2012 Dean’s Fellows include art, landscape, architecture graduate students
Six School of Architecture and Allied Arts students are honored for outstanding scholarship
Students in painting, photography, metalsmithing, architecture, and landscape architecture are among those chosen for 2011-2012 Dean’s Graduate Fellowship awards in the School of Architecture and Allied Arts at the University of Oregon.
Six graduate students were awarded the fellowships, an annual recognition of outstanding research and scholarship for A&AA graduate students in their final phase of project or thesis completion. The award is among the most prestigious given in A&AA and includes a $5,000 grant for each student.
The students represent a variety of departments within A&AA. Dozens of students applied for the six awards.
Above: A&AA Dean Frances Bronet (center) is flanked by Dean’s Graduate Fellowship winners (from left) Claudia Sims, Kristin Kelsey, Brooks Dierdorff, and Lauren Schwartz in the Lawrence Hall courtyard. Not pictured were Brigette Nicole Huneke and Courtney Kemp. Photo by Marti Gerdes.
Fellowship winners for 2011-2012 are: Wesley Brooks Dierdorff, art (photography), “Line of Sight”; Brigette Nicole Huneke, landscape architecture, “Natural Interactions: Creating an Intergenerational and Biophilic Design Program”; Kristin Elisabeth Kelsey, architecture and interior architecture, “Existing in Extremes/Biome Farm: Wetland Grafting for Restorative Landscapes”; Courtney Kemp, art (metalsmithing), “Trace: The Markers of an Imagined History”; Lauren Caroline Schwartz, landscape architecture and business, “Professional Practice: Project Selection, Profitability and the 2007 Recession”; and Claudia Alexandra Sims, landscape architecture, “Landscape Bricolage: An Exploration of Critical Visual Studies in Environmental Design.”
“My research involved working with mentors in both the art and landscape architecture departments, which created a dynamic and diverse environment for inquiry,” said Sims, whose work includes paintings of intricate detail. “Being recognized for my work is incredibly validating, and I hope this award encourages other students to take advantage of the wonderful interdisciplinary environment at the School of Architecture and Allied Arts.”
Schwartz also praised the breadth of opportunities for students in A&AA. “I was extremely honored to receive the award and proud to represent interdisciplinary research in landscape architecture and business. I hope to carry on my research by publishing in other venues and presenting to professional audiences.“
Above: Paint as Proxy 1: Terra Corpus. Acrylic and graphite on synthetic paper, 9" x 12," by Claudia Sims.
Kelsey also noted the value of working collaboratively. “I am so proud to be in the company of other students that I know are doing incredibly interesting research that combine ideas from many disciplines, primarily architecture, landscape architecture, interior architecture, urban design and art,” she said. “I am happy to know that (my work) had value to others within the A&AA community, because for me the work was important to defining my process of creating architecture, and I will continue to develop it as I transition into my professional career.”
The Dean’s Graduate Fellowships recognize and encourage excellence in research and scholarly activity in A&AA and represent all ten disciplines within the School. Awardees are selected for outstanding research with emphasis in sustainability, creative or cultural inquiry/practice and critical analysis/interpretation.
The annual process is a partnership between the Graduate School and A&AA, with additional private support from UO Foundation Trustee and A&AA Board of Visitors member Michael Wilkes and his wife, Penny.
Above: An element of Kristin Kelsey’s terminal project.