Upgrades bring more visibility

Grad student Emily Kray wins Centennial Prize

What began as a way of understanding her nightmares has turned into an art project that Emily Kray hopes will act as “a portal” to help others cope with mental illness, trauma and stressors. The 2022 Marcia Grand Centennial Sculpture Prize recipient will use the cash award to expand her project, “N is for Nightmare,” into an edition of large accordion books and art installations to serve as mental health spaces within the university and community.

Alum Adam Rex tutors  illustrators, writers 

"Ideas come from everywhere," says acclaimed children's book author and illustrator Adam Rex. The 1996 School of Art graduate will try to help others with their ideas as the fall writer-in-residence at two Tucson public libraries. DreamWorks adapted Rex's book, "The True Meaning of Smekday," into the 2015 animated film "Home." "Adam's success is truly one of my great rewards as an educator," Professor Emeritus David Christiana says.

Panama inspires student in her art, filmmaking

As we celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month, meet MFA student Jacqueline Arias. She's working with artisan women from Panama — the Guna people — to make traditional mola quilts that incorporate her personal designs. She's also a filmmaker whose documentary, "Panama Narratives," was shown at the recent Arizona Underground Film Festival. 

VASE Lecture series lineup announced for 2022-23

Nationally acclaimed artists who explore the complexities of race and identity will give five presentations during the School of Art’s Visiting Artists and Scholars Series. The free VASE lectures, Thursdays at 5:30 p.m., will feature Tarrah Krajnak (Oct. 13), Deborah Willis and Prof. Sama Alshaibi (Oct. 27), Myra Greene (Nov. 17), Bethany Collins (Feb. 23) and Walid Raad (March 23) at the Center for Creative Photography.

Prof. Kim shines spotlight 

on Asian photography

Jeehey Kim, assistant professor in the school's Art History program, earned accolades for a virtual symposium series she launched last spring to highlight photography from Asia and the ways it has shaped culture and history across the continent. Kim studies Asian photography, with a specific focus on funerary photography — the practice of taking people's portraits for use at their eventual funerals.

Acclaimed artist, professor Bailey Doogan dies at 80

Margaret Bailey Doogan, a School of Art professor emerita whose acclaimed paintings and drawings addressed issues of women and aging in society, died July 4 in Tucson. She was 80. “With powerful imagery, combining bite and humor, she called out sexism and misogyny in academia as well as in the Tucson art community and the art world,” Prof. Ellen McMahon said.

Alums DiGiovanni, Jones named visiting professors

The University of Arizona School of Art welcomes visiting professors Erin DiGiovanni and Danielle Jones — both recent master’s alums — for the 2022-23 school year. DiGiovanni (MFA ’20) will teach classes in 2D, while Jones (MFA ’21) will be leading the charge in First Year Experience. Both have been adjunct instructors at the School of Art.

'Woman-Ochre,' Alshaibi events are part of series

For the second year, Arizona Arts will present its Signature Series with seven events in October, including "Woman-Ochre." In addition to the Oct. 27 VASE event, Prof. Sama Alshaibi's exhibition “Generation After Generation” is part of the series at the Phoenix Art Museum and runs until May 14.