The exhibitions are part of Handwork: Celebrating American Craft 2026, a nationwide initiative honoring handmade art in recognition of America鈥檚 semiquincentennial. Through the series, the center will spotlight new work in silversmithing, woodworking and contemporary clay.

鈥淭ogether, these three artists embody the recent momentum in contemporary craft,鈥� said Brian Young, gallery director in the School of Art and Design. 鈥淭hey reference the traditional media of their respective disciplines 鈥� wood, metal and clay 鈥� but move beyond utilitarianism to incorporate new media and social content.鈥�

Myra Mimlitsch-Gray鈥檚 On Purpose will be on view in the Ann Maners and Alex Pappas Gallery from Jan. 20 through March 29. A leading figure in contemporary metalsmithing, Mimlitsch-Gray transforms everyday objects into conceptual works that challenge ideas of function and tradition. An American Craft Council Fellow and a recent James Renwick Alliance 鈥淢aster of the Medium,鈥� her work appears in major collections including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Smithsonian Institution, the National Museums of Scotland and the Victoria and Albert Museum.

In the Brad Cushman Gallery, Vivian Chiu presents Facing, on view Jan. 20 through March 16. Known for reimagining traditional forms through wood and other media, Chiu uses repetition, distortion and precision craftsmanship to explore the boundaries between illusion and structure. Her work has earned fellowships, major residencies and national recognition as an American Craft Council Emerging Artist.

Already open, Nicole Seisler鈥檚 Some Truths About Clay is on view in the North and South galleries through March 9. The exhibition invites visitors into a space where ceramics evolve through time, touch and participation, treating clay as a collaborative process. Seisler鈥檚 work has been featured at institutions across the country, including the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. She currently leads the ceramics program at Lewis & Clark College and directs A-B Projects.

Together, the three exhibitions offer an opportunity to experience contemporary craft through metal, wood and clay, highlighting approaches that challenge tradition, perception and process.

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Originally from  McRae, Arkansas, Tozer moved to North Little Rock four years ago for school. She chose 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock because it was close to home and had a strong art and design program. She was not sure what she wanted to do career-wise until she came to 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock.  

鈥淚 didn鈥檛 know exactly what I wanted to do in life until I applied here, but the opportunities I鈥檝e had, especially through my job in the Office of Communications and Marketing, made it clear that I was in the right place,鈥� she said. 

Tozer has been involved in a multitude of campus organizations and activities. She was part of a graphic design assistantship called 鈥淒esign Squad鈥� at the Windgate Center of Art and Design, where she collaborated with other design students on different projects. The Design Squad was led by her favorite professor, Kevin Cates. 

鈥淗e鈥檚 been incredibly supportive, and I鈥檝e learned so much from him,鈥� she said.  

Her job in Communications and Marketing has given her incredible opportunities and has been impactful in her growth as a graphic designer. Two people she points out are the graphic designers in the Marketing and Communications department, Muriel Schrepfer and Klansee Tozer. 

鈥淭hey taught me the foundational skills I needed when starting out as a graphic designer, and I鈥檓 grateful for all their guidance,鈥� she said

One of Tozer鈥檚 favorite college memories was volunteering on campus and participating in sustainability events. 

 鈥淚 loved seeing all the booths, engaging with the community, and contributing to something meaningful through volunteering,鈥� she said. 

Tozer鈥檚 involvement with campus life has prepared her to take the next steps into a career post-graduation. Her dream career is to work in t-shirt design and illustration, and she is excited to utilize the skills she learned at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock with a full-time graphic design job.

The experience and connections she gained through the organizations on campus were valuable, and she encourages future students to get involved. 

鈥淭ake advantage of every opportunity to gain experience, whether through internships, competitions, freelance work, or even workshops,鈥� Tozer said. 鈥淒on鈥檛 be afraid to ask for feedback. Constructive criticism helps you grow. And most importantly, don鈥檛 just go to school. Work hard for your future degree!鈥�

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鈥淚 am very excited to join 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock,鈥� Young said. 鈥溙切腣log传媒 Little Rock has given a great deal of priority to the visual arts. The Windgate Center of Art + Design is an impressive space. There is a very experienced staff here, including Nathan Larson, assistant gallery director, as well as a great permanent art collection to work with. Everything about this position seems to be a really great fit, and I look forward to bringing exhibitions to campus that will really inspire our student body, staff, and visitors.鈥�

With a rich background in curating and managing art exhibitions, Young is set to elevate the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 art galleries to new heights.

