Next Generation of Art Thriving in the South
Three recent graduates from the Savannah College of Art and Design showcase their talents in various fields, highlighting the university's role in cultivating the future of design and the flourishing cultural hubs of Savannah and Atlanta.
The American South is often overlooked as a hub for creative talent, but recent graduates from the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) are proving that this region is thriving with artistic innovation.
Located in the Southeast corner of the United States, Savannah and Atlanta, Georgia, have become cultural hotspots, with SCAD playing a major role in their artistic impact. Since its founding in 1978, the university has offered more degree programs and specializations than any other art and design school, attracting a diverse range of artists to its Savannah campus.
The university's emphasis on hands-on learning and professional development has afforded students the opportunity to work with corporate partners and industry mentors. For example, the Style Lab, the SCAD School of Fashion's elite industry mentorship program, has included notable figures such as Christopher Brumfield, Tremaine Emory, Bruce Pask, and Yu Fukumoto as mentors.
Three recent graduates from SCAD are making waves in their respective fields, showcasing the university's role in cultivating the future of design and the flourishing cultural hubs of Savannah and Atlanta.
### Fashion and Textile Design
Jane Jurchak, a fashion and textile designer from Belmont, North Carolina, has created a collection that explores the emotional landscape of queer adolescence. Her senior thesis, Forsaken, was rooted in Southern Gothic imagery and featured distressed corsets, exaggerated silhouettes, and latex detailing.
| Student | Major | Thesis Title | Year | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Jane Jurchak | Fashion and Textile Design | Forsaken | 2026 |
Jurchak's work is preoccupied with material experimentation, and her collection allowed her to explore themes of isolation, shame, and spiritual tension.
### Fine Arts
Kehua Wu, a recent master of fine arts graduate from SCAD, has created a graduate exhibition titled Home, which documented their distance from their home country of China. The exhibition featured mixed media paintings, a video piece, and an installation that explored belonging and cultural identity.
| Student | Major | Thesis Title | Year | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Kehua Wu | Fine Arts | Home | 2026 |
Wu built upon painting techniques learned in their home country, incorporating traditional Chinese materials such as rice paper and ink into their work. They regard their act of creating art as a cultivation, engaging in deep introspection and exploring the truth of life.
### Photography
Mike Posner, a recent graduate of SCAD's prestigious photography program, uses his camera as a portal to other dimensions. His work, under the name Fictiveillusion, immerses musicians in otherworldly digital landscapes, forcing viewers to stop and take a closer look.
Posner's sharp eye and talent for cinematic lighting and post-production have earned him recognition in the art world. His work is far from run-of-the-mill artist portraits, instead creating a unique and captivating experience for the viewer.
The work of these three recent graduates from SCAD showcases the university's role in cultivating the future of design and the flourishing cultural hubs of Savannah and Atlanta. Their innovative and artistic talents are a testament to the region's thriving creative scene.
