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Home › Stories › School of Art alumna earns national Murrow Award

School of Art alumna earns national Murrow Award

June 25, 2019

University of Arizona School of Art alumna Arlene Islas (BFA Photography, 2015) along with her colleague and fellow Wildcat alumna Sandra Westdahl (School of Journalism, 2012) recently won the National Edward R. Murrow Award for Feature Reporting for their Arizona Public Media (AZPM) story “Where Dreams Die.”

The story also aired on PBS NewsHour Weekend on June 8.

“Where Dreams Die” features local artist Alvaro Enciso’s efforts to honor the lives of more than 3,000 migrants who have died in the Sonoran Desert in Southern Arizona attempting to cross the U.S. border in remote, dangerous terrain due to changes in U.S. policy. Enciso has assisted the Tucson’s Colibrí Center for Human Rights connect family members.

WATCH NOW: AZPM: Where Dreams Die | PBS NewsHour Episode

“Ever since it aired, it has prompted all kinds of reactions from the community especially because of its humanitarian subject matter and our present political climate,” Islas explained. “The feedback has been positive, motivational and empowering. Visual storytelling not only raises awareness and prompts strong emotions but it can move people into action.”

Islas served as videographer on the feature; Westdahl was the producer/editor.

“It’s an honor to see that our hard work has been recognized with such a prestigious award,” said Islas. “It means that it’s made an impact and that some of the most phenomenal and respected journalists saw the value in it.

“It floored me. It feels surreal!”

Islas graduated in 2015 from the School of Art with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography, which has been recently renamed Photography, Video and Imaging. She worked as a Production Technician before accepting the position of Television Director at Arizona Public Media. Islas is now using her experiences as a visual artist to communicate compelling messages that evoke emotional responses. Since her days as an undergraduate student, she has been interested in creating work about her Mexican heritage. School of Art faculty member Carlton Bradford described Islas as dynamic and driven, and noted her undergraduate work addressed Hispanic identity issues for those living near the US-Mexico border. Having the opportunity to work for Arizona Public Media has enabled Islas to create work that is meaningful to her and to Southwestern border communities.

“The School of Art prepared me not only to understand the power of images, but also to understand our power as individuals, our role in the community as professional artists, and the responsibility that comes with conveying our identity and ethical values through our art. We hope that our story can inspire others to continue to raise awareness on similar topics and enhance interconnectedness in our society.”

In 2018, Islas also won two Emmy Awards at the 2018 Rocky Mountain Southwest Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and two Regional Edward R. Murrow Awards.

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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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