University of North Texas 
Welcome to the Friends of CVAD Update!
Message from Dean Hutzel
May 27, 2025
Hello, Friends,
As the spring semester comes to a close, I want to take a moment to share my deep gratitude for your continued connection to the College of Visual Arts and Design. This month, we proudly celebrated the graduation of nearly 500 CVAD students — an inspiring milestone that reflects the hard work, creativity, and perseverance of our students, faculty and staff. Watching these artists, designers, educators, and scholars cross the stage was a powerful reminder of why we do what we do.
The past few months have been filled with accomplishments that showcase the vibrancy and excellence of our college. From nationally recognized exhibitions and faculty accolades to student awards and innovative research, CVAD continues to make an impact across disciplines and beyond borders. Our community thrives because of the passion and commitment of those who teach, learn, and create here — and because of you, our extended CVAD community, who support and celebrate our mission.
We’re excited to share some of these recent highlights in this issue of our e-newsletter. I hope they remind you of the powerful role the arts and design play in shaping a more thoughtful, beautiful, and just world.
Thank you for being part of our journey.
Warm regards,
Karen Hutzel, Ph.D.
Dean and Professor
College of Visual Arts and Design
#UNTCVAD Facebook | Instagram | YouTube
Celebrating New Alumni
Celebrating the future with our newest alumni at Spring Commencement 2025!
Check out the Spring 2025 Commencement photo album.
Design: Senior Showcase 2025
The Department of Design invites you to view the work of communication, fashion and interior designers in the Class of 2025 highlighted online on the Senior Show web pages.
From Communication Design: Experience a 360º view of “In the Making: Past, Present, Possibility,” an exhibition created by 60 undergraduate students in the Graphic Design and User Experience Design concentrations. Filmed in the Paul Voertman Gallery in the UNT Art Building, the show is on view through July 25.
Naming of the Michael W. Faircloth Fashion Design Program
UNT Names First-Ever Program in College of Visual Arts and Design for Celebrated Fashion Alum Michael W. Faircloth
Alumni News
Catch up with a few alums in the spotlight here and see more on our Alumni Profiles page. Let us hear from you on the Alumni Update Form. Want to see other stories in 'your' newsletter? Let us know by sending an email to cvad.Information@unt.edu; we appreciate your input!
Marilyn Archer
1980, B.F.A., Interior Design
Emeritus FIIDA, LEED AP ID+C
Principal and Founder of Archer+Eby Design, Houston
CVAD Advancement Board Member
Curator and Author
Although the "The First Metal: Arts & Crafts Copper" exhibition curated by Marilyn Archer at the University of Oregon closed in November 2024, its exploration of copper metalwork in the Arts and Crafts movement lives on in a catalog of the same name. Archer developed the exhibition in collaboration with Margo Grant Walsh, the primary collector, and co-edited the 96-page publication with Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art Director John S. Weber and scholar Mary Greensted. The book features works from Walsh’s collection, along with select loans from private and institutional sources, and highlights hand-wrought copper by leading metalsmiths of the late 19th and early 20th centuries in Britain, the United States, and beyond. View the exhibition on YouTube. Congratulations, Marilyn!
Vanessa Carrera
2024, B.F.A., Studio Art: Printmaking; M.F.A., California State University at Long
Beach
Gallery Attendant, Dallas Museum of Art
Instagram: Azabache_Patlache
Congratulations to Vanessa upon being awarded the 2025 Arch and Anne Giles Kimbrough
Fund by the Dallas Museum of Art.
Rooted in her heritage as an Itzocan woman from the Mixteca, Poblana region of Puebla, Mexico, Vanessa Carrera explores themes of Indigenous identity, memory, and resilience through printmaking and paper installations. Her work centers on cultural symbols such as the Tree of Life, hummingbirds, bougainvillea flowers, and the Popocatépetl volcano—elements drawn from personal and collective histories. Using iterative processes in relief woodcuts and monotypes, she reflects on Nahua codices, oral traditions, and lived experiences to create visual narratives that honor Indigenous women’s stories and acts of resistance. Her evolving practice also includes bookmaking and community-engaged installations that invite viewers to reflect, connect, and contribute their own symbols of resilience.
Susan Gabbard
1970, B.A., Art Education, 1994, M.A., Art Education, UNT Distinguished Alumna
CVAD Advancement Board
Congratulations to Susan Gabbard, this year’s recipient of the Innovation in Arts Education Award from the Harding Fine Arts Academy.
