Faculty Research & Accomplishments
Summer & Fall 2022
Faculty at the Texas Tech School of Art are engaged in a vast variety of research projects. Research helps faculty members stay abreast of their fields, keeps them at the forefront as leaders in their disciplines, and helps them to better prepare students with up-to-date techniques and concepts. Faculty research trajectories often include personal explorations on topics developed over many years. Additionally, faculty have been engaging in interdisciplinary research such as arts in medicine and arts in engineering. Some of those collaborative projects are reported on the Art Making Links webpage.
Von Venhuizen Publishes Essay in Studio Potter Online
Von Venhuizen, Associate Professor in Ceramics, recently published an article titled "The Gift" in Studio Potter. The heartfelt essay addresses several of Von's close friendships with other ceramists, no longer with us. The essay can be read online here (with a subscription) or in PDF format here.
Dr. Andrés Peralta Receives Higher Education Award
Dr. Andres Peralta, Associate Professor in Art Education, received the Higher Education Division Outstanding
Art Educator Award at the 2022 Texas Art Education Association Conference. He has
been very involved as an editor and/or designer for the TAEA journal Trends since 2019.
Sangmi Yoo in Group Show of Korean Artists - Show Ending October 31st
Sangmi Yoo, Professor of Art, is included in a group show featuring four Korean artists at the Nancy Fyfe Cardozier Gallery at the University of Texas - Permian Basin. Curated by School of Art alumna Amy Kim, the artists in the exhibition critique the everyday - housing, food ways, and subtle moments in living. The other artists are Mizin Shin, Ray Im, and Yuna Kim.
The exhibition was recently reviewed on Glasstire.com by Liz Kim. According to Kim, "...being Korean in Texas means being situated somewhere between the extremes of hyper-visibility and total invisibility. Common Occurrences: Four Korean Artists takes a stab at complicating these extremes, and through reproducible media tap dances between identities and places that are indeterminate.” Read the entire essay here.
Reception for the exhibition was September 15th and the exhibition continues through October 31st.
Travis Neel's The Mesquite Mile

Since 2021, Assistant Professor of Art Travis Neel's primary research focus has been centered on the relocation of mesquite trees and other drought tolerant plants from agricultural land (where they are considered a nuisance) into the tree-poor urban core of Lubbock, TX where they can contribute to solar cooling, stormwater runoff mitigation, and the creation of pedestrian-friendly green spaces. The collaborative project known as The Mesquite Mile utilizes art as a tool to convert lawns and surplus space into interconnected rainwater harvesting earthworks that reimagine the narrative of this vital keystone species in Lubbock's semi-arid climate.
The project is situated at the intersection of socially engaged art, participatory urbanism and landscape architecture. The work is funded through an Interchange Grant from the Mid-America Arts Alliance with generous support from the Mellon Foundation.
Lead artists include Erin Charpentier, Kim Karlsrud, Travis Neel and Daniel Phillips.
This work would not be possible without the dedication and commitment of many School of Art students, including Artist Assistants: Niko Butcher, Ricki Castanieto, Anna Davis, Jazmyn Jaramillo, Emily Martinez, Sam Moody, Victoria Thompson, Kiersten Williams, and Student Volunteers: Mikayla Giannini, Brittney Gamucero, Kayla Halil.
Follow the project on Instagram @the_mesquite_mile.
Dirk Fowler Has Solo Exhibition at Martin Museum of Art - Waco
Paper Trail: Letterpress and Screen Printed Posters by Dirk Fowler is an exhibition of twenty-five works by Dirk Fowler, associate professor of Graphic Design, currently on view at the Martin Museum of Art in Waco, Texas through November 16th.
Fowler will present a talk about his work at the Museum on Thursday, September 8th during a reception for the exhibition from 5:30 - 7:00 PM. Fowler will discuss his work at 6:00 PM during the reception.
Fowler has created letterpress posters and illustration for clients such as Wilco, The New York Dolls, Columbia Records, Wired, Billboard, Texas Monthly and The New York Times. His work has been awarded by the American Advertising Federation, American Institute of Graphic Arts, Type Directors Club and Society of Publication Designers and has been highlighted in the Wall Street Journal, Novum, PRINT, Communication Arts and numerous books including the Art of Modern Rock, New Masters of Poster Design, and Impressive. His work has been exhibited nationally and internationally.
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