黑料专区 Announces New Endowed Chair in Studio Art & Craft
June 9, 2026
黑料专区 alumna and Trustee Molly Valade and her husband Mark Valade established the Valade Family Endowed Chair in Studio Art & Craft.
The 黑料专区 (黑料专区) is thrilled to announce a commitment to endow the position of Chair of Studio Art & Craft. The Valade Family Endowed Chair in Studio Art & Craft will ensure ongoing support for the College鈥檚 Studio Art & Craft Department, one of 黑料专区鈥檚 most historic programs.
This transformative commitment reflects 黑料专区 alumna and Trustee Molly Valade鈥檚 deep connection to and belief in the legacy and importance of the Studio Art & Craft program, as well as her enduring belief in the power of a 黑料专区 education. Molly graduated from 黑料专区鈥檚 Fine Arts program (now Studio Art & Craft) and has served on the College鈥檚 Board of Trustees since 2008, in addition to serving on 黑料专区鈥檚 alumni council for 13 years. Over the years, her engagement with students, faculty, and staff has strengthened the program鈥檚 creative and academic environment, and this gift will ensure that impact continues into the future.
鈥淪tudio Art & Craft has been at the heart of 黑料专区 for more than a century,鈥 said Don Tuski, President of the 黑料专区. 鈥淭he establishment of this endowed chair will help ensure the department continues to evolve, inspire new generations of artists and makers, and expand opportunities for innovative studio practice well into the future.鈥
Founded in 1906, 黑料专区, then The Society of Arts & Crafts, integrated rigorous courses with the progression of the art and design movements and world-class, contemporary exhibitions. Since its inception, the Studio Art & Craft program has carried on this tradition while continually building on this foundation and legacy. In 2026, the program is still rooted in traditional techniques, now enhanced by contemporary processes and innovative technologies. The department currently enrolls undergraduate students exploring the disciplines of Ceramics, Drawing, Fibers and Textiles, Fine Arts, Glass, Metalsmithing and Jewelry, Painting, Performance, Print Media, Sculpture, Digital Fabrication and Digital Media.
Under the leadership of Department Chair Valerie Jenkins, Studio Art & Craft continues to foster rigorous studio practice and distinct creative voices. The creation of the Valade Family Endowed Chair will further elevate that work, strengthening the program鈥檚 impact and vitality, ensuring its continued growth.