School of Art Announces Lecture Series, Brings New York Times Bestselling Author, MacArthur 'Genius' Comic Artist to Campus

The School of Art, housed in the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, has announced its 2026-2027 Lecture Series lineup featuring prominent artists and scholars from across the U.S.  

The events are free, and open to the public. Individuals are encouraged to register via HogSync for the lectures. 

The School of Art is dedicated to bringing renowned artists, designers and scholars to the U of A, providing the community with comprehensive experiences in the practice and study of arts and design. Speakers from a variety of disciplines and backgrounds benefit not only the School of Art community but also the U of A community as a whole.  

"One of our goals at the School of Art is to further access to the arts and to the U of A campus in both the arts and to those positing deeper questions about art and how it interacts with the world," said Rachel Debuque, director of the School of Art. "Inviting artists and writers of this caliber to Fayetteville echoes the pursuit of excellence the school prioritizes and presents an opportunity for community-building even through these lectures." 

The series will kick off Thursday, Oct.15, with Kathleen and Christopher Sleboda, owners and designers of Draw Down Books, a platform focused on designing, publishing and selling titles that focus on graphic design, illustration, photography, architecture and art. They will speak on design and starting a publishing house centered on the arts.

"We've curated a remarkable lineup of artists who touch a broad variety of disciplines to demonstrate just how interconnected the visual arts can be to other fields--from publishing to environmental science to film and theatre. There's something for everyone to enjoy," said Marc Mitchell, director of the School of Art's galleries and exhibitions and associate professor of art. For instance, in April, Robin Wall Kimmerer, the award-winning author of Braiding Sweetgrass, will discuss the intersections of sustainability and the arts.  

School of Art Lecture Series events are open to all U of A students, faculty and staff, in addition to the public. Upcoming lecture dates and details can be found on the school's website and via social media (@uarkart).  

The 2026-2027 academic year lineup includes: 

Oct. 15—Kathleen and Christopher Sleboda, owners and designers of Draw Down Books, a platform focused on designing, publishing and selling titles that focus on graphic design, typography, illustration, photography, architecture and art. U of A students also will get a 10% discount off all Draw Down Books and must use a student U of A email address to be eligible. Faculty and staff are not eligible for the code.  

Feb. 4—Alison Bechdel, Professor in the Practice, English and film & media studies at Yale, author and artist of Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic, which was later adapted into the Tony-award winning musical by the same name. 

April 7—Robin Wall Kimmerer, NYT Bestselling author and Distinguished Teaching Professor of Environmental Biology at SUNY and author of Braiding Sweetgrass, Gathering Moss and The Serviceberry.