Outstanding Student Awards 2026, Part 3 (of 4)
July 24, 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!
Keiry Leon (she/her), the tokyo taste, 2025. Woven cotton and cyanotype, Photo by the artist. Undergraduate, Savannah College of Art and Design. @pbnkei
Rachael Lowman (she/her), Harvesting Resilience, 2025. Woven cotton and synthetic thread, 39.25 x 28.25 inches. Photo by the artist. Graduate, East Carolina University.
Matthew Lyga (he/him), IMMATERIAL, 2026. Handwoven cotton, wool, and monofilament, 40 x 80 inches. Photo by the artist. Undergraduate, University of Wisconsin-Madison. matthewlyga.com | @matthew.lyga
Ariel Mannie (she/her), Black Atlantic, 2025. Patchwork quilted cotton fabric, 38 x 37 inches. Photo by the artist. Graduate, The New School.
Mayangay Marley (she/her), Lilac Alstroemeria, 2026. Watercolor painting, 50 x 54 inches. Photo by the artist. Undergraduate, Thomas Jefferson University. printsbymayan.myportfolio.com | @mayans.designs
Sarah McMurry (she/her), Interworked: Slow Sailor, 2025. Naturally-dyed and nuno-felted silk organza, machine-knit wool yarn, and gold thread, 38 x 36 inches. Photo by the artist. Undergraduate, The Kansas City Art Institute. smcmurry.com | @sarahmcmurryy
Allison Meer (she/her), Practice, 2025. Woven cotton warp and Alpaca and cotton weft, 38 x 72 inches. Photo by the artist. Graduate, NC State Wilson College of Textiles. @statesofallison
Max Miller (they/he), Please, Hole Me, 2026. Free motion-embroidered, hand-stitched yo-yos, satin, and ribbons, 64 x 48 inches. Photo by the artist. High School, Fine Arts Center, Greenville SC. @maxmiller_art
Chloe Nealon (she/her), Uptake Study, 2026. Crochet with tea leaves, quartz, steel and dissection pins, 30 x 84 inches. Photo by the artist. Graduate, Boise State University. chloeenealon6.wixsite.com | @chloenealonart
Sophia Oslin (she/her), Emergence, 2026. Woven paper and cotton thread, 20 x 68 inches. Photo: Yani Pedroza. Graduate, Savannah College of Art and Design. sophiaoslin.com | @sophiaoslin
Genna Rainey (she/her), Alien Pod, 2025. Woven carpet warp and acrylic yarn, 53.5 x 22.5 inches. Photo by the artist. Undergraduate, Kutztown University. @rainey.gen
For more information check out the Grants & Outstanding Student Awards page.
