Arne Flaten Named Next Dean of the College of Art & Design

Arne FlatenOn Friday, January 17, Roy Haggerty, LSU Executive Vice President & Provost, announced:

“I am pleased to share that Dr. Arne Flaten has been named the next dean of the LSU College of Art & Design. He will officially assume the role on July 1, 2025, pending approval from the Board of Supervisors.”

Prior to his appointment at Purdue in 2019, Flaten served as the Director of the School of Art at Ball State University, Chair of the Department of Visual Arts at Coastal Carolina University, and Associate Dean of the Edwards College of Humanities and Fine Arts at Coastal Carolina University.

Flaten received his undergraduate degrees in Studio Art and English Literature from St. Olaf College in Minnesota and his master’s and doctoral degrees in Italian Renaissance Art History from Indiana University-Bloomington. Flaten has received numerous external grants and fellowships from organizations such as the William J. Fulbright Commission, the Center for Advanced Study in the Visual Arts (CASVA) at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, the Samuel H. Kress Foundation, the National Endowment for the Humanities, the National Endowment for the Arts, the J. Paul Getty Research Institute, and the Renaissance Society of America, among others.

In 2013, Flaten was named the HTC Distinguished Scholar-Teacher at Coastal Carolina University, the university’s highest honor, and in 2014, he was elected to the European Academy of Science and Arts—Salzburg. In addition to other regional, national, and international affiliations, Flaten is a program site reviewer for the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), serves on the Advisory Board of a2ru, and was recently elected to the Board of Directors for the International Council for Fine Arts Deans (ICfAD).

Dr. Flaten brings a distinguished record of leadership, scholarship, and creativity to a pivotal role on our campus. His fresh perspective and new ideas will open new avenues of opportunity and collaboration, enrich the student and faculty experience, and further solidify the College’s reputation as a leader in art and design education.

In addition to the role of dean, Dr. Flaten will hold the President’s Distinguished Professorship in Art History.

“I also want to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to Interim Dean Rod Parker for his excellent leadership. He will remain interim dean through June 30, at which point the position will transfer to Dr. Flaten,” Haggerty said.

The LSU College of Art & Design welcomes Dr. Flaten warmly!

LSU School of Art Presents Britt Ransom: Sticky 

LSU School of Art will present Britt Ransom: Sticky January 14 through February 28, 2025, in Glassell Gallery. Integrating local history, ecologies, and research, Sticky, features 3D-printed ant raft sculptures carrying candy oil barrels made of sugar down an abstract model of the Mississippi River. Ants and sugar serve as metaphors for the complex journey of sugar from production to consumption connecting it to troubled ecologies of exploitation and extraction. Today, sugar’s dominance in the food landscape masks its exploitative history. Sticky invites reflection on these entanglements, urging us to confront the sweetness of consumption and its bitter legacy.  
Sugar’s narrative is one of sweetness and moral complexity, with ants symbolizing humanity’s relentless pursuit of this commodity. Our craving extends beyond natural instincts, driven by industrial systems and global trade, making sugar a ubiquitous part of life. Norbert Rillieux’s 19th-century invention revolutionized sugar refining, improving efficiency but also reinforcing the exploitative economic structures of the time. The Mississippi River is a crucial link connecting slavery to America’s sugar addiction.  
Ant rafts, formed by collective effort to survive floods, mirror the resilience and adaptability required to navigate extreme climate and environmental challenges faced by communities along the Mississippi River. Just as ants link together to stay afloat when threatened by flood waters, communities along the river have historically relied on collaboration and ingenuity to endure the economic and environmental currents. This the ants speak to both the tenacity of survival and the complex systems of interdependence that shape human and natural histories.  
 
A free, public reception is scheduled for February 8, 2025 from 6–8 p.m. at Glassell Gallery. Britt Ransom will give a public lecture Monday, February 10, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. in LSU West Howe Russell Hall room 130. In addition to public programming downtown, visiting artist Britt Ransom will spend several days on campus with LSU School of Art students with a focus on sculpture and digital fabrication. Programs including 3D scanning and printing will be announced in January 2025.
 
