Welcome letter from the Chair, Fall 2024

Dear Art Practice Community,

Welcome back to campus, and welcome to an exciting new semester! As we embark on this Academic Year, we also step into a new era for the department, celebrating 101 years of creativity, exploration, and groundbreaking art at Berkeley!

I’m thrilled to introduce new faces joining us this year. First, please join me in welcoming Assistant Professor Xandra Ibarra! Professor Ibarra is an alumna of our MFA program and has been a lecturer in the department for several years. A recent recipient of the prestigious Presidential Postdoctoral Fellowship, she now joins us as a professor in Sculpture, and we are overjoyed to have her return in this new capacity. Her contributions as an artist and educator will undoubtedly inspire our community. Also joining our faculty is Sabrina Gschwandtner. Sabrina Gschwandtner is a visual artist and filmmaker. Her work has been exhibited and screened internationally, at the Smithsonian American Art Museum; the Victoria and Albert Museum; the Walker Art Center; the Museum of Arts and Design; Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA); Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, and Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM), among many others and we are so excited she is joining our community.

We also welcome Samuel Wildman, the department's new Sculpture Mechanician. Samuel, another proud MFA alum, steps into this role following the retirement of Teresa Smith, who devoted countless years to supporting students and overseeing the metal and wood shops. Teresa's dedication has left a lasting legacy, and we extend our deepest gratitude for her service.

A special welcome goes to our new undergraduate and graduate students, including our remarkable incoming MFA cohort: Zuhoor Al Sayegh, Eleni Berg, Giancarlos Campos, Kristiana Chan, Hector Muñoz Guzman, and Swaleha Masude. We are excited to see the incredible work you'll create as part of our vibrant community. Finally, a round of applause to MFA 2025 students Priyanka D’Souza and Viviana Martinez Carlos, recipients of the esteemed Cadogan Awards! Their exhibition will be on display at SOMARTS Gallery from November 2–December 6, 2024. We are incredibly proud of their achievements and can't wait to see their work showcased.

As we launch into this new century of Art Practice, I wish each of you a fantastic start to the semester. My door is always open, and I’m eager to witness the creative journeys and collaborations that lie ahead. Let’s make the next century even more inspiring than the last!

Warmly,
Ronald Rael
Chair, Department of Art Practice

Ronald Rael, Chair, Department of Art Practice