Research & Creative Achievements for Art & Art History
Find out more about the Department of Art & Art History faculty and student research and awards.
The Key Is Under the Head
Brooke Alexander
Advancing Knowledge and Creativity
Our department proudly fosters a dynamic environment for both scholarly research and creative exploration. Faculty and students engage in groundbreaking research, pushing the boundaries of art history while integrating contemporary perspectives and methodologies. Through exhibitions, publications, and innovative creative projects, we explore diverse visual cultures, histories, and mediums across time and space. Our work is not only dedicated to understanding and interpreting art but also contributing to the evolving conversation on visual expression, cultural heritage, and the role of art in society today. We celebrate achievements that bring together intellectual inquiry, artistic practice, and community engagement, highlighting the transformative power of art in shaping our world.
Faculty Achievements
South Arts Southern Prize for Visual Arts
Painter Brooke Alexander was selected for this prestigious regional fellowship from South Arts, a nonprofit regional arts organization. Ms. Alexander’s work has been shown regionally and nationally.
Yokna Sculpture Trail
Sculptor Durant Thompson co-founded Oxford’s Yokna Sculpture Trail in association with the Yoknapatawpha Arts Council, UM, and the City of Oxford. It features rotating exhibits of 18 large-scale sculptures through town and campus.
Gold Addy
Graphic designer, Tyler Barnes, worked with professional design studios and specializes in brand strategy, visual identity systems and logo design, typography, and print collateral. He has earned ten American Advertising Federation Awards, including two district Gold ADDY’s in the category of Sales and Marketing - Packaging for his packaging design for the Rye Whiskey bottle by River Basin Distillery.
Tyler Barnes
Associate Professor of Graphic Design
Distinguished Professor
Nancy Wicker, professor of art history, is the university’s newest Distinguished Professor in recognition of her demonstrated sustained excellence in research and creative achievement, teaching, and service. Wicker, who joined the faculty in 2003, studies early medieval art—including the art and archaeology of Scandinavia from the Migration Period of the fifth and sixth centuries through the Viking Age...
Graduate Student Achievements
UM Graduate Student Achievement Award
An award-winning artist originally from Iran, Somayeh Faal studies the desertification of wetlands caused by human action. Her concepts and materials are interdisciplinary—from using scientific processes to experiment with how salt can become an art medium to exploring ecological issues through printmaking, sculpture, and video.
“I have many stories, and I put my foot beyond the boundaries to prove all the impossibilities are possible."
UM Graduate Student Achievement Award
A ceramic potter and artist from Huntsville, Alabama, Peyton Lawler creates utilitarian vessels paired with sculptural stands that are centered around the idea of relationships between objects with influence pulled from architecture and birds. Her award-winning work has been nationally exhibited.
“My work is centered around the solitude found in morning coffee; a ritual that directly influences how I interpret the world around me. I am interested in creating distance between objects that reflects relationships in my own life."
Undergraduate Student Achievements
Stamps Impact Award
Angel Morgan received UM’s new Stamps Impact Award to support undergraduate-initiated, faculty-mentored research and creative achievement projects had 13 inaugural recipients. The program is the first of its kind in the nation to receive a renewable $100,000 gift from E. Roe Stamps and his family, which is matched by UM’s investment. Students are invited to apply for the awards, which provide financial resources for their research projects.
Outstanding Art History Student
Gwen Pfrenger is a standout student, recognized for her exceptional analytical skills and deep passion for art history. She brings a thoughtful, detailed approach to her studies, consistently engaging with art in a meaningful way. With a strong commitment to understanding the cultural, historical, and theoretical contexts of art, she has become a valued member of the academic community. Her dedication to exploring diverse artistic movements and historical periods showcases her genuine interest and enthusiasm for the field.
Graphic Design Student of the Year
Calyn Ashe created Penny's Dream, a children's book that explores the use of escapism as a child, particularly as it manifests in children navigating significant life changes. Its design utilizes typography and dynamic illustrations to help narrarate and condense these complex themes into material that is tailored towards younger audiences.
David Rorie Award
Rory Randle is an exceptionally talented sculptor whose dedication and passion for the craft have set her apart as a standout student in the field of studio art. Rory’s ability to seamlessly blend technique with creative expression demonstrates not only her technical prowess but also her deep understanding of the artistic process. Her artistic journey has been a testament to hard work, perseverance, and a genuine love for sculpture, making her a deserving recipient of this honor.