Alumni Activities
Carlos Rosales named artist in residence at Abrons Arts Center
Abrons Arts Center
Carlos Rosales (B.F.A., Studio Art, 2017) was named an artist in residence for 2020-2021 at the Abrons Arts Center in New York City.
Barbara Zabel continues to teach and curate exhibitions in retirement
Barbara Zabel (M.A., Art, 1971) continues to teach courses at museums in Connecticut, despite retiring 10 years ago. She also curates exhibitions, most recently "Art of the Anthropocene" at the Lyman Allyn Art Museum and the exhibition "Fire and Ice," co-curated with artist Timothy McDowell for the Art Department at Connecticut College.
Miguel Aragon awarded 2020 NYSCA/NYFA Artist Fellowship
NYFA
Miguel Aragon (M.F.A., Studio Art, 2012) has been awarded the 2020 NYSCA/NYFA Artist Fellowship in the category of Printmaking/Drawing/Book Arts by The New York Foundation for the Arts. In addition, Aragon has also been named a New York City Department of Cultural Affairs Fellow. Photo by Xavier Minguella
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