This exhibition is supported in part by a grant from the Louisiana Division of the Arts, Office of Cultural Development, Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism, in cooperation with the Louisiana State Arts Council, as administered by the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge, Inc. Funding has also been provided by the National Endowment for the Arts. 
LSU School of Art Alfred J. Glassell Gallery Hours  
Tuesday–Wednesday: 12–5 p.m.  
Thursday–Friday 12–7 p.m.  
Saturday–Sunday 12–5 p.m.  
Closed Mondays and between exhibitions.   
 
ABOUT ARTIST BRITT RANSOM 
Britt Ransom’s work explores human, animal, and environmental relationships through sculptures and installations created using digital fabrication processes. Using 3D scanning, 3D printing, laser cutting, and CNC Milling, her work questions our shared environment, climate change, and our relationships with other species. Translating data gathered from the environment, Ransom’s work travels through various levels of software mediation while often originating through the phones that we carrying our pockets. 
 
Regularly examining other species and landscapes in relation to ourselves, Ransom question humans’ analogous existence as the largest and most complex pest-network on the planet. Her work is systematic both in construction and in concept, often a direct reflection of observed microcosms found at our feet, in the web of a digital mesh, and born out of the braided entanglements between ourselves and the other species of plants and animals with whom we share our world. 
 
Britt Ransom (b. Lima, Ohio 1987) is an artist and educator based between Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and New Orleans, Louisiana. Ransom is a current member of the New Museum’s New Inc. Social Architecture cohort and a recent recipient of the Heinz Endowment Creative Development Award. Her work has been recognized and supported through the Hopper Prize, Formlabs User Impact Award, Joan Mitchell Center Residency, Los Angeles Clean Tech Incubator (LACI) Residency, Santa Monica Camera Obscura Residency, Workshop Residence-San Francisco, The Arctic Circle Residency, and the College Art Association Professional Development Award.
 
Ransom’s work has been shown recently at the New Museum’s New Inc DEMO 2024, Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art, Antenna, The Ogden Museum of Southern Art, Contemporary Art Center New Orleans, Pitzer College Art Galleries, Honor Fraser, Royale Projects, Torrance Art Museum, Schering Stiftung (Transmediale, Berlin), Missouri State University, Texas Women’s University, The University of Dallas, and the Chicago Artists Coalition. 
 
Her writing has been published in the Leonardo Journal by MIT Press (2019), The 3D Additvist Cookbook (2016), and The Routledge Handbook on Biology in Art, Architecture, and Design, Routledge Press Essay (2016), and In and Out of View: Art and the Dynamics of Circulation, Suppression, and Censorship (2021). 
 
Ransom is the great-granddaughter of civil rights activist Reverdy C. Ransom and currently serves on the Bishop Reverdy C. & Emma S. Ransom Foundation. She is also on the Board of Directors for Freedom to Grow, and has previously served on the Board of Directors for New Media Caucus. 
 
In 2017, Ransom served as the SIGGRAPH Studio Chair and in 2019, as the SIGGRAPH Art Gallery Chair, one of the largest annual computer graphics conferences in the United States. Additionally, she was supported by the U.S. Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs as a fellow through ZERO1’s fellowship teaching exchange in Pachuca, Mexico. 
Britt is currently an Associate Professor of Art at Carnegie Mellon University where she is the area chair of Sculpture and a tenured Associate Professor of Sculpture, Installation, and Site Work. She has held previous academic appointments at California State University Long Beach (Long Beach, CA) and Southern Methodist University (Dallas, TX). Ransom received her MFA in Electronic Visualization / New Media from the University of Illinois at Chicago (2011) and her BFA in Art and Technology from The Ohio State University (2008). 

