…where she wrote the first dissertation devoted to studying the work of Wayne Thiebaud, a Sacramento-based painter, printmaker, and educator who is among the state’s most beloved artists. Since 2019, Mary has taught courses in global and digital humanities at San Jose State University.

In 2023, she became a fellow at the New York Historical Society and Assistant Director at Living New Deal, a national nonprofit organization that documents, educates, and preserves the history and ongoing legacy of New Deal art and public works. Dr. Okin is also the founder of two digital humanities projects, “Mining @ Tenth Street: Visualizing New York City’s Tenth Street Studio Building,” which explores the first American building specifically designed to house practicing artists, and “March With Us! Lessons in Activism at San Jose State,” which explores the history of student protest in the 1960s.

Focusing in on Dr. Okin’s areas of interest, the rise of women artists in Northern California in the nineteenth century, early twentieth-century modernism, mid-century modernism, and some gestures to contemporary art. She will focus primarily on paintings and spend a while on WPA art in California, as Mary comes to the lecture as the recently appointed director of the Living New Deal! As it happens, the New Deal is celebrating a 90th anniversary this year!

Dr. Okin will make her presentation at the Willits Center for the Arts on Friday, April 14th at 6:30 pm, upstairs in the Great Room. The Art Center is located at 71 E. Commercial St.  Willits, CA. 95490.

For more information visit our website at willitscenterforthearts.org.