This award recognizes educators, administrators and public officials who elevate the quality and relevance of arts-integrated education. Gabbard was selected for her decades-long dedication to arts education and her lasting impact on students, schools and arts organizations across the country.
A veteran art teacher and tireless advocate, Gabbard has held leadership roles at every level — including serving as president of the National Art Education Association. She served on the Harding Fine Arts Academy School Board for more than a decade, first as an Oklahoma City Public Schools representative and later as board president.
Harding Fine Arts Academy, a public charter high school in Oklahoma City, serves students in grades 9–12 through a nationally recognized, tuition-free arts-integrated curriculum. The Harding Fine Arts Foundation supports the academy’s mission to provide transformative educational opportunities through the arts.
Robert and Reagan Hamilton
Robert Hamilton, B.A., 1996, Studio Art, and daughter Reagan Hamilton, B.F.A., 2025, Interior Design, share a unique bond as CVAD alumni — nearly three decades apart.
Now a project manager at Museum Arts in Dallas, Robert remembers the Art Building as a vibrant, paint-splashed space full of creative energy. “It was a breathing space,” he says. “The atmosphere and community made it unforgettable.”
Reagan, who now works as an interior designer at GFF in Dallas, says the same building shaped her UNT experience. “The studio was intense, but the natural light and courtyard brought calm. I’ll miss that balance.”
She adds, “My dad’s always been my biggest inspiration. Attending the same school gave me even more drive. He’s the artist I hope to become one day.” Read more.
Letitia Huckaby
Congratulations to CVAD alumna Letitia Huckaby, M.F.A. 2010, Studio Art: Photography, and assistant professor of Studio Art: Photography, on being named as a 2026 Texas State Two-Dimensional Artist.
The 89th Texas Legislature announced 10 appointees selected to represent the state in 2025 and 2026 as official state artists, musicians and poets. Chosen by a legislative-appointed committee, these individuals were recognized for the exceptional quality of their work and their contributions to the cultural landscape of Texas.
Huckaby was honored alongside sculptor Linda Ridgway, who was named the 2026 Texas State Three-Dimensional Artist. The appointees were formally announced at the Texas Capitol through House Resolutions.
Huckaby is represented by Talley Dunn Gallery in Dallas and is co-founder of Kinfolk House in Fort Worth, a collaborative project space rooted in community engagement. Her practice blends artmaking and activism, and her work continues to inspire audiences across Texas and beyond.
We are proud to celebrate Huckaby’s recognition and her enduring impact on CVAD, the arts and her community.
Terence Reynolds
1981, B.F.A., Advertising Art
Chief Creative Officer, TRG Agency, Dallas
CVAD Advancement Board
Congratulations to Terence Reynolds, who recently was inducted into the American Advertising Federation’s 10th District Southwest Advertising Hall of Fame and appointed chief creative officer at TRG, Dallas.
A visionary in brand storytelling, Reynolds has shaped campaigns for some of the world’s most recognizable names — from Alfa Romeo, Jeep and Hyundai to Zales, Ulta Beauty, Patrón and Metro PCS. His award-winning work has left a mark on both national and international stages, blending creativity with strategic impact.
Reynolds is also a dedicated advocate for the College of Visual Arts and Design. Since joining the CVAD Advancement Board, he has championed the college’s mission through his time, generosity and industry influence — consistently raising awareness of CVAD’s programs, students and initiatives.
A co-founder of Shift Advertising, the urban marketing division of The Richards Group, Reynolds helped reimagine the brand narratives of Dr Pepper, Hyundai and Absolut Vodka. Earlier in his career at Pyro, he played a pivotal role in transforming Hummer into a cultural icon while also creating breakthrough work for Dr. Martens, id Software, Oxygen Inline Skates and the Dallas Mavericks.
CVAD celebrates Reynolds’ achievements and enduring support — and congratulates him on these latest milestones! Read more.
Stephen Zhang
Assistant Professor
1994, M.F.A., Communication Design
Instagram: Stephen Zhang Art
Website: Stephen Zhang Art
Congratulations to Stephen Zhang, who won First Place at the 16th Annual Signature Watercolor Exhibition for his painting "Resolute." Juried by artist Frank Eber, the exhibition was held at the Fallbrook Art Center in Fallbrook, California. This annual event celebrates the expressive power of watercolor and brings together a dynamic community of artists and enthusiasts who share a deep appreciation for the medium.
