Research & Creative Achievements for Art & Art History

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.

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.

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."

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."

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.

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.

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.

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.

Clinton Byford, originally from Batesville, MS focuses mainly on graphic design. "My process usually starts with something hand-done, like an illustration or a texture, which I then bring into the digital space. I like mixing the traditional side of art with the polish of digital design. I’m always looking at other artists and designers for inspiration. One artist I really admire is Calcifiedred. I like how they use color and form to create really striking visuals." Following graduation Byford plans to find a job in design where he can keep learning and growing creatively. "The community and creativity here have made my time at Ole Miss really meaningful. Kaleena Stasiak in Printmaking and Tyler Barnes in Graphic Design have both been huge influences. They’ve each pushed me to think differently about my work and have really helped me grow as an artist." Clinton Byford can be found on Instagram @clintonbyford. 

Haley Chiles, originally from Clinton, MS emphasizes in photography. "I use a combination of digital work as well as cyanotype prints to express concepts relating to complex trauma and its ramifications. Cyanotypes are a type of alternative photographic processes that I have been drawn to due to its more hands on approach. It requires coating a light-sensitive emulsion onto your chosen surface and exposing it to light to create an image. This processes allows me to use digital negatives to create a photograph or to place objects, creating a cyanotype photogram. Once these are exposed to light, I watch them come to life in a developing bath made of water, symbolizing a sense of baptism. The juxtaposition of the traditional cyanotype process and the digital prints creates an allusion to the concept of time and its evolution." Following graduation Chiles intends to undertake a series about identity and self-discovery that would require her to travel to a variety of locations where her ancestors once lived. Haley Chiles can be found on Instagram @haleyc.photoss.

Brianna Dang is a graphic design student from Florence, MS. "I have always had a passion for art ever since I was young. I started my college career pursuing Psychology, but eventually realised my heart was with art. I enjoy mixed-media and any chance to present a more personal side of me. I gravitate towards physical mediums and imbuing them into my digital art. My Vietnamese-Chinese heritage inspires my work. I have been on a journey of filling the gaps and holes in my family history/lineage." Brianna Dang can be found on Instagram @briibriannaa and online at bd-design.myportfolio.com.

Ann Grigsby is a painter originally from Hot Springs, AR. "While I considered a number of different paths, I felt that there was no other real option for me than art. Anything else would’ve been inauthentic. I’m an oil painter. Recently, I’ve been working on laser cut, wooden surfaces that play with negative space. I find it very fun to see how I can use that technique to play with the setting I’m displaying in, and I base much of my planning on this." Following graduation grigsby plans to apply to MFA programs and enter the workshop circuit. "My head painting professor, Philip Jackson, has helped improve my painting process ten-fold over the last few semesters. There are so many little things that only come with experience that he has shared with me. Additionally, my printmaking professor, Kaleena Stasiak, has truly maximized my time at Ole Miss with the sheer amount of opportunity she has provided me." Ann Grigsby can be found on Instagram @ann.grigs.
 

Aaron Tutor, originally from Pontotoc, MS emphasizes in graphic design. "I have always been artistically inclined and later into my senior year of high school discovered the practice of graphic design and decided to try it seeing how I was very uninterested in any other profession or major. I make a wide range of artworks but primarily spend my time making grungy, heavily textured designs centered around whatever band or artist is in my current Spotify rotation on that particular day." Following graduation, Tutor plans to land a graphic design position that fits into the music industry. "I feel as though every professor has truly been a pleasure to work with and have all been helpful in getting me to where I am today." Aaron Tutor can be found on Instagram @lit.rubber.ducky, @actutor.design, and the brand account for his upcoming thesis exhibition, SUBURBiA, is @suburbiamagazine. His portfolio can be found at actutor.myportfolio.com. 

Celique Williams, originally from Ripley, MS has an emphasis in painting. "I create paintings, sculptures, and sculptural paintings. My work revolves around mystery as well as danger. I create a story that all of my paintings follow in different ways and depending on the image I am wanting to depict I forge a frame to paint on. I forge a lot of wing structures and stretch an airplane canvas called Oratex which I then paint on. I also create iron paintings. These are paintings that I create through a lot of texture and then cast it in iron. For inspiration I look to Francisco Goya as well as Zdzislaw Bekinski." Following graduation, Williams intends to apply to grad schoolr to further his education in sculpture. Celique Williams can be found on Instagram @Celique22.