Amy Sowder-Koch, Ph.D.

Art + Design Chair, Professor

Name

Contact Info

Phone:
Office:
Center for the Arts
Room 3103 E
Email:
Hours:
By appointment or by hours published on office door

Education

PhD Art History; dissertation: “Greek Bronze Hydriai”, Emory University, Atlanta, GA

MA Art History; thesis: "The Decorated Ceiling of the Ionic Porch, Sanctuary of the Great Gods, Samothrace”, Emory University, Atlanta, GA

BA Art History, History, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN

Areas of Expertise

Art History (Art and Archaeology of the Ancient Mediterranean)

Biography

Dr. Amy Sowder Koch is a scholar of ancient Greek art, particularly specializing in bronze vases and architectural sculpture. She teaches a wide range of classes focusing on the art, architecture, and archaeology of the ancient Mediterranean world. 

Accomplishments

Papers and Lectures

2015                “A Man and His Hydria: Rethinking the Role of the Water Jar in the Masculine Sphere” 111th Annual Meeting of the Classical Association of the Middle West and South, Boulder, CO

2015                Session Chair, “Roman Art and Monuments”

111th Annual Meeting of the Classical Association of the Middle West and South, Boulder, CO

2014                “Looking Up: Ceilings and Structures in the Sanctuary of the Great Gods at Samothrace” Invited lecture, Archaeological Institute of America, Baltimore chapter

2013                “Al Momia,” Film screening and public lecture/ discussion facilitator, Walters Art Museum

2013                “Lost to Time: Ancient Greek Bronzes in the Walters Art Museum,” Invited gallery lecture, Walters Art Museum

2013                “Not Long for this World: Late Classical Bronze Hydriai for the Living and the Dead”

109th Annual Meeting of the Classical Association of the Middle West and South, Iowa City, IA

2013                “Reconstructing the Decorated Ceiling of the Hall of Choral Dancers in the Sanctuary of the Great Gods, Samothrace” in the organized colloquium “The Sanctuary of the Great Gods on Samothrace: Architecture, Cult, and Connections”

Presenter and Panel Co-Organizer

114th Annual Meeting of the Archaeological Institute of America, Seattle, WA

2012                Session Chair, “Greek Art and Archaeology”

                        108th Annual Meeting of the Classical Association of the Middle West and South, Baton Rouge, LA

2011                “Connoisseurship? Science? Who’s Right?: Authentication, Value, and Art” Presentation and discussion with Art Educators, based on a screening of the film Who the #$&% is Jackson Pollock?,A Documentary

Invited Moderator, Towson University Student Chapter of the National Art Education Association

2011                “Design in Ancient Greece: Inscribed Bronze Hydriai: Perspectives on the Uses of Water Jars in Ancient Greece”

                        Invited lecturer, Society for History and Graphics (SHAG), Baltimore, MD

2011                “In the Presence of Gods, Kings, and Heroes: A New Reconstruction and Interpretation of the Decorated Ceiling of the Hall of Choral Dancers in the Sanctuary of the Great Gods, Samothrace”

                        107th Annual Meeting of the Classical Association of the Middle West and South, Grand Rapids, MI

2010                “Recent Work in the Sanctuary of the Great Gods, Samothrace”

                        Faculty lecture, College of Fine Arts and Communications Colloquium, Towson University

2009                “Far from the Fountains: Inscriptions on Bronze Hydriai and the Importance of Water Jars in Ancient Greece”

                        Keynote lecture, Towson University Art History Club Symposium

2009                “Far from the Fountains: Inscriptions on Bronze Hydriai and the Importance of Water Jars in Ancient Greece”

Emory Art History Graduate Student Symposium, Michael C. Carlos Museum, Atlanta, GA

2009                “Inscribed Bronze Hydriai: New Perspectives on the Functions of Water Jars in Ancient Greece”

Archaeological Institute of America 110th Annual Meeting, Philadelphia, PA

2008                “Greek Bronze Hydriai at the Metropolitan Museum”

