Alumni

https://emmymid-america.org/emmy-awards/nominees/?fbclid=PAdGRleANviT1leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABpzFJhIvFaTwd46ue-GFHAXgs5A_abg7kSCuPIqiqo_9fd4DnL-iC9N-7B-5Z_aem_CJBSLJSkqmek91nhB-IWWw CATEGORY #306 Informational/Instructional - Short Form Content (up to 10 minutes) 2025 Mid-America Emmy® Award Winner Fresh Press Paper WILL-TV

• Taylor Plantan – Producer
• DJ Roach – Producer
• Tinisha Spain – Producer

 

James M. Smith. 1973, Master of Fine Arts, Painting and Printmaking will have an exhibition at the McCaughen & Burr Fine Arts Gallery, 117 W. Lockwood Ave. in Webster Groves, MO. Opening reception Friday, Nov. 14, 5–8 p.m. McCaughen & Burr Fine Arts Gallery, 117 W. Lockwood Ave Admission: Free and open to the public More info: jamesmsmithart.com “How a non-Jewish artist helped shape Jewish spaces across the Midwest” by Jordan Palmer in STL Jewish Light.

Teaching Assistant Professor in Illustration and/or Computer Animation School of Art & Design, Studio Art Program University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign   The School of Art & Design at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign invites applications for a full-time, non-tenure-track Teaching Assistant Professor position in Illustration and/or Computer Animation within the Studio Art Program. We seek two dynamic artist-educators whose practices engage traditional and digital media in the service of storytelling, expression, and creative communication. This unified search reflects our program’s commitment to cultivating interdisciplinary learning while also maintaining disciplinary clarity. Candidates may apply for either the Illustration or the Computer Animation position, or both, depending on their area(s) of expertise. This search supports growing curricular demand and student interest in both illustration and animation at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The successful candidate(s) will contribute to our vibrant studio community and help shape future curricula that advance critical, inclusive, and cross-disciplinary creative practices. About the School of Art & Design Located within the College of Fine and Applied Arts, the School of Art & Design is home to a diverse and vibrant community of artists, designers, and scholars. We support interdisciplinary and socially engaged creative practices and offer a range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Our Studio Art program emphasizes both technical excellence and conceptual rigor, encouraging students to explore the intersections of art, technology, and culture. For more about our programs and values, visit art.illinois.edu. Application Guidance To ensure clarity in review and evaluation, applicants must indicate in their cover letter whether they are applying for:

• The Illustration position, • The Computer Animation position, or • Both positions.

Applicants should tailor materials accordingly, highlighting their qualifications for the relevant role(s). Position 1: Teaching Assistant Professor in Illustration We seek an accomplished illustrator whose dynamic, versatile practice engages both traditional and digital media. The ideal candidate will demonstrate expertise in several of the following areas:

• Foundational drawing (gesture, perspective, and anatomy) • Collage and mixed media • Digital painting and coloring (e.g., Photoshop, Illustrator, Procreate) • Serialized storytelling and storyboarding • Visual development for games/media • Traditional media, including ink, watercolor, and gouache • Freelance or commission-based illustration practices

The successful candidate will develop curricula for both the Master's program in Game Studies and Design and the undergraduate minor (offered in person and online) through collaborative efforts between the School of Information Sciences and the School of Art & Design. They will also work across disciplines, particularly with colleagues in the College of Fine & Applied Arts and Information Sciences, on initiatives related to visual storytelling and game development.   Position 2: Teaching Assistant Professor in Computer Animation We seek a digital or computational artist with a robust practice in animation, game development, and narrative media. Ideal candidates will demonstrate expertise in at least two of the following areas, with openness to a broad, interdisciplinary approach:

• 2D and 3D animation workflows • Digital painting and texturing • 3D modeling, rendering, and rigging • Storyboarding and narrative design • Game engine integration (Unity, Unreal) • Freelance or commission-based media production

