Published on July 18, 2024 by Anne Madison Adcock  
Geoff Sciacca Headshot

Geoff Sciacca, associate professor of Graphic Design at Samford University’s School of the Arts, has recently been awarded the Alabama Council of the Arts Fellowship Grant. This prestigious fellowship is designed to support and recognize the artistic achievements and professional commitment of individuals working across various disciplines, including arts education, craft, dance, design, media/photography, music, literature, theatre and visual arts.

The Alabama Council of the Arts Fellowship Grant is a testament to Sciacca's dedication and excellence in the arts. Fellows can use the funding of this award to support the growth and development of their artistic careers through various means, such as creating and improving their skills, pursuing professional development and training, or exploring other opportunities that lead to success.

"One of the ways I am planning on utilizing this grant is to refresh some of the equipment I use to make work, specifically in the areas of screen printing and digital photography," Sciacca shared.

He intends to build a new vacuum table press to enable larger screen prints and upgrade his 12-year-old DSLR body to enhance his digital imagery work. Additionally, he plans to use part of the funding to exhibit work he has done and curated with "The Dream Deferred" and "The Dream (Is Still) Deferred" printmaking exhibitions.

The Fellowship Grant not only benefits the individual artist but also has a broader impact on the community. By supporting artists like Sciacca, the Alabama Council of the Arts fosters a vibrant and dynamic arts scene in Alabama. These grants help artists to create, innovate and share their work with the public, enriching the cultural landscape.

"I feel very honored to be supported and affirmed in this way,” said Sciacca. “The fellowship is very much a recognition of the work I’ve been doing, as well as an investment into the work I’m trying to do."

In addition to celebrating Sciacca's achievements, the grant paves the way for future successes, both for him and the broader Alabama arts community.

 
Samford is a leading Christian university offering undergraduate programs grounded in the liberal arts with an array of nationally recognized graduate and professional schools. Founded in 1841, Samford is the 87th-oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. Samford enrolls 5,791 students from 49 states, Puerto Rico and 16 countries in its 10 academic schools: arts, arts and sciences, business, divinity, education, health professions, law, nursing, pharmacy and public health. Samford fields 17 athletic teams that compete in the tradition-rich Southern Conference and ranks 6th nationally for its Graduation Success Rate among all NCAA Division I schools.