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University of Tennessee, Knoxville MFA Featured at the Art Institute of Chicago

University of Tennessee, Knoxville MFA Featured at the Art Institute of Chicago

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Abigail Lucien, who received her MFA in Studio Arts from the University of Tennessee in 2017 (with a concentration in Printmaking) is currently presenting Blood of the Earth, a one-person exhibition at the Art Institute of Chicago curated by Irene Sunwoo, the John H. Bryan Chair and Curator of Architecture and Design. The exhibition opened […]

School of Art Graduate Program Rises in National Rankings 

School of Art Graduate Program Rises in National Rankings 

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The University of Tennessee School of Art’s graduate program has been recognized as one of the best in the nation. The fine arts program currently ranks seventh among public universities, according to the U.S. News & World Report’s recently released 2026 Best Graduate Schools rankings. The new ranking marks a notable rise from the publication’s […]

Residency Report: Printmaking in South Korea

Residency Report: Printmaking in South Korea

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School of Art students and alumni travel all over the world to expand their knowledge and exchange ideas with other scholars and artists. Eliza Frensley (MFA 25) , a recent graduate of our printmaking program, spent several months this past fall and winter in South Korea as a resident artist. Scroll down to read about […]

From Student to Exhibiting UT Downtown Gallery Artist: Alumni Spotlight on Ceramicist Kevin Kao

From Student to Exhibiting UT Downtown Gallery Artist: Alumni Spotlight on Ceramicist Kevin Kao

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While UT’s galleries feature work from many outstanding artists every year, it’s particularly exciting to welcome a School of Art alumnus back to town. Ceramicist Kevin Kao, a 2015 MFA graduate, has exhibited his figure-ish, biology-inspired sculptures throughout the U.S., including a recent solo show at Artspace in Raleigh, NC. Kevin’s work will be in […]

New Gift Establishes Scholarships, Increased Support for Printmaking Students 

New Gift Establishes Scholarships, Increased Support for Printmaking Students 

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Students at the University of Tennessee’s nationally recognized printmaking program can look forward to increased opportunities and support starting in 2026, thanks to a generous gift from Joel and Yann Dryer.    The newly established endowments, which include the $26,000 Joel and Yann Dryer Student Printmaking Award Endowment and the $100,000 Joel S. Dryer Printmaking Endowment, will help to fund awards and scholarships for outstanding undergraduate and graduate students, in addition to equipment and materials purchase, travel expenses for students to attend residencies and conferences, support […]

Folkways and Identity: Alumni Spotlight on Ceramicist Gary White

Folkways and Identity: Alumni Spotlight on Ceramicist Gary White

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Since earning his MFA in 2022, artist Gary White’s work has been exhibited widely both across the country and in his home state of Tennessee.  A current Faculty Fellow at the Watkins College of Art at Belmont University, Gary’s interdisciplinary practice conducts a cross-cultural visual investigation that explores folkways, identity, and the experiences of the “southern Other” from a multi-ethnic southern […]

Student Study Abroad + Residency Reports: Summer 2025

Student Study Abroad + Residency Reports: Summer 2025

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Summer may be in the rearview mirror, but many School of Art students are already planning creative getaways for 2026. Whether their practice takes them to a remote Alaskan lodge, a printmaking institute in Wroclaw, Poland or to traditional quilting workshops in the Appalachian Mountains, the School of Art offers students the support they need […]

UT Filmmaker Awarded Inaugural Vimeo Short Film Grant 

UT Filmmaker Awarded Inaugural Vimeo Short Film Grant 

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UT Filmmaker John C Kelley has been awarded the inaugural Vimeo Short Film Grant for his animated project, The Ineffable Hum.  Kelley,  an associate professor of Cinema Studies and Time-Based Art at the University of Tennessee, is one of five filmmakers selected from thousands to receive the first-of-its-kind award. The grant includes $30,000 in funding, access […]

UT Printmakers attend Southern Graphics Council International (SGCI) in Puerto Rico

UT Printmakers attend Southern Graphics Council International (SGCI) in Puerto Rico

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In April, students and faculty from the UT School of Art’s printmaking program traveled to San Juan, Puerto Rico for the Southern Graphics Council International (SGCI), an annual gathering of artists, printmakers and graphic designers that draws participants from all over the world. UT’s long-standing, top-ranked printmaking program regularly has a significant presence at SGCI […]

MFA student Eliza Frensley wins competitive printmaking scholarship

MFA student Eliza Frensley wins competitive printmaking scholarship

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Third-year printmaking MFA Eliza Frensley has won the 2025 Frogman’s Graduate Student Scholarship, a nationally competitive award from one of the world’s largest and most prestigious printmaking workshops. Currently hosted by the Visual Arts Department at the University at Iowa, the renowned printmaking workshops at Frogman’s – which was founded in 1976 by University of […]

