U of A School of Art Alumnus Awarded Prestigious National Fellowship in Ceramics

Vincent Frimpong, a U of A School of Art alumnus with a Master of Fine Arts in studio art: ceramics (2024), has been named one of six artists nationwide to receive the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts Emerging Artists Fellowship. 

The fellowship, one of the most prestigious awards in the field, recognizes early-career ceramicists who bring fresh perspectives to the medium and connects them with international audiences. Frimpong is the first U of A student to receive the award. He joins four School of Art faculty members who have previously been honored. 

A contemporary ceramic artist originally from Accra, Ghana, Frimpong said his work examines identity and history. "I explore the question, 'What does it mean to be an African?' Affirming the core of African power within myself and others permeates everything I do and represent," he said. "My objects and installations draw upon my history while commenting on the present. I use mixed media to explore both the richness of African history and pressing contemporary concerns about where we come from, where we are and where we are going." 

As part of the fellowship, Frimpong received a $3,300 honorarium, presented work in a group exhibition and during the annual conference, titled Formation, in Utah. This work included talks, What It Means to Be an African, and a co-presentation called Ghanaian Ceramics: A Trans-Atlantic Renaissance with Jeannie Hulen, professor of ceramics at the U of A, and Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology professor Samuel Nortey. 

He honed his craft as an M.F.A. student at the School of Art in the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences at the U of A, where he detailed that the tuition-free program and immersive curriculum allowed him to experiment across media and refine his artistic voice.  

"I am most grateful to have had incredible faculty who mentored me, including Jeannie Hulen, Adam Posnak, Qwist Joseph and Mathew McConnell, who all served as my thesis committee to guide me in building my portfolio and body of new work that I received with this award," Frimpong said. 

Rachel Debuque, director of the School of Art, said Frimpong's recognition highlights the strength of the school's M.F.A. program. "It is inspiring to see a talented artist like Vincent receive national recognition and represent the university's alumni on such a prominent stage," Debuque shared. "The School of Art's Master of Fine Arts program prepares students to excel globally, and awards like this reflect the impact of that preparation." 

Frimpong has exhibited his work widely, with recent solo shows including Logged In at COOP Gallery in Nashville, Beyond the Single at Shircliff Gallery in Vincennes and  The Frimpong Case Continued at Hall Gallery, Millsaps College. He recently became a 2025 Amaco Fellow, and his previous honors include the Windgate Accelerator Grant, Artists 360 Grant, Zenobia Award and multiple national fellowships and residencies. 

After earning his M.F.A. at the U of A in 2024, Frimpong accepted a tenure-track appointment as an assistant professor of art at Augustana College. 

The School of Art's M.F.A. program is a fully funded, three-year, 60-credit-hour residency designed to combine critical engagement with technical proficiency. Applications for the next cohort are now open. More information is available.