Alumni Stories

His photographs have been exhibited in the Japan Professional Photographers Society Exhibition (2011), Alaska’s Rarefied Light (2012, 2013 & 2015), The Aesthetica Art Prize (2012 & 2013), Aperture Summer Open (2014), Geo-Cosmos Content Contest (2014) of The National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation, FotoFilmic17 Winter Shortlist Show (2017) , FotoFilmic SOLO IV Winner Exhibition (2018), FENCE (2018) and other shows.

His photography series of “Ice Formation” is featured in the magazine “Photo Technique” (November/December 2012), “LENSCRATCH.com”(May 2015), “WIRED.com“ (August 2015), “城市画報 -CITY ZINE-“ (January/February 2016),  National Geographic Magazine (March 2020) and is represented by Susan Spiritus Gallery in Newport Beach, California and Fotofilmic in Vancouver, Canada.

His work became part of the Seattle Office of Arts & Cultural Affaires and The Alaska Contemporary Art Bank in 2013.

He was selected for Blue Sky 2013 & 2018 Pacific Northwest Photography Viewing Drawers Program (“Drawers”) of the Oregon Center for the Photographic Arts, and won the Grand Prize in ONWARD Compe ’13 International Photography Competition, the Student Abstract Category Award in 2013 American Aperture Awards (AX3), Juror’s Selection / Director’s Honorable Mention / Livebooks Website Award in Natural World 2014 Nation Wide Juried Photography Competition of The Center for Fine Art Photography. He was chosen for a finalist of Lens Culture’s Earth Awards 2015, CENTER Project Launch Grant Juror’s Choice recipient 2017 and TIPC 7th Edition Winner 2020.

His video documentary “Losing Ground” about Shishmaref Island’s severe erosion due to climate change, achieved the Cinema Committee Choice Award in Fairbanks Film Festival (2007), and was broadcast on the Alaska Shorts Program of Alaska One television (2012).

Sara Hensel is a potter and ceramics instructor based in her hometown of Portland, Oregon. She currently teaches wheel and handbuilding at several local studios, including Heirloom Ceramics, Morning Ceramics, and Elemental Studios. A 2018 graduate of the University of Alaska Fairbanks with a BFA in ceramics, Sara’s work is deeply influenced by the unique “potluck culture” of Fairbanks. This culture, which celebrates the abundance of the Alaskan landscape and community, inspired her “Make Home” thesis pieces, centered around themes of generosity and sharing. These values continue to inform her work today, focusing on the idea of “sharing the harvest” both literally and metaphorically.

Sara's journey into teaching began during her BFA program, where she had the opportunity to instruct youth ceramics classes during the summer. These experiences cultivated a playful and intimate approach to her art, influenced by the direct and earnest ways children handled clay. She considers the work created by her students as some of the most heartfelt and authentic art she has ever encountered.

Since October 2022, Sara has expanded her teaching to adults, finding great joy and enrichment in guiding others through the challenges of working with clay. These relationships have become cherished aspects of her practice, reminding her of the importance of community. Making ceramics full-time since November 2022, Sara strives to infuse her work with humor, curiosity, and keen observation. She hopes to connect with users through the tactile marks left in her process.

Sara was selected for Birdie Boone's 2024 Clay Cohort (now Cohorts.Art), a professional development and mentorship program for ceramic artists. She also serves as a volunteer coordinator for Queer Cat 2024, an initiative dedicated to introducing marginalized individuals, particularly Queer and BIPOC communities, to ceramics. Queer Cat challenges traditional norms within wood-fire ceramics by promoting inclusivity, gender diversity, and accessibility through free workshops and community events, aligning with its mission to support and uplift underrepresented voices in the ceramics world.

Xochiyollotl Carrow Harbison, born in Homer, Alaska in 1995, grew up surrounded by the natural beauty of Soldotna, Alaska, where she spent much of her time outdoors with family. After graduating from Soldotna High School in 2014, she pursued a Bachelor’s in Art with a concentration in Ceramics at Humboldt State University, along with certification in Museum and Gallery handling. She then entered a Master’s in Fine Arts program at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, completing her degree in Fall 2022. In 2023, Xochiyollotl received the Rasmuson Foundation Individual Artist Award, which she plans to use to convert a shed into a ceramic studio, enhancing her ability to create ambitious work. Her sculptural art explores themes relevant to her experiences as a plus-size queer woman, addressing issues such as violence, shame, stigma, and exploitation, while her functional pottery captures the beauty of Alaska’s landscapes. Committed to continuous learning and growth, Xochiyollotl aims to be a positive and collaborative force in her community.