New York-based artist Saya Woolfalk visited ÐÔ¸£ÎåÔÂÌì University October 14-17 as part of the College of the Arts' Thomas Schroth Visiting Artist Series. Woolfalk's work blends science fiction, anthropology and biology to explore how we see ourselves and the world around us. Her four-day residency at ÐÔ¸£ÎåÔÂÌì brought together students and faculty from the College of the Arts, College of Sciences and Humanities and the College of Architecture and Environmental Design for a workshop, roundtable discussion, graduate studio visits and a free public lecture.
Walk Like A Woods Woman
Thomas Schroth Visiting Artist Saya Woolfalk shares her process with ÐÔ¸£ÎåÔÂÌì Students
The workshop, "Woods Woman Method," invited students to walk along the Cuyahoga River with Saya Woolfalk and Associate Professor of Biological Sciences Darren Bade, while recording their experience. Students could sketch what they saw, describe what they heard and smelled. Afterward, students sat down for a roundtable discussion with Taryn McMahon Professor and Interim Director of the School of Art, Associate Professor Bade and Professor Joseph Underwood, Professor of Art History.
While at ÐÔ¸£ÎåÔÂÌì, Woolfalk also met with School of Art graduate students in their studios. Woolfalk provided insight and feedback as students walked through their process.
Woolfalk closed out her visit with a public lecture. During the lecture, she discussed her growth as an artist, which stemmed from her personal experiences, along with her interests in science fiction and nature.
ÐÔ¸£ÎåÔÂÌì the Thomas Schroth Visiting Artist Series
Since 2001, the Thomas Schroth Visiting Artist Series has presented guest artists respected in the field of theatre, dance, visual arts, music and architecture including such noted artists as Tony award-winners Stephen Schwartz, the composer of "Wicked," "Godspell" and more; "Next to Normal" actress Alice Ripley; the Grammy-winning Emerson String Quartet; postmodern minimalist artist Richard Tuttle; artists and fashion designers Ruben and Isabel Toledo; the internationally acclaimed dance company, Ballet Florida; and actor, dancer and arts advocate Ben Vereen and the Limon Dance Group, just to name a few. The Thomas Schroth Visiting Artist Series aims to bring intellectually diverse views through that window to the Kent campus and community.
POSTED: Tuesday, October 20, 2026 11:31 AM
Updated: Tuesday, October 27, 2026 11:52 AM
