91直播 of Rome (AUR) announced today that artist and educator听听will join the听faculty in January 2026 as Professor of Fine Arts and听Program听Director of the Fine Arts Program.听听
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D茅esse听comes to AUR from Tufts University鈥檚 School of the Museum of Fine Arts (SMFA), where she serves as Professor of the Practice (Drawing & Painting) and Chair of Drawing and Painting. Her teaching and leadership experience, coupled with a globally recognized interdisciplinary听approach, will advance AUR鈥檚 studio curriculum and the program鈥檚 Rome-based experiential model.听
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D茅esse鈥檚 work - rooted in what she terms听Afrobaroque听and听digital Vodunism听(merging traditional and digital media, while drawing on Afrofuturism and the global Baroque) - moves across painting, drawing, site-specific installation, performance, experimental sound, digital printmaking, and film. Her practice examines human and post-human identities, the future of race and sexuality, and the affective power of images and objects.听
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She has exhibited or presented work in North America, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America, including at venues such as the听Indianapolis Museum of Contemporary Art,听Black Mountain College Museum and Arts Center, the听Mahmoud Darwish Museum听(Palestine),听Katonah Museum of Art听(NY),听Galerie Nord听(Germany),听and the听B2 Center for Media, Arts & Performance听(CO). Her practice has been supported by residencies and fellowships including听Yaddo听(NY), the听Bogliasco Foundation听(Italy),听c.r.e.t.a. rome听(Italy),听Residencia Internacional de Arte Can Serrat听(Spain),听the Hungarian Multicultural Center听(Hungary), and听Baldwin for the Arts听(NY).听听
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At AUR, D茅esse will lead program development across drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, and expanded media, strengthening pathways that connect studio coursework with Rome鈥檚 museums, contemporary art spaces, and artisan networks. The appointment aligns with the Fine Arts program鈥檚 mission: combining rigorous studio training with critical inquiry and on-site learning in one of the world鈥檚 great art capitals.听
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On announcing her appointment, President Scott Sprenger stated,听鈥淪oul茅听D茅esse听brings the rare combination of an internationally acclaimed practice and proven academic leadership. Her appointment accelerates our ambition to position AUR鈥檚 Fine Arts program at the intersection of studio excellence, critical theory, and Rome鈥檚 living art听and design听ecosystem.鈥澨�
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About AUR鈥檚 Fine Arts Program听
AUR鈥檚听BA in Fine Arts听blends traditional studio competencies with critical inquiry and on-site learning - leveraging Rome as听鈥渙ur classroom, studio, and inspiration.鈥澨齋mall classes, dedicated faculty mentorship, and city-embedded fieldwork prepare students for graduate study and creative careers across the visual arts and cultural sectors.