The successful candidate will develop curricula for both the Master's program in Game Studies and Design and the undergraduate minor (offered in person and online) through collaborative efforts between the School of Information Sciences and the School of Art & Design. This includes shaping an inclusive, forward-looking animation curriculum that integrates technical fluency, cultural critique, and media experimentation. They will also collaborate across disciplines, particularly with colleagues in the College of Fine & Applied Arts and the School of Information Sciences, on initiatives related to visual storytelling and game development. Courses May Include The following are representative courses taught within the Illustration and New Media concentrations. Exact course assignments will be based on expertise and program needs:

• Beginning Illustration
• Composition and Storytelling
• Digital Coloring
• Advanced Illustration
• Observational Drawing
• Visualization Drawing
• Expressive Drawing
• Life Drawing
• Beginning & Intermediate Painting
• Image Practice
• Time Arts I
• The Art of 3D Imaging
• Interaction I
• Graduate Studio (Online, MS in Game Development)

  Minimum Qualifications (Both Positions)

• Terminal or advanced degree in a relevant field (e.g., studio art, illustration, animation, game development, computational media) • Professional experience in relevant creative industry sectors • Demonstrated experience teaching or mentoring in both academic and/or professional settings • Technical fluency with industry-standard software and digital workflows • Engagement with contemporary critical discourse in media, culture, and storytelling

We welcome applicants whose research and creative practices expand or challenge dominant narratives in the fields of illustration and animation. This may include, but is not limited to, work that engages with underrepresented histories, global perspectives, emergent media, or innovative modes of storytelling and image-making. We are particularly interested in candidates whose teaching and practice demonstrate sensitivity to a wide range of cultural frameworks, lived experiences, and ways of knowing. Appointment Information This is a 100% full-time Teaching Assistant Professor position, appointed on a nine-month basis. The expected start date is August 2026. The budgeted salary range for the position is $62,500–$70,000. Final salary offered will be determined by a thorough assessment of available market data, internal salary equity, candidate experience and qualifications, collective bargaining agreements, and budget constraints. Application Procedures & Deadline Information Applications must be received by 11:59 pm (Central Time) on December 1, 2025. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered. Required materials:

• Cover letter (indicating Illustration, Computer Animation, or both) • Curriculum vitae • Teaching statement • Portfolio of creative work (PDF or link to online portfolio) • Samples of student work (if available) • Names and contact information for three references

For further information about this specific position, please contact Bobbie Clegg at bjclegg@illinois.edu. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137. The University of Illinois offers a very competitive benefits portfolio, depending on the position. Click for a complete list of Employee Benefits. The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify. Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodations portal, or by contacting the Accessibility & Accommodations Division of the Office for Access and Equity at 217-333-0885, or by emailing accessibility@illinois.edu.

Assistant/Associate Professor in User Experience and User Interface Design (Tenure-Track)

