GROUP SHOWS/NEWS

Leasho Johnson (MFA 2020) and Edra Soto (MFA 2000) were featured in a group exhibition titled Dancing the Revolution: From Dancehall to Reggaetón at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago. 

Isabelle Frances McGuire (BFA 2016), B. Ingrid Olson (BFA 2010), and Diane Simpson (BFA 1971, MFA 1978) were featured in a group exhibition titled Ornament & Information at the Chicago Cultural Center.

Dina Cline (MFA 2023), Katherine Clarke Langlands (MFA 2023), and Joy Ray (MFA 2023) exhibited together in a group exhibition titled SHAPE SHIFT celebrating their residency at Monte Azul Center for the Arts in Costa Rica. 

Hai-Wen Lin (MDes 2023), Mauricio López F. (MFA 2025), Isabelle Frances McGuire (BFA 2016), Mariana Noreña G. (MFA 2023), Monika Plioplyte (MFA 2019), Sangwoo Yoo (MFA 2024), and Vasia Rigou (MA 2015) were named 2026 Newcity Breakout Artists. Their works were featured in an accompanying group exhibition at Chicago Artists Coalition. 

Brian Cassidy (BFA 2019), Sonya Clark (BFA 1993, HON 2023), Christopher Harris (MFA 2000), Aspen Mays (MFA 2009), Leeza Meksin (BFA 2005), John Miller (SAIC 1984), Beatriz Santiago Muñoz (MFA 1997), Anders Nilsen (SAIC 2000), Claire Sherman (MFA 2005), Anne Wilson (HON 2025), and Guanyu Xu (BFA 2016, MFA 2019) were named 2026 Guggenheim Fellows. 

Alex Chitty (MFA 2008) and Norman Teague (MFA 2016) were featured in a duo-exhibition titled Chair-ish at the Cleve Carney Museum of Art in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. 

Josh Dihle (MFA 2012) and Kitty Rauth (MFA 2022) were featured in a group exhibit titled UNREAL at SECRIST | BEACH in Chicago.

Six SAIC alums were featured prominently across multiple spaces during the 2026 Venice Biennale. Bana Kattan (MA 2011) curated United Arab Emirates’ National Pavilion Exhibition, Sumakshi Singh's (MFA 2023) large-scale installation was placed at the entrance of India's National Pavilion Exhibition, and Carrie Schneider's (MFA 2007) installation, titled First Living Woman, ushered visitors into an exhibition honoring the work and life of Marina Abramović at the Gallerie dell’Accademia di Venezia. Additionally, Sanford Biggers (MFA 1999, HON 2026), Alfredo Jaar (HON 2007), and Guadalupe Rosales (MFA 2016) had pieces in the Biennale’s central exhibition, In Minor Keys.

Julieta Beltrán Lazo (MFA 2025), Jacqueline Nuzzo (MFA 2024), Kayla D. Smith (BFA 2021), and Daun Suh (MFA 2025) were featured in a group exhibit titled Bodies Luminous at Woman Made Gallery in Chicago.

Berenice Vargas Bravo (MFA 2025) gave an artist talk for her solo exhibition, Un patio particular, alongside Julieta Beltrán Lazo (MFA 2025) at Andrew Rafacz Gallery in Chicago.

Colleen Coleman (MFA 2011) and Carol Neiger (BFA 1980) were featured in a virtual exhibition titled Routes & Roots by Woman Made Gallery in Chicago.

Blake Aaseby (MFA 2017), Herman Aguirre (BFA 2014, MFA 2017), Cecilia Beaven (MFA 2019), Donna Bliss (BFA 1980), Phyllis Bramson (MFA 1974), Jeane Cohen (MFA 2018), Brian Driscoll (MFA 2018), Teodor Dumitrescu (BFA 2015), Garrett Durant (BFA 2009), Andreas Fischer (BFA 1996), Lora Fosberg (MFA 1991), Josh Garber (MFA 2019), Laurie Hogin (Post-Bacc 1987, MFA 1989), Jo Hormuth (MFA 1983), Vadim Katznelson (BFA 1991), Meredith Kopelman (Post-Bacc 2020, MFA 2022), David Kroll (MFA 1986), Ed Larson (BFA 1999), Eric Lebofsky (MFA 2004), Riva Lehrer (BFA 1997), Heather Marshall (BFA 2001), David Nash (BFA 1983), Audrey Niffenegger (BFA 1985), Helen O'Leary (BFA 1988, MFA 1989), Sandra Perlow (BAE 1963, MFA 1976), Kimberly Piotrowski (BFA 1988), Ruth Poor (Post-Bacc 2019, MFA 2022), Noah Rorem (MFA 2004), Brian Sikes (BFA 1981), Carly Silverman (MFA 2011), Sarah Sohn (MFA 2011), Peter Stephens (SAIC 1982), Jay Strommen (MFA 2000), Sebastian Thomas (MFA 2023), and Derek Walter (MFA 2001) were exhibiting artists in a group exhibit titled GOLDEN VISION: Zolla/Lieberman Gallery Celebrates 50 Years at Zolla/Lieberman Gallery in Chicago.

