Alumni: Studio Art

Graduates from the studio art program have gone on to do great things in fine art, commercial art, education, business, and more. Below are a few profiles of former students.


 

 

Alum Sidney Mullis with 3 of her pieces. From left to right: “Bra-ces, Bra-ces” 2016 papier-mâché, fabric, elastic, wire, aluminum, socks, button, rubber 4x3x6′, “Fake Grapes” 2016 doll hair, papier-mâché, fabric, rubber bands, paint 12x10x10″, “Sleepover” 2015 balloons inflated with bated breath, foam, fabric, bouncy ball, wood, papier-mâché, glitter, earplugs size varies (8′ tall)

Sydney Mullis
Class of 2014
Website:
www.sidneymullis.com

Sidney Mullis is a sculptor who makes work about puberty, the intimacy of forgetting, and the performance of gender. She is currently an artist-in-residence at Bunker Projects in Pittsburgh, PA and is thinking about childhood selves. Through building a fanciful ceremonial landscape, she is trying to find where they go in adulthood and if it is possible to bring them back.

Her work has been exhibited nationally and internationally including Berlin, Tokyo, England, and Croatia. Solo shows include the Leslie-Lohman Museum (NYC), Neon Heater Gallery (OH), Bucknell University (PA), Rowan University (NJ), Galleri Urbane (TX), University of Mary Washington (VA), and more. She has been an artist-in-residence at The Wassaic Project, Women’s Studio Workshop, MASS MoCA, Ox-Bow School of Art, among others. Her work has been featured in publications, such as Hyperallergic, Young Space, and Sculpture Magazine. Mullis currently teaches 3D Foundations, Sculpture, and Critical Studies at Penn State University. She is the program coordinator of Penn State’s John M. Anderson Endowed Lecture Series and was awarded a Creative Achievement Award by the University in 2016.

 


 

Alum Ali Mei

Ali Meier
Class of 2009

In May 2019, Ali graduated from medical school and moved to Charlottesville to start her residency in Psychiatry at the University of Virginia. She can’t wait to visit UMW more and is excited to be back in Virginia!

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

Alum Tenee’ Hart

Tenee’ Hart
Class of 2011

Website: teneehart.com
After attending UMW Tenee’ went on to pursue an MFA in Studio Art from Florida State University. Tenee’ graduated in 2015 and has since worked at FSU in the Art Department. She is also currently the Department of Art Graduate Advisor & Coordinator as well as the Graduate Studio Facilities Manager. Most importantly to Tenee’ she is an active and exhibiting artist. In regards to her work Tenee’ says, ” I consider myself to be a non-traditional fiber sculpture artist, as I am not a purist to the fiber medium. The artwork I make pursues themes of feminism that delve into topics of beauty, anatomy, and roles of women.”

 

 

 


Georgia Heinrich Gregory

Georgia Heinrich Gregory (Studio Art, 1983) was the recipient of the 2013 Outstanding Kansas Secondary Art Educator of the Year by the Kansas Art Education Association.


Matt Czapiewski

Matt moved to New York City in 2011 after graduating from the Studio Art program at UMW. He works full-time as a Motion Designer for a video advertising company, in which he’s worked on ads for brands such as Target, Microsoft, Chase, Olive Garden, and Virgin Mobile. He also does freelance work in cartoon animation and illustration. Shortly before moving to New York City, Matt started drawing a comic strip called Eat That Toast, which has a steady following.

In addition to his visual art work, Matt also studied improv at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater, which he considers his own personal graduate program. About his experience at UMW, Matt says, “The most valuable thing I learned from the Art program at UMW was how to be a critical thinker and take risks.”

Matt Czapiewski artist illustrator


Lauren Wilson

Lauren Wilson (Studio Art, 2004) recently accepted a full-time job as Associate Outreach Programs Coordinator at the National Building Museum. She started at the National Building Museum as a graduate intern in 2008 and stayed involved after that. About 10 months ago, she was hired as the Associate Outreach Programs Coordinator, which means she helps to oversee the teen programming. Specifically, she manages the Design Apprenticeship Program, a Saturday design-build program, and serves as an instructional leader for the architecture/urban planning program (CityVision) and the photography/exhibit design program (Investigating Where We Live). It’s the perfect mix of creating and implementing curriculum while still being able to build relationships with students.

About her experience at UMW, Lauren says, “My time in the Art and Art History Department was such a positive and influential experience, which I continue to draw from in my current profession.”


Travis Head

Travis Head (Studio Art, 2002) went on to complete an MA and an MFA (Painting and Drawing) from the University of Iowa.  He’s currently Assistant Professor of Art at Virginia Tech University.  He has had numerous solo and group exhibitions nationwide.  You can see more of his work on his website at www.travishead.com.

Travis Head Artist Headshot Bio Works

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Have A Story To Share?

Are you a graduate with a story to share? We’d love to hear about the places studio art has taken you, and we’d be excited to share it with others. Send an email to the department’s Office Manager, Katina Taylor at kfauntle@umw.edu