Notable Alumni

Ted DeGrazia (BFA Art/MA Art Education ’45): American impressionist, painter, sculptor, composer, actor, director, designer, architect, jeweler and lithographer. Described as “the world’s most reproduced artist,” he died in 1982 at age 73. Profile

Chris Gall (BFA ‘86, Studio Art): Award-winning illustrator whose “Dinotrux” children’s book was made into a Dreamworks/Netflix series. Website

Anna B. Garner (MFA ’14): Her performance video “Just Below” become part of the permanent collection at the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington, D.C. Website

Elisa Jimenez (MFA ’90, Studio Art) is a New York City interdisciplinary artist, primarily in fashion design. Her main ongoing project is called “The Hunger World,” a world of marionettes ranging from 2 inches to 30 feet in height. She is the daughter of graphic designer Vicky C. Balcou and the late renowned sculptor Luis Jiménez. Website

Jessica Gonzales (BFA ’12): Tucson-based painter, muralist and designer. Much of her public art works are filled with lyrical portraits of women. Website

Khaled Jarrar (MFA ’19): Palestinian artist who won the 2023 DOXA Feature Documentary Award for his film “Notes on Displacement.” Former bodyguard for PLO leader Yasser Arafat. Instagram

Aline Kominsky-Crumb (BFA ’71): Founding member of the influential all-female collective that produced Wimmin’s Comix, a feminist comic published from 1972-1985. A documentary about her life with her husband, “Crumb,” was released in 1994. She died in 2022 at age 74. Obit

Scooter LaForge (BFA ’93): American painter and sculptor based in New York’s East Village. He has a line of clothing for Patricia Field and has collaborated with other fashion designers. Website

John F. Meyer (BFA ’82, Studio Art): Award-winning creative director who has worked for clients such as Apple, Levi’s and Walgreens. Appeared on AMC’s reality series “The Pitch.” Named 2023 College of Fine Arts Alumnus of the Year. LinkedIn and Profile

Joe Pagac (BFA ’05, Studio Art): Tucson-based performance artist, muralist and fine artist, known for his large scale and rotating public murals. Website

Lucy Raven (BFA ‘00, Studio Art; BA Art History ‘00): Founding member of Thirteen Black Cats, a moving-image research and production collective. Teaches at the Cooper Union School of Art in New York. Website

Adam Rex (’96 BFA Studio Art): Has written and illustrated more than 40 books for children — including several New York Times bestsellers. DreamWorks developed his debut novel, “The True Meaning of Smekday,” into a 2015 animated film, “Home” with Rihanna. Website and Q&A

Kennady Schneider (BFA ’19; Photography, Video & Imaging) is a Los Angeles-based professional choreographer and dancer — and was the movement consultant for “Anora,” which won five Oscars, including Best Picture, and the Cannes Film Festival’s Palme d’Or. Website

Fritz Scholder (MFA ’64): A major influence for a generation of Native American artists. His paintings sought to deconstruct the mythos of the American Indian. He died in 2005 at age 67. Website

Cherise Smith (MA ’97/BA ’91, Art History): University of Texas at Austin professor of Art History and African and African Diaspora Studies. Received 2021 Eldredge Prize from the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Website

Brian Stauffer (BFA ’89, Graphic Design): Award-winning illustrator for The Nation, New York Times, TIME, The New Yorker, Rolling Stone, Esquire, GQ and others. Website

Aaron Wickenden (BFA ’00, Photography) is a multiple Emmy- and American Cinema Editors-nominated documentary editor based in Chicago. His work includes the acclaimed films “Won’t You be My Neighbor?,” “Feels Good Man,” “Roadrunner,” “Hail Satan?” and “Finding Vivian Maier.” While at the School of Art, he interned with both Annie Leibovitz and Richard Avedon. Website

Kristen Wiig: The two-time Oscar-nominated actress attended the University of Arizona as an art student while occasionally taking acting class as an elective. The former “Saturday Night Live” cast member co-wrote and starred in the movie “Bridesmaids.” Bio

N.C. Winters (BFA ’02, Studio Art), based in the San Diego area, is an award-winning illustrator and major music concert poster designer/illustrator. Website