Aliza Nisenbaum (BFA 2001), Jeffrey Gibson (BFA 1995), Lindsay Adams (MFA 2025), Norman Teague (MFA 2016), Rashid Johnson (SAIC 2004, HON 2018), and Richard Hunt (BAE 1957, HON 1979) have works featured at the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago. 

Danny Floyd (MA 2013, MFA 2014) was presented by The PLAN gallery and Geoffrey Todd Smith (BFA 1995) was presented by Western Exhibitions at the Door County Contemporary Art Fair.

Noelle Africh (MFA 2022), Soumya Netrabile (BFA 1995), and William J. O'Brien (MFA 2005) were participating artists in a group exhibit titled Trophic at DOCUMENT Lisbon.

Lilli Carré (BFA 2006) and Journie Cirdain (MFA 2022) were featured by Western Exhibitions at the 2026 NADA NY fair.

Sheba Sharrow (BFA 1948) and Sandra Taggart (BFA 1964) were participating artists in SALON ZÜRCHER, a satellite fair of The Armory Show in New York City.

Emma Atkins (BFA 2020) and Trevor Hormel (BFA 2021) co-founded Sheep Cult Comics, a comic and book store in Chicago.

Amin Pakparvar (MFA 2026) and Mehraneh Salimian’s (MFA 2026) documentary short titled Memories of a Window premiered at the 2026 Berlinale, where it received the Crystal Bear for Best Short Film in the Generation section and a Special Mention from the International Jury.

Alex Chitty (MFA 2008), Shir Ende (BFA 2015), Jinn Bronwen Lee (BFA 2021), and Iñigo Manglano-Ovalle (MFA 1989) were featured in a group exhibit titled IT’S ABOUT TIME: Counterproductive Conceptualisms in Chicago at GRAY Gallery in Chicago.

Jinlu Luo (BFA 2018, MFA 2021) and Kately Towsley (2026) were selected as members of the 2026 DFBRL8R Relic Activation Lab, an intensive dedicated to researching and archiving art relics. Their work was featured in the intensive's closing exhibition titled Triage at Mana Contemporary in Chicago.

Lisa Alvarado (BFA 2007), Richard Hunt (BAE 1957, HON 1979), Rashid Johnson (SAIC 2004, HON 2018), Judy Ledgerwood (MFA 1984), and Jaume Plensa (HON 2005) were featured by GRAY Gallery at Art Basel 2026 in Basel, Switzerland. 

Lisa Alvarado (BFA 2007) and Michiko Itatani (BFA 1974, MFA 1976) were named 2026 recipients of Trellis Art Fund's Milestone Grants.

Tony Lewis (MFA 2012) and the late Gregory Bae (MFA 2012) were featured in a duo exhibition titled Let's Go Exploring! at PATRON Gallery in Chicago. Ruslana Lichtzier (MA 2013), Kellie Romany (MFA 2011), and Lewis also took part in the exhibition's accompanying artist talk.

Nora Maité Nieves (MFA 2010) and Pegah Pasalar (MFA 2019) were selected for the Hello New York! residency at the Curatorial Program for Research in Brooklyn, New York. 

Jae Jarrell (HON 2020) and Nikko Washington (BFA 2016) were featured in a group exhibition titled Continuing Resistance: A Century of Black Liberation (1925–2025) at Kavi Gupta gallery in Chicago.

Nyugen E. Smith (MFA 2016) and Colin Self (BFA 2010) were selected to present in the 2026 Summer Visiting Artist Lecture Series at Maine College of Art & Design in Portland, Maine. 

Lisa Slominski (BA 2003) curated a project titled Super Trouper as part of the experimental sound program titled Attack Decay Sustain Release at Stanley Picker Gallery in London, England. A portion of the project explores the artistic practices of Rebecca Kressley (BFA 2007).

Henry Harris's (BFA 2015) film titled In Six Months was accepted into the seventh edition of Kinoskop Festival in Belgrade, Serbia. Danielle Wakin (BFA 2014) and RB Poodle Moran (BFA 2000) collaborated on the film as cinematographers. 

Zagaria Buckley (MA 2017) curated a group exhibition titled Of Sibyls and Source: Ranges and Ruptures at the University of Southern Maine's Crewe Center for the Arts. The exhibit includes artists Heather Lyon (BFA 2002, MFA 2004) and Kristin Mariani (BFA 1994, MFA 2020). Buckley also wrote an accompanying curatorial essay titled "On Deterritorialized Relationality."

Daniel Baird (BFA 2007), Alex Chitty (MFA 2008), Kay Hofmann (BFA 1955), Harold Mendez (MFA 2007), Soo Shin (MFA 2011), and Alice Tippit (BFA 2009, MFA 2013) were featured in a group show with PATRON Gallery at the New Art Dealers Alliance's show, Nada Ceramics 2026, hosted by The Locker Room gallery in New York City.

Ava Igoe (MFA 2026) and Tong Pan (BFA 2021) were featured in a duo exhibition titled ReCentering at Old Friends Gallery in Chicago.

Joseph Belknap (MFA 2009) and Sarah Belknap (MFA 2010) were featured in a duo exhibition titled The Desert as Mirror at Epiphany Center for the Arts in Chicago.

