Tuesday, October 8 – 6-8pm | Art Building, Room 223
How do you handle disappointment, rejection, and change?
Join us for a panel of current students and alumni created for art and design students focusing on the experience of rejection. The discussion will focus on overcoming challenges, adapting to changes, and finding opportunities in the ever-evolving landscape of art and design. By sharing personal stories, insights, and strategies, the panel seeks to inspire and equip attendees with the tools and mindset needed to thrive in their creative careers.
MOM (Brooke Chaney) they/them
2012, BFA Studio Art; Fibers
Artist, Cofounder of TRADE Oak Cliff
MOM (Brooke Chaney) is a contemporary, multidisciplinary artist based in Dallas, Texas, who has been actively creating since 2020. With a BFA in Fibers from the University of North Texas, Chaney draws deeply on their background in textile surface design processes to create punchy and surreal depictions of nature. As a professional artist, MOM has created art for numerous national brands, annually participated in local community engagement efforts, and co-founded the award-winning artist co-op and studio, TRADE Oak Cliff.
Kaci Martin she/her
undergraduate, Interdisciplinary Art and Design Studies
Environmental Services Intern, City of Denton
Kaci Martin aims to bridge the gap between fine art, corporate marketing, and graphic design. Working with the City of Denton has shown her how creativity can make a difference in real-world projects. With experience working in the public sector, Kaci enjoys using design to tackle challenges and make things more engaging. Her purpose is to share how design makes an impact on our community.
Carlos Reyna he/him
undergraduate, Communication Design: User Experience Design
Product Design Intern, Paycom
Carlos Reyna is a Mexican designer specializing in systems and experiences. His design process is driven by intentionality, storytelling, and accessibility. Outside of design, he recharges through hobbies like cooking, archiving, mixed media art, and lots of black tea.
Jillian Wendel they/them
graduate student, Art Education
Visiting Services, Dallas Contemporary
Jillian Wendel is a curator, writer, and museum professional, currently obtaining their Masters in Art Education with a certification in Art Museum Education. Jill curates art shows with local emergent artists at a variety of art spaces in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area. Jill is a Gallery Assistant at Gallery 12.26 and a Visitor Services team member at Dallas Contemporary.
Christina Donaldson she/her
2024, PhD Art Education
Visiting Assistant Professor, Interdisciplinary Art & Design Studies
Prior to joining faculty at UNT, Christina Donaldson spent 15 years in the interior design industry. As a design strategist for a global architecture and design firm, she specialized in the behavior side of workplace strategy, change management, and design research—working with several high-profile clients such as American Airlines, AT&T, Nokia, Shell, and Toyota. Her doctoral research critically examines resilience in higher education, and she has presented at several national conferences and published in journals such as the Journal of Phenomenological Psychology, Journal for Cultural Research in Art Education, and Review of Education, Pedagogy, and Cultural Studies.
