Portland State University Schnitzer School of Art, Art History & Design

Big congratulations to our much-loved Una Kim!

Una has just received a 2026 Academic Excellence Award for Adjunct Faculty. In the Schnitzer School's Art Practice program, she inspires our students through courses in painting, drawing, watercolor, and mural work—bringing passion and care to her teaching.

Portland State University’s Faculty and Staff Excellence Awards celebrate outstanding achievement in research, scholarship, service, and a steadfast commitment to students. Una embodies all of this and more.

🔗 Learn more: https://www.pdx.edu/academic-affairs/2026-faculty-and-staff-excellence-awards

About Una
Una’s journey began in South Korea, where she developed a love for drawing and a strong foundation in calligraphy. After moving to the U.S. at 16, with no English skills, she struggled to learn a new culture. She immersed herself in art, taking drawing classes at community college while still in high school.

She went on to study at the University of Southern California, then earned her MFA in Painting from Parsons School of Design in New York City. Along the way, she learned from and was mentored by influential artists who helped shape her voice and vision.

Una’s work is exhibited nationally and internationally, and several of her large-scale murals can be seen in Portland. She continues to teach at Portland State University and Portland Community College, where she inspires the next generation of artists.

We’re so proud of you, Una!

https://unakim.net/

✨ Apply Now ✨ for the 14th annual Arlene Schnitzer Visual Arts Prize

Three Winners: Prizes $4,100

Deadline: Sunday, May 24, 2026 at midnight

More Info + Apply Here: https://bit.ly/apply-schnitzer

Deadline: Sunday, May 24, 2026, at midnightt 12:40pm in FMH 216 or Zoom

The Arlene Schnitzer Visual Arts Prize is the most important visual arts prize awarded annually by Portland State University’s Schnitzer School of Art + Art History + Design. It is meant to recognize excellence in visual art created by students pursuing undergraduate or graduate degrees from the Schnitzer School of Art + Art History + Design.

ELIGIBILITY: Students must be majoring in programs in the PSU Schnitzer School of Art + Art History + Design (Art Practice, Graphic Design, and Art History) and enrolled in half-time or greater status during Spring 2026. Prior winners of this award are not eligible. Winners will be announced in June 2026 and must be willing and able to display and help install their work at the exhibition held in their honor at the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art at PSU in January 2027. Please note that this applies only to Art + Art History + Design majors creating visual work.

$10,000 Renewable Scholarship for PSU Art + Design Students
Applications are open! Architecture Foundation of Oregon (AFO) Scholarships support future design and building professionals and encourage people from diverse backgrounds to participate in the process of designing and building our world.

Tsagaglalal (She Who Watches) Scholarship: Renewable $10,000 scholarship for non-graduating Indigenous students of U.S. states and territories, pursuing a degree in art or architecture at Portland State University.

Scholarship recipients are asked to attend our annual Building Pathways showcase to receive their awards in the Spring. The event is attended by members of the architecture, engineering, construction, and design community from across the state and celebrates the hard work and accomplishments of our Scholars.

Learn More & Apply: www.af-oregon.org/scholarships/tsagaglalal-scholarship
Application Deadline: Sunday, February 22, 2026, 11:59pm Pacific Time

Questions? Contact Candice Agahan, AFO Director of Community Engagement, [email protected], 503-542-3823

The College of the Arts invites students to apply for the 2026 Andries Deinum Prize for Visionaries and Provocateurs. The 2026 award amount is $10,000! The deadline to apply is Friday, April 3, 2026, by 5 P.M.

Now in its eleventh award year, the Andries Deinum Prize is awarded annually to recognize and celebrate the exceptional creative potential of any undergraduate or graduate student enrolled full time in a major within the College of the Arts.
Applications will be reviewed by the Deinum Prize jury in April and the winner will be notified in May. The winner will be formally recognized in June.

https://www.pdx.edu/arts/andries-deinum-prize

Stephen Lee talks about his project in partnership with LAIKA and PSU student's involvement in the Portland Winter Light Festival. There's still time to see the work as the festival continues next Friday and Saturday 💫

Stop-motion animation studio LAIKA contributes to this year's Portland Winter Light Festival The 11th Portland Winter Light Festival features more than 200 art installations spread across the city

✨ Calling all Arts majors! ✨
Through a creative partnership with LAIKA, six $10,000 scholarships are available to PSU College of the Arts undergraduate majors from all practices.

Apply by March 1
https://tiny.cc/psuscholarshipuniverse

PSU and LAIKA have launched a three-year program to support diverse creative talent, offering six annual $10,000 scholarships to COTA undergraduate majors. Now in its second year, the LAIKA Scholarship supports the growth of Portland’s creative workforce by investing in PSU students from diverse lived experiences and backgrounds.

Interested in our graduate program in Art + Social Practice? Join us for an upcoming info session! Facilitated by program lead Lisa Jarrett and recent MFA graduate Midori Yamanaka, these sessions will offer an in-depth look at the program’s structure, goals, and student experience. You’ll also have the chance to ask questions and connect directly with both speakers.

Tuesday, December 2, 4:15-5:15pm
Wednesday, December 10, 4:14-5:15pm

Register at https://apply.pdx.edu/portal/virtual-graduate

Photos:
• MFA students visit abolitionist and garden steward Jackie Sumell at The Solitary Gardens in New Orleans during the annual MFA program trip.
• “Monument Speed Dating,” a participatory project by MFA student Nina Vichayapai presented during Assembly, the program’s annual conference and series of public workshops.
• Yoonhee Choi demonstrates how to make paper from cotton pulp during her artist residency at Dr Martin Luther King Jr School Museum of Contemporary Art (KSMoCA).

ART 360- Lighting, Studio, and Flash Photography Winter Term

Through a variety of creative assignments, including portraiture, self-portraiture, studio, strobe, and editorial photography, students will experiment with flash and other lighting techniques, both in the studio and on location. With a focus on conceptual and technical development, students will have the opportunity to create work that builds their portfolios. Attention will be given to composition, storytelling, and clarifying one's own style. Through this experiential, studio-based course, students will have the opportunity to engage with a wide range of contemporary and historical photographers’ works and to utilize a hands-on approach to skill-building. Students can choose to work in digital or analog photography for their course projects, as well as with 35 mm, medium, and large-format cameras.

M & W 1:30-3:10 pm

Email: [email protected] with questions

Image by: Melanie Flood

💚 Facade is going up on our new building! 💚 Can you believe it? Next fall this will be HOME 💚