Interdisciplinary Collaboration on a Service-Learning Project in Savannah: LSU and UGA Students Forge Connections Through Design

students with LSU and GA flags

Landscape architecture students in the LA 3001 Site Planning and Design course led by Yao Wang, assistant professor of landscape architecture in the LSU College of Art & Design, and the PLAN 6520 Urban Design Studio at the University of Georgia (UGA) College of Environment and Design (led by assistant professor Qiong Wang, UGA,) embarked on a transformative field trip to Savannah, Georgia from November 19 to 21, 2024. This three-day journey blended academic presentations, professional development, immersive exploration, creating unforgettable memories, and fostering lasting connections.

Professors Wang speak at podium

Showcasing Collaborative Design

At the heart of the trip was the presentation of a multidisciplinary design for a 367-acre site in Savannah to the Savannah Planning, Zoning, and Urban Design Department and stakeholders. UGA students focused on urban design, while LSU students contributed their expertise in landscape architecture. The project aimed to address the complexities of balancing Savannah’s rich environmental resources with the growing demand for housing, while also promoting climate resiliency. The city planners and stakeholders were impressed with the students’ design work and presentations.

One student noted, “It was an opportunity to translate months of studio work into a professional setting and to receive feedback from experienced practitioners. Savannah, with its rich history of urban planning and carefully preserved design traditions, served as an ideal case study for testing our ideas.” Another student shared, “Presenting to the Savannah Planning Manager felt like a big deal, and hearing his feedback validated our hard work. It was an incredible learning experience. Reflecting on the experience, another student said, “It also put me in a position to face real-world criticism. This has most accurately provided insight to what future professional presentations may look like to clients and other colleagues.”

Beyond academic and professional development, the trip offered opportunities for students from different disciplines to build connections and strengthen bonds. Students said, “This trip was about more than presentations. It was about forming connections, celebrating our efforts, and learning from one another.”​

“Between the games, laughter, and teamwork, this trip brought us closer together,” one student shared. “It was amazing to finally meet the UGA team in person after months of virtual collaboration. This camaraderie added a new dimension to our project.” ​

A Platform for Professional Growth

The students also visited Goodwyn Mills Cawood (GMC), a multidisciplinary design firm, to gain insights into professional practices. Students learned how disciplines such as landscape architecture, urban planning, and engineering come together to address complex challenges. GMC’s emphasis on adaptability, communication, and technical skills resonated with the students, inspiring them to envision their future professional paths.

Students reflected: “Learning from GMC professionals about solutions like wetlands mitigation and flood management was invaluable. It directly related to the challenges we faced in our project.”

“Their guidance on cultivating technical skills and interpersonal abilities, such as communication and teamwork, has broadened my perspective on what it takes to thrive in this field.”

Immersive Learning and Exploration

The group’s base was the Marine Education Center on Skidaway Island, a serene location surrounded by 700 acres of marshlands. Activities included walks along the Jay Wolf Nature Trail and visits to the center’s aquarium, where students encountered local marine life. These experiences underscored the importance of preserving coastal ecosystems and integrating natural beauty into design.

Students recalled: “Stargazing on Skidaway Island was magical,” “The Big and Little Dippers sparkled brightly, and it’s a memory I’ll cherish forever.”​ “Standing on the land we had spent months designing for gave me a real connection to our work. It reminded me of the importance of understanding a place deeply. I’m extremely grateful to our school for allowing us to take part and such a magnificent experience!”

The group also explored downtown Savannah, marveling at its historic squares, River Street, and vibrant culture. One student said, “Visiting Savannah after studying its urban design gave me a deeper appreciation for the city’s layout. It felt almost intimate, as if I had a connection to the streets and landmarks through our work earlier in the semester.”

students by Christmas tree in Savannah

“This field trip was not merely an academic exercise but a journey of discovery, collaboration, and inspiration. It provided an opportunity to connect with peers, professionals, and the environment. This collaboration exemplified the power of interdisciplinary learning and highlighted the significance of service learning in design. It also reminded students of their responsibility as future designers to respect history, nurture ecology, and innovate for a sustainable future.