UT Art, Engineering Host METAL Bootcamp

UT Art, Engineering Host METAL Bootcamp

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The UT School of Art is collaborating with the Tickle College of Engineering to train the next generation of metal casters and forgers. Last month, faculty, staff, and graduate students from the SOA’s sculpture program helped to facilitate the first of three UT-hosted metallurgy bootcamps through the  Metallurgical Engineering Trades Apprenticeship & Learning (METAL) program, an […]

ISC Honors Two from School of Art

ISC Honors Two from School of Art

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Christopher McNulty Kyle Cottier The sculpture program at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville—already recognized and respected among national and international art communities—recently came further into the spotlight. This fall, the International Sculpture Center (ISC) honored School of Art (SOA) Director Christopher McNulty with its prestigious Outstanding Educator Award, which recognizes inspiring, influential artists who have […]

MFA Student Hannah Langer: Residency at Cub Creek Foundation

MFA Student Hannah Langer: Residency at Cub Creek Foundation

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This summer Hannah Langer, MFA student in the Ceramics concentration at the UT School of Art, completed a 3 month residency at the Cub Creek Foundation in Appomattox, VA. During her time at the residency she was able to explore not only different atmosphere firings and native clays, but also learn new techniques from the […]

MFA Student Gaby Hurtado-Ramos: Internship in Mexico City and Oaxaca

MFA Student Gaby Hurtado-Ramos: Internship in Mexico City and Oaxaca

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This summer, printmaking graduate student Gaby Hurtado-Ramos spent a month in Mexico City and Oaxaca visiting independent risograph publishers and print collectives. Gaby conducted interviews to investigate issues in both self-publishing and collectives. The conversations with risograph publishers focus on the different ways independent publishing functions in Mexico, forms of collaboration and curation, and the […]

MFA Student Ruchi Singh: Internship with the Jewish Museum in New York

MFA Student Ruchi Singh: Internship with the Jewish Museum in New York

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Ruchi Singh was an intern with the Jewish Museum New York during this past summer. The museum is dedicated to the enjoyment, understanding, and preservation of the artistic and cultural heritage of the Jewish people. This was an 8-week long online internship as part of the museum’s Virtual Summer Institute. Ruchi was a member of […]

MFA Student Chloe Wack: Internship at Penland School of Craft

MFA Student Chloe Wack: Internship at Penland School of Craft

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Chloe Wack is currently a third-year graduate student in the School of Art with a concentration in Printmaking. Her practice spans printmaking, drawing, performance, video, and quilting. Chloe has assisted and taught in Foundations instructing Art 102: Introduction to Time-Based Art, and is currently instructing Art 264: Screen Printing 1. This summer Chloe received a […]

MFA Student Gino Castellanos: Winner of Best in Show at Arts in the Airport

MFA Student Gino Castellanos: Winner of Best in Show at Arts in the Airport

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Gino Castellanos, MFA student with a concentration in printmaking at the UT School of Art won Best in Show at Arts in The Airport for his woodcut Pilgrim. Ashton Ludden, ITK Print alumna won an award of merit.  Juror John Powers, Professor of Sculpture and Time-Based Art at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, provided this […]

Megan Wolfkill, MFA Student, Is Finalist in Miami Young Painters Competition

Megan Wolfkill, MFA Student, Is Finalist in Miami Young Painters Competition

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MFA student Megan Wolfkill has been selected as one of ten finalists for this year’s Miami Young Painters Competition. Wolfkill stated, “I am over the moon about this and still in a state of shock!” The ten finalists were chosen by the 2024 Juror, Lauren Haynes is Director of Curatorial Affairs and Programs at the […]

Student Profile: Brigit Ciskowski

Student Profile: Brigit Ciskowski

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Brigit Ciskowski is from St. Louis, MO and received her BFA with an emphasis in sculpture from Southeast Missouri State University in 2016. Growing up, Brigit was surrounded by her father’s plants.