Fellows’ Colloquium, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

2007                “Archaic Greek Bronze Hydriai”

                        American School of Classical Studies at Athens, Athens, Greece

2007                “Images of Power: An Investigation of the Decoration, Function, and Significance of Early Archaic Bronze Hydriai”

Archaeological Institute of America 108th Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA

“Beasts in Bronze: New Acquisitions in the Carlos Museum”

Michael C. Carlos Museum, Emory University, Atlanta, GA

2006                “The Decorated Ceiling of the Ionic Porch, Sanctuary of the Great Gods, Samothrace”

Archaeological Institute of America 107th Annual Meeting, Montréal, Québec

 

Publications

In-Press                   “The Coffered Ceiling of the Ionic Porch, Sanctuary of the Great Gods, Samothrace,” in B.D. Wescoat, Samothrace; Excavations Conducted by the Institute of Fine Arts of New York University: Vol. 9: The Monuments of the Eastern Hill. American School of Classical Studies Publications. Forthcoming.

2015                 “Far from the Fountains: Inscriptions on Bronze Hydriai and the Importance of Water Jars in Ancient Greece” Forthcoming, BABESCH (2015): 13-42.

2014                Review of Richard T. Neer, Greek Art and Archaeology: A New History, c. 2500–c. 150 BCE. New York: Thames and Hudson, 2012. CAA reviews.org (January 2, 2014). http://www.caareviews.org/reviews/1978.

2012                “Bronze,” Encyclopedia of Ancient History. Wiley-Blackwell Publications.

2012                “Bronzes in the Fordham Collection”, catalogue entries for Ancient Mediterranean Art: The William D. and Jane Walsh Collection at Fordham University. Edited by J. Udell. New York: Fordham University Press, 2012.

2010                “A New Ceiling for the Hieron in the Sanctuary of the Great Gods, Samothrace,” in Samothracian Connections: Essays in honor of Professor James R. McCredie. Edited by O. Palagia and B.D. Wescoat. Oxbow Press, 2010: 133-151.

2010                “Metals,” electronic catalogue entries for iSamothrace: Framing the Mysteries of the Great Gods at Samothrace.

2008                "Ancient Greek Bronze Vessels," In Timeline of Art History. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2000. (online publication). http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/agbv/hd_agbv.htm (April 2008)

Selected Awards and Fellowships

2015                Faculty Travel Grant, College of Fine Arts and Communication, Towson University for conference presentation at the117th Annual Meeting of the Archaeological Institute of America, New Orleans, LA

2013                Faculty Travel Grant, College of Fine Arts and Communication, Towson University for conference presentation at the109th Annual Meeting of the Classical Association of the Middle West and South, Iowa City, IA

2012                Faculty Travel Grant, College of Fine Arts and Communication, Towson University for conference presentation at the 114th Annual Meeting of the Archaeological Institute of America, Seattle, WA

2011                Faculty Travel Grant, College of Fine Arts and Communication, Towson University for conference presentation at the 107th Annual Meeting of the Classical Association of the Middle West and South, Grand Rapids, MI

2010                Faculty Travel Grant, College of Fine Arts and Communication, Towson University, for travel and research in the Sanctuary of the Great Gods, Samothrace

2008-2009       Research Fellow, Collaborative Research in the Humanities Grant, Emory University, Atlanta, GA

2007-2008       Bothmer Art History Fellowship, Department of Greek and Roman Art, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

Samuel H. Kress Fellowship, American School of Classical Studies, Athens, Greece

2005-2006       Dean’s Teaching Fellowship, Emory University, Atlanta, GA

Courses Taught

  • ARTH 221 & 222 Survey of Western Art I & II
  • ARTH 306 Art & Architecture of the Classical World
  • ARTH 391 Research Methods in Art History
  • ARTH 498 Internship in Art History
  • ARTH 303 Myths and Legends in Greek Art
  • ARTH 341 Women in Ancient Art
  • ARTH 494 Study Abroad: The Art and Culture of Rome