Materiality, computation and visual culture

The Center for Virtual/Material Studies supports research in both Technical and Digital Art History with the aim of fostering synthetic, collaborative scholarship across these fields.

Visit the CVMS Website

A gloved hand holding a smartphone to photograph paints being brushed onto paper at the Dye and Pigment Making Workshop

Facilities & Contact

The CVMS is located in a collaborative learning space equipped with computers with DAH-specific software, flatbed and slide scanners, a large-screen monitor, and flexible seating.

Penn State shield logo featuring a stylized mountain lion in white and light blue on a blue to green gradient background.

Center for Virtual/Material Studies

241 Borland Building
University Park, PA 16802

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Research and training

The portfolio of research projects and workshops based in the Center for Virtual/Material Studies is expanding rapidly. We will feature ongoing explorations, symposia, and training events in this space.

Our People

Sarah K. Rich

  • Associate Professor of Art History
  • Director of the Center for Virtual/ Material Studies

John Russell

  • Associate Director, Center for Virtual/Material Studies
  • Digital Humanities Librarian, Penn State University Libraries

Carolyn Lucarelli

  • Manager, Center for Virtual/Material Studies

Catherine Adams

  • Digital Support Specialist, Center for Virtual/Material Studies
Scan of Munsell Color System Atlas Color Charts color wheel. Image courtesy Cooper Hewitt.

Advisory Board

Nancy Locke
Art History

Bill Minter
University Libraries

Henry Pisciotta
University Libraries

Emily Pugh
Getty Research Institute

Chang Tan
Art History

Gretta Tritch Roman
Agricultural Sciences

Dan Zolli
Art History