Mary Jo Watson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mary Jo Watson
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Mary Jo Watson, Seminole art historian, director emeritus and Regents Professor at University of Oklahoma School of Art and Art History
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| Citizenship | Seminole Nation of Oklahoma and United States |
| Education | University of Oklahoma |
| Occupation | art historian, educator |
| Known for | founding the Native American art history program at the University of Oklahoma |
Mary Jo Watson is a proud member of the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma. She is a famous art historian and a respected professor at the University of Oklahoma. She used to be the director of the School of Art and Art History there. Her main work is about how to teach and understand Native American art.
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Learning and Early Life
Mary Jo Watson was born in Seminole, Oklahoma. She is an official member of the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma. She went to Seminole High School.
Her College Studies
Mary Jo Watson studied at the University of Oklahoma. In 1974, she earned her first degree in art history. She then got a master's degree in 1979. This degree focused on Seminole art and culture. In 1993, she earned her doctorate degree. This higher degree was in Native American art history.
Her Career in Art
Before working at the university, Watson taught at Seminole Junior College. She also taught for one year at Bishop McGuiness High School.
Working at Museums
Starting in 1978, Watson helped organize art shows. These shows were at the Center of the American Indian in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She became the director of this museum in 1984. She led the museum until 1988.
Teaching Native American Art
When Watson was a student, the University of Oklahoma did not offer classes on Native American art. So, she started teaching it herself in the 1970s. In 1980, she taught the first official course on the subject.
In 1993, Watson became a full-time professor at the university. She created many new courses. These classes were about Native American art. She even created a special class called "American Indian Women Artists."
Leading the School
In 2002, she became an associate dean. This is a leadership role in the university. By 2008, she became a "Regents Professor." This is a very high honor for a professor. From 2006 to 2013, she was the director of the School of Art and Art History. During this time, she helped create a special program. This program allowed students to earn a doctorate degree in Native American art history.
She also worked as a curator at the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art at OU. A curator is someone who takes care of and organizes art collections.
Awards and Special Honors
Mary Jo Watson has received many awards for her work.
Important Awards
- She won two Governor's Art Awards. One was for her service, and another for her work in education.
- The Paseo Art Association gave her a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2010.
- She has been a judge at the famous Santa Fe Indian Market. This market celebrates Native American art.
Grants and Recognition
Watson has also received important grants. These are funds given to support research or projects. She earned two grants from the National Science Foundation. She also got one grant from the National Endowment of the Arts.
In 2014, she was added to the Oklahoma Higher Education Heritage Society Hall of Fame. In 2019, the Oklahoma Historical Society added her to their Oklahoma Historians Hall of Fame.
Her former students and colleagues created a special scholarship in her honor. It is called the Mvhayv Award. This scholarship helps students at the University of Oklahoma.
