News & Events

2011 Windgate Fellows announced by UNC Asheville's Center for Craft, Creativity & Design

May 2, 2011

UNC Asheville's Center for Craft, Creativity & Design (CCCD) has awarded ten graduating seniors each with $15,000 in the form of a Windgate Fellowship. More than 70 universities from across the United States were each invited to each nominate two graduating seniors with exemplary skill in craft for one of the largest awards offered nationally to art students. Applicants completed an online application with images of their work and a proposal outlining how the $15,000 would enhance their careers.

"The Windgate Fellows are the best and brightest in emerging craft," says CCCD Executive Director Stephanie Moore. "The funds generously provided by the Windgate Charitable Foundation are essential as these artists consider the practice of their work outside of the university environment, and the application of their talents in the future."

A panel of four recognized professionals reviewed the applications on the basis of artistic merit, the future promise of the applicants work, and the potential for the applicant to make significant contributions to the field of craft. This year the program came full circle and the Center added Aaron McIntosh, a former Windgate Fellow, to the selection committee. Aaron received the Fellowship in 2006 and is now teaching textiles at James Madison University. The panel also included Dr. Simon Olding, director of the Crafts Studies Centre (England), Dr. Lowery Stokes Sims, curator of the Museum of Arts and Design (New York, N.Y.) and Kate Vogel, glass artist (Bakersville, N.C.). Ten students were selected from the national pool of 94 applicants:

Alida Bevirt, University of Oregon, BFA in Metals
Ryan Bogan, Eastern Michigan University, BFA in Metals
Meaghan Gates, California State University Chico, BFA in Ceramics
Jason Gray, Herron School of Art and Design, BFA in Furniture Design
Adam Ledford, Tyler School of Art, Temple University, BFA in Ceramics
Rebecca Manson, Rhode Island School of Design, BFA in Ceramics
Rachel Mauser, Murray State University, BFA in Book Arts
Zoe Sargent, University of Oregon, BFA in Fiber
Yulie Urano, Kansas City Art Institute, BFA in Fiber
Wes Valdez, Southern Illinois University, BFA in Glass

Since 2006, CCCD has awarded the Windgate Fellowship to 60 graduating seniors working in craft representing more than 35 colleges and universities. Each recipient receives $15,000 to complete a proposal supported by the Windgate Charitable Foundation.

The mission of the Center for Craft, Creativity and Design is to advance the understanding of craft by encouraging and supporting research, scholarship and professional development. For more information see www.craftcreativitydesign.org or call 828.890.2050.