School of FIne Arts

Willoughby Reception Welcomes new Design chair

A reception to welcome and introduce Greg Thomas, new chair of the KU Design Department, to the Kansas City design and business community is taking place this week at the home of Ann Willoughby, president and creative officer of the Willoughby Design Group.

"When Steve Hedden, Dean of the School of Fine Arts, announced Greg's acceptance I knew that the design program at KU was poised to become one of the best design programs in the U.S.," Willoughby wrote in her invitation to a score of industry members and community leaders.

Thomas grew up in Wichita and received his design education at the Kansas City Art Institute. He joined KU in July, and brings extensive experience as a leader in the field of design and communications. Read more.

KU art student benefits from Warhol grant

Beth Powell, a master's student in the art department at the University of Kansas, got an opportunity to show her installation art in an exhibition at the Living Arts Space in Tulsa, Okla., this summer, thanks to a $60,000 grant from the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts.

Powell, a Tulsa artist who returns to KU in fall 2004 to begin her second year in the art graduate program, is the first recipient to receive assistance for an exhibition in Oklahoma from the foundation, which awarded Living Arts Space the grant in spring 2004.

Her exhibition, "Tumors," featured organic and man-made objects made of materials such as rusty nails, animal and human hair and teeth. The work was displayed at the Living Arts Space from July 15 to July 31.Read more and see photo of art.

Art Department's Hartman Awarded 2004 Kemper

Associate Professor of Fine Arts Tanya Hartman on Aug. 19 received good news when the "Surprise Patrol" presented a $5,000 Kemper Award in recognizing her excellence in teaching and advising.

Hartman, a 2003 recipient of the TIAA-CREF Teaching Award, is known for her energetic and insightful commitment to encouraging her students' creative work.

A recipient of many grants and fellowships, Hartman has also exhibited her own art at galleries around the country. Colleagues and students compliment Hartman's artistic skill and knowledge of art history, and in her nomination, one student named her "the most committed, enthusiastic, compassionate, intelligent and resourceful instructor that I have encountered at KU." Read more.

Visit the School of Fine Arts website for more information.