Greg Shelnutt has joined the University of Delaware faculty as chair of the Department of Art and Design, effective Aug. 1, 2017.

Shelnutt came to UD from Clemson University in South Carolina, where he served as chair of the Art Department and professor of art from 2011 to 2017. Previously, he was a member of the visual arts faculty at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, teaching at the school from  2000 before he was appointed director of the visual arts program there in 2005.

Prior teaching appointments were at the University of Mississippi and the University of Georgia’s Studies Abroad Program in Cortona, Italy. In 1992 he was a visiting artist at the Victorian College of the Arts in Melbourne, Australia.

Shelnutt has been the recipient of numerous residencies and grants in support of his work as a teaching artist. He holds a bachelor’s degree in fine arts from East Carolina University and a master of fine arts degree from the University of Georgia.

His sculptures have been exhibited in more than 350 solo, invitational and group exhibitions in galleries and museums, including Art in General in New York City; Berlin Kunstproject in Germany; C.A.G.E. in Cincinnati, Ohio; Color Elephante in Valencia, Spain; and COMUS Gallery in Portland, Oregon.

“It’s truly an honor to be given the opportunity to represent the UD Department of Art and Design,” Shelnutt said, “What drew me in was a recognition of the strength of the program: a faculty that’s committed to being active artist/educators. They’re working at the forefront of art and design education and practice.

“Plus a dedicated and super smart staff, and most importantly, an amazing group of students and alumni: I was really impressed with the questions they asked. Their passion was evident!”

In addition, Shelnutt said, he found Newark and the University to be “such inviting environments” where he was made to feel welcome when he came to be interviewed.

UD’s Department of Art and Design offers undergraduate programs in art, fine arts and visual communications and master’s degree programs in fine arts and interactive design.