Kristen is an educator and arts writer. She attained her MA in American Studies from Columbia University, where she focused on Eva Hesse and the intersection of art, feminism, and biography. Her BA is in History from the University of California, Riverside. She is currently the Department Chair of History at Polytechnic School, a private school in Pasadena, CA. She created and hosted The Contemporary Art Podcast from 2014-2017 and has published in several arts publications and online platforms. She is currently researching the art of New York City and has an instagram dedicated to that pursuit, @newyorkarthistory.
Education
MA American Studies — Columbia University, 2008
BA History — University of California, Riverside, 2006
Areas of Expertise
7 Important Works of Chicano Art
Chicano art grew up with the Chicano Movement of the 1970s. Here are seven exemplary pieces that showcase the artists’ wide array of styles, themes, and mediums.
What Was the Chicano Moratorium?
A peaceful protest against the drafting and deaths of Chicanos in the Vietnam War turned violent due to police overreach and the legacy of systemic racism.
The History of New York’s Chinatown & How It Embodied the American Dream
The United States is home to many Chinatowns, and New York City’s Manhattan neighborhood is especially notable for its vibrant cultural contributions.
10 Artists Who Chronicled Depression-Era America & Their Works
During this decade of economic depression and personal suffering, artists depicted the hard times and celebrated traditional American values.
Susan B. Anthony’s 10 Most Famous Quotes
Susan B. Anthony’s speeches and writings on slavery, politics, and gender in the 19th century offer insight into and inspiration for today’s world.
That Time Shakespeare Sparked a Street Fight
A rivalry of Shakespearean proportions turned deadly in the Astor Place Riot of 1849.
The Harlem Renaissance: Its Social and Cultural Impact
The Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s, an explosion of Black creative expression and thought, profoundly influenced the culture and society of subsequent decades.
The History of Slavery in the United States From Beginning to End
The brutal system of American chattel slavery began in 1619 and did not end until 1865 after the Civil War came to a close.