Dr. Alderson, a specialist in American and European Art from 1860 to the present, holds a Ph.D.
from Rutgers University and currently teaches art history at Cal Poly Humboldt University. Her
scholarly work explores topics in sculpture, public art, Land Art, and museum theory. She has
contributed to several academic publications, including Nancy Holt: Sightlines (University of
California Press) and Thomas Kinkade: The Artist in the Mall (Duke University Press).
In this lecture, Dr. Alderson will trace the artistic development of the American West, examining
how artists have shaped and reflected the mythology of the western frontier—from early
encounters to contemporary interpretations. With visual examples spanning centuries, she will
explore the enduring significance of "The West" as a cultural concept and the ways in which it
continues to influence American identity today.