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2008-04-02
Introducing VYI Adjunct Faculty Member Dr. Vilma Gradinskaite

Joining the VYI faculty in 2007-08, Dr. Vilma Gradinskaite teaches the course “Introduction to Jewish Art in Western and Eastern Europe, U.S.A., and Israel.”

A native of Birzai, Lithuania, in 1997 Dr. Gradinskaite earned her B.A. degree in Art History and Theory at the Vilnius Academy of Fine Arts. Continuing her studies there, in 2000 she was awarded the M.A. degree with a thesis titled Jewish Fine Arts in the Context of Lithuanian Art, 1920-1940; and in 2004 she completed her doctoral studies with the dissertation Aspects of Self-Awareness in the Idea of Líte (Jewish Lithuania) in Jewish Diaspora Fine Arts.

Dr. Gradinskaite has taught and lectured extensively in both Lithuania and Russia. In keeping with her chief interests, she has focused both activities on Lithuanian and Jewish art and their cultural and historical connectedness, and on philosophical questions in art.

Since 1996, Dr. Gradinskaite has also published profusely on aesthetic and historical topics in Jewish art (including synagogue decoration), particularly in Lithuania, and also on Lithuanian art.

Dr. Gradinskaite’s course “Introduction to Jewish Secular Art” covers the period from this art’s beginnings in the middle of 17th century until today. With her students, she will analyze its specifically Jewish features in the context of world art.

The Vilnius Yiddish Institute at Vilnius University warmly welcomes Vilma Gradinskaite to its faculty.