KATHRINE G. MCGOVERN COLLEGE OF THE ARTS WELCOMES NEW DIRECTOR OF THE SCHOOL OF ART
Beth Matusoff Merfish Appointed Director, Bringing Expertise in Art History and Passion for Public Engagement
Kathrine G. McGovern College of the Arts proudly announces the appointment of Beth Matusoff Merfish as the new Director of the School of Art. Merfish brings a rich background in art history and a passion for public engagement in the arts.
Her journey began with a pivotal moment in her undergraduate studies when a professor guided her from studio art to art history. "I originally planned to major in studio art as an undergraduate. However, a very loving and kind print professor gently guided me to the art history hallway when I shared my intentions with her. She told me, 'These are your people now,' or something to that effect,” Merfish laughed. This guidance sparked a deep interest in the impact of images on society, particularly in the realm of political propaganda.
Her first art history paper, written as a sophomore, delved into Mexican prints, laying the foundation for her future expertise. She further explored this interest through a senior thesis on the Mexican print workshop, Taller de Gráfica Popular (TGP), where she discovered rare prints at the Blaffer Art Museum. “I’m fascinated by how images circulate within society and influence our thoughts, actions, and even voting behaviors. My first visit to the School of Art building was during my senior year at Wellesley College, where I explored the print study collection at the Blaffer Art Museum. I discovered many unique pieces that couldn’t be found anywhere else in the world, which was an incredibly exciting experience,” said Merfish.
Post-graduation, she worked at the Whitney Museum and with Latin American gallerist Mary-Anne Martin in New York, which reinforced her desire to pursue graduate studies. She returned to the Blaffer collection during her dissertation research at the Institute of Fine Arts at New York University, cementing her long-term relationship with these works.
Her teaching career spans a decade at the University of Houston-Clear Lake, where she served as the chair of the Department of Liberal Arts, managing a high teaching load and directly influencing students. She is now eager to expand her impact through strategic administrative roles, fostering transformative education on a broader scale.
Her vision for the School of Art at the University of Houston is rooted in public engagement. She envisions the school as an integral part of the community, both serving and being supported by it.
"What excites me about the School of Art at the University of Houston is the special role public institutions play in our society," Merfish said. "A public institution of higher education serves students as its core constituency, but it also serves the entire public. There should be a permeability between the community outside the university and the university itself. We should be investing in the community, and the community should be investing in us as well."
"My vision for the School of Art is one deeply connected to the public, a vision I believe is already a reality. Our faculty, staff, and students are actively involved in public engagement, continually contributing to our community in meaningful ways"
"My vision for the School of Art is one deeply connected to the public, a vision I believe is already a reality. Our faculty, staff, and students are actively involved in public engagement, continually contributing to our community in meaningful ways," Merfish said.
"I believe the director's role is to amplify this work, highlight its current success, and promote the program as a vital contributor to Houston’s thriving cultural art scene. Our program serves as an incubator for future museum professionals who will staff Houston's museums, for artists whose work will impact the public, and for educators who will inspire a new generation of artists and art enthusiasts among our K-12 students. It’s all about fostering this kind of public engagement," she said.
Merfish aims to amplify the existing efforts of faculty, staff, and students in public engagement and position the school as a central hub for Houston’s vibrant cultural scene. She envisions the School of Art as a feeder for local museums and cultural institutions, nurturing future professionals and artists who will enrich the community. “I believe the role of the director is to amplify this work, highlight its current success, and promote the program as a vital contributor to Houston’s thriving cultural art scene. Our program serves as an incubator for future museum professionals who will staff Houston's museums, for artists whose work will impact the public, and for educators who will inspire a new generation of artists and art enthusiasts among our K-12 students. It’s all about fostering this kind of public engagement.”
For Merfish, her additional role as Inaugural Chair of the City of Houston Women’s Commission is inextricable from her work as a university professional and scholar.
“Mayor Turner asked me to chair the City of Houston Women's Commission, where we achieved significant victories. The most notable was co-writing the city's parental and prenatal leave policy, which, for the first time, provides paid leave for 20,000 city employees following the birth or placement of a baby. I have a strong belief that those of us fortunate enough to make careers in fields like the humanities, art, or art history should use our knowledge about how societies function and how people thrive to serve the public. That’s what I aim to do in my role there.”
We are thrilled to welcome such a dedicated and visionary leader to our School of Art, confident that her experience, passion, and commitment to public service will greatly benefit our students and the broader Houston community.
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