Rochelle Nielsen Visits Art 215
Julianne Sandlin
On May 16, Rochelle Nielsen was the guest lecturer for ART 215: History of American Residential Architecture, a class that examines the visual characteristics and the historical context of popular house styles in the United States from the 1600s up to the present. Rochelle gave a talk on the architectural history of North American indigenous peoples, including discussion of ritual buildings and traditional housing. Arranged by region, the lecture covered examples from Alaska to Florida and the numerous approaches that were often dictated by regional
practices and climate conditions. It concluded with a look at several contemporary buildings designed by native architects and how they incorporate traditional symbolism and building practices. Since indigenous house styles are not currently covered in ART 215, the lecture offered students an alternative to the mainstream, European-influenced styles that dominate the history of American homes. Student feedback about Rochelle’s talk consistently expressed interest in learning about how indigenous architecture is more than the physical structure and how the buildings are an embodiment of culture and beliefs.? A member of the Northwestern Band of the Shoshone Nation, Rochelle is an adjunct instructor of art and native studies at PCC and Eastern Washington University. She is also an affiliated faculty with the Indigenous Nations Studies program at PSU, and she maintains an active studio practice. In addition to the ART 215 students, Rochelle’s drawing class and several additional guests were also in attendance, making an audience of about thirty people.
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Rochelle’s visit was generously funded by the PCC HARTS Fund, which supports programming and scholarships that increases student access to the arts and humanities. To donate to the HARTS Fund, please go to the donation page and choose “Other” in the designation form. Then enter “HARTS” in the box that appears.