Designed in honor of Liu Shiming's legacy as both an artist and educator, the Liu Shiming Distinguished Educator Award recognizes outstanding studio artist-educators who demonstrate a deep commitment to teaching, mentorship, and inspiring the next generation of visual artists.
The award honors excellence in studio arts education and celebrates educators who have made a sustained impact through both their teaching and artistic practice. It reflects Liu Shiming's lifelong dedication to the integration of artistic creation, mentorship, and humanistic values.
Award recipients are expected to participate in the public announcement of the award and in at least one Foundation public program—virtual or in person—during the year following their selection. Recipients may also be invited to serve as advisors, speakers, or jurors for future Foundation initiatives.
WHO
Adjunct faculty members who are actively teaching studio arts at the time of application and have a minimum of five years of experience teaching at the undergraduate and/or graduate level at accredited colleges, universities, or art institutions worldwide are eligible to apply.
WHAT
Each award recipient will receive a $10,000 cash prize. Two awards are offered annually:
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One award dedicated to an adjunct faculty member specializing in sculpture, honoring Liu Shiming’s artistic legacy.
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One award open to adjunct faculty working in any visual arts discipline, including painting, drawing, photography, printmaking, interdisciplinary practice, and related fields.
WHEN
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Applications will be accepted from June 16, 2026 through August 31, 2026
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Award recipients will be publicly announced in January 2027.
Joseph Ugoretz
Dr. Joseph Ugoretz is Chief Technology Officer at Smarthistory, where he leads the organization’s digital strategy and technology infrastructure in support of open, accessible art history education. Previously, he served as Senior Associate Dean and Chief Academic Officer at Macaulay Honors College, CUNY, where he focused on faculty development, online learning, and interdisciplinary education. Now retired from academia, he continues to advance digital learning at Smarthistory, bringing decades of leadership experience at the intersection of technology, education, and the arts.
Dolores Zinny
Dolores Zinny is an artist and educator whose interdisciplinary practice spans installation, drawing, and collaborative projects, exploring themes of language, architecture, and perception. Her work has been exhibited internationally, including at the New Museum, MMK Museum für Moderne Kunst, and Museo Tamayo, and featured in major exhibitions such as the Venice Biennale and Berlin Biennale. A recipient of Guggenheim, Pollock-Krasner, and DAAD fellowships, she has also taught and lectured internationally while serving on numerous academic and professional advisory boards.
Joseph Peragine
Joseph Peragine is an artist and educator whose work investigates material, image, process, and meaning through a wide-ranging contemporary studio practice. He is a professor at the University of Georgia, where he teaches studio art and works with students across disciplines. His practice combines technical experimentation with conceptual inquiry, exploring the relationships between form, narrative, memory, and visual culture.
Peter Pinnell
Peter Pinnell is a ceramic artist and educator with a long-standing career in studio art and higher education. He is recognized for his contributions to ceramics pedagogy and his influence on contemporary ceramic practice. His work and teaching emphasize material exploration and craftsmanship.
