Art Student Catherine Gomez Studies Abroad in Chile as a Gilman Scholar

Tuesday, April 17, 2018

Undergraduate student in the School of Art & Art History Catherine Gomez has been awarded the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship to study abroad in Chile.

Gomez, who is in Chile for the Spring 2018 semester, is researching how the Chilean political climate of the 1970s gave way to the unique social engagement works in the country.

Gomez joins the Diego Portales University in Santiago to host her five months of study abroad.

She will create a body of work conveying feminist and Latinx perspectives while gaining experience with a research-based professional art practice. Gomez will also be immersed in a Latin audience that differs from her Colombian-American heritage, and she anticipates this may bring new influence to her practice.

Outside of the classroom, Gomez actively engages with the Tampa Bay arts community. Her current roles include associate at the Museum of Fine Arts St Petersburg, intern at TEMPUS PROJECTS gallery in Tampa, mentee of St Pete-based artist and illustrator Palehorse, and treasurer of USF's The Focus Group photo and video club.

Gomez is also a 2018 Research in Arts Scholar. Gomez will complete a research project from beginning to end with consultation and funding from the USF Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) as well as guidance from USF School of Art and Art History faculty.

The Research in Arts Scholarship program coincides with participation in the USF School of Art and Art History's Summer Study Abroad Paris Program, which helps scholars to inform their research in a historic and culturally-rich environment.

The Gilman Scholarship Program is sponsored by the United States Department of State. Since 2001, it has encouraged American undergraduate students to study abroad by providing funding to defray costs. This year's Gilman scholarship provides 2,900 competitive applicants with awards up to $5,000.

Visit Gomez's website to explore her art practice.