“We would like to express our gratitude to LSU RRSLA, LSU CoAD, UGA CED, UGA MUPD program, Savannah Planning, Zoning, and Urban Design Department (Planning Manager, John Anagnost), the UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant, and UGA Office of Service-Learning for their generous support of the field trip,” professor Wang said.

“We would also like to thank the professors and designers who reviewed the students’ projects: Brendan Harmon, Fabiana Trindade da Silva, Joni Hammons, Hayden Hammons, Max Conrad, and Charles Fryling; Cassie Nichols, Chad Danos, and Rachael Gautier.”

“Additionally, we would like to extend our special thanks to Brent Fortenbury, Interim Director, for his strong support of this project. We would also like to thank the professors and designers who reviewed the students’ projects: Brendan Harmon, Fabiana Trindade da Silva, and Joni Hammons; Cassie Nichols, Chad Danos, and Rachael Gautier. Finally, we appreciate the support of the RRSLA and CoAD professors and staff, including Haley Blakeman, Kalia Jarvis, Allison Williams, and Jerri Jensen.”

Photos taken by Trey Cooper, Yao Wang, Qiong Wang, and Ana Manzo.

 

LSU Announces New Real Estate Design, Construction, and Development Minor: Partnership Between Colleges of Art & Design, Engineering, and Business

The LSU College of Art & Design, College of Engineering, and E. J. Ourso College of Business announce the new Real Estate Design, Construction, and Development (REDCD) minor, which aims to foster interdisciplinary collaboration between the LSU School of Architecture, Burt S. Turner Depart­ment of Construction Management, and the Department of Fi­nance.

“This new minor will appeal to students in related disciplines, as well as those from other majors who have a strong professional interest or career goals in real estate development, architecture, urban planning, construction management, or finance,” said Marwan Ghandour, Director of the LSU School of Architecture. “Students will learn about sustainable real estate/land development principles, commercial real estate finance, urban planning and design, construction methodology and management processes, and public-private sector relationships. It offers undergraduate students a coordinated concen­tration in allied studies, integrating design, urban policy, con­struction processes, and real estate economics to shape the built environment.”

“I commend the collaborative efforts of all three colleges in developing and advancing this exciting new minor. In particular, I am proud to see the innovative vision and unwavering dedication of our finance faculty—Brian Andrews, Kelley Pace, and Carlos Slawson—brought to life, with strong support from the leadership at both the E. J. Ourso College of Business and the university level,” said Yingmei Cheng, chair of the Department of Finance in the E. J. Ourso College.

The REDCD minor requires 18 credit hours, including three core courses from different departments, two electives, and an interdisciplinary project. The project may be linked to competitions within and across the departments like National Association of Home Builders Competition or Urban Land Institute ULI Hines Student Competition, where students from various fields collaborate to reduce a holistic interdisciplinary proposal addressing a real estate challenge.

Learn more.

 

Contact: 

Brian Andrews, Executive Director, Real Estate Research Institute, andrews@lsu.edu

 

About LSU E. J. Ourso College of Business

Since its establishment in 1928, the LSU E. J. Ourso College of Business has served as the flagship business college of Louisiana, playing an essential role in uplifting the economy of the state and the well-being of its citizens. Through its undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral degree programs and professional educational offerings for the business community, the college is committed to preparing future business leaders for success. The college’s dedicated faculty engage in innovative research that directly and positively addresses the ongoing and emerging concerns of our state, national, and global economy. For more news and information about the E. J. Ourso College, visit lsu.edu/business.

“Like” the college on LinkedIn (LSUOursoCollege) or follow us on X and Instagram (@lsuoursocollege).​   

Meet Ashten White: B.A. 2024 & LSU Legacy

Ashten White by Julian White mural

Ashten White by the Julian T. White Atrium Memorial Mural.

