Helayna Thickpenny
Phone: 408-855-5287
Email: [email protected]
Office Location: GC-337D
Department: Art/Art History, Humanities
Helayna has taught at Mission College for almost 30 years. She teaches all periods
of Art History from ancient though modern art, as well as interdisciplinary Humanities
classes that focus on the art, literature, music, philosophy, and religion of particular
historical periods from ancient through modern. She also has research interests in
ancient Greek and Roman art and Renaissance art.
She was a member of the Board of Trustees of the Triton Museum in Santa Clara for
14 years, and is currently a member of the Museum Advisory Board.
As an instructor for Humanities 30 (Travel to Europe), Helayna led student educational
tours to Europe in order to visit cultural and historical sites. These trips are open
to the Mission/West Valley community of students, family and friends. In the past,
Mission College groups visited Italy, France, Spain, England, Germany, Austria, Belgium,
and Luxembourg. Currently West Valley College instructors are leading student group
tours to international destinations, and Mission College students are eligible to
participate.
Education
M.A., Ohio State University
Graduate Work, University of Chicago & American School of Classical Studies, Athens,
Greece
B.A., Ohio State University
Courses Taught
Art 004: Art Appreciation
Art 001A: Survey of Western Art I (Ancient through Medieval)
Art 001B: Survey of Western Art II (Renaissance through Modern)
Art 001D: History of Modern Art
Humanities 001A: Human Values in and from the Arts I
Humanities 001B: Human Values in and from the Arts II
Humanities 030: Cultural Studies (Travel to Europe)
Awards, Honors, Publications
2018: Author Theodore Wores and Impressionism in the Triton Museum exhibition catalog for Theodore Wores: Under the California Sun
2012: Presenter, International Congress for the Humanities and Social Sciences, Paris,
France
2011: Author of What the Artist Knows, in catalog for exhibition of Sculpture by Kristin Lindseth Rivera
2009: Curator, A Closer Look: Four Bay Area Sculptors, Triton Museum, Santa Clara
2006: Participant, Oxford Round Table on The Two Cultures, Oxford University, England
2001: Voted Outstanding Faculty Member of the Year by Mission College students
1996: Mission College Academic Senate Award for Publishing Excellence
1995: Mission College Academic Senate Award for Teaching Excellence
Fast Facts
Born and raised in New York City. Works on animal rescue/welfare issues. Favorite things to do: go to museums, travel, read, and practice piano.
Favorite Quote
"If a man aspires to a righteous life, his first act of abstinence is from injury to animals." ~ Albert Einstein