The Nomads Have Arrived: Nomad/9 MFA Graduates First Class

How can a university provide a graduate education that is grounded in fieldwork, inspired by permaculture principles, responsible to the challenges of these times, and committed to innovation in the service of ethical culture? The Interdisciplinary Master of Fine Arts at the University of Hartford, commonly known as Nomad/9 MFA provides an answer.

The Nomad/9 MFA program will graduate its first class at the University of Hartford, Hartford Art School this summer. The culminating programming includes the exhibition of ten MFA thesis projects at the Joseloff Gallery on the campus of the University of Hartford, the public celebration of the collaborative Park River Tool Kit at Real Art Ways in Hartford and a day of river-themed interactive events in Hartford, Connecticut.

The inaugural graduating class is comprised of ten students: Rachel Dennis, Kay Douglas, Megan Driving Hawk, Désirée Duell, Susan Hackett, Benjamin Hao, Andrew Oesch, Jess Porzuczek, Rory Sparks, and Tathy Yazigi. The students have developed their work under the guidance of thesis advisors Christy Gast, Ernesto Pujol and Mary Mattingly.

The MFA Thesis Exhibition is on view from June 15 through June 23 in the Joseloff Gallery at the Hartford Art School. The community is invited to enjoy light refreshments and hors d’oeuvres at a celebratory Artist Reception from 4:30 to 6pm on June 23.

During the Real Art Ways Creative Cocktail Hour from 6 to 9pm on June 21, the exhibit PRTK: Park River Tool Kit will showcase the students’ public art project, created with faculty artist Mary Mattingly. This toolkit was developed over the course of twelve months, and was inspired by the Park River, which runs through the university and is buried beneath the city of Hartford.

Connecting Currents: A Celebration of Our Rivers, an event in partnership with the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (CT DEEP) and Park Watershed Inc., takes place from 10am to 4pm on June 23 at the Hartford Art School. This fun-filled, family-friendly gathering is free and open to the public, and features educational activities facilitated by the CT DEEP, a keynote address from Mary Rickel Pelletier of Park Watershed, and opportunities to engage with Hartford’s Park River through playing, learning, and exploring.

More information about this pioneering MFA program can be found at nomad9mfa.org, and hartfordartschool.org.