University of Tennessee School of Art

🎓 🧡MFA Graduate Spotlight: 🎓 🧡

Shannon Ferguson is a printmaker and interdisciplinary artist whose work investigates the search for physical and emotional comfort as a person living with chronic pain. She creates spaces for dialogue around invisible illness and accessibility, combining traditional print and textile-based practices.

Originally from Fairview, Texas, Ferguson earned her BFA in Studio Art from Syracuse University in 2020, graduating Summa Cum Laude. Her honors thesis, Art and the Sensorium, was supported by a Syracuse Creative Works Research Grant. She has been an artist-in-residence in Navasota, Texas, and has exhibited nationally in juried shows including The Contemporary Print (Austin, TX), Best of Tennessee Craft 2024 Biennial (Gatlinburg, TN), and Impressions in Ink (Sebastopol, CA).

Her animated short The Places You Go (2024) has screened at Knox Film Fest, Bratislava International Film Awards, and New York Short Animation Festival. She has presented her research and work at the 2024 SGCI Conference in Providence, Rhode Island, and SECAC in Atlanta, Georgia.

Scroll through the slides to read what Shannon had to say about her time in UT's Printmaking program, and learn more about our MFA (apps open August 1!) at the link in our bio.

We're so grateful for all the Wordens have done to support our printmaking program and Knoxville's art community.

Stuart Worden (’54) Continues to Light the Way Stuart Worden (’54) left his mark on campus as president of UT Pep Club. The Volunteer spirit has carried him into a lifetime of service to Knoxville.

Huge congratulations to recent Cinema Studies graduate Emma Brown! Emma will be spending the summer in Los Angles interning with Omaha Productions, a company founded by NFL Hall of Famer Peyton Manning in 2020.

Emma said her time at UT, especially her class with CNST chair Paul Harrill, helped prepare her for work in the film industry.

"Paul helped me prepare for the interview and has always been there to give advice," she said. "It’s very fun to learn from someone who is actively working in the industry."

Emma will be working in Omaha Productions' scripting department. Have an amazing time in LA, Emma!

Bella Thomas-Wilson was recently featured by University of Tennessee College of Arts & Sciences! So proud of this graduating senior, who created her own unique degree through the College Scholars Program!

Recent graduate Bella Thomas-Wilson started her undergraduate journey unable to see herself in any of the majors that were offered. Thanks to a unique opportunity only offered in the College of Arts and Sciences, she was able to chart her own academic pathway.

Thomas-Wilson was able to take her lifelong fascination with storytelling in visual and performing arts to craft her major, "Public Art and Media with an Emphasis on Underrepresented Communities," through the University of Tennessee College Scholars Program.

Through this program, she participated in hands-on research, completed an internship with the Knoxville Museum of Art, and recently curated an exhibit titled "Intertwine."

The next step on her journey will include taking on different curatorial projects while working in a professional role before pursuing a graduate degree in curatorial studies.

Congratulations! Welcome to the alumni family, Bella! 🧡


UT Knoxville Alumni
University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Big news: our MFA program is now ranked 7th in the country among public universities, according to the latest report from U.S. News & World Report!

This national recognition is due in no small part to our amazing alumni and current students. We're so thankful for all you've done to shape the identity and reach of the program over the years!

Read more about the new ranking at the link: tiny.utk.edu/ranking

We're continuing to celebrate Commencement Week by spotlighting three of our amazing seniors: .call (studio art), Abigail Rivero (art history) and (2D studio art/art history). (Swipe to see what they had to say about their time at the SOA!)

Grace, Abigail and Lili, we'll really miss you but are so excited to follow your careers and see what you'll create in the future 🧡

We're continuing to celebrate Commencement Week by spotlighting two of our amazing seniors: (2D studio art/art education) and (2D studio art/art education) (Swipe to see what they had to say about their time at the SOA!)
Sarah and Julia, we'll really miss seeing you around the A+A building, but we can't wait to see what you do next, and we're so excited for your future students 🧡

Happy graduation week, Vols! Today we're spotlighting two of our amazing senior BFA students: (2D) and (3D). (Swipe to see what they had to say about their time at the SOA!) Iris and Emma, we'll really miss you, but we can't wait to see what you do next 🧡

Fall Course Spotlights: Intro to Cinema and Video Art (CNST / ARTC 236) and Documentary Film: Topics in Non-Fiction Filmmaking (CNST / ARTC 424)! Register for these courses now and learn how to tell stories that matter.

🎥 Intro to Cinema and Video Art: This course introduces students to the theory and practice of creating lens-based media while developing their cinematic and artistic voice. Through hands-on video production, intentional framing, and choreographed movement, students will draft and refine short works of cinema and video art. While building technical skills, the course emphasizes visual style, artistic exploration, and conceptual understanding through discussions, writing exercises, and practical application. By blending film theory, industry standards, and creative practice, students will gain foundational experience and insight into career paths or further study in cinema and video art.

🎬 Documentary Film: Topics in Nonfiction Filmmaking: Explore the art and impact of nonfiction storytelling through the creation of short-form documentary content. Students will develop practical skills in documentary filmmaking, including research, interviewing, cinematography, audio recording, editing, and story structure, while examining the theory and ethics behind documentary practice. Through screenings, discussions, and hands-on production work, students will learn how documentary films shape public understanding and why nonnarrative storytelling remains one of the most powerful forms of media expression.

Reach out to Professor Katie Mahalic with questions: [email protected]