From the Chair

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR OF THE VISUAL ARTS PROGRAM

On behalf of the faculty of the Visual Arts Program I welcome you to the MFA Thesis Exhibition for the class of 2020.

Our thanks go to Betti-Sue Hertz, Director and Chief Curator of the Wallach Gallery; the entire staff of the Wallach; Lauren Weigel, General Manager of the Lenfest Center for the Arts and the Lenfest staff. Special thanks are owed to our intrepid curator, Amy Sadao, for guiding our students through the process of mounting such an ambitious show during a very challenging time. In Visual Arts we have an amazing program administration and staff who tirelessly dedicate their care and attention to our students: Rebecca Birkhan, Former Assistant Shops and Safety Manager; Andrew Brehm, Safety Manager; Dana Buhl, Photography Facilities Manager; Nathan Catlin, Neiman Studio and Project Manager; Peter Clough, Former Assistant Director of Visual Arts Instructional Technology; Carrie Gundersdorf, Director of Academic Administration; Cary Hulbert, Assistant Studio Manager, LeRoy Neiman Center for Print Studies; Julie Malen, Shops Monitor; Laura Mosquera, Manager of Academic Administration; Samantha Rippner, Associate Director and Gallery Manager, LeRoy Neiman Center for Print Studies; Sarah Tortora, Shops Monitor; Rider Urena, Senior Manager of Visual Arts Facilities; Claire Valdez, Program Assistant; Jon Waites, Shops Monitor; and Patrice Washington, Prentis Hall Facilities Manager. At the School of the Arts our thanks also go to Carol Becker, Dean of Faculty, Gavin Browning, Director of Public Programs and Engagement; Sarah Congress, Executive Assistant to the Deans; Tiffany Davis, Communications Assistant; Joel Jares, SOA Photographer; Joshua Mackey, Assistant Director, Student Affairs; Laila Maher, Dean of Student and Alumni Affairs; Carey McHugh, Assistant Director of Communications; Christina Rumpf, Director of Communications; Trenton Pollard, Assistant Director of Alumni Affairs and the Artists' Resource Center; Kristina Tate, Assistant Director of Communications; Peter Vaughan, Director of Motion Picture and Information Technology, and Jana Wright, Dean of Academic Administration and Planning.

Most importantly, we thank our students. Without you there would be no exhibition and we would not be gathered, spatially distant, here today. It has taken us three years to arrive at this wonderful moment. Your perseverance has been an inspiration to all of us and it has been a privilege working with you, learning from you, and to trying our hardest to support you in all that you aspire to do and all that you deserve. We pledge to continue this support now that you are leaving our program and joining us as colleagues in the field.

Yours,

Matthew Buckingham Associate Professor of Professional Practice Chair, Visual Arts Columbia University School of the Arts