2003 Benjamin Franklin Award Winner for excellence in Education/Teaching/Academics!
“Deaf Artists in America promises to be a cornerstone work in Deaf Studies for years to come, due to the commitment of both its author and its publisher, DawnSignPress. It is scholarly, passionate, and beautifully produced”. – Bonnie Meath-Lang, Performing Arts, NTID/RIT
Deborah Sonnenstrahl’s resolve, dedication, and love of art have come together to build the foundation for the long-awaited, Deaf Artists in America: Colonial to Contemporary.
In a work that is both scholarly and luminous, deaf art historian and Gallaudet University Professor Emeritus Deborah Sonnenstrahl shows the contributions to the visual arts of deaf artists in America. Through profiles of the artists’ lives and stunning selections of their work, Sonnenstrahl paints her own picture of a group of artists that was often challenged, marginalized, and even oppressed, but nevertheless inspired to create.
More than just an art book, Deaf Artists in America: Colonial to Contemporary spans the creation and recognition of American Sign Language and Deaf culture, making it suitable for adoption as a primary or supplemental Deaf Studies text.
Deborah Sonnenstrahl taught Art History and Museum Studies for 32 years. In that time, her teachings have enriched the minds of thousands of eager students who have gained an appreciation of art history and an understanding of how deaf artists have influenced Deaf culture. Currently she acts as a consultant, advisor, panelist, and judge for numerous national organizations and museums including the American Association of Museums and the Smithsonian Institution. She also works as a Museum and Art Exhibition Docent and has served on the Art Forum Planning Committee at the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts.