Zhang's artwork has received widespread recognition both nationally and internationally,
winning awards from prestigious exhibitions organized by the American Watercolor Society,
the Transparent Watercolor Society of America, Watercolor USA, American Illustration,
and the Chinese National Art Exhibition, among others. View Zhang "Painting with Water" on video as he illustrates the reactionary process of watercolor painting through
historical narrative and active demonstration.
Program Highlight: Communication Design, Graphic Design
Graphic Design USA, GDUSA, recognizes UNT as a Top Design School for 2025 — again — along with two of our newest alums as Students to Watch!
Rachel Blow
2025, B.F.A., Communication Design with a concentration in Graphic Design
LinkedIn: Rachel Blow
Born and raised in Denton, Texas, by two educators, Rachel grew up surrounded by creativity and curiosity. She says she has always been fascinated by the 'magic' of design and art — and a little obsessed with finding the right typeface for every situation. As a designer, Blow loves exploring how type and meaning interact, uncovering those moments where design speaks louder than words. As a new graduate, Rachel is excited to continue growing as a designer and pushing herself to discover new possibilities. More.
Kyla Brown
2025, B.F.A., Communication Design with a concentration in Graphic Design and a minor
in Art History.
LinkedIn: Kyla Brown
Growing up in Aubrey, Texas, Kyla Brown developed a deep appreciation for illustration and storytelling while exploring the natural beauty of the rural countryside. Spending much of her time outdoors, Kyla honed her imagination and drawing skills, transforming the overlooked into something extraordinary and giving meaning to the seemingly insignificant. Today, Kyla enjoys working with custom typography, illustration, publication design and brand design. More.
Is AI replacing us?
Christopher Meerdo, assistant professor of Studio Art: New Media Art, discusses the ethics of artificial intelligence and art from deepfakes to generative AI. Check out UNT's The Lab video here and the new executive education program CVAD is offering with the College of Information in July; see the article below.
New! Executive Education Program
Curious about how artificial intelligence, AI, and artificial general intelligence,
AGI, are shaping the future?
Join us this July at UNT at Frisco for a two-day executive education program designed specifically for working professionals. This program is a collaboration of faculty from CVAD and the College of Information.
This immersive program, AI-Powered UX Design, will explore how AI tools can enhance — and transform — the entire UX lifecycle, from research and design to implementation.
Who should attend? The sessions are crafted for professionals across disciplines, including the following.
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- Graphic and visual communication designers
- Information architects
- Interactive content developers
- Interactive product developers and design leads
- Programmers and back-end developers
- UI designers and front-end developers
- User researchers and UX specialists
- UX writers and content strategists
Take part in thought-provoking sessions, hands-on activities, and expert-led discussions that will prepare you to lead in an AI-integrated design landscape.
Read the program overview, meet the faculty and apply on the AI-Assisted UX Lifecycle web page.
AI-Assisted UX Lifecycle: Research, Design, and Implementation
Dates: Two consecutive Saturdays — July 19 and July 26
Location: UNT at Frisco, 12995 Preston Rd, Frisco, TX 75033
Early Bird Registration: $1,200 through June 20
Registration: $1,500, June 21–July 4
Stay ahead of the curve — space is limited!
Labor of Luxury
A Dazzling Close to the Season: "Labor of Luxury" Exhibition
This spring, the CVAD Gallery and Texas Fashion Collection concluded their collaboration on a high note with "Labor of Luxury: Embroidery from India to the World" — a stunning exploration of intricate craftsmanship through the lens of high fashion. Featuring more than 30 couture garments by legendary designers such as Oscar de la Renta, Carolina Herrera, Todd Oldham and Vera Wang, the exhibition shimmered with sequins, hand-stitched embroidery, delicate beadwork and luminous crystals.
Beyond the visual spectacle, the exhibition invited visitors to consider the origins, labor and cultural context behind the Texas Fashion Collection’s holdings — fostering a deeper appreciation for the artistry and global narratives embedded in each piece.
As a vital part of the UNT and CVAD, the Texas Fashion Collection continues to spark academic engagement and creative inquiry through exhibitions at the CVAD Gallery and NorthPark Center in Dallas. Plans are already underway for a new installation in Spring 2026 — stay tuned for more details.
Retired Faculty Honored
Karen Dorff
Retired emerita faculty in Communication Design, Karen Dorff has been honored with the Golden Orchard Award this year by the Dallas Society of Visual Communications. Each year, the National Student Show and Conference recognizes an educator for a lifetime of outstanding cultivation of college or university teaching with the Golden Orchard Award. Only 10 people have received the award since the program began in 1997; Karen joins Eric Ligon, CVAD's senior associate dean and professor, and Jack Sprague, UNT professor emeritus, as the third recipient from CVAD.
