Distinguished Alumni in the College of Liberal Arts 2006 Awardees

2007 | 2006  | 2005  | 2004  | 2003  | 2002

Tess Little

B.F.A., Sculpture, 1975

Tess Little received a BFA with a concentration in sculpture from WSU in 1975 and a MFA from Cranbrook Academy of Art in 1980. She has taught at Sinclair Community College since 1980 and has won several awards for her excellence in teaching, including being named one of Ohio 's top 100 educators.

Since 1993, Tess has been the project director and originator of the collaborative REACH Across Dayton project (Realizing Ethnic Awareness and Cultural Heritage) to celebrate cultural diversity through the arts. Her REACH program actually delivers on complex, community based artworks—and they are spectacular! In 1995-98, Tess conceived and coordinated the Heritage Sculpture installed on Courthouse Square . This 48-foot relief mural is one of the largest public art projects in the United States . Over 2,900 clay tiles were made by citizens of the Miami Valley in 26 community workshops, artists contributed another 100 tiles and the whole was fashioned into a unique continuous work cast in bronze.

Just recently, Tess was the driving force behind another marvelous community art project, The Many Faces of Dayton . This photomural combines about 4,500 photographic images of people living and working in the region. Installed as the opening exhibit in the new home of the Dayton Visual Arts Center, this 72-foot long finished mural printed on linen truly reminds us of the different individuals who together make up a community.

Last updated January 28, 2008 Support the College