Outstanding Student Awards 2025, Part 2 (of 4)
July 25, 2025
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 and August. Be sure to follow them and support their practices. Congratulations to all 53 awardees!
Dorian Lazcano (she/her), Cocoon, 2025. Appliquéf, free motion-quilted and collaged found fabric, 26 x 18 inches. Photo by the artist. Undergraduate, University of North Texas. @boredcat06
Claire Cameron (they/them), Windows XP, 2023. Woven cotton yarn with secondhand computer monitor frame, 15 x 12 inches. Photo by the artist. Undergraduate, Savannah College of Art and Design. @eggwaash
Aubrey Clapp (she/her), Woven Wire Wyvern, 2024. Woven copper wire with lapis lazuli beads, 6.5 x 7.5 x 7.5 inches. Photo by the artist. Undergraduate, University of North Texas. @aubreys_baubles
Anna Cassell (she/her), Unkempt, 2025. Sewn tulle and hair with paper photo transferred onto casings then warped with heat, collagen sausage casings and needle run lace, 12 x 10 x 36 inches. Photo by the artist. High School, The Fine Arts Center. @annacassell.art
Yasmin Ramirez (she/her), San Juan, 2025. Appliquéd cotton fabric, 22 x 17 inches. Photo by the artist. Undergraduate, University of North Texas. @yr.prints
Finn Engelbart (they/he), Dumb Dog, 2025. Brocade woven linen and pearl cotton thread, 65 x 22 inches. Photo: Stephen James Pritchard. Undergraduate, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. @finn_0e
Olivia Esquivel (she/her), 3:46 PM, 2024. Sewn wool, cotton and steel wire, 10 x 8 x 8 inches. Photo by the artist. Graduate, Savannah College of Art and Design. oliviaesquivelart.com | @olivia.esquivel.art
Lucero Sustaita (she/her), Apple, 2025. Twined and braided dyed and natural reed with metal brad, 14 x 7 x 7 inches. Photo: Jacob Wells. Undergraduate, University of North Texas.
Madeline Herrera (she/her), Where does a cage end…, 2025. Handmade and hand-dyed paper from cotton, abaca, thai kozo sheets, adhesive, artist’s hair and foraged thorns, 48 x 67 inches. Photo by the artist. Graduate, University of North Texas. @madelineh.art
Katie Simmons (she/her), Lupinus littoralis, 2024. Natural dyed, English smocked, woven, embroidered and quilted cotton canvas, cotton and wool yarn, embroidery thread, rayon and silk with handdrawn ballpoint pen, 42 x 74 inches . Photo by the artist. Graduate, Colorado State University. katie-simmons.com
Rutuja Pawase (she/her), Amalgamate, 2025. Origami, laser-etched and flatbed UV printied cardstock paper, 42 x 32 x 15 inches. Photo by the artist. Graduate, Savannah College of Art and Design. @rutuja_pawase
Anna Smith (she/her), To feel each pellet of water, to watch a gossamer, 2025. Needle-felted, crocheted and beaded wool with stretch cord, steel and glass beads, 73 x 35 x 32 inches. Photo by the artist. Graduate, University of North Texas. biteandtouchstudios.com | @ann_uhh_
Alex Holst (they/them), Perfectly Burned, 2024. Handwoven cotton fabric with lace, wine, coffee and fire, 50 x 50 inches. Photo by the artist. Undergraduate, Appalachian State University. @alex.theweaver
For more information check out the Grants & Outstanding Student Awards page.
