Next Gen of SCAD Art Thrives in the South

When people imagine the nation’s creative hubs, the coastal cities of New York and Los Angeles usually dominate the conversation. The Southeast, however, is becoming a significant player in the cultural setting. Savannah and Atlanta, Georgia, have developed distinct artistic identities that go beyond the usual tropes of the region. At the center of this development is the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). Since opening its doors in 1978, the university has become a major force in art and design education, offering more degree programs and specializations than any other institution of its kind in the world. The campus in Savannah, with its famous willow trees, provides a backdrop for students to study everything from animation to sneaker design. The school emphasizes practical skills and professional development alongside academic theory. Programs like SCADpro give students access to a research lab and prototype generator, while the Style Lab offers mentorship from industry figures like Christopher Brumfield and Tremaine Emory. The university’s presence has helped establish Savannah and Atlanta as thriving centers for culture and creativity.

Jane Jurchak is a fashion and textile designer from Belmont, North Carolina, who brought her understanding of the American South to SCAD. Her senior thesis, titled “Forsaken,” draws on Southern Gothic imagery and the emotional experiences of queer adolescence. Jurchak focuses on material experimentation in her work, a strategy she used in her collection presented at SCAD FASHION this past May. The pieces feature distressed corsets, exaggerated silhouettes, and latex detailing to explore themes of isolation, shame, and spiritual tension. “The collection allowed me to set free my anxieties of identity and step into discovery myself,” Jurchak says.

The work produced by SCAD students often demonstrates a maturity that rivals established professionals. This is particularly evident in the work of Kehua Wu, a recent MFA graduate from Changsha, China. Their graduate exhibition, titled “Home,” addresses the distance between Wu’s home and their new environment. The installation includes mixed media paintings, a video piece, and various other elements to explore themes of belonging and cultural identity. During their time at SCAD, Wu incorporated traditional Chinese materials, such as rice paper and ink, into their practice. This blend of techniques highlights the global perspective found within the student body. “I regard my act of creating art as a cultivation,” Wu says. “Through the process, I engage in deep introspection – exploring, unearthing and ultimately adopting myself – while simultaneously seeking the truth of life and coming to terms with the world.”

Mike Posner, a recent graduate of SCAD’s photography program, uses his camera to create images that transcend the physical world. He operates under the professional name Fictiveillusion, a reference to his love of fiction. While Posner frequently shoots musicians, his approach differs from standard artist portraits. He immerses his subjects in otherworldly digital settings using cinematic lighting and advanced post-production techniques. His work challenges viewers to look closer at the images presented to them. The university’s commitment to hands-on learning creates an environment where students can develop these specialized skills and present them to a broader audience.