Calla Thompson, Associate Professor, Visual Arts, Photography
Calla Thompson joined the UMBC faculty in 1999. An accomplished artist whose work has been exhibited in traditional and non-traditional museums and galleries throughout the region, her unique teaching style integrates life lessons and embraces diversity to prepare students with the necessary skills and knowledge to be successful.
Thompson’s dedication to her students is unparalleled. She is deeply committed to furthering UMBC’s educational mission, demonstrated by her commitment to instruction and mentorship. During her tenure, she has advised students in independent studies and internships and coached recipients of the Undergraduate Research Award. She has also served on 15 graduate student thesis committees.
Thompson’s students praise her for her creative curricula and pedagogical strategies, which balance in-class instruction with off-campus field visits to experience art and culture in real-world settings. Students and alumni often remark on the positive impact of her teaching and her continuing support and guidance in their professional careers. Thompson’s form of individualized mentorship has proven invaluable for students and has inspired several graduates to pursue prominent careers in the field of photography.
She serves as a committee member for the Linehan Artist Scholars program, where she is responsible for recruiting and retaining the best and brightest artist scholars through mentorship and recognition.
Thompson received her B.A. from the University of Ottawa and her M.F.A. from Syracuse University.