Art Studio Alumni News & Exhibitions

Bay Area creativity goes into overdrive when SFMOMA’s Soapbox Derby returns to McLaren Park for the first time in more than 40 years. The original artists’ derbies from the 1970s were legendary events — between the two races in 1975 and 1978, SFMOMA commissioned cars and trophies from more than 200 artists — including professors emeritus Robert Arneson and Mike Henderson, as well as Ruth Asawa, Ant Farm, Viola Frey, Mike Henderson, Mary Lovelace O’Neal, Richard Shaw, and Carlos Villa.

“The sky is higher here”, a group exhibition at Transmitter and curated by Leila Seyedzadeh, features the work of alum Hedwig Brouckaert (M.F.A., ‘05). This exhibition displays works of a variety of mediums such as painting, textile, photography, textile weaving, mixed media, through which each artist examines the vastness of the sky and finds refuge in this great space without borders. 

Congratulations to Jason Engelund (M.F.A., ‘13), recipient of an Artist in Residence at L’Expressoir in Marnay Sur Seine, France. Engelund will be a resident this spring. 

Alum Lauren Ari (M.F.A., ‘01) is one of two Richmond-based ceramicists featured in the new show “Dreamforms” at the Richmond Art Center.

The Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art is presenting an exhibition of new work by alum Hong Chun Zhang (M.F.A. ‘04), featuring her meticulous charcoal drawings and ink paintings of long, straight black hair.  “Extensions: New Work by Hong Chun Zhang” will be on view from January 27 to April 24, 2022

The satirical and irreverant ceramic work of Tony Natsoulas (M.F.A., ‘85) is featured in the new show “Out of Our Minds: Clayton Bailey & Tony Natsoulas” at the Sonoma Valley Museum of Art.

Mercy Hawkins (M.F.A., ‘21) is particpating in a three person show at Marrow Gallery in San Francisco. ”Two Moons in Sagittarius,” which also features Tahiti Pehrson and Lindsay Stripling, will run from November 29 to January 5, 2022

Alum Ryan Meyer (M.F.A., ‘18) is in the new group show “A Deep Well” at Ground Floor Contemporary in Birmingham, Alabama. In addition to Meyer,  artists Lauren Frances Evans and Sarah West are in the show.

“A Deep Well” will be on view from November 4 to November 20, 2021.

An opening reception will take place Thursday, November 4, 5-7 pm and an artist talk on Thursday, November 11, 6 pm on Zoom.  The Zoom link will be available here.