Meet the Graduating Class

Anavi Bhushan Nugyal
BFA 2021

Hometown: Mumbai, India

Three words that describe you: Curious, exuberant, and determined

One sentence that describes your work: My work considers functionality, accessibility, learning, community, society, and humor. 

Most memorable moment at SAIC: It’s probably a montage of every late night I spent in the studios with my friends and all of us regretting every moment we spent procrastinating for the entire semester.  

One thing you learned at SAIC: Nothing is ever finished to completion, nor to perfection. It always has the scope to grow and get better, especially when created to be in function for or in communication with another.

Favorite class or teacher: Eric Hotchkiss (Architecture, Interior Architecture, and Designed Objects), Jacob Tonski (Art and Technology), George Aye (Architecture, Interior Architecture, and Designed Objects), and Jeremy Biles (Liberal Arts).

What inspires you? The society; my community; everyday irritations; and existential, sociopolitical dilemmas.

What advice would you give to incoming students? Seek and welcome collaboration. Question and try everything. Working with your peers and community is key to sustaining a practice.

Jasmine Veronica
BFA 2021

Hometown: West Palm Beach, Florida

Three words that describe you: Funny, caring, and thoughtful

What’s one sentence that describes your work? I use black-and-white self-portrait photography to investigate the historical representation of the Black, femme body.

Most memorable moment at SAIC: Attending The Black Experience event as a volunteer in 2019. Being able to attend a School event where a diverse group of students was able to come together for a night of joy and celebration was a wonderful thing to experience.

One thing you learned at SAIC: I learned to think about my practice as an ongoing body of work and not as individual projects that end when they are due for class.

Favorite class or teacher: It’s hard to say one specific teacher or class, but if I had to pinpoint just one, I would say LaToya Ruby Frazier (Photography). She has not only shaped the way that I think about what it means to be an artist, but she has been a major influence on how I make my work and my mindset when it comes to open art making. 

What inspires you? My mom. She has been my number one inspiration to do the work that I do and to continue going down this path of becoming a photographer. 

What advice would you give to incoming students? Take your time and try to not overthink. I know that’s easier said than done, but ideas will come to you naturally. Also, take advantage of all the resources the School has to offer; from CAPX [SAIC's Career and Professional Experience office] to the faculty, SAIC has so many resources that will help you on your path to being a working artist.

Sofía Gabriel 
MA 2021 

Hometown: Mexico City, Mexico

Three words that describe you: Reliable, committed, and caring

What’s one sentence that describes your work? I’m a Mexican arts administrator and dancer interested in the intersection between art and activism, feminism, and performance studies.

Most memorable moment at SAIC? Working as a graduate curatorial assistant in the New Blood festival, where I collaborated with six amazing artists who performed in the windows of the SITE and SAIC Galleries. I was inspired by these resilient artists and grateful to be part of a project that made me think about ways to present art and connect with people during challenging times.

What’s something you learned at SAIC? My experience has led my professional practice toward a more interdisciplinary field, where I continuously think about blending theory and practice to discover new ways of knowing and creating. These years have changed my perception about art and arts administration, and I have started to understand its potential to impact cultural policy and make injustice visible. 

Favorite class or teacher? Management Studio and Developing a Social Practice with Kate Dumbleton (MA 2008, Arts Administration and Policy)

What inspires you? Solidarity and collaboration

What advice would you give to incoming students? Connect with peers from other programs, engage in interdisciplinary initiatives within the SAIC community, and try to meet BFA and MFA students.

Seth Sexton
MFA 2021

Hometown: Seattle, Washington

Three words that describe you? Intuitive, industrious, and mercurial

What’s one sentence that describes your work? The deeper the chaos, the higher the order.

Most memorable moment at SAIC? I was working on a collaboration with Corey Smith and Paige Naylor in preparation for Corey's show at SITE Galleries called the light comes in the name of the voice. The days before the opening of the show, I got an email from Paige that said that she would not be able to attend the exhibition’s panel discussion because her partner had passed away suddenly. I was truly devastated for her, but I couldn't help but think how the work that we made together was a record, forever made more meaningful because of her partner Ryan's ghost. It reminds me that art is an oracular experience because of moments like that.

What’s something you learned at SAIC? I learned to be less afraid of the truth—theirs and mine.

Favorite class or teacher? Mark Jeffery (Performance), for sure. He is such a kindred spirit with a real love for community, endless possibility, and Dolly Parton.

What inspires you? Self-awareness and the ambiguity of signs

What advice would you give to incoming students? Make a mess, make a huge mess, and then clean up after yourself. ■

Illustrations by Laetitia Auguste (BFA 2019)