Alumni in the News

Raymond Uhlir (B.F.A, ’02) recently showed work from his painting and drawing series Relatively Epic along with new work by fellow UT alum, Faith Gay, at D. Berman Gallery in Austin, Texas.

Sikes’ artwork will be on display from July 14 – Aug. 23 at Laguna Gloria’s Gatehouse Gallery, 3809 West 35th Street, Austin, TX. A reception will be held on July 22, 2010 from 6:00- 8:00 p.m. Gallery hours are 11:00 a.m- 3:00 p.m., Monday- Friday

Robert Schenkkan (B.F.A. in Drama, ’75) received two Emmy Award nominations for Best Writing, Miniseries for his work on The Pacific. The World War II drama tracks the intertwined real-life journeys of three U.S. Marines across the vast canvas of the Pacific Theater. The Pacific received a total of 24 Emmy nominations, including Outstanding Miniseries.

Schenkkan is the author of The Kentucky Cycle, Tony Award nominee and winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. In addition to his artistic achievements, Schenkkan has been recognized as a UT Distinguished Young Alumnus, and is a member of the Friar Society. Schenkkan is co-writer on episodes 4, 6, 8 and 10, and co-producer on all 10 episodes of The Pacific.

David Cloyd’s (B.M., ’98) second album, I Could Disappear, follows on the national success of his debut effort, Unhand Me, You Fiend!, delivering a powerful collection of performances unlike any in his past—solo, in the studio. Visit Cloyd’s new web site to learn about his albums and merchandise.

Mark Van Stone (Ph.D., ’05) has written a new book, 2012 – Science and Prophecy of the Ancient Maya. It is a full-color, 170-page book inspired by Maya inscriptions, astronomical knowledge, math, and myth. Van Stone has spent the last several years researching “What the ancient Maya actually said about 2012.” The result is based entirely on science, archaeology, decipherment, and PreColumbian art. To make this arcane material as accessible as possible, he examines aspects of this phenomenon in 38 short, digestible essays, which one can read in any order.

Constance Cortez (B.A., ’81; M.A., ’86) was granted tenure and promotion to Associate Professor at Texas Tech University in April 2009. She has two volumes coming out in September 2010: “Carmen Lomas Garza” (UCLA, A Ver Series) and a co-edited volume (with John Beusterien) “Death and the Afterlife in the Early Modern Hispanic World” (University of Minnesota Press, Hispanic Issues On-Line). She is currently co-organizing the 2nd Triennial for the Association of Latin American Art with Virginia Fields. The symposium will be held November 12-14 at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.

David Wyatt (B.A., ’95) and Rachel Wyatt (B.J., ’00 & M.A., ’04) of Wyatt Brand, an Austin-based boutique design and PR firm, has been chosen by the Texas Cultural Trust to execute dual design and public relations campaigns for the 2011 Texas Medal of Arts- the signature biennial event of the organization spotlighting and celebrating the creative excellence, exemplary talents, and outstanding contributions by Texans in selected categories.

Judi Krant (B.A., ’94) is the writer and director of the film “MADE IN CHINA,” which won the Grand Jury Award for Best Narrative Feature last year at SXSW. The film has recently been picked up for distribution with IFC (www.ifcfilms.com/toppers/made-in-china).

Sunyong Chung (B.A., ’81) will have two sculptures, a gigantic porcelain torus and dancing paper, on display at the Austin Museum of Art (AMOA), May 22- August 15, 2010. Chung will be at AMOA July 10th at 1pm and July 15th at 7pm.

David H. Elliott (B.F.A., ’67) presents his Painted Drawings exhibition in the fine art studio of Professor Emeritus Terence Grieder. David will present 23 recent paintings, including the new Debacle series. Other paintings are from the End of It All series.

Painted Drawings, David H. Elliott’s solo exhibition, opens Sunday, May 16th, 1 p.m.- 6 p.m., at 406 W. 35th Street, Austin, Texas