Student Profile: Shelby Reed

Student Profile: Shelby Reed

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Shelby Reed is a Studio Art MFA student with a concentration in Ceramics at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

Student Profile: Kai Mote

Student Profile: Kai Mote

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Kai Mote is an MFA student in Studio Art with a concentration in Time Based Media at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

Zoe Brester-Pennings (MFA ’23) Receives Artist-in-Residence Position in Printmaking

Zoe Brester-Pennings (MFA ’23) Receives Artist-in-Residence Position in Printmaking

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The UTK School of Art is proud to announce Zoe Brester-Pennings, MFA Printmaking Graduate of the Class of 2023, is the recipient of The University of Wisconsin-Parkside’s Artist-in-Residence (AIR) position in Printmaking. This position runs from the Fall of 2023 through the Spring 2024 semester

Student Profile: Nyssa Collins

Student Profile: Nyssa Collins

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Email: NCOLLI13@vols.utk.eduEducation: BA in Piano Performance (2016, Cal Poly Humboldt)Website: www.nyssacollins.com Welcome Nyssa Collins to the UT School of Art MFA in Time-Based Arts Program. Collins comes from Burlington, NC. She has a BA in Piano Performance (2016, Cal Poly Humboldt), and is a largely self-taught multimedia artist. Collins has created several semi-permanent pieces of […]

Student Profile: Shannon Ferguson

Student Profile: Shannon Ferguson

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Shannon Ferguson is an MFA student in Studio Art with a concentration in Printmaking at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

Student Profile: Adriana Torres Cruz

Student Profile: Adriana Torres Cruz

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Adriana Torres Cruz is an MFA student in Studio Art with a concentration in Printmaking at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

Student Profile: Cole Hancock

Student Profile: Cole Hancock

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Cole Hancock is an MFA student in Studio Art with a concentration in Printmaking at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

MFA Grad Sean Heiser Enjoys Residency in Austria

MFA Grad Sean Heiser Enjoys Residency in Austria

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Sean Latif Heiser, 2023 MFA Painting and Drawing grad is participating in an invitational residency at hotelpupik, in Schrattenberg, Scheifling, Austria. He arrived in Austria during June and will complete the residency in July.

Summer Showcase Gallery 2023

Summer Showcase Gallery 2023

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The Printmaking Showcase Gallery presents “Prints by UT Knoxville Graduate Students, Faculty and Staff” from June 5 – August 30, 2023. 

MFA Grad Danqi Cai to Teach at University of Arkansas

MFA Grad Danqi Cai to Teach at University of Arkansas

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Danqi Cai [dan-CHI Tsai] is a Spring 2023 graduate of the MFA program at the University of Tennessee School of Art. The program is proud to announce that she has been appointed as Assistant Professor of Foundations at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Arkansas, beginning in the Fall of 2023.

MFA Graduate Delany Bal Teaches Knife Forging

MFA Graduate Delany Bal Teaches Knife Forging

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Delany Bal is an American sculptor focused on fusing digital fabrication with ancient artistic practices. Working to master this hybrid craft, she integrates digital technology with cast and fabricated metals, ceramics, woodworking, and experimental surface treatments.

Landin Eldridge to Serve as Director for Gallery 1010 in 2023-24

Landin Eldridge to Serve as Director for Gallery 1010 in 2023-24

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The UT School of Art is pleased to announce that Landin Eldridge will serve as Director for Gallery 1010 for the 2023-2024 exhibition season. Landin previously served as Associate Director during the 2022-2023 year. Kaitlyn Anderson has been named the Associate Director of Gallery 1010 for 2023-2024.

School of Art Students Exhibit at GSS Awards Banquet

School of Art Students Exhibit at GSS Awards Banquet

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MFA students from the UT School of Art were invited to exhibit work at the Graduate Student Senate Awards banquet on Monday, March 27, 2023 at 6PM in the Student Union Ballroom.  The GSS Awards Banquet is the annual celebration of graduate student excellence at UT and is held during the Graduate and Professional Student […]

Scholarships: Apply Now

Scholarships: Apply Now

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Students at the UT School of Art are encouraged to apply for a variety of scholarships available to both undergraduate and graduate students. On February 10, 2023, the first set of applications are due.

RE-SEARCH & RE-PAIR at Gallery 1010

RE-SEARCH & RE-PAIR at Gallery 1010

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RE-SEARCH & RE-PAIR is a multidisciplinary exhibition curated by Gallery 1010 Director Hanna Seggerman and Associate Director Landin Eldridge as part of the 2023 Tennessee Triennial for Contemporary Art.

School of Art Hosts Development Council

School of Art Hosts Development Council

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The University of Tennessee School of Art hosted a meeting of the Development Council this Fall. The School of Art’s Development Council is a group of committed alumni and friends who serve to promote excellence in Art, Design and Art History at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Pictured left to right are: Karyn Adams, Christopher McNulty, Barbara Apking, Michael Webb, and James Hack.

Handheld Film Festival – Fall 2022

Handheld Film Festival – Fall 2022

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Handheld is a festival of student films, videos, animations, and audio works held at the UT School of Art. It is a biannual film festival made up of the best and most interesting work being made in Time-Based Art (TBA) classes from foundations to graduate levels.

