News & Events

2012 Windgate Fellows Announced by UNC Asheville's Center for Craft, Creativity and Design

May 15, 2012

UNC Asheville's Center for Craft, Creativity and Design (CCCD) has awarded ten graduating seniors each with $15,000 in the form of a Windgate Fellowship. More than 120 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 Fellowship program gives us a glimpse of the best emerging talent in the field of 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 provide tremendous validation."

 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. The 2012 panel included: Helen W. Drutt English, educator/gallerist; Nate Moren, 2008 Windgate Fellow, co-owner and designer for Tandem Made, wood artist and furniture designer; Ann (Annie) Morhauser, founder of Annieglass; and Kevin Snipes, ceramic artist.

Ten students were selected from the national pool of 114 applicants:

• Rachel Columb, University of Georgia, BFA in Jewelry/Metals
• Patrick Aaron Decker, Maine College of Art, BFA in Jewelry/Metals
• Brian Fleetwood, Institute of American Indian Arts, BFA in Jewelry/Metals
• Eric Heying, Arizona State University, BFA in Ceramics
• Adam Hill, University of Alabama, BFA in Sculpture
• Joseph Kraft, Alfred University, BFA in Ceramics
• Tanner Price, Maine College of Art, BFA in Woodworking and Furniture Design
• John Souter, University of the Arts, BFA in Ceramics
• Kaii Tu, California College of the Arts, BFA in Design/Craft
• Christopher White, Indiana University, BFA in Ceramics

Since 2006, CCCD has awarded the Windgate Fellowship to 70 graduating seniors working in craft representing more than 66 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 the CCCD website or call 828.890.2050.