E.C. Balázs (MA 2006) curated a memorial exhibition in honor of Prince 10 years after his death titled People’s Museum for Prince at Roberts Gallery, an art space owned by alum Peyton Scott Russell (BFA 1992) in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

2020s

Rachel Meyers Hefferan (MFA 2020) was interviewed by Sixty Inches From Center in their article, "Symbiosis Shepherding: An Interview with Rachel Meyers Hefferan."

Tan Yubing (MFA 2020) was selected as an Asian Cultural Council 2026 grantee to research Chinese puppetry in Malaysia and Indonesia. Yubing's award was also featured in an article published by Hyperallergic.

Nico Ramirez Rosas (BFA 2025) was featured in a group show titled Beyond the Black Rainbow at Twelve Ten Gallery in Chicago. The exhibit was included in Hyperallergic's list titled "10 Art Shows to See in Chicago This Summer."

Karmel Spanier (BFA 2023) was featured in a group exhibit titled your hiding place isn’t watertight… at LVL3 in Chicago. 

Renaise Kim's (BFA 2021) creative studio Artifice NYC partnered with Onassis ONX platform to develop an ongoing creative science fiction showcase titled nodes:ii.

B. Ingrid Olson (MFA 2021) had a solo exhibition titled All Lock No Key at Corbett vs. Dempsey in Chicago.

Alayna N. Pernell (MFA 2021) facilitated an artist dialogue with Lali Khalid at the Museum of Contemporary Photography in Chicago.

Veronica Anne Salinas (MFA 2020) was awarded a Land Management Fellowship with the Chinati Foundation in Marfa, Texas.

Maria Burundarena (MFA 2022) was featured in a duo exhibition titled Walldrawings at the Evanston Art Center in Illinois.

Nour Malas (MFA 2022) had a solo exhibition titled Garden of Prayer at PATRON gallery in Chicago.

McKenzie Fitz (BFA 2023) was a recipient of the SURFACE: Emerging Artists of New Mexico award and honoraria. She also had work featured in Refractions, the opening exhibition of this year's New Mexico Glass Arts Festival, presented at Groove Art Space in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Kate Hefferan (BFA 2023) took part in a duo exhibit titled The shroud the slip the surface the stain at LVL3 exhibition space in Chicago. 

Kwamé Azure Gomez (MFA 2023) had a solo exhibit titled Set the Atmosphere at Marianne Boesky Gallery in New York. 

Lindsey Kircher (MFA 2023) had a solo exhibit titled Girl Talk at Oliva Gallery in Chicago. Kircher was also featured in a group exhibit by Oliva Gallery at the Door County Contemporary Art Fair.

Mariana Noreña (MFA 2023) was awarded a 2025 Innovator Award by the International Sculpture Center.

Hyeseul Song (BFA 2023) was featured in a duo exhibition titled Carriage at LVL3 gallery in Chicago. 

Nicola Florimbi (MFA 2024) had a solo exhibit titled Rooms at Corbett vs. Dempsey gallery in Chicago. Her work and this exhibition were later highlighted in Hyperallergic's article, "Nicola Florimbi’s Paintings Are Unsettling and Necessary."

Peixuan Ouyang's solo show at SHANGHAI SEMINARY titled nánwàng de yī tiān was featured in Hyperallergic's list titled "10 Art Shows to See in Chicago This Summer."

Jeffrey Ose Ohuaregbe (MArch 2024) designed Alison Ruttan's (MFA 1992) exhibition titled The Paradox of Inaction at Hyde Park Art Center in Chicago.

Lindsay Adams (MFA 2025) had two solo shows: SOIL at Sean Kelly gallery in New York City and Ceremony at Fray Gallery in Washington, D.C. She was also interviewed by Hube Magazine.

Mesoma Hammida Onyeagba's (MFA 2024) artwork was acquired by the Finnish Consulate General. 

Aleksandra Wałaszek (MFA 2024) was featured in a duo exhibit titled Know What You Want to Know at Compound Yellow in Oak Park, Illinois.

Reevah Agarwaal (MFA 2020) was featured in a group exhibition titled Riksha Returns exhibited by riksha at the Rizal Center in Chicago.

Jada Jeni Bennett (BFA 2021) illustrated a chapter book series titled Zora's Ghost Hotel, slated to be published in summer 2027.

Yaelin Kim (BFA 2024) was featured in Block Club Chicago's article, "Chicago’s Godfather of Neon is Still Lighting Up The City After 40 Years In Business."

Berenice Vargas Bravo (MFA 2025) had a solo exhibit titled Un patio particular at ANDREW RAFACZ gallery in Chicago.

Magicfeifei (BFA 2021) was featured in a group exhibit titled Beyond Boundaries: Three Decades of Contemporary Chinese Art at the Smart at the University of Chicago's Smart Museum of Art.

Nick D'Alessandro's (BFA 2023) solo show Universal September at Prairie gallery was featured in Hyperallergic's list, "10 Art Shows to See in Chicago This Summer."

