Alumni in the News

Malinali “Mali” Vargas Docktor (BFA, Studio Art, ‘00) lives in Calgary, AB Canada and is a volunteer fundraiser for the MS Society of Canada. This year she launched Art forMS (read as “forms”) an art exhibit and fundraiser in support of the MS Society of Canada. They have many contributing artists, including Jeffrey Primeaux (BFA, Studio Art, ‘98). For more information on the event visit http://www.teamdocktor.com/art-forms.html and if interested in contributing to next year’s art exhibit, send Mali an email through her Web site.

lives in Marlton, NJ, with his wife Diane. He is organist-choirmaster at Kemble Memorial UMC, Woodbury, NJ, and serves as Music in Worship R&S Chair for the Eastern Division of the American Choral Directors Association. Ken remains active as a choral clinician and adjudicator. He and Diane have six grandchildren, three in NJ and three in Texas.

Deanna Miesch (BFA in Studio Art, 1991) is currently showing new work at Studio2 Gallery in Austin, TX as part of a National Juried Exhibit, “Love’s Writ II”. She presents an installation of encaustic globes, incorporating plants (natives, invasive species) and painted imagery, conjuring ideas of how things connect in our “global” culture. “Love’s Writ II” at Studio2 Gallery will have a closing reception and Haiti Fundraiser, Saturday February 13, 1-4 pm, “Compassion Art Auction”.   A preview and presentation will be given by Dr. Fred Sorrells on his January visit to Haiti and his work with Global Art Initiative in Haiti.  The silent auction will take place from 2-4 pm.  On February 13, Studio2 Gallery will be accepting donations of much needed supplies for Global Art Initiative including:  toiletries, first aid supplies, crutches, walkers, canes.

www.studio2gallery.com
www.arttherapyaustin.com

has been invited to an 11-week residency at the Banff Centre in January through March 2010. During that time, he will compose, collaborate, rehearse and perform with other residency artists. Large scale compositional projects supported by this process will include a concerto for electric guitar and orchestra and two song cycles based on the poetry of Stephen Crane.

On September 1, Judy Sebesta (Ph.D., Theatre, 1997) became chair of the newly formed Department of Theatre & Dance at Lamar University in Beaumont, TX. Sebesta plans to continue exploring accreditation for the department through the National Association of Schools of Theatre and the National Association of Schools of Dance. For more information visit http://www.lamar.edu/newsevents/news/207_7815.htm

Fajer Al-Kaisi (M.F.A. ’07) in “Aftermath” Written by Erik Jensen and Jessica Blank

Premiere Stages Presents,“Any Other Name,” by George Brant (M.F.A. ’08)

Recent UT Design Division graduate Chappell Ellison (B.F.A. Design, 2007) received the prestigious 2009 Winterhouse Award for Design Writing and Criticism for her essay, “Compulsion: Where Object Meets Anxiety.” After graduating from UT, Ellison worked at web and graphic design companies before migrating to her current home in Manhattan. She is now an M.F.A. student in the inaugural class of the Design Criticism program at the School of Visual Arts.

The announcement and essay can be found on the American Institute of Graphic Arts website

featured in NY Times for his work in “The Exonerated” at New York Theater workshop.

receives Directing Fellowship at Arena Stage and Oregon Shakespeare Festival.