鈥淲e are very excited about this opportunity to work with Brian!鈥� said Joli Livaudais, interim director of the School of Art and Design at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. 鈥淗e has years of experience working with both highly respected museums and university galleries. He has already begun to line up exciting exhibitions that will inspire our students and engage the community of Little Rock.鈥�

As part of his first curation at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, Young is revitalizing the gallery in the Fine Arts Building that has been dormant since the School of Art and Design moved to the Windgate Center at the start of 2018.

鈥淭he gallery corridor in Fine Arts is a busy place on campus, and we are elated to reinvigorate the space with exciting exhibitions curated by Brian,鈥� said Dr. Sarah Beth Estes, dean of the College of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, and Education. 鈥淭he first exhibition, 鈥榊 Tho鈥� by Amanda Burnham, will open on Aug. 26. Burnham will appear for a lecture in the Stella Boyle Smith Concert Hall on Sept. 12 at 5:30 p.m., at which time we will also celebrate Young joining 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock.鈥�

Young is joining 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock from the University of Central Arkansas, where he served as director of the Baum Gallery from 2016 to 2024. He made his first move to Arkansas in 1997, when he served as curator of art and drawings for the Arkansas Arts Center, which is now the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts, until 2006.

Young has also worked as the curator of the Cranbrook Art Museum in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, curator of Academy Art Museum in Easton, Maryland, senior curator at the University of Maryland University College, and curator of cultural properties at John Hopkins Medical Institutions.

Young, who is a native of Detroit, Michigan, earned his bachelor鈥檚 degree in art history from the University of Michigan, a master鈥檚 degree in art history from Ohio State University, as well as a certificate in art appraisal studies from New York University.

He has also served as an adjunct instructor, teaching classes at Ohio State University, Ohio Dominican University, Salisbury University, University of Maryland University College, and UCA. He is also a member of the Association of Academic Museums and Galleries and the Professional Appraisers Round Table and regularly serves as a juror for art competitions.

Young, who lives in Little Rock, is the father of a 9-year-old daughter and 11-year-old son. He enjoys reading art history, playing pickleball, and watching college football.

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The exhibition will be on display in the Ann Maners and Alex Pappas Gallery in the Windgate Center of Art and Design. A reception will be held for the exhibition from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, June 27, in the Windgate Center.

Sims creates functional ceramics and ceramic sculptures that are whimsical and visually informed by 18th century ceramic surface designs and motifs.

鈥淚 create functional and sculptural objects that are highly narrative. For inspiration, I look to different moments in ceramic history and incorporate the cultural information I find there with present day social and political experiences,鈥� Sims said in her artist statement. 鈥淏ecause the history of pottery in the west is divided between industrial capitalism and folk craft traditions, and its objects are so intimately involved with the body either in its creation or its use more than any other medium, I believe it has the ability to bring into dialogue aspects of the capitalist system, the body, and materiality in a palpable, straightforward way that other mediums cannot. Pottery is a reflective, invisible, critical and, for millennia, necessary material object of culture whose very existence is testament to the human being in their environment.鈥�

A native of Little Rock, Sims now resides in Minneapolis, Minnesota, with her family. She apprenticed with potter Mike Dodd in Somerset, England, and worked at potteries in Centola, Italy, and Isle of Iona, Scotland. She earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Ceramics from 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock and a Master of Fine Arts degree at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, where she would later teach ceramics. Sims has participated in internships and residencies at Red Star Studios in Kansas City, Missouri, Anderson Ranch Arts Center in Snowmass Village, Colorado, and the Women鈥檚 Studio Workshop in Rosendale, New York.

Sims has become a well-known and highly collected ceramicist. She is a recipient of the Patricia Tillberg Hasselmo Fellowship from the University of Minnesota and the Jerome Foundation Study and Travel Grant from the Jerome Foundation, among other awards. Her work has been displayed in the United States and internationally. In 2023, Ofr. Paris published 鈥淯n Vie de Terre,鈥� an artist book of her work spanning over 10 years.

