. Chris Coltrin
Assistant Professor of Art
Coordinator of Art History
Department of Contemporary Art and Theater

Ms. Sonya Evanisko View Bio
Professor of Art
Coordinator of B.F.A. Painting Program
Department of Contemporary Art and Theater
304/876-5254
sevanisk@shepherd.edu

Mr. Ed Herendeen View Bio
Founder and Producing Director
Department of Contemporary Art and Theater
304/876-3885
eherende@shepherd.edu

Ms. Kristin Kaineg View Bio
Associate Professor of Art
Coordinator of B.F.A. Graphic Design Program
Department of Contemporary Art and Theater
304/876-5186
kkaineg@shepherd.edu

Ms. Stephanie RobbinsView Bio
Assistant Professor of Art
Coordinator of B.F.A. Photography/Computer Imagery Program
Department of Contemporary Art and Theater
304/876-5446
srobbins@shepherd.edu

Ms. Melissa Laine Scotton View Bio
Assistant Professor of Art
Coordinator of B.F.A. Graphic Design Program
Department of Contemporary Art and Theater
304/876-5678
mscotton@shepherd.edu