Stella Chen's (BFA 2025) film titled Bootstrapping for the Boobied was screened at the 2026 Slamdance Film Festival in Los Angeles, California. It also won the Rising Star Award at Chicago's CineYouth Film Festival and was screened at the Ottawa International Animation Festival in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

Dabin Ahn (MFA 2020) had a solo exhibition titled Nocturne at DOCUMENT in Chicago.

Mariela Acuña (MA 2024) was selected as a collaborator and US host for Palestinian artist and researcher Areej Ashhab's fall fellowship at CEC ArtsLink.

Sangwoo Yoo's (MFA 2024) solo show, Blue Wall, was exhibited at Kim Chong Yung Museum in Seoul, South Korea. 

Lisa Croner (MFA 2026) developed and patented a new art process using powders suspended in fluid to create complex and organic abstract imagery. 

Mauricio López F. (MFA 2025) joined the Monira Foundation as one of two Chicago artist residents.

Kenya “Kao Ra Zen” Fulton (BFA 2020) presented an original performance work, TALISMÁN, with collaborator Marisela Tapia during a three-night residency in the Collaboraction theatre space at Kimball Arts Center in Chicago.

Zhanna Ter-Zakaryan (BA 2020) began her new role as director of sales and artist liaison at Olney Gleason gallery in New York City.

Benita Nnachortam (MA 2023) participated in the NXTHVN Cohort 7 Studio Fellowship Program in New Haven, Connecticut, which culminated in a closing exhibition at Marianne Boesky Gallery in New York City. 

féi iká shumarí (MF 2026) released CHABÓCHI DOLL, an essay and autofiction collection published by Abode Press.

Abreihona Lenihan's (MA 2026) debut curatorial project BLACK IS EVERYWHERE was exhibited at SaveArtSpace in Brooklyn, New York. She also joined Jones Lang LaSalle as a regional art coordinator on the Capital One Corporate Art Program, where she supports corporate art initiatives throughout the Midwest and Northeast, including projects in Boston and New York City.

2010s

Moria Quinn (BFA 2012) was featured in an article published by Chicago Magazine titled “Floor Plans: Moira Quinn’s rugs put art underfoot.”

Noël Morical (BFA 2011) co-directed a furniture design project titled Ringleader hosted by Epiphany Center for the Arts in Chicago.

Anna Mielniczuk's (BFA 2018) Ania Greta Studio collaborated with Anthropologie on their pre-spring 2026 collection. 

Kellie Romany (MFA 2011) was interviewed and featured in an article published by CanvasRebel. 

Herman Aguirre (BFA 2014, MFA 2017) was featured in a group exhibit titled Dust That Lay at the Chicago Artists Coalition. 

Claire Valdez (BFA 2012) won the Democratic nomination to represent New York’s 7th Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives.

Norman Teague (MFA 2013) was selected as curator for the upcoming 2026 Lagos Design Week. He was also put on Wallpaper's US400 list of people shaping Creative America in 2026 and featured in a group exhibition titled I Used to Live in Chicago at Blanc gallery in Chicago.

Celeste Rapone's (MFA 2013) piece, Sideline, was installed at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago as part of their Atrium Project.

Vasia Rigou (MA 2015) co-curated the Newcity Breakout Artists exhibition and Newcity’s Breakout Artists 2026 issue for Newcity Magazine.

Ionit Behar (MA 2013) was appointed Marilyn and Larry Fields Curator at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, and curated a solo exhibition showcasing Alice Tippit (BFA 2009, MFA 2013) titled, Alice Tippit: Rose Obsolete at the DePaul Art Museum.

Melissa Leandro (MFA 2017) was featured in ANDREW RAFACZ's booth at Friends Fair 2026 in Austin, Texas.

Ohm Phanphiroj's (MFA 2018) work was featured in a special print release hosted by Queer Gallery. The print collection commemorated the release of Ohm's photo book Desire: Straight Men in My Bedroom, published worldwide by Salzgeber. Ohm was also featured in the Bob Mizer Museum's summer edition of its Physique Pictorial magazine. 

Adrian Stein (BFA 2018) was selected as a resident artist at The Canopy at the 900 North Michigan Shops, where he collaborates with the Art Institute of Chicago showcasing their yearly exhibitions. He also launched HAZE LABS, a Chicago-based design and fabrication studio that creates immersive exhibitions and experiences. 

Walter Hood (MFA 2013) was named one of TIME Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People of 2026.

Alice Gong Xiaowen (BFA 2016) was named a finalist for the 2026 Artadia Awards in New York City.

Danny Bredar's (MFA 2019) solo show Demand and Supply at Met him pike hoses was featured in Hyperallergic's list titled "10 Art Shows to See in Chicago This Summer."

Adrián García Orozco (MA 2019) co-produced and co-edited Dark Skies, Hot Planet, Cool Gaze, a philosophical documentary on art, science, technology, and the climate crisis.

Alex Stark (BFA 2016) had a solo show titled After the Flood with Epiphany Center for the Arts in Chicago.

Larissa Borteh (MFA 2014) had a solo show titled In the Wind at Devening Projects in Chicago.