 

Ashten White is a soon-to-be LSU graduate, who’s following the legacy of a trailblazing creative family. Her grandfather, Julian T. White, was an architect – the second Black licensed architect in the state of Louisiana, and LSU’s first Black professor.

Ashten, who is an artist majoring in the Bachelor of Art & Design (BA) and minoring in sociology, decided to return to LSU to finish her degree after exploring career opportunities. She was born in New Orleans but spent most of her formative years in Illinois and Texas.

“I decided to finish my undergraduate degree at LSU after taking a five-year break from school to pursue a career in music. When the 2019 pandemic impacted my work, I chose to move from Illinois to Louisiana, to be closer to family and build a sense of community at LSU.”

Before attending LSU, she attended the Art Institute of Houston to pursue a graphic design degree to improve her technical skills. “I decided to finish my degree in at LSU Art & Design to continue sharpening my skills and to explore new mediums and challenge my creativity.”

Ashten White by sculpture“I love working with other artists who see the world through their own unique perspectives,” she said. “It creates an environment where ideas can grow, understanding deepens, empathy flourishes, and we can tackle meaningful challenges together.”

Ashten has loved the LSU School of Art community events throughout her time on campus. “One of my favorite memories at LSU was walking in the Intro to 3D Design fashion show. For the show, art students were challenged to create wearable art that allowed us to express ourselves.”

“I made a corset called Unchained Legacies: A Sculptural Reflection of Freedom, made from keys and chains. This piece reflects on the struggles of those who fought for the freedoms we have today, while also addressing the ongoing social challenges that still need our attention.”

In addition to walking across the stage in December 2024, Ashten says, “I am excited to show my friends and family the art I have been working on in the Barnes Ogden Gallery on campus.”

LSU School of Art Fall 2024 Senior Showcase

“I feel truly blessed to have had a close, personal relationship with my grandfather, Julian T. White,” she shared. “His guidance continues to shape my life and the choices I make for the future.”

“As LSU’s first Black professor, I know he never sought the recognition he received from the university. Many of his former students have shared how deeply he cared for all of them, regardless of their age, race, or background. His kindness and civility have left a lasting impact on the LSU community. I hope the mural in the art building inspires students who may feel out of place, reminding them that they are exactly where they are meant to be.”

The LSU College of Art & Design commissioned the Julian T.  White memorial mural to honor the university’s first African American professor. The college worked with The Walls Project and the White family to design the mural in the LSU Design Building atrium, installed in early 2020. The Design Building was renamed Julian T. White Hall in 2022.

Watch her interview.

Read more about Professor White.

Read more about the Bachelor of Art & Design degree.

LSU NOMAS Named Chapter of the Year

NOMAS Chapter group with award on stage

The LSU National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMAS) chapter was named the 2024 national “Chapter of the Year” at the annual national NOMA Conference and Exposition in Baltimore October 23–27, 2024.

LSU NOMAS President Jennifer White, BArch candidate, won Member of the Year.


Black female student with NOMAS award

 

“We could not be prouder of our architecture students,” said Dana Mitchell, Assistant Dean of Recruitment and Engagement, and founding advisor of the LSU NOMAS chapter. She noted that the last time LSU was named Chapter of the Year, it was a decade ago. “I told them back in January: I believe you can do this.”

The NOMA Chapter of the Year award is given to the student chapter that submits the best Student Chapter Report. The recipient receives a certificate and a $250 grant for future chapter programming. The 2024 submission deadline was October 6, 2024 at 11:59 PM PST. The award will be presented at the 2024 NOMA Conference Awards Banquet.

NOMA, “has as its mission the building of a strong national organization, strong chapters and strong members for the purpose of minimizing the effect of racism in our profession.”

NOMA’s mission, rooted in a rich legacy of activism, is to empower our local chapters and membership to foster justice and equity in communities of color through outreach, community advocacy, professional development and design excellence.