School of Art & Design

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign   The School of Art & Design, housed within the College of Fine and Applied Arts at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, invites applications for two full-time tenure-track faculty positions in User Experience (UX) and User Interface (UI) Design at the rank of Assistant or Associate Professor, with an anticipated start date of August 16, 2026. These positions will play a central role in the development and instruction of the BS in Computer Science + Design degree, a collaborative program that bridges design and technology. Faculty will contribute to three programs including Graphic Design, Industrial Design and Studio Art to foster interdisciplinary teaching and research. We seek a candidate with a terminal degree (MFA, PhD, or equivalent) in a field engaging art, design, and computation. The ideal candidate will be both a practicing artist/critical designer—with a strong record of public engagement through exhibitions, installations, and/or performances—and a researcher whose writing and publishing investigate the social, cultural, and aesthetic dimensions of computation. Candidates should demonstrate expertise in computational media and contribute through creative interventions in areas such as but not limited to: • Artificial Intelligence as medium and cultural system • Platform culture, computational logics, and interface aesthetics • Digital rights, privacy, and ethics of computation • Race, gender, and technology • Algorithmic bias, equity, and social justice • Design for Accessibility • Bio-art, Art–science, Data Visualization, and emerging crossover disciplines, including Behavioral Sciences • Code as art We are looking for an artist-designer-researcher whose creative practice and critical inquiry together advance new ways of engaging with computation, interface, and interaction in their wider cultural, social, and political dimensions. Context: The School of Art & Design The School of Art and Design supports interdisciplinary and socially engaged creative practices and offers a range of programs, including undergraduate and/or graduate degrees and concentrations in Art Education, Art History, Fashion, Graphic Design, Industrial Design, Design for Responsible Innovation, New Media, Painting, Photography, Printmaking, Sculpture, and Studio Art. Our School emphasizes both technical excellence and conceptual rigor, encouraging students to challenge themselves and use their creative skills in building a better, more just and sustainable world. In all areas, student and faculty work is supported by state-of-the-art labs for traditional and contemporary media, including spaces for digital imaging and printing, audio-visual production, rapid two- and three-dimensional prototyping, and darkroom photography. Facilities for bookbinding, letterpress, printmaking, and fashion design are also available. Teaching Responsibilities: The teaching load includes two courses per semester. The successful candidate will teach courses that position computation as an artistic and critical design medium, ranging from introductory coding for creative practice to advanced, research-driven practice and method-based seminars. Areas of teaching could include (but are not limited to): computational art, critical interface design, interactive art, data art, information art, net art, and related emerging practices. The candidate will contribute to both undergraduate and graduate curricula, mentor students across disciplines, and help shape the evolving identity of computational art and critical design within the School of Art and Design. Minimum Qualifications • Terminal degree (MFA, PhD, or equivalent) in a relevant discipline. • Evidence of an active creative practice with a strong record of public engagement through exhibition, installation, and/or performance. • Evidence of critical research through writing, publishing, or equivalent scholarly contributions that engage computational media, design, and the arts. • Demonstrated potential for excellence in teaching, mentoring, and curriculum development at both undergraduate and graduate levels. • Commitment to fostering an inclusive academic environment and contributing to the diversity of the School and University. Preferred Qualifications: • PhD in relevant discipline. • Familiarity with and a critical perspective on historical approaches to experience design. • Practice, teaching, and/or research that connect to one or more of the following areas of design: Gender and Design, Equity and Design, Indigenous Design  Knowledges, and Design Futures. • Familiarity with liberatory pedagogical approaches. • A critical perspective on social biases embedded in technological systems. • Experience teaching in a program that integrates Design, Technology, and Science. Application Materials: • A cover letter addressing qualifications and research/creative practice. • Curriculum vitae. • Portfolio of scholarly and creative work. • Research Statement. • A teaching portfolio, including a teaching statement, one or two sample syllabi, and (if possible) student work. • Names and contact information for three references.

Appointment Information

This is a 100% full-time Assistant/Associate Professor position, appointed on a nine-month basis. The expected start date is August 2026. The budgeted salary range for the position is $75,000 to $80,000 at the Assistant Professor level and $88,000 to $95,000 at the Associate Professor level, for a nine-month service basis. Final salary offered will be determined by a thorough assessment of available market data, internal salary equity, candidate experience and qualifications, collective bargaining agreements, and budget constraints.

Application Procedures & Deadline Information

To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 6:00 pm (CST) on December 8, 2025. Interviews may begin prior to the initial closing date; however, the review of applications will continue until suitable candidates are identified. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered. For further information about this specific position, please contact Bobbie Clegg at bjclegg@illinois.edu. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.  

The University of Illinois offers a very competitive benefits portfolio, depending on the position. Click for a complete list of Employee Benefits.

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The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodations portal, or by contacting the Accessibility & Accommodations Division of the Office for Access and Equity at 217-333-0885, or by emailing accessibility@illinois.edu.

