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Home › News & Events › News › Aaron Coleman Earns Two Teaching Awards in Two Years

Aaron Coleman Earns Two Teaching Awards in Two Years

August 17, 2021

Associate Professor Aaron Coleman earned the 2021 Provost Award for Innovations in Teaching. The award recognizes faculty whose teaching portfolios and instructional effectiveness merit special recognition.

Coleman arrived at the School of Art in fall 2016, coming from California State University Fresno. Within five years, the program that welcomed Coleman has transformed and is hard to recognize now. He substantially updated the printmaking program and facilities, and those changes have directly impacted the students and their work.

Aaron Coleman

It comes as no surprise then, to know that Coleman has now earned two awards in teaching during his short time here. In 2020, Coleman was awarded the College of Fine Arts Undergraduate Advising/Mentoring Award. The award goes to faculty who exhibit true excellence in undergraduate academic advising or mentoring.

“It feels great to be acknowledged by the University for the work that I do,” said Coleman. “Our students are a major priority for me and I hope whatever work I do here (because I do it for them) gives them the tools they need to be successful in whatever future they pursue.”

Coleman had plans when he came to the School of Art that included reviving the printmaking program by revamping the curriculum and by introducing media to the program, like screenprinting.

He hit the ground running in 2016 and during the past five years he has designed an innovative curriculum in printmaking, including alternative methods in screenprinting and lithography, relevant for art as well as commercial production. His diverse knowledge and excellent skills in intaglio, mixed-media, collage, and other printmaking methods and proficiencies have contributed to the entire 2D curriculum.

“I’m honored that I was trusted and supported in bringing this new program to the school,” said Coleman. “Introducing screenprint has allowed us to bridge a gap between printmaking, painting, photography, installation and even sculpture.”

But curriculum is only one part of teaching. The other part is, well, teaching.

Most junior faculty take a few years to build their reputations and establish rapport with the students. Coleman’s personable approach and his ability to connect deeply with students brought him into more graduate thesis committees than most junior faculty in their first five years.

Coleman’s students describe his teaching style as informal but with a high degree of expertise. They feel comfortable approaching him and he encourages students with flexible, yet ambitious, projects where they feel they have the agency to experiment. 

“Aaron was one of the best professors I had in my undergraduate career,” said Alumna Delaney Thomas (BFA ‘20, AVCE). “He was honest, funny, and encouraged me to think about art in new ways rather than just the traditional sense. His unique mindset really motivated me to try new things and expand my work! He is absolutely deserving of this award!”

Alumna Erin Scott (BFA 2D, ‘20) was able to complete and display an ambitious exhibition in the Lionel Rombach Gallery, Matriarchs, with work produced from the first screen print class offered.

Installation view from “Matriarchs”

Even outside the classroom, Coleman finds ways to mentor students. He is the faculty advisor for the Wildcat Print Association, the ASUA-recognized student club for printmakers, and has been instrumental in establishing the Sienna Collective, a group for artists of color at the School of Art.

Although he teaches 2D media, Coleman has enthusiastically mentored students of color in other School of Art programs such as Illustration + Design and Photography, Video and Imaging. 

“I never had a mentor of color in education,” said Coleman. “As I moved through my academic career and on to teaching it became more and more apparent that I was deprived of critical interactions that could have helped me in so many ways regarding my research and studio production … and maybe even just a general understanding of who I am. … I hope that my presence helps them feel as though they belong here and encourages them to speak from a perspective influenced by their own life experiences and interests.”

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University of Arizona School of Art
2 days ago
University of Arizona School of Art

The College of Fine Arts honored 2023 Alumnus of the Year John Meyer (BFA '82, Studio Art) last night in the School of Art atrium. Before the reception, John conducted portfolio reviews with eight students. He's being honored by the university at a luncheon today. Arizona Arts The University of Arizona ... See MoreSee Less

The College of Fine Arts honored 2023 Alumnus of the Year John Meyer (BFA 82, Studio Art) last night in the School of Art atrium. Before the reception, John conducted portfolio reviews with eight students. Hes being honored by the university at a luncheon today. Arizona Arts The University of ArizonaImage attachmentImage attachment+1Image attachment
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University of Arizona School of Art
3 days ago
University of Arizona School of Art

Congrats to Nathan Abel (MFA '09, Printmaking), who will host the opening reception for his exhibition "Nesting" on Friday, Feb. 3, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Nicolaysen Art Museum in Casper, Wyoming.

