Education

• PhD, History of Art, University of St Andrews
• MLitt, History of Art, University of St Andrews
• BS, Biological Sciences, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks AK

Biography

Dr Laura Walters is an artist, art historian, educator, and musician. She believes that art and art history are crucial for a fuller view of humanity and human history. Laura is from Alaska and lives and works in Anchorage, continuing to practice art, teach, and give art history talks around the community to local organizations and schools. She received her Master of Letters and Doctorate from the University of St Andrews, in Scotland, where she wrote her doctoral thesis, “Odoardo Fialetti: The Interrelation of Venetian Art and Anatomy, and his Importance in Italy and England (1573 – c.1638).” Her work focused on Fialetti’s contributions to the history of art, primarily in his role as a printmaker who illustrated a variety of 17th century texts, including drawing books, and anatomy texts for Giulio Casseri, and his importance in the English collecting circles of Sir Henry Wotton, as well as the Earl of Arundel and his wife, Aletheia Talbot. 

Her research interests include early drawing books, historical anatomies, and the interrelation of art and science, particularly as it concerns biology. As an artist, her studio practice focuses on printmaking (both linoleum block, etching, and cyanotype), and portraiture, for which she has won several national awards. She taught previously at the University of St Andrews in the School of Art History for five years and had the opportunity to design a class for the English Language Teaching Unit for foundation year art history students before their degree program. Additionally, she worked for the Public Catalogue Foundation (now ArtUK), cataloguing oil, tempera, and acrylic paintings in public collections across Scotland (including Edinburgh, Fife and Central Scotland, and the National Trust for Scotland). 

Teaching Responsibilities

• Art Appreciation

Publications

• Oil Paintings in Public Ownership in Central Scotland and Fife, Central Scotland and Fife Coordinator, 2014.
• “Finding Fialetti: Examining the oeuvre of Odoardo Fialetti through sources relating to his English patronage”, Art and Identity: Visual Culture, Politics and Religion in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance (eds. S. Cardarelli and E. J. Anderson), (CSP: 2012), pp.243–268.
• Oil Paintings in Public Ownership in Edinburgh: The City of Edinburgh Council, University of Edinburgh and Historic Scotland, Edinburgh I Coordinator, 2012.
• Oil Paintings in Public Ownership in The National Trust for Scotland, The National Trust for Scotland Lead Coordinator, 2012.
• Oil Paintings in Public Ownership in the National Galleries of Scotland, National Galleries of Scotland Coordinator, 2012.
• “Odoardo Fialetti: The Interrelation of Venetian Art and Anatomy, and his Importance in Italy and England (1573 – c.1638)”, Unpublished Doctoral Thesis, University of St Andrews, 2009.

Career History/Work Experience

• Lead Coordinator and Coordinator, Public Catalogue Foundation (ArtUK)
• Tutor, School of Art History, University of St Andrews
• Lecturer, English Language Teaching Unit, University of St Andrews
• Student Assistant in Museum Education, University of Alaska Museum of the North
• Commissioner, Arts Advisory Commission, Municipality of Anchorage

Selected Lectures

• “Art of St Peter’s Basilica” – Holy Family Cathedral, Religion and Arts Series, Forthcoming.
• “The Influence of English and French Portraiture on the Art of America” – Col. John Mitchell Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, 2/18/2023.
• “Art of the Counter Reformation and Baroque: Caravaggio and Bernini” – Holy Family Cathedral, 7/20/2022.
• “Art of Venice” – Holy Rosary Academy, and Col. John Mitchell Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, 09/9/2021 and 09/10/2021
• “Mary Magdalene in Art: Saint and Sinner” – Holy Family Cathedral, Religion and the Arts Series, 07/22/2021.
• “Art of America” – Col. John Mitchell Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, 04/08/2021.
• “Ancient Art History,” “Medieval Art History,” “Renaissance Art History,” and “Modern Art History” – Holy Rosary Academy, 2017.
• “Nicolas Poussin’s Seven Sacraments Series: Exploring Ideas of Biblical Authenticity, Style, and Devotion in Art” – Theology and Brew, 01/28/2014.
• “Navigating Archival Research in Italy: From Venice to the Vatican” – Col. John Mitchell Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, 11/14/2013.
• “Royal Patronage and Collecting in the 17th Century” – Friends of Clackmannanshire Museum and Heritage Service, 10/25/2011.
• “Finding Fialetti: Examining the œuvre of Odoardo Fialetti through the sources relating to his English patronage” – Art and Identity Conference, University of Aberdeen, 06/27/2008.
• “Accounts of the Paintings of Odoardo Fialetti in Early Biographies and Guides of Venice” – Research Seminar, School of Art History, University of St Andrews, 12/05/2007.
• “Body Beautiful: The Relationship between Artists and Anatomists in the Late Renaissance and Early Baroque” – Anatomy Acts Exhibition Program, 11/01/2006.