Two MFA Students to Exhibit at NCECA 2023 Show

Two MFA Students to Exhibit at NCECA 2023 Show

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Two MFA Students from the UT School of Art will be exhibiting at the National Council for Education and the Ceramic Arts (NCECA) 57th Annual Conference, The theme title of the conference is “Current.” The event takes place in Cincinnati, Ohio, March 15-18, 2023. https://nceca.net/2023-exhibitions

Capstone Fall 2022 Exhibition at Gallery 1010

Capstone Fall 2022 Exhibition at Gallery 1010

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This group exhibition by the December graduating BFA Class of 2022 takes place on December 2, 2022. This is a First Friday and prepare to enjoy a wonderful show.

Home Movies by Chloe Wack at Gallery 1010

Home Movies by Chloe Wack at Gallery 1010

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Home Movies is an installation of video works by current second-year MFA student Chloe Wack. An opening reception will be held from 5 to 7pm Friday, November 18 at Gallery 1010.

Tender Tension by Casey Wolhar at Gallery 1010

Tender Tension by Casey Wolhar at Gallery 1010

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Please join us at Gallery 1010 on October 21st, from 5-7pm for the opening reception of Tender Tension. This show will feature a video installation by 2nd-year MFA student, Casey Wolhar.

Silk Memorial by Haley Takahashi and Anthony Huang at Gallery 1010

Silk Memorial by Haley Takahashi and Anthony Huang at Gallery 1010

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Silk Memorial will consist of large-scale fabric monotype installation, experimental cyanotypes, and two kimonos made collaboratively by Haley Takahashi and Anthony Huang. Each piece will examine themes of memory, nostalgia, cultural identity, and emotional expression.

WELCOME STUDENTS FROM WROCŁAW, POLAND

WELCOME STUDENTS FROM WROCŁAW, POLAND

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The UT School of Art welcomes Agnieszka Hoza and Izabela Kabza both of whom are graduate students in the MFA program in Wrocław, Poland to be resident-artists in the Printmaking Program in Knoxville

School of Art First Year MFA exhibition

School of Art First Year MFA exhibition

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An opening reception will take place at the Downtown Gallery for an exhibition showcasing the artwork of the University of Tennessee School of Art’s incoming MFA students.

Student Profile: Kaitlyn Anderson

Student Profile: Kaitlyn Anderson

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Kaitlyn Anderson was born and raised in North Georgia. She received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 3D Studio Arts from Georgia Southern University in 2022.

Student Profile: Ruchi Singh

Student Profile: Ruchi Singh

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Ruchi Singh is an interdisciplinary artist from India. She likes to complement her artworks with a piece of writing.

West Exhibition Integrates Sculpture and Space

West Exhibition Integrates Sculpture and Space

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In spring 2018, the UT Downtown Gallery hosted an exhibition by Christina West, an Atlanta-based artist and associate professor at the Welch School of Art and Design at Georgia State University

Letting Go Through Art

Letting Go Through Art

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Erica Mendoza, a third-year MFA student in sculpture, received an award for her series #WasteHerTime2013to2017 at the 2017 SECAC (formerly the Southeast College Art Conference), hosted by the Columbus College of Art and Design.

A Story of Industry and Utility

A Story of Industry and Utility

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Ashlee Mays, a first-year MFA student in printmaking, started a hotdog business when she moved to Knoxville. Using her hand-built cart, she sells limited edition printed images of hotdogs with the customer’s choice of live-printed condiments for one penny less than the price of a prepared hotdog within a mile of the venue.

An Artistic Ecosystem

An Artistic Ecosystem

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The School of Art’s student-run exhibition space, Gallery 1010, moved to a new location at 1150 McCalla Avenue in downtown Knoxville last fall. Established in the 1980s by Don Kurka, former department head and professor of painting and drawing, the gallery derived its name from its first location in the historic Candy Factory building in World’s Fair Park, the address of which, at the time, was 1010 Clinch Avenue. In 2005, it relocated to a space on Gay Street, opposite the UT Downtown Gallery. In its new and improved home on McCalla, the gallery continues its three-decade history of exhibiting exceptional student art.

Imparting Love of Innovation

Imparting Love of Innovation

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The School of Art’s 3-D Printing Lab, located on the fourth floor of the Art + Architecture Building, is warm and whirring with computer fans, rotating digital scans, and busy MakerBots steadily shaping objects out of molten plastic.

Facilitating Community Art Projects

Facilitating Community Art Projects

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This spring, first-year graduate student Jillian Hirsch and a group of dedicated undergraduate students are launching the Maynard Project, a weekly after-school art program at Maynard Elementary School, located a mile north of UT in a historically underserved Knoxville school district. With guidance from Hirsch and Jason Brown, associate professor of sculpture, the undergraduate students will work directly with elementary school students to design and install a series of collaborative art projects throughout the Maynard School building, beginning with a mural in the library.