School of Art and Visual Studies News

the beat podcast graphic with wildcat illustration

The Beat: Garry Bibbs and Allan Richards

UK MFA student’s prize-winning work inspired by journey to sobriety, exploration of doubt

By Tom Musgrave, originally published in UKNow July 7, 2025

"Towards Freedom," a sculpture depicting abolitionists Lewis and Harriet Hayden, who were formerly enslaved in Lexington — was dedicated on North Limestone Street in Lexington on Juneteenth. Photo courtesy of VisitLEX.

Lexington, UK community celebrate Freedom Train monument

By Tom Musgrave, published in UKNow June 20, 2025

illustration of young girl with red hair as book cover with Jennifer's Monster text

UK art student's whimsical illustrations bring children's book to life

by Tom Musgrave, originally published in UKNow May 29, 2025

For University of Kentucky art studio major Millie Robinson, her first year in college was out of the ordinary. The Utah native and current Lexington resident collaborated with an author to illustrate a children’s book.

silhouette of person on red abstract background

Collaborative animation project spans continents, includes UK art students

By Tom Musgrave. Originally published in UKNow, February 18, 2025.

People Behind Our Research: Dmitry Strakovsky strives to connect the arts and health

By Erin Wickey, originally published Jan. 30, 2025, on UKNow.

three people looking at the camera in a wood shop

Robinson Wood Utilization Center donates mahogany to UK School of Art and Visual Studies students

By Bailey Vandiver, originally published in UKNow on Nov. 27, 2024

Fiber installation outside with person swinging

UK College of Design, College of Fine Arts art installation pays tribute to campus landscape

By Haley Simpkins, originally published in UKNow Nov. 21, 2024.

SA/VS alumnus wins international award

Published November 12, 2024

Letitia Quesenberry, little darlings series, 2014–ongoing. Photo courtesy of the artist.

SA/VS to Co-host First Scholarly Symposium Dedicated to the Importance of Archival Research to Queer Scholarship in American Art History

Map of Calabria with detail of artifacts found

UK SA/VS professor discovers Spartacus’ 1st battlefield in southern Italy

University of Kentucky archaeologist Paolo Visonà, Ph.D., an adjunct associate professor in the University of Kentucky’s School of Art and Visual Studies (SA/VS), announced a major archaeological discovery in Calabria, Italy.

Still frame of a film featuring a woman in white tank top drinking water from a stream

SA/VS 20th biannual Digital Media Blast

Published May 10, 2024

Art work by Tomasz Winiarski, from the Academy of Fine Arts in Krakow, Poland. The piece is part of the current exhibition, “Tropiciele/Pathfinders,” running now through Feb. 23.

UK, Transy to present survey of work from Poland's Academy of Fine Arts

Story originally appeared in UKNow, Jan. 18, 2024.

Students hold up finished ceramic pieces outside of new kiln

UK Kiln Finds New Home, New Opportunities

Report submitted by Hunter Stamps

Through collaborative efforts across multiple colleges, the University of Kentucky kiln was deconstructed and successfully rebuilt on a new site in 2023.

SA/VS alumna gives back to students

Published November 27, 2023

image of a black and white cat sitting on the chair that Paul Rodgers designed

UK Innovate's Launch Blue Highlights SAVS' Paul Rodgers in Tech Showcase

Launch Blue, under the Office of Technology Commercialization in UK Innovate, supports promising technology startup founders and university innovators in Kentucky and beyond. Launch Blue is creating Tech Showcases to highlight Launch Blue innovators, founders and teams. Paul Rodgers is one of the UK Innovators that has been spotlighted.

Image credit: Letitia Quesenberry, from the series little darlings, 2014–ongoing, panel, lacquer, photo, wax, resin, 6 x 5 x .25 in each, photo courtesy of the artist.

SAVS Associate Professor Miriam Kienle project receives Terra Foundation award $25,000 to support “Queer Art | Queer Archives”

Crystal Gregory bending over a field of marigolds, instructing a group of onlookers during the dye garden demonstration.