Outstanding Student Awards 2026, Part 4 (of 4)
July 31, 2026
The winners of SDA’s Outstanding Student Awards were recently announced for the students who have demonstrated excellence in fiber arts. The work of these artists embodied inventive and innovative use of technique, materials and concepts not only in fibers and textiles, but in printmaking, sculpture, and more. It is an honor for the Education Committee to be able to see student work, review it, and learn more about the personal and societal issues they are tackling through their work. We will be spotlighting our Outstanding Student Award Winners throughout July. Be sure to follow them and support their practices. Congratulations to all 44 awardees!
Katie Reid (she/her/he/him/they/them), Autopsy Number 3194, 2026. 3D Printed, screenprinted, and woven cotton yarn, hand-spun silk yarn, found yarn, contact cement, and acrylic paint, 14 inches. Photo by the artist. Graduate, Savannah College of Art and Design. KatieReidArts.com | @KatieReidArts
Noa Rickey (they/them), Ascension, 2026. Knotted netting, tatted lace with cotton rope, thread, and black tea, 20 x 10 feet. Photo: Mariah Moneda. Graduate, University of Wisconsin-Madison. noarickey.com | @noadolorean
Isabella Zia Spagnuolo (she/her), Here, Briefly., 2026. Woven, smocked, dyed, and etched mixed woods, fibers, metal, and concrete, 86 x 120 x 24 inches. Photo by the artist. Undergraduate, Savannah College of Art and Design. @isaziaa
Christine Stidham (she/her), Little Things, 2026. Needle-felted, hand-fabricated, and enameled wool, copper, enamel, and patina, 9 x 9 x 2.25 inches. Photo by the artist. Undergraduate, University of North Texas, College of Visual Arts and Design. christinestidham.com | @christinestidhamart
Alex Taylor (she/her), Beneath The Surface, 2025. Tufted, crocheted, hand-sewn, beaded and glazed clay, sand, cotton yarn, and recycled yarn, 17.3 x 16.9 x 4.7 inches. Photo by the artist. Undergraduate, Auckland University of Technology. @alex.taylor.designs
Jillian Thompson (she/her/he/him), Visions of the End, 2026. Sewn fabrics, polymer clay, plaster, joint compound, various ribbons, faux pearls, chain, liquid latex, acrylic paint, spray paint, cross/crucifix charms, and closures, Photo by the artist. Undergraduate, Marshall University. jathompsondesigns.com | @jathompsondesigns
Manikya Sai Tejaswini Vallabhajosyula (she/her), Architectural Bloom, 2025. Fused and pressed cotton, Photo: University of North Texas. Graduate, University of North Texas. manikyasaivallab5091.myportfolio.com | @Manikya_Tejaswini
Nicole Vega (she/her), Better to Lean Than To Fall, 2026. Mixed media fabrication and sound installation with pencil rods, gingham, clips, mortar and sound, 64 x 49 x 49 inches. Photo by the artist. Graduate, Clemson University. niki-artcove.carrd.com | @nicoleshanayavega
Courtney Watts (she/her), Embellished Bandages, 2026. Embroidered and beaded thread, silk organza, glass beads and embellishments, dimensions vary. Photo by the artist. Undergraduate, Savannah College of Art and Design. courtneywattsstudio.com | @courtneygwatts
Xinhan Zhang (she/her), Feeling of Being: A Woven Home, 2025. Coiled, twined, and twisted copper wire, coir fibres, corn leaves, harakeke fibre, and raffia, 12 x 12 x 18 inches. Photo: Paul Chapman. PhD, Auckland University of Technology.
Aisley Delgadillo (she/her), Mexican in America, 2025. Handbuilt clay, underglaze, and clear ceramic glaze, 10 x 5 x 5 inches. Photo by the artist. Undergraduate, Boise State University.
For more information check out the Grants & Outstanding Student Awards page.
