Elissa is an associate professor of art and art history at Covenant College in Lookout Mountain, Georgia, and a Norris and Billie Little Endowed Scholar. She received her M.A. and PhD in art history from Washington University in St. Louis, where her research focused on contemporary art, the body, and empathy. Her scholarly publications include essays on contemporary Black female photographers, patronage of Hawaiian landscape paintings, and photographs of the Japanese American internment. Elissa’s broader writing and teaching explores representations of race and gender and the relationship between art and spiritual formation. Her first book, "Redeeming Vision: A Christian Guide to Looking at and Learning from Art " was published in 2023 and won several awards.
In this conversation, Elissa and I explored how art can play a transformative role in our spiritual journey. We discussed the role of the Christian viewer, the ethical dimension of visual culture, and the importance of engaging with art in a way that helps us grow in our faith. We talked about how art can challenge our perceptions, encourage curiosity, and foster deeper connections with the divine and with each other.