LOST AT SEA (ULYSSES) Marcel Broodthaers, Luis Camnitzer, Lenka Clayton and Phillip Andrew Lewis, Rose Finn-Kelcey, Felix Gonzalez-Torres, Renée Green, Lonnie Holley, Betsy Packard, and Josef Strau Elizabeth Myers Mitchell Art Museum St. John’s College 60 College Ave., Annapolis, MD 21401 The museum is open Thursday, Saturday, Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Friday, 2 to 7:30 p.m.

David Gregory: 50-year Retrospective October 2 – October 30, 2025 Illini Union Art Gallery, 1401 W Green St., Champaign Reception Thursday Oct 2 from 4:30-6:00 This exhibition features forty-four paintings and etchings spanning the length of David’s career from his time as an art student at the University of Illinois to his most recent works. David has created over four thousand oil and watercolor paintings, most of which hang in private and public collections throughout the USA and abroad. He has been juried into numerous national and international exhibitions. Those who knew former U of I Art Department professor, Billy Morrow Jackson (1926-2006), will recognize the influence of the artist David considers to be his mentor and the teacher who led him on the path to being a successful artist. It was Jackson’s exhibition of landscapes in the Illini Union Art Gallery that inspired David’s decision to transfer from Architecture and pursue fine art as a career. David has found inspiration in the rural landscapes of his native Illinois and cityscapes from San Francisco to Venice, Italy.  A world traveler, he has painted in England, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, California, Colorado, Wisconsin, and Hawaii. He has lived in California and Hawaii but now resides in Peoria, Illinois, with his wife Renée.

Louise Fishman (1939–2021) and her work were recently featured in ArtNet announcing her new exhibition. Read the article here.

Savage Wonderground Gallery is delighted to announce the vernissage of their inaugural exhibition Radical Fun at the Savage Wonder Arts Center Opening: Saturday, May 10, 2025 Location: 139 Main Street, Beacon, New York On View: May 10 – July 6, 2025 Hours: 10 AM – 8 PM Featuring Works By: Kris Battles, Peter Caine, Chris “Daze” Ellis*, Rory Gevis, Jane Hammond**, Gina Herrera, Brent Owens, Judy Pfaff, David Reisman, Angelo T. Robinson, Gret Sterrett Smith, Charles Spurrier, Chuck Webster, and Auguster D.Williams Jr.. Beacon, NY – March 10, 2025 – Savage Wonderground, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit art gallery dedicated to showcasing the works of military veteran artists, is thrilled to announce the launch of its inaugural exhibition, Radical Fun. This groundbreaking show will feature a diverse collection of immersive and multimedia artwork designed to push creative boundaries and captivate audiences. Savage Wonderground’s mission is to highlight visual artists and their immediate families who have served in the military, first responders, and the Department of Defense. By providing a platform for these under-represented artists, the gallery aims to mentor, nurture, and elevate their careers while offering audiences unique artistic perspectives shaped by lives of service. Radical Fun: A Fearless Fusion of Creativity and Rebellion The Radical Fun exhibition is inspired by the four pillars of the Savage Wonder Arts Center: offering experiences that are absurd, whimsical, jarring, and intimate —often all at once. Designed to be bold, humorous, and thought-provoking, Radical Fun throws traditional gallery conventions aside, creating an immersive environment of extravagance and excess. The 14 participating artists, all veterans or closely connected family members, bring distinctive thematic, material, and conceptual approaches to their work. What unites them is their fearless exploration of intuition, personal consciousness, and the boundaries of their lived experiences. Radical Fun is a celebration of artistic freedom, blending high-energy expression with deeply felt narratives. Special Opening Event This exclusive opening coincides with the Dia Beacon Spring Gala, and Savage Wonderground will offer extended hours, allowing visitors to experience Radical Fun before or after the gala. The exhibition promises to attract a dynamic new audience to the region, further establishing Beacon as a hub for groundbreaking contemporary art. * Chris “Daze” Ellis is presented courtesy of P.P.O.W Gallery, with sincere thanks for their collaboration. ** Jane Hammond is presented courtesy of ULAE, with sincere thanks for their collaboration.

