Alumni Activities
Joni Zavitsanos creates new work to memorialize lives lost to COVID-19
ABC
Joni Zavitsanos (B.F.A., Studio Art, 1986) is creating an art memorial for the City of Houston, depicting more than 160 lives lost due to COVID-19. Photo by Diamantis Zavitsanos
Andrew Hinderaker creates new Netflix series
Thrillist
Writer Andrew Hinderaker’s (M.F.A., Playwriting, 2013) new series, Away, is now streaming on Netflix. The space drama follows a woman on the first human-led mission to Mars after leaving behind her husband and daughter. Photo courtesy of Netflix
Emily Edwards curates and commissions newly created video by fellow alumna Ariel René Jackson
Dallas Contemporary
In January 2021, Dallas Contemporary will open a newly created video by Ariel René Jackson (M.F.A., Studio Art, 2019. Ariel René Jackson: Doubt & Imagination was commissioned by the show's curator, Emily Edwards (B.A., Art History, 2015). The video debuts a lyrical film essay, combining poetry, memoir and research overlaid with in-camera effects. Film still courtesy of Ariel René Jackson
Gay Gaddis inducted into 2020 McCombs Hall of Fame
McCombs School of Business
Gay Gaddis (B.F.A., Studio Art, 1977 ) has been inducted into the 2020 McCombs School of Business Hall of Fame. The award is the highest honor given by the McCombs School of Business recognizing individuals for their outstanding work and contributions to the business and educational community. Gaddis is the founder of The Think Tank (T3), an Austin-based advertising agency and marketing consultancy, which grew to be the largest advertising agency in the country owned by a woman.
Studio Art alumna Gay Gaddis hosts a series of live leadership webinars
Webinars
Gay Gaddis (B.F.A., Studio Art, 1977) is hosting a series of live leadership webinars between July 15 and Aug. 12. The series, “Eating Risk for Breakfast” includes advice found in Gaddis' book, Cowgirl Power: How to Kick Ass in Business & Life. Gaddis is the founder and CEO of T3, an Austin-based advertising agency.
Constance Cortez receives 2020 Digital Extension Grant
American Council of Learned Societies
Constance Cortez (M.A., Art History, 1986) received a 2020 Digital Extension Grant from the American Council of Learned Societies for her work "Generative Rhizomes: Extending Digital Discovery of Mexican American Art,” the first national-level digital portal focusing on Mexican American Art.
Tamara Johnson to present Nasher Windows exhibition
Nasher Sculpture Center
Tamara Johnson (B.F.A., Studio Art, 2007) is set to present the Nasher Sculpture Center's Nasher Windows exhibition, a new series sited within the Nasher’s entrance vestibule on Flora Street, from May 22 through May 27. As an homage to the Nasher collection, Johnson created a piece titled "Deviled Egg and Okra Column.” The work is a nod to Brancusi’s "Endless Column,” and features a mirroring tower of stacked deviled eggs and pickled okra, cast in resin and spanning the height of the vestibule space. Photo by Trey Burns
Natalie Svacina named 2020 Western Region Museum Education Art Educator
National Art Education Association
Natalie Svacina (B.A., Art History, 2006) was awarded the National Art Education Association’s 2020 Western Region Museum Education Art Educator Award. She was recognized for her exemplary contributions, service and achievements. She currently serves at the Education + Residency Director at the Houston Center for Contemporary Craft in Houston, Texas, where she oversees all of HCCC’s educational programming, including hands-on activities, workshops, camps and the artist residency program. Photo by Andrew Buckler
Kathleen Kohl sends artwork into low earth orbit
MIT Media Lab
Kathleen Kohl (M.F.A., Studio Art, 2017) sent her artwork, Memory Chain: A Pas de Deux of Artifact, into low earth orbit for 30 days through MIT Media Lab's Space Exploration Institute and Space-X's Dragon spacecraft. The art is a gold chain from her grandparents' tie clip and a watch that reference their work romance at NASA amid the Space Race. The exhibition was curated by Xin Liu, who arranged for nine projects to be on board the international payload, Sojourner 2020. Additionally, Kohl’s new installation Memory Palace, which composes building plans of her present and former homes, was also set to be part of the Future Visions exhibition during SXSW. Photo by Carlie deBoer
Hayley Austin to publish her first monograph
Kris Graves Projects
Hayley Austin (B.F.A., Studio Art, 2009) will publish her first monograph, “The Springs,” with Kris Graves Projects in April 2020. The book is comprised of photographs taken in Las Vegas in 2018 and is a limited edition, with only 250 copies available for pre-sale.