An Invitation to Wander
This edition of CFA Magazine is filled to bursting. It’s an embarrassment of riches, running over with stories and testimonials of faculty, staff, students and alumni driven to use their gifts to shift the dominant narrative.
Like the Kraus Campo — source of this issue’s design theme — it’s an agora, a supercolliding marketplace of ideas. It’s also a string of small meditations on the impact CFA people have on this world when they allow themselves to wander off the beaten path.
I invite you to wander, see where it takes you. Step out of the school box and explore a story from outside your discipline. Follow an intriguing visual cue.
Finally, a note to alumni: We haven’t always been the greatest about staying in touch. Tell us how you’ve been making an impact or send us a story idea we may have overlooked. We are all the College.
With bated breath,
| Dean Mary Ellen Poole
Events
[ Architecture Event ]
Spring 2024 Public Programs: Resolutions
January 27 – May 3
What is architecture's role in revolutionizing or repairing broken systems? Join us in conversations that call for both incremental and radical shifts within our discipline, profession and society.
[ Art Event ]
2024 MFA Thesis Exhibition
March 16 – April 7
Art takes many forms. Sobia Ahmad, Steve Alexis, Anisha Baid, Inbar Hagai, Georgia Saxelby and London Williams present ambitious work spanning many media by the School of Art 2024 MFA cohort.
[ Design Event ]
Design Lecture Series
February 5 – April 1
Unique voices in the world of design. The power of design addresses some of today's most pressing challenges. Explore experimentation, conceptual narrative, generative design, creative coding, hardware affordances and creative practice with us this spring.
[ Drama Event ]
2023–2024 Drama Season
Love, Power, Ambition, Truth. Explore concepts of morality, the space of mourning and the experience of human struggle on stage this spring at the School of Drama!
[ Music Event ]
Concerts and Events
Explore and expand your musical palate. With over 100 performances an academic year, you can experience your old favorites — or find new genres to love.
[ BXA Event ]
Kaleidoscope
April 24 – May 1
Multifaceted, many-sided, altogether. The BXA Intercollege Degree Programs students and alumni will showcase a variety of creative, interdisciplinary work at the annual Kaleidoscope exhibition.
[ Art + BXA + Miller ICA Event ]
2024 Senior Exhibition
April 27 – May 11
Miller ICA
Four years in three floors. School of Art BFA and BXA present final artworks and research as the culmination of their undergraduate experience.
[ Music Event ]
Lance LaDuke's Celebration of Life
March 23
Mt Lebanon, PA
A Celebration of Life. Join us to remember and celebrate the life of Lance LaDuke.
Spotlight Features
[ Art Spotlight ]
A Different Kind of Intelligence
In the Age of AI, Felipe Castelblanco Searches for a More Organic Form of Knowledge
[ Design Spotlight ]
Take It with You
Alumna Liz McDonough Releases Line of Upcycled Bags for Urban Outfitters
[ Music Spotlight ]
In Memoriam
Remembering Lance LaDuke, Douglas Ahlstedt and Mildred Miller Posvar
In Case You Missed It
Looking for a past version?
You can find past digital and print versions of the magazine, starting with our 2018 inaugural magazine CFA MAGAZINE ARCHIVE
Tell us what you think!
Let us know what you hoped to see — and what you liked! Email us at contact-cfa@cmu.edu
College of Fine Arts Magazine
Publisher: Mary Ellen Poole, Dean, CFA
Executive Editor: Pam Wigley
Editor: Cally Jamis Vennare
Editor / Digital Content Designer: Alexis Morrell
Design Director: Mark Werle
Designers: Rob Azarcon, Kelsey Stark
Production Artist: Deborah Allen
Project Manager: Kara Kessler
Writers
Harrison Apple
Dan Fernandez
Dan Green
Elyse Howell
Joe Lyons
Meredith Marsh
Caroline McKinley
Jennifer Monahan
Alexis Morrell
Angelica Perez-Johnston
Andy Ptaschinski
Juliet Sorce
Lauren Stash
Gretchen Suárez-Peña
Pam Wigley
Design & Production
University Communications and Marketing
Images
Mark Baskinger
Matt Eich
Melinda Johnson
Jocelyn Mackay
Graham Murtha
Su min Park
Louis Stein
Emily Syes
Cally Jamis Vennare
Dylan Vitone
ZGF Architects
CFA Leadership
CFA Dean: Mary Ellen Poole
School of Architecture Head: Omar Khan
School of Art Head: Charlie White
School of Design Interim Head: Eric Anderson
School of Drama Head: Robert Ramirez
School of Music Interim Head: Joanna Bosse
BXA Senior Associate Dean of Interdisciplinary Initiatives: M. Stephanie Murray
Miller ICA Director: Elizabeth Chodos
Frank-Ratchye STUDIO for Creative Inquiry Director: Nica Ross
MAM Program Director: Jessica Bowser Acrie
MEIM Program Director: Daniel Green
