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From discovering students' potential to expanding the program's reach, Will Taylor reflects on his tenure, faculty collaborations and personal artistic growth. With a commitment to evolution, Taylor continues fostering creativity, community and career-building opportunities for aspiring visual artists.
Academy Award-winning costume designer and UNCSA alumnus Paul Tazewell will deliver the 2025 commencement address on May 17 at the Benton Convention Center. As the first Black man to win an Oscar for costume design, he has shaped visual storytelling for over 30 years.
Siblings Brittany and Eli Thomas took different artistic paths, Brittany in music and Eli in lighting design, but their journeys were deeply connected through their experiences at UNCSA. From small-town beginnings to careers in New York and New Jersey, they continue to support and inspire each other, proving that the arts can lead to unexpected and fulfilling careers.
Celebrating Paul Tazewell’s historic Oz-car win!
Alumnus Paul Tazewell (B.F.A. Costume Design ’86) has made history as the first Black
man to win the Academy Award for Best Costume Design for "Wicked." With a career spanning
Broadway, film, television and opera, Tazewell also becomes the first UNCSA alum to
earn an Oscar, marking a historic moment for the school.
From the Emerald City to the Dolby Theatre, his artistry has redefined storytelling
through costume design — captivating audiences across the globe. Join us in celebrating
this extraordinary achievement!
