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School of Art + Art History + Design Director’s Letter

Even in the best of times, graduate school offers memorable challenges, but rarely have so many obstacles and unknowns been present in the pursuit of a master’s degree. The time-honored rhythms and patterns of graduate school for the Class of 2022 were unstable at best, and in person interaction with faculty, staff, and peers was limited. With fortitude, the grads forged ahead, finding a certain measure of solace through their research.

Given these remarkable circumstances, it is with unabashed admiration and pride that I introduce the 19 artists, art historians, and designers who earned their MFA, MA, or MDes degrees in 2022. There is a clarity and sense of purpose to the thesis work that reflects each individual while often addressing the complex realities of living in these peculiar times. There is also a sense of independence of vision and execution that bodes well for their respective futures.

I would like to acknowledge the support and mentorship offered by our faculty and staff who are so committed to providing an educational environment where our graduate students could thrive.

I wish to thank our contributing writers Dr. Jordan Amirkhani, Aurora San Miguel, Kascha Semonovitch, and Heidi Biggs, who interviewed the Art and Design grads, for their efforts and insights.

Thanks to Sylvia Wolf, Director, along with exhibition designers and preparators Katie Miller and Eric Zimmerman of the Henry Art Gallery for your collective support and by providing such a remarkable, clean, well-lit space for our students to present their thesis work.

I encourage you to peruse this online showcase and discover how each graduate student transformed their passion and ideas into a body of research that reflects and addresses the opportunities, challenges, wonder, confusion, and joy of the world we all inhabit.

On behalf of the School of Art + Art History + Design, congratulations to the graduate Class of 2022!

Jamie Walker
Director, School of Art + Art History + Design
Wyckoff Milliman Endowed Chair in Art