YALOO's (BFA 2011, MFA 2015) solo exhibition was featured by IAH at the Frieze House Seoul exhibition space in Seoul, South Korea, as part of their Summer Sparks exhibition series, titled Summer Sparks II: Ignite.

Biraaj Dodiya (BFA 2015) had a solo exhibition titled Grid for a Disappearance at Experimenter Gallery in Kolkata, India.

Lauren Taylor (BFA 2014) was featured in Volley, a two-city group exhibition between Tinney Contemporary in Nashville, Tennessee, and Whitespace gallery in Atlanta, Georgia.

Rachael Zur (MFA 2019) was featured in a duo exhibit titled Matriarch at Kinhouse gallery in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Gabriel Bump (BFA 2014) was selected as a 21st Century Award Honoree by the Chicago Public Library Foundation.

Selva Aparicio (BFA 2015) created an installation titled Maintenance for the Medina Triennial at the Medina Railroad Museum in New York City. 

Carlos Salazar-Lermont (MA 2019) had a solo exhibition in the Drawing Room at The Arts Club of Chicago featuring works from different stages of his career and bringing together projects produced over several years.

Samuel Schwindt’s (BFA 2019) solo exhibition at Ignition Project Space titled Pleasure Puncture was highlighted in an article by Newcity Art. 

Charlotte Fox (BFA 2016) had a solo exhibition titled Unravel in 303 Gallery's Project Room in New York City.

Michelle Ralph-Fortón (BFA 2013) made an appearance in Vogue's feature on the Costume Institute's exhibition, Costume Art, at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.

Wen Liu (MA 2016) was featured in a duo exhibition titled The Space Between Skins at Baert Gallery in Los Angeles, California. 

Melissa Leandro (MFA 2017) was featured in ANDREW RAFACZ's booth at Friends Fair 2026 in Austin, Texas.

Rashid Johnson (SAIC 2004, HON 2018) was photographed by Jay-Z for the cover of the special April issue of GQ Magazine. 

Cecilia Beaven (MFA 2019) had a solo exhibit titled Inflorescence at the Zolla/Lieberman gallery in Chicago.

Mark Dorf (MFA 2019) was selected as an artist in residence at Wave Hill garden in New York City as part of their Winter Workspace 2026 program.

Maryam Faridani (MFA 2019) was featured in the Chicago Artists Coalition's Artist Residents group show titled homeward (un)bound.

Marie Ségolène C. Brault (MFA 2019) was featured in a group exhibit titled The Thorn Stigmata and The Faded Branch of The Crown at Pangée gallery in Montréal, Canada. 

Nicholas Nadja (BFA 2017) completed the restoration of murals adorning the ceiling of the King Arthur Court ballroom in Chicago's historic Intercontinental Hotel. 

John "Jahni" Moore (MFA 2019) has work featured in Coming Home, a three-person exhibition at the Huntsville Museum of Art in Huntsville, Alabama. 

Elise Seigenthaler (BFA 2019) founded and opened Elise Seigenthaler Gallery in Chicago's West Town neighborhood. 

Paloma Valencia (BFA 2019) was featured in a short documentary by YoungArts, an organization providing mentorship and funding to young artists nationwide.

Gerald Williams (HON 2019) had a solo exhibition titled Screaming at the Sky at Kavi Gupta gallery in Chicago. 

Claire Sullivan (BFA 2016) was interviewed for the article "'I’m Just a Kid From…'" by Harper's Bazaar magazine. 

Tyler Blackwell (BFA 2013) was featured in Observer’s Curators to Watch in 2026. 

Isaac Facio (BFA 2001, MFA 2017) was a featured speaker during a lecture titled “Threads of Care—Preserving and Interpreting Textiles from Africa and Southwest Asia” at the Art Institute of Chicago. 

2000s

Jeff Musser (BFA 2000) had a solo show titled A Special Kind of Existence at the Sanchez Art Center in Pacifica, California. 

Rodney McMillian had a solo exhibit titled Neighbors at Henry Art Gallery in Seattle, Washington,

Ben Foch (SAIC 2000) had a solo exhibit titled Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue at Epiphany Center for the Arts in Chicago.

Julius Cavira (BFA 2002) had work shown in two group exhibitions: an outdoor sculpture exhibition titled Wishing Well at Field Projects’ Mother-In-Law’s grounds in Germantown, New York, and Me, Myself and I at East Manning Projects and Ritual Spaces gallery in Providence, Rhode Island. 

Deborah Sokolow’s (MFA 2004) film, Beneath the Surface of the Everyday, was featured in 4x4: Contemporary Art in Chicago, the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago's annual screening of four short documentary films highlighting Chicago artists.

Annika Connor (BFA 2002) was featured in a group exhibition titled In Full Bloom at the Untitled Space gallery in New York City.

Gail M Boykewich (BFA 2003) had a solo show titled Into the Wolf’s Mouth at SLAG&RX gallery in New York City.

Debbie Dodge (MA 2005) joined Preservation Chicago's staff as director of development after serving on their board of directors since 2008. 

Terence Hannum (MFA 2003) was featured in a group exhibition titled ARTificial at Maryland Art Place in Baltimore, Maryland. Hannum was also awarded a professional development grant from the Maryland State Arts Council and co-composed the soundtrack for John Bradburn’s short folk horror film, The Harvest King.