All 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock galleries are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays and 11 a.m. 鈥� 2 p.m. on weekends. The galleries are closed on university holidays.

For more information, contact Brian Young, gallery director at 501-916-5117 or byoung2@ualr.edu.

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鈥淚 am so glad I got to take all the great photography classes at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock,鈥� Johnson said. 鈥淚 love photography and have wanted to be a photographer since high school.鈥�

Johnson is graduating this May with a Bachelor of Arts in Studio Arts degree and a Certificate of Proficiency in Photography. The exhibition, which is free and open to the public, will serve as Johnson鈥檚 capstone project for the Donaghey Scholars Honors Program.

鈥淭he Donaghey Scholars Honors Program taught me a lot about choosing your priorities and learning to be a leader,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e put in a lot of work to be the best versions of ourselves. I went to Florence, Italy, and took an Intro to Travel Photography course. It was amazing, and I now have a lot of photos that are very beautiful that I wouldn鈥檛 have been able to take anywhere else.鈥�

Johnson鈥檚 capstone exhibition, 鈥淔ragmented Memories: The Lingering Effects of Sexual Trauma,鈥� will feature 13 photographs and will be on display from May 20 to June 14 in the Focus Gallery in the Windgate Center of Art and Design at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock.

This exhibition deals with the trauma of sexual assault and its devastating long-lasting impacts. It serves not only as a way to raise awareness for the often-overlooked problem of mental health for sexual assault survivors and the complexities of sexual trauma, but also for the healing journey that follows trauma.

鈥淚 want my exhibition to bring attention to the complexities of an abusive relationship,鈥� Johnson said. 鈥淚 want people to understand the lasting effects it can leave on a person that are often unseen. I want to open up conversations about how little abusive relationships are talked about, especially the long-term physical and mental effects that it can take on a person.鈥�

Johnson said the exhibition, which she has been working on for the past year, has been of immense help in her healing journey.

鈥淲hen I first started this project, I was barely able to accept what happened to me, and now I am able to show other people what happened and talk about it openly,鈥� she said. 鈥淭his is a huge step for me as an artist. I don鈥檛 think this would have happened if I didn鈥檛 have an artistic outlet.鈥�

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Leslye Shellam, the daughter of Linda Blaine Flake and L. Dickson Flake, created the scholarship in 2021 to honor her mother, who was an artist. The scholarship recipient also has the opportunity to feature their work in a solo exhibit at the Windgate Center of Art and Design.

鈥淭hough recognized as 鈥榞ifted鈥� from an early age, Linda knew that knowledge and experimentation to new, unfamiliar ideas kept her work fresh and inspired,鈥� Shellam said. 鈥淭he endowment in her name is intended to allow an art student more time for curiosity and self-exploration to channel their talent into a lifelong contribution to the rest of us who may need to be reminded of the 鈥榰ndefined鈥� that encourages personal creativity of all forms in each of us.鈥�

The exhibition, 鈥淎shi Franke: Linda Blaine Flake Endowment Art Scholarship Exhibition,鈥� will be on display in the Ann Maners and Alex Pappas Gallery in the Windgate Center of Art and Design. A reception will be held for the exhibition from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, June 6, in the Windgate Center.

The exhibition is a retrospective of Franke鈥檚 journey as an artist over the past decade. It covers work from when she started as a student at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock in 2014 to her graduation this spring, when she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in graphic design, three minors in art history, digital graphics, and studio arts, as well as a technical certificate in graphic design.

鈥淭he exhibition covers 10 years of my time as a student at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock,鈥� Franke said. 鈥淚 will have many individual pieces that include graphic design, photography, ceramics, painting, and illustration. The pieces will be organized chronologically so visitors can go on a journey of my art over time.鈥�

For many years, Franke never thought she would pursue art other than graphic design, but her time at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock inspired her to grow as an artist.