This award recognizes college and university professors who have strengthened both the Dallas and Fort Worth markets and the visual communications profession as a whole by consistently nurturing young professionals year after year. Their influence in the classroom reverberates through the contributions and creativity of their students, thereby having a significant and enduring impact on the design community. Catch up with Karen on Instagram: Karen Dorff.
UNT Day of Giving, Big Thanks
By Eric Ligon
Senior Associate Dean for Administrative Affairs
Distinguished University Professor, Communication Design: Graphic Design
1997, M.F.A., Communication Design: Graphic Design
If you're reading this, you probably received a request from me for a donation, so thank you for accepting my emails — and big thanks to our donors!
Thanks to 78 alumni, faculty, staff, students and friends who donated more than $7,700 to CVAD this year! UNT enjoyed an impressive fundraising win on UNT Day of Giving, which brought in a record high of $1.7 million and engaged more than 1,700 alumni and donors.
Donating to CVAD is open all year. Please keep us in mind by visiting the CVAD Giving web page.
Thank you once again for your generosity!
In Memoriam
Billie Gough
Georgia Belle "Billie" Leach Gough, a UNT alumna and professor emerita, remained devoted to her alma mater for more than 78 years after earning her degree. It wasn’t until several months after her passing in Denton, Texas, at the age of 103, that CVAD learned she died on July 24, 2024.
Billie earned her master’s degree from UNT in 1946 and went on to shape generations of students during a remarkable 25-year career as a professor of ceramics. In 1947, under the mentorship of the influential Cora Stafford, she became one of the pioneering members of the art department at what was then North Texas State College. Read more.
Community Art & Supply Shelf
Every summer we build our Community Art and Design Supply Shelves in preparation for
the fall semester. Please let us know if you would like to donate new or gently used
art supplies or books related to art, art education, art history, or design. To drop
off supplies or books, please contact M.F.A. alum and CVAD Building Manager, Jeff McClung, at Jeffrey.McClung@unt.edu or 940-369-7237.
For donations to the supply fund, please email Eric Ligon, senior associate dean, Eric.Ligon@unt.edu.
New on Our Bookshelf
Archer, M., Weber, J. S., & Greensted, M. (2024). "The First Metal: Arts & Crafts Copper." Jordan Schnitzer Museum, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon.
Donahue-Wallace, Kelly. "Las fortunas y desgracias de un grabador. La vida profesional de Manuel López López
y las demandas judiciales en su contra" [The fortunes and misfortunes of an engraver.
The professional life of Manuel López López and the lawsuits against him.] in the
Anales del Instituto de Investigaciones Estéticas, Vol. XLVII, Núm 126, 2025.
Owen, Lisa N. Book note on University of Texas at Austin Associate Professor Janice Leoshko, "Making a Canon: Ananda K. Coomaraswamy, Sri Lanka, and the Place of Buddhist Art,"
Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 2024. Religious Studies Review 51.1 (March
2025).
Shabout, Nada. “Enemy of the People: Jewad Selim and the Baghdad Group for Modern Art,” in Okwui Enwezor and Atreyee Gupta, eds., Postwar Revisited: A Global Art History,
Duke University Press, 2025.
Way, Jennifer. “Where Taste Meets Intention: Fallingwater’s ‘Asian’ Collection” in "Fallingwater: Living with and in Art," Rizzoli International Publications, 2025, 106-205.
On the Calendar
CVAD Upcoming Events | UNT Alumni Calendar | UNT Events Calendar | Gallery Exhibitions
Through July 25: "In the Making: Past, Present, Possibility" Communication Design Program Senior Exhibition, Paul Voertman Gallery, Art Building
June 19: Emancipation Day, campus closed
July 4: Independence Day, campus closed
July 25: Last summer session ends
Aug. 18: Fall classes begin
Sept. 1: Labor Day, campus closed
Gif courtesy of alumna Megan Lockhart, Class of 2010
CVAD News and Views
A production of the CVAD Marketing Office, Administrative Affairs, Office of the Dean
Questions, comments or suggestions? Contact us.
Email: cvad.Information@unt.edu | 940-369-5249
Mailing address: 1155 Union Circle #305100, Denton, TX 76201
Physical address: 1201 W. Mulberry St., UNT Art Building, Room 101, Denton, TX 76203-5017