Alum Douglas Busch (BFA, Graphic Design, '74)  is celebrated for shooting large-format photographs that capture reality more accurately than you can actually see it. He's created and designed cameras and buildings. Read below to learn about Busch's photography and creative process, involvement with friends and colleagues, childhood and history, and portfolio. Read more in the Illinois Alumni Magazine

Robyn Farrell is Senior Curator and Director of Curatorial Affairs at The Kitchen in New York where she oversees the exhibition, performance, and publication program. Recent exhibitions include The Kitchen in Focus featuring Sheryl Sutton at 47 Canal (2024), Desire Inc. (2024) with Lynn Hershman Leeson and Patricia Domínguez's Tres Lunas Mas Abajo (Three Moons Below) (2024) as part of The Kitchen's Video Viewing (VVR) Program. From 2013-2023 she worked at the Art Institute of Chicago, most recently as Associate Curator in the Department of Modern and Contemporary Art. Farrell served on the curatorial teams for over fifty exhibitions including Kara Walker: Rise Up Ye Mighty Race! (2013), Kemang Wa Lehulere: In All My Wildest Dreams (2016), and Andy Warhol—From A to B and Back Again (2019). She curated and co-curated numerous exhibitions during her tenure in Chicago, notably the 2021 exhibition with Barbara Kruger, THINKING OF YOU. I MEAN ME. I MEAN YOU, the Chicago presentation of Gregg Bordowitz: I Wanna Be Well (2019), Christine Sun Kim: Cues on Point (2023), and Maren Hassinger: This Is How We Grow (2023). Farrell has contributed to publications and artist monographs, spoken widely on contemporary and time-based media, and is an internationally recognized scholar on the work of German filmmaker and video art pioneer Gerry Schum, including his landmark art on television broadcasts such as Land Art (1969). Farrell holds a BFA in Art History from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign and an MA in Art History from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago where she has served as a visiting lecturer and moderator for the Gene Siskel Film Center. 

Alumna Mary Kay Austin (BFA Industrial Design, '62) has been featured in Phaidon’s Architectural Pottery book and in an exhibition at the American Museum of Ceramic Art.

An exhibition of alumna Betsy Packard's (BFA 1976 Painting) work will be on view at Tephra ICA @ Signature Gallery, 11850 Freedom Drive, Reston, Virginia. Curated by Hannah Barco, "Ways of Thinking About Your Life" begins November 1st, 2024 thru February 9, 2025. More information here.

Woods Davy (MFA 1975) will have an exhibition "Denying Gravity." Craig Krull Gallery, Bergamot Station, 2525 Michigan Ave. Suite B3, Santa Monica, CA Saturday, October 19 - Saturday, November 30, 2024. Opening Reception: Saturday, October 19, 2024 | 3-5pm Artist Talk & Book Signing with Woods Davy & Shana Nys Dambrot: Saturday, October 26, 2024 | 11:00 a.m.

Kim Vandenbroucke (BFA 2002 Industrial Design) was nominated for the third year in a row for the Toy and Game Innovator of the Year TAGIE Award! This year’s nomination is for Scrabble Together, a project with the games team at Mattel. The goal was to make Scrabble more family-friendly and accessible. “I hope this cooperative version encourages more people who may have been hesitant to dive into the classic word game to enjoy it with their family and friends. A huge high five to both the Mattel Games and IR teams for their incredible work, and to all the other inventors and designers up for this award—I'm lucky to know so many talented people!” Don't forget to vote: https://lnkd.in/g9zwUqfx    

Breaking the Code, the recent award-winning documentary film on artist Vernon Fisher, will be published online by Glasstire on Wednesday, September 18th. To celebrate the film's release, Brooklyn's Franklin Furnace is hosting a special virtual event featuring a screening of the film followed by a virtual post-screening discussion. The discussion will feature former Under Secretary for Art at the Smithsonian Institution Ned Rifkin, Glasstire Publisher Brandon Zech, filmmaker Michael Flanagan and Franklin Furnace Director Harley Spiller. The event will take place via Zoom from 6:00-7:30 pm ET on Wednesday, September 18th. Breaking the Code will be available to stream online via Glasstire TV following the Franklin Furnace screening. More information can be found at this link.  

