Alumni Exhibitions & Awards

Handmade: 2026 Juried Alumni Biennial

This year’s Alumni Exhibition is a juried show and part of Craft in America’s Handwork: Celebrating American Craft 2026, a nationwide Semiquincentennial initiative honoring the enduring importance of the handmade. From traditional techniques passed down through generations to contemporary interpretations that explore the handmade in new ways, the works in this exhibition reflect the creativity, skill and care that define craft today. For this exhibition, craft is defined broadly, encompassing arts made in clay, fibers, glass, metal, wood and other materials. Works may be functional or nonfunctional, decorative, wearable, 3-D printed, conceptual, sculptural, traditional or nontraditional.

All alumni—across all class years and majors—are welcome to submit up to three works for consideration. A sliding scale submission fee ($5–$50) applies.

The exhibition is juried by Leila Cartier ’04 (Executive Director, Houston Center for Contemporary Craft) and Emily Edelstein (Executive Director, CraftNOW), whose expertise ensures a thoughtful and dynamic selection of alumni artists.

Click here to submit

Key Dates:

Submission Window: November 14, 2025 – January 5, 2026
Selection Notification: Mid-March, 2026
Accepted Works Due to The Galleries: May 26 – June 3, 2026
Opening Reception: June 12, 2026
Exhibition Dates: June 13 – August 29, 2026

About the Jurors

Leila Cartier ‘04 earned her BFA in Art History and Studio Art from Moore College of Art & Design, studying a year at Temple University Rome, and later completed an MFA in Painting and Drawing at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (2009). Cartier served as Director of Exhibitions at the William King Museum of Art (2010–2015), and then led CraftNOW Philadelphia as Executive Director (2016–2023), expanding arts access citywide. Since 2023, she has served as Executive Director of Houston Center for Contemporary Craft, growing revenues past $2M, leading post-Hurricane Beryl recovery, and supporting a new strategic plan that will emphasize leadership in the field and a reimagined facility.

Emily Edelstein is a lifelong student of craft. She has varied hands-on experience, including boatbuilding and blacksmithing, but her personal focus is fiber arts. Edelstein studied at the John C. Campbell Folk School and the Penland School of Crafts. She holds a BA in Global Studies from Penn State University, and a MS in Arts Administration from Drexel University, where her thesis explored the role of craftspeople within the modern American art world. Edelstein previously served as the Interim Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen in Lancaster, Pennsylvania and currently serves as Executive Director of CrafTNOW.

Distinguished Alumni Awards

The Distinguished Alumni Awards recognize the outstanding professional achievements of Moore alumni, their dedication to the College, and their contributions to the field of visual arts.

Honorees are nominated by fellow Moore alumni and celebrated at Moore’s annual Commencement ceremony, where their accomplishments are recognized among graduates, families and the broader Moore community.

This year’s call for nominations will open in January 2026. Stay tuned for details on how to submit a nomination and join us in honoring the remarkable impact of Moore alumni.

2025 Distinguished Alumni Award Honorees

Sandy Sheller ’73 (Graphic Design) is a trailblazing designer, therapist, author, and philanthropist whose career spans graphic design, trauma-informed care, and social justice advocacy. She is President and Director of the Sheller Family Foundation, where she advances initiatives in healthcare access, social justice, and addiction recovery. Sheller’s career began in graphic design, notably serving as the first female Art Director at Mel Richman Inc., where she earned an ADDY award. She later earned an MA and Post-Master’s Certificate from Drexel University and became a Board-Certified Art and Family Therapist, creating programs for families experiencing homelessness and trauma. Sheller co-developed a train-the-trainer parenting model which was disseminated to over 27 homeless and transitional housing provider agencies in Philadelphia and received The Salvation Army’s “Other’s Award” for her service. In 2020, she received the HUD Secretary’s Award for the Mural Arts Color Me Back Same Day Pay Program. This year, she is slated to receive an Honorary Doctorate from Thomas Jefferson University for her dedication to addressing the opioid crisis and championing social justice.

Leila Cartier ’04 (Studio Art with Art History Emphasis) is an influential arts leader, curator, and artist whose career spans exhibition curation, nonprofit leadership, and arts advocacy. Represented by SchmidtDean Gallery since 2006, Cartier earned an MFA in Painting and Drawing from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 2009 while also studying Arabic at DePaul University through a prestigious Jacob K. Javits Fellowship. From 2010 to 2015, Cartier served as Director of Exhibitions at the William King Museum of Art in Abingdon, Virginia, where she curated exhibitions that brought global art to the region, preserved Southwest Virginia’s material culture, and promoted contemporary artists. In 2016, she became Executive Director of CraftNOW Philadelphia, transforming the start-up into a leading advocate for the city’s craft community. In 2023, Cartier was appointed Executive Director of the Houston Center for Contemporary Craft, where she now leads the organization’s renowned artist residency program, rotating exhibitions, and innovative educational initiatives.

Fitzgibbon Endowed Alumni Prize

The Fitzgibbon Endowed Alumni Prize was established in honor of Cecelia Fitzgibbon, who served as the 10th President of the College. Each year, Moore alumni are invited to submit an original essay or poem responding to the prompt, “What Moore means to me," for a chance to win up to $5,000. This year’s open call will begin in March 2026. Stay tuned for more details on how to participate.

2025 Fitzgibbon Prize Winner

Sandra Alexander '92 (Graphic Design) began her career in publishing and advertising before serving as Senior Director of Creative Services at Comcast. In 2006, she founded Dessa Lea Productions, a multidisciplinary studio offering brand strategy and design, and launched the  Bucklette®, a women’s fashion accessory, later expanding into jewelry and accessories. Following the birth of her son and a move to New England, she shifted to a freelance design model. Today, her studio supports small businesses and nonprofits with branding, marketing, and web design. Alexander has run the Stonington Borough Art Walk in Stonington, Conn., since 2022, serves on the communications team for Avalonia Land Conservancy, and is a board member of the Stonington Cultural District Commission. She lives in Stonington, Connecticut, with her husband, son and a barn cat, finding inspiration in her home and garden.