鈥淚鈥檝e grown a lot in the past 10 years, and it will be very exciting to show my artistic journey as an interdisciplinary artist,鈥� Franke said. 鈥淚鈥檝e allowed myself to grow in places that I didn鈥檛 expect, and this exhibition is my way to share that with the campus. I had my entire life mapped out, and it was all framed around me being a graphic designer. I didn鈥檛 turn out to be the person I thought I would be, but I鈥檓 much happier with the person I turned out to be.鈥�

All 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock galleries are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays, and 2-5 p.m. on Sundays. The galleries are closed on university holidays.

For more information, contact Nathan Larson, assistant art gallery director and curator, at 501-916-5104 or nglarson@ualr.edu.

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鈥淭here are individuals who wish to explore their artistic abilities but often feel discouraged, thinking they can鈥檛 draw even the simplest figures,鈥� McLaughlin said. 鈥淭his lack of self-belief hinders their creative potential. Not everyone has access to the resources or teachers that can nurture their artistic growth. My project addresses both issues by providing an inclusive, accessible, and confidence-building artistic experience that can be cherished by all.鈥�

Her idea is to create a series of do-it-yourself, pop-up coloring kits based on Grimm鈥檚 fairy tales. McLaughlin plans to design several of these user-friendly coloring kits, ensuring that they provide an enriching experience for all, regardless of their artistic experience.

鈥淎s an artist with a dream to inspire others, I believe it’s crucial to ensure that creativity knows no barriers,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 envision a project that will offer a unique solution, reimagining Grimms’ fairy tales through DIY pop-up art kits. I want to inspire confidence in all levels of artists.鈥�

McLaughlin has received two grants that will allow her to take workshops to help build her skills to complete the project.

She was the recipient of a $4,000 Student Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) grant for 2024. SURF grants continue development of undergraduate academic research efforts at Arkansas’s public and private institutions of higher education and provide funding to encourage students to conduct in-depth research projects in their chosen field of study.

鈥淚 am so thankful for the amazing professors and faculty at the Windgate Center of Art and Design,鈥� McLaughlin said. 鈥淕etting this grant was a full circle moment for me, and I was overjoyed to have received it.鈥�

McLaughlin鈥檚 faculty advisor, Michele Noiset, assistant professor of illustration, said she was impressed by McLaughlin鈥檚 professionalism, hard work, and ambition.

鈥淭he maturity of her work is very impressive for a student at the start of their artist journey,鈥� Noiset said. 鈥淭he SURF grant was a rather lengthy and involved process with many components necessary to complete the submission. Macey worked doggedly writing and rewriting, taking constructive criticism and refining until she had a strong application. I was not at all surprised when Macey was awarded the grant, and I cannot wait to see the results of this great opportunity.鈥�

She will take two summer workshops at the Penland School of Craft in North Carolina. In the first workshop, 鈥淭he Movable Artist鈥檚 Book,鈥� McLaughlin will explore content, design, and production strategies for incorporating pop-ups and movable mechanisms in artist books.

McLaughlin also received a second award, the Paul H. and Ginger S. Duensing Scholarship from the Penland School of Craft, which will allow her to take a second summer workshop, 鈥淪culptural Paper,鈥� which focuses on creating sculptures made entirely from paper.

After McLaughlin has created the coloring kits, she plans to work with schools, libraries, and community organizations to deliver the coloring kits to as many people as possible. She also plans to submit the coloring kits to a publisher to further expand the scope of the project.

鈥淭his project is a heartfelt endeavor to bring the magic of art and the timeless tales of Grimms’ fairy tales to people of all backgrounds and ages,鈥� she said. 鈥淏y providing an accessible and engaging experience, I aim to ignite creativity, foster self-belief, and ensure the preservation of cultural heritage through shared artistic experiences. Through my dedication and commitment to this project, I hope to inspire others to pursue their dreams and make art accessible to all.鈥�

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The exhibition will be open from May 1 through May 12 with a reception scheduled for Thursday, May 2 from 5 to 7 p.m.

Students graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) and students in the Professional Practices course (formerly known as Capstone course) will have artwork on display.

For the graduating BFA students, their work in their studio emphasis culminates with a presentation of their final project.