Kuangming Qin (MFA 2024 Industrial Design) received a 2024 merit award from the Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA). CONGRATULATIONS!

Giant Congratulations Ali Ibanez, Graphic Design (2024) for competing in the Paris Paralympics on the women’s basketball team. Go Ali! Also congratulations as well to Phillip Croft, Industrial Design (2025) and Isaiah Rigo, Industrial Design (2024) for making it to the paralympic trials for Track and Field.

Fresh Press Co-Founder and Graphic Design/DRI Associate Professor, Eric Benson, with e. ainsley (MFA 2021 Sculpture), Co-Studio Manager & Program Coordinator and  Meredith Hislope (Art Education major), Co-Studio Manager will be featured on Mid-American Gardner tonight at 7 PM on WILL.

Realist Artist Jennifer Cronin’s Upcoming Solo Exhibition Takes Us on a Cosmic Journey Chicago: Elephant Room Gallery is thrilled to present artist Jennifer Cronin’s 5th solo exhibition at the gallery entitled “Star Stuff”, opening on Friday, September 20th from 6 to 9pm. The exhibition will be on view through October 26th. The gallery is located at 704 S Wabash Avenue in Chicago’s South Loop Neighborhood. More information can be found on the gallery’s website: www.elephantroomgallery.com Jennifer Cronin is known for her uncanny realism from her large scale figurative oil paintings to her meticulous pencil drawings. Over the past few years, her work has moved into a magical realm of neon colors, mysterious shapes and luminism. Her latest body of work in “Star Stuff” takes inspiration from the night sky, finding pieces of cosmic mystery in our everyday landscapes. Even though the work is dark, it is not sad or complacent. It invokes a connection to something outside of ourselves: distant galaxies, the passage of time, and the mystery of our existence. “Star Stuff” is about all of us: where we are from, where we are and where we are going. For Cronin, this work is a reflection of her growth as an artist and as a human being. Cronin pulls inspiration for her subject matter from her own surroundings on frequent walks in her neighborhood in Chicago. “…I can still find pieces of it everywhere. The dotting of artificial lights across a landscape, or the mysterious je ne sais quoi of a liminal space in the alleyway. Stories of this urban landscape are not that different from the stories of an endless night sky. I can find it right here–reasons to be, moments of cosmic mystery, connection to something outside of myself, the thrill of being alive in this very time and space.” - Cronin   Jennifer Cronin is a Chicago-based visual artist known for her realistic paintings that explore the mystery and complexity of everyday life. Cronin’s work has evolved many times over, delving into psychology, income inequality, and climate change. Her most recent work celebrates the mundane, infusing quotidian scenes with a sense of magic and mystery. In support of her forthcoming body of work, Jennifer was awarded grants by the Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation and Chicago DCASE. Jennifer’s work has been featured on NPR, Newcity, and Sixty Inches from Center and included in exhibitions at the Elmhurst Art Museum, Museo Internazionale Italia Arte, and the Grand Rapids Public Museum. Jennifer received her BFA in painting from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She is represented by Elephant Room Gallery in Chicago. The artwork in this series was funded by a grant from The Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation, and partially supported by an Individual Artists Program Grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events.

Art & Design Studio Art Faculty Kira Dominguez Hultgren (Crafts), Ben Grosser (Digital Arts), Patrick Hammie (Visual Arts), and Laurie Hogin (Visual Arts) recently received an Illinois Arts Council Artist Fellowship Award. BFA 2016 in Studio Art: Sculpture Alumna Jade Williams (New Art Forms) is also a recipient of an Illinois Arts Council Artist Fellowship. Congratulations to all!