Colin Blakely to Head UA School of Art

Colin Blakely to Head UA School of Art

By University Relations - Communications
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Colin Blakely
Colin Blakely

Photographer Colin Blakely, known for capturing striking images of familiar and everyday life, has been named the new director of the UA School of Art, which is ranked among the top art schools in the nation.

Blakely, who previously served as the head of the art department at Eastern Michigan University, joined the UA this week.

"I couldn't be more excited to be joining the University," Blakely said. "I see in the School of Art a unit that is poised for great success, and I'm looking forward to contributing to the vision of the school as it moves forward. The faculty and staff here have all been incredibly welcoming, and made the decision for me to move an easy one."

At Eastern Michigan University, Blakely supervised 25 faculty members, three staff members and 30 part-time lecturers while overseeing all budgetary, scheduling and curricular decisions in the department. He also served in university roles responsible for supporting program assessment, curriculum development, graduate student advising, budgetary decisions and capital priorities.

At the UA, Blakely will be responsible for the oversight, vision and direction of the School of Art in the UA College of Fine Arts. The school maintains cross-disciplinary expertise and offers training in 2-D studies, 3-D and extended media, photography, illustration and design, art history and also art and visual culture education.

Prior to working at Eastern Michigan University, Blakely taught math, science and photography at the Annunciation Orthodox School in Houston. Blakely earned dual bachelor's degrees in studio arts and mathematics from Williams College, and he later earned a Master of Fine Arts degree in photography at the University of New Mexico. He also studied Italian, studio art and art history in Florence, Italy.

Blakely has won numerous awards and his work has been shown in exhibitions across the United States, including New York City; Seattle; Houston; Philadelphia; Ann Arbor, Michigan; and Albuquerque, New Mexico. His work also has been shown internationally in China. He was a runner-up for the 2009 Aperture Portfolio Prize and a Winter 2007 Hot Shot.

"The College of Fine Arts anticipates great things from Colin Blakely," said college dean Jory Hancock. "An exemplar among the new generation of administrators nationally, Colin will preserve and extend the excellence of the School of Art. On behalf of the college, and the directors of the schools in the college, I welcome Colin and his family to our campus and our community."

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