WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. — West Liberty University Professor of Art Brian Fencl recently completed a prestigious fellowship at the American Antiquarian Society (AAS), a national research library dedicated to advancing understanding of the American past.

Founded in 1812, the American Antiquarian Society is one of the nation’s oldest research institutions and holds the largest collection of pre-1900 American printed works outside of the Smithsonian libraries.

The AAS operates as a closed-stack facility, meaning materials are carefully preserved and not accessible to the general public. Through the fellowship, Fencl was granted rare access to these historical collections.

Fencl, a pop-surrealist painter, was among the first visual artists invited to participate in the fellowship program, which has traditionally been awarded to scholars and historians.

“I’m an artist, not just an academic,” Fencl said. “Though I work in academic settings, it is unusual for them to invite someone like me. The fact that I got to do it was amazing.”

Fencl was in residence at the American Antiquarian Society from Jan. 5 through Jan. 20, conducting research that will inform both his artistic practice and his teaching at West Liberty University. His project focused on exploring early visual culture and what he describes as “searching for the roots of surrealism” within 19th century illustrations and printed imagery.

“Being able to dig through illustrations from the 1800s helps build my teaching,” Fencl said. “I spent time looking at how art instruction evolved in the 1800s and became clearer and simpler.”

Unlike many fellows who produce scholarly publications, Fencl approached the fellowship with the goal of translating archival research into artistic inspiration.

“I was there to inspire the making of art,” he said. “My goal was to take all the information back with me and create work inspired by it.”

Fencl said the experience was both professionally and personally meaningful.

“I’ve been an academic for over 20 years, and this is an opportunity I had not yet experienced,” he said. “Being in a national research library with highly educated individuals working at the top of our nation’s academic community was fascinating. It is the kind of experience that deserves a sense of reverence, and I am grateful that my career at West Liberty allowed me to pursue it.”

Fencl believes the fellowship also reflects positively on the university.

“I think that this shines an incredible light on West Liberty,” he said. “For a school of our size and location to be welcomed into such a prestigious opportunity is truly special.”

Fencl plans to incorporate insights from the fellowship into his courses at West Liberty, giving students a deeper understanding of historical techniques, visual storytelling, and the evolution of artistic instruction.

The Department of Media and Visual Arts offers experiential learning opportunities that prepare students for careers in creative and journalistic fields. To learn more, visit westliberty.edu/media-visual-arts.

West Liberty University blends a small-town environment with a comprehensive college experience, fostering students’ aspirations through hands-on learning, personalized support, and unique academic programs at both undergraduate and graduate levels. To apply or learn more about West Liberty University, visit westliberty.edu.

This release was prepared by Media Communication student Gailya Dodd.

Media Contact:
Rhone Thrash
West Liberty University
rhone.thrash@westliberty.edu