Cheryl Pope (BFA 2003) had a solo exhibition titled ALL THERE IS at Monique Meloche gallery in Chicago.

Vesna Jovanovic (BFA 2003) had a solo exhibition titled Bawdy at the Big Walls Gallery at Governors State University in University Park, Illinois. 

Genesis Belanger (BFA 2004) exhibited her first public installation with Public Art Fund titled Heads or Tails at City Hall Park, New York.

Ursula Sokolowska (BFA 2001) had work included in the The 43rd Center Annual exhibition at Houston Center for Photography in Houston, Texas.

Gerard Brown (MFA 2001) is celebrating his 19th year teaching at Tyler School of Art and Architecture in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 

Bethany Cordero (BFA 2004) was a featured artist in the Center Program's biennial exhibit titled Mutuality at the Hyde Park Art Center in Chicago.

Huong Ngo (MFA 2004) was featured in a group exhibit titled Motherboards at the San José Museum of Art in San José, California. 

Kate Steciw (MFA 2002) was featured in the Center for Photography at Woodstock’s first-ever Upstate Photography Biennial in Kingston, New York. The exhibition series was later highlighted in an article by Hyperallergic.

Heidi Parkes (BFA 2005) had a solo show titled Reframe… When Things Break at Arts + Literature Laboratory in Madison, Wisconsin.

Daniel G. Baird (BFA 2007) had a solo show titled Margin at PATRON gallery in Chicago. 

Megan Euker (BFA 2005, MFA 2007) designed the Orphan Dream sculptures gifted to the 2025 Orphan Dream Award recipients. She was also associate producer and actress in the 2025 film Resurrection.

Amanda Valdez (BFA 2007) presented a lecture on her solo exhibition, Amanda Valdez: Aftertouch at the Allentown Art Museum in Allentown, Pennsylvania. She was also featured in a group exhibition titled Surfaces at Albertz Benda gallery in New York City.

Edra Soto's (MFA 2000) chair artworks were featured in a group exhibition titled Dancing the Revolution: From Dancehall to Reggaetón at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago. The works were also featured in an article published by CNN Style titled "The Bad Bunny chairs taking over the art world."

Judy Ledgerwood (MFA 1984) was featured in a three-person show at 1301sw Gallery in Sydney, Australia. 

Aliza Nisenbaum's (BFA 2001) piece, Shin-Myong, Someday in Spring, Dress Rehearsal, was installed in the Lehman Wing of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. She also joined the board of trustees at the Queens Museum in New York.

Alfredo Jaar's (HON 2007)'s 2025 series The End was the winner of the Prix Pictet award.

Janavi Mahimtura Folmsbee (BFA 2008) had a solo exhibit titled Magic Water at the Rockport Center for the Arts in Rockport, Texas. She was also interviewed by South Texas News in their article, "Janavi Mahimtura Folmsbee: diving into the sublime."

Alberto Aguilar (BFA 1997, MFA 2001) had two solo shows in Chicago: This is all I have left to give at the Epiphany Center for the Arts and I just really want to tell you this one thing at the Chicago Cultural Center. 

Young Joon Kwak (BFA 2007) had a solo exhibit titled Glitter Mani Fest at Commonwealth and Council gallery in Los Angeles, California. 

Meg Leary (MFA 2006) launched Arts First, a collective arts fund designed to mobilize resources for artists based in Chicago.

Naufus Ramírez-Figueroa (MFA 2008) presented his performance titled Lugar de Consuelo at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.

Jennifer McCandless (MFA 2004) had a solo exhibition titled You’re an Animal at Soapbox Arts in Burlington, Vermont.

Tia Kramer (Post-Bacc 2006) was selected as a Flyway Project Fellow at Wormfarm Institute in Reedsburg, Wisconsin. 

Trevor Paglen (MFA 2002, HON 2021) was selected as a co-curator for the third edition of Art Basel’s global art initiative Zero 10.

Angel Otero (BFA 2007, MFA 2009) was an artist in residence at Hauser & Wirth Somerset in Bruton, United Kingdom, where he later showcased his residency work in a solo show titled Agua Salada.

1990s

Dread Scott's (BFA 1990) work titled What Is The Proper Way to Display a U.S. Flag was featured by ARTnews in their article, "The 100 Best Artworks About America."

Lisa Barcy (BFA 1991) was featured in a group exhibit dedicated to the late Tony Fitzpatrick titled Pieces Too Short to Save: A Survey of Contemporary Collage at SoNa Chicago.

Esther Alinejad (BFA 1992) was highlighted in an article titled “Life & Work with Esther And Mohammad Alinejad of Thousand Oaks, CA” by VoyageLA.

Alison Ruttan (MFA 1992) had a solo exhibit titled The Paradox of Inaction at the Hyde Park Art Center in Chicago.

William Staples's (BFA 1992) work was exhibited at the Door County Contemporary Art Fair by Chicago-based gallery 65 Grand.

