Director Notes
Forthcoming
Featured
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.
Karen Cheng and Li-Yuan Chiou receive SEED-AI grant to develop AI-powered critique tool
2026 Graduation award winners
During the 2026 Graduation Celebration, the School recognized graduating students whose outstanding achievements were honored through awards from the University of Washington, the College of Arts & Sciences, and the School.
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
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 alumn Sarah Traver (BFA '02), and Greg Kucera Gallery. The inaugural edition will
Artist-led technology
Curator Lele Barnett 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*.
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, who is the award winner in the Painting category, and alums Dana Blume (MFA '23) and ralph salazar (MFA '25). The show is on view through September 12, 2026. Details here.
The Henry Art Gallery hosted the 2026 MFA and MDes Thesis Exhibitions 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.
Pratt Fine Arts Center is now accepting applications for its 2026–2027 scholarship cycle, offering over $38,100 in support across 14 awards.The deadline is July 12, 2026. They also have a few instructor positions available.
Contact
Leo Carmona, Media Relations Specialist, soanews@uw.edu.