BFA students whose work will be featured in the exhibition include:

• Kristi Crow-Pruett
• Ashi Franke
• Ashley Garrison
• Bailey Holley
• Bryce Horn
• Cecilia Ilg
• Reed James
• Antonio Keyes
• Jessica Koenigsede
• Ashlly Lambaren
• Jorge Mandujano
• Julia McPeake
• Tabitha Parker (Bachelor of Arts)
• Emily Reynolds
• Lucio Tapia
• Erin Vaughn
• Lily Warren
• Courtney Wilson

For students in the Professional Practices course, in addition to presenting their artwork, they take an entrepreneurial approach as they gain experience in creating a portfolio, writing an artist statement, documenting work, installing an exhibit, and more. All art and design majors are required to take the Professional Practices course, usually in their final year of studies.

According to the Professional Practices statement: 鈥淭his class culminates with the students working together, and with the gallery staff, to put on a group exhibition of their work, putting their professional and public foot forward as they wrap up the class.鈥�

Students enrolled in the Professional Practices course whose work will be featured in the exhibition include:

• Jennifer Antonetz
• Sydney Davidson
• Courtland Dukes
• Nat Emons
• Grace Garvin
• Sunny Jenkins
• Kate Lusk
• Hannah Nowlin
• Mike Sanders

All 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock galleries are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays, and 2-5 p.m. on Sundays. The galleries are closed on university holidays.

For more information, contact Nathan Larson, assistant art gallery director and curator, at 501-916-5104 or nglarson@ualr.edu.

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The reception and announcement of awards will be Friday, March 29, from 12:30-2:30 p.m. in the Brad Cushman Gallery.

Any art major, art minor, and anyone currently enrolled in a studio art course at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock is eligible to participate in the Annual Student Competitive Exhibition. Artwork created since the 2023 Annual Student Competitive is eligible for submission鈥攊ncluding artwork that was graded and made for a course. Additionally, there are no limitations regarding which disciplines or mediums are eligible for entry.

Each year, an outside juror is announced to judge the student work. This year鈥檚 juror is Randy Duncan, the former director of The Center for Comics Studies at Henderson State University. Duncan is also a Distinguished Professor of Communication and Comics Studies, a co-author/co-editor of four books, and the co-curator of the touring exhibition, 鈥淢arvel: Universe of Super Heroes.鈥�

Awards will be given to those whose work is featured in the exhibition. Many local businesses have contributed to the pool of awards, including:

• Materials awards from Art Outfitters
• Starving artist awards from Boulevard Bread Company
• A custom framing award from Cantrell Gallery
• Custom framing awards from Gallery 26
• A custom framing award from Hearne Fine Art
• Starving artist awards from The Root Cafe
• A materials award from Alman Recycling Company
• A starving artist award from Trio鈥檚 Restaurant
• Materials awards from Michaels Arts & Crafts (new for 2024)
• A custom framing award from Michaels Arts & Crafts (new for 2024)
• A swag bag from The Hall (new for 2024)
• A starving artist award from Doe鈥檚 Eat Place (new for 2024)

All 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock galleries are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays, and 2 to 5 p.m. on Sundays. The galleries are closed on university holidays.

For more information, contact Nathan Larson, interim art gallery director and curator, at 501-916-5104 or nglarson@ualr.edu.

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Machen鈥檚 artist talk will be held on Thursday, April 4, from 6-7 p.m. in Lecture Room 101 in the Windgate Center of Art and Design, and a reception will follow.

Working toward her Master of Arts with a concentration in visual art, Machen is a student in the School of Art and Design. Her exhibition features 16 photographs taken by Machen herself.

鈥淚n these theatrical scenes, I incorporate myself and the ephemera I am drawn to such as old dolls, decaying nature, and broken mannequins,鈥� Machen said in her artist statement. 鈥淢any of these items hold symbolic power, functioning as objects do in Baroque Dutch Vanitas paintings.鈥�

Her statement closes with a reflection on the themes of her work: 鈥淭hriving and rotting, hope and loss, isolation and connection: these are integral for me in my life-long journey of self-exploration. Through my work, I am able to shine a light on the intricate web of emotions and complex layers of existence.鈥�

You can visit Machen鈥檚 exhibition from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays, and 2-5 p.m. on Sundays. The gallery is closed on university holidays.

For more information, contact Nathan Larson, interim art gallery director and curator, at 501-916-5104 or nglarson@ualr.edu.

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