Sanford Biggers (MFA 1999) had a solo exhibit titled Drift at the Parrish Art Museum in Long Island, New York. The exhibit was later featured in an article published by the New York Times, “Where Sky Meets Water, Sanford Biggers Sees Life’s ‘Drift’.” Biggers was also a recipient of the 2026 Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara Art Award.

Amy Bay (BFA 1993) had a solo exhibit titled oh deeear mee at Nationale in Portland, Oregon. 

Jeffrey Gibson (BFA 1995, HON 2026) showcased a massive digital installation at the Institute of Contemporary Art San Francisco titled This Burning World. He also co-curated an exhibition at the Institute of Contemporary Art Boston titled An Indigenous Present, created an installation for the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art titled POWER FULL BECAUSE WE'RE DIFFERENT, and is a 2026 Frederic Church awardee.

Gregory Jacobsen (SAIC 1998) had a solo exhibit titled Unfamiliar Scent Wafting at Arsenicgalerie in Paris, France.

Bani Abidi (MFA 1999) was featured in a group exhibit titled Draw Withdraw Redraw at Kunstinstituut Melly in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Abidi also participated in a two-part group exhibition titled Global Positioning System, which took place in art organization Art Jameel's two venues: Jameel Arts Centre in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and Hayy Jameel in Saudi Arabia. 

Pablo Helguera (BFA 1993) presented his performance Halsted Street at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago in celebration of the closing of his exhibition, Collection in Conversation with Pablo Helguera.

Rebekah Baker (MFA 1994) curated a project titled Women of BACKBONE at Woman Made Gallery in Chicago.

Damon Lamar Reed (BFA 1999) was featured in an article published by the Hyde Park Herald titled "Damon Lamar Reed debuts at 57th Street Art Fair."

Peter Manion (BFA 1994) created El Shed, a new experimental incubator branch of his St. Louis art space and gallery, H.I Space. El Shed serves as a dedicated platform for artists to connect outside the mainstream, offering a unique, non-traditional viewing environment that prioritizes raw dialogue and creative discovery.

Amanda Ross-Ho (BFA 1998) performed her piece, Untitled Orbit (MANUAL MODE), during Frieze LA 2026.

Amy Pleasant (BFA 1994) had a solo exhibit titled Within at Reynolds Gallery in Richmond, Virginia. She was also featured in a group exhibit titled Souvenir at Ruthann Gallery in Catskill, New York.

Michele Brody (MFA 1994) was awarded two community engagement grants from the Bronx Council on the Arts, a fine arts grant from the Puffin Foundation, and a workshop fellowship from the Manship Artist Residency’s 2026 Great Marsh Artists Fellows for her ongoing project, Nature in Absentia: Inversion.

Leah Oates (MFA 1997) had a solo show titled Transitory Space #11 at the Mary G. Hardin Center for Cultural Arts in Gadsden, Alabama. Oates was also a featured artist in a group exhibit titled Allegory of The Caveat at Lichtundfire Gallery in New York City.

Jennifer Greenburg (BFA 1999) was appointed chairperson of Fine Arts & Visual Studies at Ringling College of Art and Design in Sarasota, Florida.

Jeff Carter (MFA 1998) had a solo exhibition titled Jeff Carter: The Singer Pavilion Project at Hyde Park Art Center.

Heather Mekkelson (BFA 1999) had two solo shows, titled bass note and snare, in a joint exhibition project between 65GRAND and boundary in Chicago. Mekkelson also gave an accompanying artist talk at 65GRAND.

Jennifer Schmidt (MFA 1999) was featured in an article published by TexttielLab highlighting her newfound focus on sustainability in art.

Carlitos Ruiz-Ruiz's (BFA 1998) film titled Summer of Three won Best Performance and Best Screenplay in the U.S. Narrative Competition at the Tribeca Film Festival.

Sonya Berlovitz (BFA 1990) was featured in a group exhibition titled Gallery13 Summer Arts: Rain, Sunshine & 85 at Aloft Hotel at Aloft Hotel in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Mirae kh RHEE (BFA 1999) was featured in a group exhibition titled Berlin, the Witch, and the Bitch with the Kunstbrücke am Wildenbruch gallery in Berlin, Germany. She was also featured in a group exhibition titled All Under Heaven: Harmony in Family and State at the Museum für Asiatische Kunst at the Humboldt Forum.

Claire Ashley (MFA 1995) was interviewed by Voice-Tribune in an article about her inflatable art.

Apichatpong Weerasethakul (MFA 1994, HON 2011) was awarded France's Knight of the National Order of the Legion of Honor in Bangkok, Thailand.

Sonya Clark (BFA 1993, HON 2023) was awarded the 2026 Gold Medal For Consummate Craftsmanship by the American Craft Council. 

Sarah Vowell's (MA 1999) writing and work on This American Life were covered in an article published by the Chicago Tribune, "Celebrating history on the Fourth? Look and listen to the river."

Jennifer Rochlin (MFA 1999) had a solo exhibition at Marianne Ibrahim gallery in Chicago titled The Horizon Keeps Moving.

Aimée Beaubien (BFA 1989, MFA 1993) was featured in The Center for Photographic Art's group exhibition titled Changing the Narrative, which showcased the first five years of Paula Riff Award recipients. 

