March 2016

12 Student Works Are Finalists in Society of Illustrators' Annual Competition

Twelve works by senior Illustration majors and recent graduates have been accepted into this year's prestigious Society of Illustrators' Student Scholarship Competition. Finalists include Kuba Jennes BFA '15 (Illustration), Aiden Jimeno BFA '15 (Illustration), Rebecca Kirby BFA '15 (Illustration), Abayomi Louard-Moore BFA '15 (Illustration), Rowan MacFarlane '16 (Illustration), Kristen Miller BFA '15 (Illustration), Molly Egan BFA '15 (Illustration), James Firnhaber '16 (Illustration), Natalia Jablonski '16 (Illustration), Shannon Ryan '16 (Illustration), Nicole Wheat BFA '15 (Illustration) and Kailey Whitman '16 (Illustration). Their original artwork will be on display in the 2016 Student Scholarship Exhibit at the Museum of American Illustration in New York from May 10 through June 4. Awards and certificates will be handed out during an opening reception on Friday, May 13.

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Above: "The School" by Abayomi Louard-Moore BFA '15 (Illustration), digital.

UArts on 'College' Mag's List of Top 10 Schools for Dance

The University of the Arts' School of Dance was ranked No. 4 on College Magazine's list of the Top 10 Schools for Dance, a list that includes prominent performing art colleges like Juilliard, the Ailey School and New York University's Tisch School of the Arts. UArts, which has the largest undergraduate program in the country, is among the top schools with "impressive dance programs, famous alumni and movement classes you never knew existed."

See the list >>

Above: Kalene Marulis '16 (Dance) performs at the Winter Dance Series (photo by Ian Douglas).

UArts ID and Jefferson Occupational Therapy Students Team Up to Design Toys for Disabled Children

Industrial Design students at the University of the Arts collaborated with Occupational Therapy students from Thomas Jefferson University to design prototype toys and games for children living with physical, mental and cognitive disabilities. After completing a three-week design intensive, the students broke out into 12 teams, each of which was given a fictional narrative about a child with a traumatic injury or disability. Held February 25 in the University's Levitt Auditorium, the teams had 10 minutes to pitch their ideas in a "Shark Tank"-style presentation to a panel of university professors. Now in its fourth year, this unique partnership caught the attention of local TV and radio.

Fox 29 >>

6 ABC Action News >>

KYW Newsradio >>

CBSPhilly.com >>

Above: UArts and Jefferson students work on a prototype for a backpack jetpack, designed for use in a pool by an 8-year-old boy with muscular dystrophy.

Alumnae Featured in Beyoncé Video, Super Bowl Performance

Work by alumna and Ivorian designer Loza Maléombho BFA '06 (Animation) is featured in Beyoncé's "Formation" video, one of the most talked about music videos of the year. The piece, worn by one of the dancers (pictured above left), is inspired by traditional masks from the northern region of the Côte d'Ivoire, where she spent part of her childhood. Maléombho is a designer at Abidjan-based fashion label Okayafrica, which did a write up on her on its website.

Read the article >>

superbowl

Also featured with Beyoncé were alumnae Abrielle Sanders BFA '14 (Dance) [above] and Brittanie Alexander BFA '12 (Dance), who performed with the Grammy-winning R&B artist during her Super Bowl 50 half-time show. This is the second time that Sanders has performed with Beyoncé; she also recently performed with Jason Derulo on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show."

Watch the Super Bowl performance on YouTube >>

'Z' Big Band Is Next Generation Jazz Festival Finalist

Congratulations to the UArts "Z" Big Band on being named a finalist in the College Big Band Division of the 46th Next Generation Jazz Festival, being held April 8-10 in Monterey, Calif. Led by Assistant Professor Matt Gallagher MM '01 (Jazz Studies), the School of Music ensemble will compete against top student musicians from across the country and around the world for a chance to perform at the prestigious Monterey Jazz Festival, taking place September 16-18.

Above: "Z" Big Band rehearsal (photo: Ian Douglas).

Summer Fellows Applications Now Available

Students looking to gain professional experience in a creative field or who are eager to develop skills, diversify their resume and work alongside UArts alumni can apply to be a Summer Fellow. The Summer Fellows Program provides opportunities for high-achieving UArts students to gain meaningful experience in a creative field during summer break. Selected Fellows are matched with a UArts alumni host, who invites them into his or her workplace for one, four or eight weeks. These well-seasoned professionals provide opportunities for Fellows to observe, engage and practice their classroom skills in the working world. All application materials are due by 5pm on Wednesday, March 16, 2016. The Summer Fellows Program is administered by the offices of Alumni & Parent Relations and Career Services with the support of UArts alumni and institutional sponsors. Questions? Contact Julie Woodard at jwoodard@uarts.edu or 215-717-6076.

Above: Monica Morris BFA '15 (Sculpture) worked with artist Kay Healy MFA '08 (Book Arts + Printmaking) as a Summer Fellow in 2013.