Director Notes
We are taking a moment to reflect after a busy and productive year. While early summer is typically a time to celebrate our graduating students, I also want to recognize several staff and faculty members who are beginning exciting new chapters beyond our school.
After three years as Director of Advising, Britta Simon will lead one final summer study abroad program in Paris before moving to Europe permanently. Becky Ryser, our Facilities and Safety Supervisor, has relocated out of state after expertly keeping our three buildings running—a remarkable accomplishment at UW. Associate Professor of Interaction Design Audrey Desjardins has returned to her native Canada to join the faculty at Université Laval in Québec City. Finally, Leo Carmona, our Media Relations Specialist, will depart UW in late August to begin his own adventure in graduate school.
While many of you may not know Leo personally, you have undoubtedly seen and read his work. He has shaped our school's storytelling and communications, including these newsletters and our website. In addition to being an outstanding writer, Leo is a talented photographer, and many of the images featured on our website and social media were captured through his lens.
We will miss each of these colleagues dearly. It truly takes a village to support our school, and Britta, Becky, Audrey, and Leo have each made lasting contributions to our community and to our success over the past several years. We wish them all the very best in the adventures ahead.
Featured Stories
2026 Graduation award winners
During the 2026 Graduation Celebration, we recognized graduating students whose outstanding achievements were honored through awards from the University of Washington, the College of Arts & Sciences, and the School of Art + Art History + Design.
Karen Cheng and Li-Yuan Chiou receive SEED-AI grant to develop AI-powered critique tool
Cheng and Chiou's tool aims to provide visual feedback on composition, giving students in large design classes more guidance between critique sessions.
Chad Hall honored with Peter Simlinger Prize
Assistant Professor Chad Hall received international recognition for his work in information design as the recipient of the IIID Peter Simlinger Prize, and was recently named an inaugural Google Higher Education AI Faculty Fellow.
Student Stories
Explore student work online
As we close another academic year, we’ve compiled a guide to the many places where you can continue exploring student work online—from exhibitions and portfolios to research projects and publications.
Following curiosity through Art History
Veronica Markey (MA 2026) looks back on what drew her to the Art History program, how her interests developed into a thesis project, and the experiences that shaped her graduate education.
Designing useful products from airbags
RE/MADE is an upcycling project directed by Karen Cheng. Now in its fourth year, RE/MADE presents AIR, a collection made from automotive airbags sourced from recycling centers in the United States and Australia.
Grief and gratitude
Using fabric, oil paint, glycerin and wax, Victoria Mackender (MFA 2026) explores the way humans and animals share the experience of grief.
Alumni Stories
School alumni at Seattle's new gallery-led art fair
Assembly is a new invitational contemporary art fair organized by a cohort of Seattle's leading galleries, happening on July 22–26, 2026, at the West Canal Yards. Founding members include Traver Gallery, led by School alum Sarah Traver (BFA 2002), and Greg Kucera Gallery.
Artist-led technology
Curator Lele Barnett (BA 1999) is one of the brains behind xispa, a new independent arts innovation lab in South Lake Union.
Jacob Lawrence Gallery Stories
Jacob Lawrence Gallery reflects on a year of collaboration and community
We are proud to share a few of this year’s highlights reflecting on the many ways the Jacob Lawrence Gallery has grown and connected with our campus community.
At the Jacob Lawrence Gallery, the 2026 Art Honors cohort displays their final works
Throughout the process of earning a Bachelor of Arts at UW, an artist's style will change and grow in many ways. Exhibiting final pieces after years of work can seem all-encompassing.
Continue reading on The UW Daily.
Other News
Assistant Professor Meichun Liu recently received a Kreielsheimer and Jones Large Grant (co-PI with Afroditi Psarra, DXART) for the project "The Skin Remembers: E-textiles that Sense, Remember, and Respond", and a Global Innovation Fund (GIF) Grant in support of the Design in Taiwan study abroad program. Liu was also awarded the Digital Humanities Summer Fellowship from the Simpson Center for the Humanities for "Touching Tacit Knowledge".
Assistant Professor Leila Weefur received a Global Innovation Fund (GIF) Grant in support of the development of their feature-length essay film, Turning West / تغريب*.
King5 News recently interviewed Professor Kristine Matthews for her studio's waterfront wayfinding project. Watch the interview as she walks us through the new shoreline signs and how they transform Seattle’s waterfront experience.
Curated by Ellen Ito, Agents of Change at the Behnke Family Gallery features all eight of this year’s Neddy Awards finalists, including Associate Professor Sangram Majumbar, award winner in the Painting category, and alums Dana Blume (MFA 2023) and ralph salazar (MFA 2025). The show is on view through September 12, 2026. Details here.
The Henry Art Gallery hosted the 2026 MFA and MDes Thesis Exhibition from May 16 through June 14, showcasing the work of this year's graduating students. Read coverage from The Daily.
Congratulations to Art History graduate Troy Sherman, who was awarded the Allan and Mary Kollar Endowed Fellowship for the 2026–27 academic year.
Congratulations to retired faculty member Ellen Garvens, who was named one of ten recipients of the 2026 SOLA Awards. Presented annually, the awards recognize Washington women visual artists age 60 and older who have dedicated 25 years or more to their artistic practice. Read the announcement.
Congratulations to Art History doctorate alum Lauren Palmor (PhD 2016), who was promoted to Curator of American Art at the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco.
Applications are now open for Pratt Fine Arts Center’s 2026–2027 Scholarships + Awards with more than $38,100 in support available. The deadline is July 12, 2026. They also have a few instructor positions available.
Contact
Annabelle Gould, Director of the School of Art + Art History + Design, soanews@uw.edu.