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.


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
Coordinator of Sculpture Program
Department of Contemporary Art and Theater
304/876-5393
dbenedic@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

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
Assistant Professor of Art
Coordinator of B.F.A. Graphic Design Program
Department of Contemporary Art and Theater
304/876-5186
kkaineg@shepherd.edu

Ms. Jodi Patterson View Bio
Assistant Professor of Art
Coordinator of B.A. Art Education Program
Department of Contemporary Art and Theater
304/876-5265
jpatters@shepherd.edu

Ms. Stephanie Robbins View 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
Graphic Design Program
Department of Contemporary Art and Theater
304/876-5678
mscotton@shepherd.edu

Department of Contemporary Art and Theater adjunct Faculty

Jeremiah Austin View Bio
Jeff Bohlander
Barbara Chapman
Kristy Cherry
Jamie Craig
Scott Ely
Robert Farmer View Bio
Michele Foshee View Bio
Karen Gergely
Teddy Johnson View Bio
Dahn Hiuni
Robert Hynes
Beckie Laughlin View Bio
Michael Mendez View Bio
Lee Weaver View Bio