Every year since 1981 the Society of Illustrators has held the Student Scholarship Competition. Over three hundred works are chosen from more than 8,700 entries submitted by professors of college-level students nationwide. In a competition which can kick start a career, students bring their most sophisticated, well-crafted and original work to be tested. A jury of professional peers, including illustrators and art directors, selects the most outstanding works created throughout the year. Pieces are accepted based on the quality of technique, concept and skill of medium used. From the Society’s endowment, generous contributions from private and corporate donors, and proceeds from an annual auction of member-donated artworks, scholarship awards are granted to about 25 students whose work is deemed the best of the best. We are proud of all of our students who entered work into the competition and thrilled to offer our congratulations to Maia Fischer Walter (‘21), Jessi Macko (‘21) and Tehya Riley Woolworth (‘21). Jessi is also the recipient of the $1000 Carol and Murray Tinkelman Scholarship Award. Congratulations all!! Maia Fischer Walter | Long Dog Doll, mixed media. Instructor: Brent Watkinson Jessi Macko | Life Painted Me Beautiful, pastel on paper. Instructor: Brent Watkinson Tehya Riley Woolworth read more…
KCAI Hosts Virtual Open Studios
This past weekend, KCAI Admissions hosted Open Studio, a virtual campus visit day. 355 prospective students registered for weekend sessions that included studio tours led by faculty and current students, making it KCAI’s largest virtual recruitment event ever. Students from around the country tuned in to meet with faculty members and get a peek into the studios and new facilities. The successful event started in Fiber where current students were able to show and tell what happens in the loom room, the dye kitchen and the sewing studio. The format allowed prospective students to really see what happens at art and design school and imagine their own studio practice. The weekend ended with a President’s Round Table in which prospective students could ask questions directly to Nerman Family President Tony Jones and his administration. KCAI’s largest sessions were hosted by the Illustration and Animation departments, which had over 100 participants each! “Due to the pandemic, the majority of interested students have not been able to visit our campus and studios. This event provided a unique opportunity for potential students to see themselves as a student at KCAI, to envision themselves on our campus and in our studios,” said Interim Director read more…
Professor Milton Katz’s book inspires CBS documentary
An award-winning book Breaking Through: John B. McLendon, Basketball Legend and Civil Rights Pioneer written by Professor, VP of Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty Milton Katz Ph.D. is the inspiration for a new documentary that will air this Sunday, April 4 at 3 p.m. CT on CBS. Milton served as an historical consultant and is interviewed in the film. Soul of the Game: The John McLendon Story, directed by New York filmmaker Michelle Major, illuminates McLendon’s historic contributions to basketball, his close relationship with basketball inventor James Naismith, and his groundbreaking efforts to break down racial barriers. It is the first of three documentaries in a series celebrating the contributions of historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) to basketball. Naismith’s mentorship went beyond basketball and into the game of life where he taught John that he could overcome adversity by approaching it as one of the many challenges each of us have. “He inspired John to go beyond the sport of basketball and use it as a powerful force for social change, especially to improve the lives of young men,” said Milton. According to Milton, John is one of the unsung heroes of the Civil Rights Movement. He was read more…