"In Nesting, the work tells the story of when my wife and I began planning a family. We anticipated problems but had no idea of the long and traumatic path ahead of us. It is through my work I hope to shed light on infertility, child loss, and adoption. I want to show the hardships and joy that can come with creating a family and honor the experience we and so many others have been through." - Nathan Abel

Arizona Arts @uarizona The Nicolaysen Art Museum
... See MoreSee Less

Congrats to Nathan Abel (MFA 09, Printmaking), who will host the opening reception for his exhibition Nesting on Friday, Feb. 3, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Nicolaysen Art Museum in Casper, Wyoming. 

In Nesting, the work tells the story of when my wife and I began planning a family. We anticipated problems but had no idea of the long and traumatic path ahead of us. It is through my work I hope to shed light on infertility, child loss, and adoption. I want to show the hardships and joy that can come with creating a family and honor the experience we and so many others have been through. - Nathan Abel

Arizona Arts @uarizona The Nicolaysen Art Museum
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University of Arizona School of Art
4 days ago
University of Arizona School of Art

Thanks to Peter Pappas, a School of Art Advisory Board member, who kicked off our five-part Student Development Series with a workshop on "Career Paths for Artists." Future Tuesday workshops are "Marketing for Artists" (Feb. 28), "Working with Galleries" (March 21), "Legal Tools for Protecting Your Work" (April 4) and "Life Lessons from Art Alumni" (April 25). Arizona Arts The University of Arizona University of Arizona Museum of Art ... See MoreSee Less

Thanks to Peter Pappas, a School of Art Advisory Board member, who kicked off our five-part Student Development Series with a workshop on Career Paths for Artists. Future Tuesday workshops are Marketing for Artists (Feb. 28), Working with Galleries (March 21), Legal Tools for Protecting Your Work (April 4) and Life Lessons from Art Alumni (April 25). Arizona Arts The University of Arizona University of Arizona Museum of Art
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University of Arizona School of Art
4 days ago
University of Arizona School of Art

John Meyer (BFA '82, Studio Art) will be honored Thursday as the College of Fine Arts' Alumnus of the Year. He calls his Walgreens branding campaign ("At the Corner of Happy & Healthy") as his favorite. Go to tinyurl.com/SOAMeyerprof to read his profile. @absolutmeyer @uarizona ... See MoreSee Less

John Meyer (BFA 82, Studio Art) will be honored Thursday as the College of Fine Arts Alumnus of the Year. He calls his Walgreens branding campaign (At the Corner of Happy & Healthy) as his favorite. Go to https://tinyurl.com/SOAMeyerprof to read his profile. @absolutmeyer @uarizona
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University of Arizona School of Art
5 days ago
University of Arizona School of Art

The Rodeo de Tucson Group Show features four paintings by Moira Geoffrion, chair of the School of Art Advisory Board and professor emerita. The opening reception is Friday, Feb. 3, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Medicine Man Gallery, 6872 E. Sunrise Drive. The show will showcase more than 30 artists, including Howard Post (BFA '72, MFA '78). Go to tinyurl.com/y6uases9 for more details. Arizona Arts The University of Arizona Mark Sublette Medicine Man Gallery ... See MoreSee Less

The Rodeo de Tucson Group Show features four paintings by Moira Geoffrion, chair of the School of Art Advisory Board and professor emerita. The opening reception is Friday, Feb. 3, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Medicine Man Gallery, 6872 E. Sunrise Drive. The show will showcase more than 30 artists, including Howard Post (BFA 72, MFA 78). Go to https://tinyurl.com/y6uases9 for more details. Arizona Arts The University of Arizona Mark Sublette Medicine Man Gallery
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University of Arizona School of Art
6 days ago
University of Arizona School of Art

Congrats to Dwayne Manuel (MFA '14), whose art collaboration with the Phoenix Suns was featured on the team's main scoreboard last week. www.dwaynemanuel.com/ ... See MoreSee Less

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