1980s

Richard Hull (MFA 1980) had a solo exhibit titled After All, Paintings and Prints at Western Exhibitions in Chicago.

Lea Basile-Lazarus (MFA 1980) had a solo exhibit of new work at Jeffrey Moose Gallery in Bainbridge Island, Washington.

Christine Buth Furness (MFA 1981) received the Bronze Award at the Artist Invitational 12, an International Juried Virtual Competition by Camelback Gallery in Scottsdale, Arizona. 

Laura Migliorino’s (BFA 1982) ongoing installation project, ICE Ghost Shoes 26: A Remembrance, received funding for public installations across the state of Minnesota. She also gave an artist talk titled “Banned Books and Queer History” at North Regional Library in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Richard Klocke (MFA 1982) founded Here/After The Art, a project minting NFT time capsules to research the future of art. 

Muneer Bahauddeen (BFA 1985) was interviewed for an article about public art and teaching by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Anne George (BFA 1985) founded THIS, an artist-run exhibition space in Winona, Minnesota. Recently on view were paintings by Janet Lobberecht (BFA 1994).

Daniel Gordon (SAIC 1985) released his latest monograph titled Objects at Hand, published by Radius Books.

David Sedaris (BFA 1987) published his 16th collection of essays and autobiographical essays, The Land and its People. He was also featured in an article published by the Chicago Tribune titled "David Sedaris on writing: AI doesn't scare me but New Yorker copy editors do." 

Rirkrit Tiravanija's (MFA 1987) retrospective of his 30-year research into spatial and architectural practice, titled The House that Jack Built, was exhibited at Pirelli HangarBicocca in Milan, Italy. He also had a mural titled (up against the wall motherfuckers) featured in a group exhibit titled Artist Interventions at MoMA PS1 in New York City.

Kurt Fondriest (MFA 1988) was featured in an open studio and exhibition at the Greenleaf Art Center. He also was awarded a City of Chicago Artist IAP Grant, which will fund his "Erase the pain" workshops that empower through the use of expressive art therapy for those living with severe chronic pain conditions.

Tony Abeyta (Post-Bacc 1989) was a participating artist in an exhibit titled The Way We Came: A Century of Indigenous Art from the William P. Healey Collection at the Phoenix Art Museum in Arizona. 

Mark Taylor (BFA 1987) was interviewed by Western Michigan University’s public radio station, WMUK, in a feature titled “Story Beat: Art by subtraction.” He also exhibited at the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts 75th Annual Arts Fair.

Deyana Mielke (BFA 1984) had three pieces featured in the International Juried Exhibition in Vancouver, Canada: Boundless with Absolve, Here and Now with As She Spins #2, and Life Forms with Emerge. She also had work shown in the 17th Annual Art at the Capital exhibition in Honolulu, Hawaii. 

1970s

Tom Pritscher (MFA 1973) was featured in an article published by Idaho Press titled "A lifetime of art, almost lost."

Michiko Itatani (MFA 1976) was featured in a group exhibition titled Cosmic Connections at the Lubeznik Center for the Arts in Michigan City, Indiana.

Nancy Bowen (BFA 1978) had her first solo show titled From A to Z and the Bodies in Between at Nunu Fine Art in New York City.

Colette Adams (MFA 1979) had a solo show titled Seed-quence at North Park Village Nature Center in Chicago.

1950s/1960s

Robert Earl Paige (SAIC 1952) was a 2026 National Design awardee in the Design Visionary category.

Jay Milder (SAIC 1958) was commemorated in an article published by Hyperallergic titled "Figurative Expressionist Painter Jay Milder Dies at 92."

Sheila Elias (BFA 1969) had work featured in a special 30th anniversary exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Miami, Florida.

Stanley Edwards (BFA 1966) was featured in The Path to Nowhere, a duo exhibition at Oliva Gallery in Chicago.

                                                           

We make a substantial effort to include as many SAIC alum accomplishments in “Class Notes” as possible. Due to the enormous talent and wide reach of the SAIC community, there may be alum updates that were not included. Please click here if you would like to submit your updates, news, and accomplishments for consideration to be included in “Class Notes” in the next issue of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago magazine. Please note, SAIC reserves the right to edit submissions.

In Memoriam

Jay Milder (SAIC 1958)

Autumn Lin (MFA 2023)

J. Josef Sedelmaier (BFA 1955)

Avis Neiman (BFA 1985)

Pam Boudreau (SAIC 1967)

Gerald Hardy (Post-Bacc 1960)

Frank Stack (SAIC 1961)

Iris Cohn (SAIC 1979)

Nathaniel Gillette (BFA 2018)

Sandra Grung (SAIC 1961)

David Davidson (BAE 1948)

Frank Piatek (MFA 1971)

Stefanie Zygadlo (BFA 2005)

Sandra Jordan (BFA 1980)

Ann Slavick (BFA 1973, MFA 1991)

Luke D. Dohner Jr. (BFA 1983)

Marcus Alan Owens (MArch 2009)

Betelhem Makonnen (MFA 2019)

Nancy Andrews (MFA 1995)

Calvin Phelps (BFA 1999) ■