SCAD Alumni Showcase Textural Sculptures and Sustainable Design at Design Miami

The Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) showcased an intricate collection of alumni work at Design Miami 2025, featuring haptic installations, handcrafted furniture, and textile art. The exhibition highlighted the school’s commitment to craftsmanship, material exploration, and sustainable design practices.

Celebrating Alumni Creativity

SCAD’s booth at Design Miami presented works by graduates across multiple disciplines, including sculpture, furniture, fibres, and sustainable design. The showcase aimed to demonstrate the institution’s impact on contemporary design while providing a platform for emerging talent.

Installation and Design Highlights

Central to the booth was a large-scale haptic installation by New York-based SCAD sculpture graduate Sarah Fonzi. Composed of thousands of plaster-cast objects, including toy ships, umbrellas, and beetles, the piece imbued the walls with texture and visual complexity.

SCAD furniture graduate Christian Dunbar contributed a solid-wood desk featuring sweeping curves and meticulous craftsmanship. Sustainability graduate Adrian Pepe displayed embroidered wool tapestries inspired by Beirut’s culture and mythology, while fibres graduate Carl Johnson presented three suspended metal-and-cotton light sculptures.

Operational Details and Exhibition Layout

The booth’s design emphasized the contrast between softness and hardness, highlighting handmade processes and natural materials. Each piece was curated to demonstrate the diverse skills and disciplines cultivated at SCAD, including attention to materiality, form, and haptic engagement.

Impact on Design Education and Alumni Networks

The exhibition reinforced SCAD’s role as a leading institution in art and design education, offering over 18,500 students programs in architecture, interior design, film, and more. Alumni participation at international events underscores the school’s influence on global design discourse.

Strategic Significance

Design Miami 2025, held from 2–7 December in Miami Beach, provided an international stage for SCAD to highlight sustainable and sculptural design practices. By integrating varied mediums and disciplines, the showcase strengthens the school’s reputation as a hub for innovation and creative excellence.