This spring, Sarah Howard will become the sixth Director of Graphicstudio, a university-based print atelier, with Kristin Soderqvist and Tom Pruitt as newly appointed Associate Directors. Together, this dedicated leadership team will usher in a new future for the studio, one that is attentive and supremely engaged with the University of South Florida (USF) community and primed to introduce new artists to our students and the art world.
The new leadership team’s first invited artist, Anastasia Samoylova, will be in residence at the College of Design Art & Performance this April. The collaboration reinforces Graphicstudio's ability to expand the visibility of emerging artists while educating students from the School of Art & Art History about the best practices of ascending artists in the contemporary art field, including production and business aspects.
Graphicstudio’s adoption of a shared leadership model positions it for the next phase of growth and artistic research. The new structure will advance this mission and carry forward its legacy.
Tom Pruitt, Sarah Howard, and Kristin Soderqvist reviewing a new collaboration with artist Alex Katz. Photo by Don Fuller.
Howard reflected on the team’s dedication: “Kristin, Tom, and I have worked together at Graphicstudio in distinct roles for decades. Tom first worked as a collaborative printer from 1986 to 1990, then returned in 1997. I began here as a graduate student assistant in 1998, before joining the faculty in 2002, and Kristin joined the team in 2003 with her sales and marketing expertise. Each of us brings a unique perspective, strong industry expertise and cultural relationships while focusing on the artists’ creative research, educational opportunities for students, and engagement with the global and local community.”
With this depth of industry experience and cultural connections, the collective leadership model solidifies collaboration across artistic, technical, and academic initiatives by expanding artist-in-residence opportunities and advancing educational pathways, including graduate assistantships and internships. Positioned within the University of South Florida’s College of Design, Art & Performance, Graphicstudio continues to enhance its support of artists, students, and the broader community.
Dean Chris Garvin emphasized the importance of a collective model: “Graphicstudio is well-positioned under the leadership of Sarah, Kristin, and Tom to build on the studio’s legacy and expand its future impact. Together, they bring complementary experience and a clear understanding of the studio’s vision and values, supporting its continued success. Graphicstudio connects artists, students, and faculty through residencies, graduate assistantships, and public programs, strengthening its role within the academic environment while extending its reach to a global level.”
The shared philosophy and overall approach are embodied in the following focus areas.
Artist-in-Residence (AIR):
The artist-in-residence program invites emerging and established contemporary artists
to collaborate onsite with expert printers and fabricators. During their residency,
artists work closely with the production team to create limited-edition prints and
sculpture multiples.
Experimentation and innovation are central to this work. Artists explore new techniques, materials, and processes while pursuing new creative ground. As a leading university-based print atelier, the studio offers access to extensive expertise in conceptual and technical resources.
Educational Initiatives/Graduate Assistantships:
Educational initiatives are central to Graphicstudio’s mission. These programs connect
students and the community by inviting notable visiting artists to campus. Graduate
assistants and interns participate in the daily operations of the research-oriented
studio, gaining valuable hands-on experience working with artists-in-residence and
the studio team across the production, curatorial, sales and marketing areas. Exposed
to a range of research, studio and printmaking practices, students cultivate practical
knowledge and understanding of the creative process and the diversity of professional
roles in the arts.
Howard noted, “The culture of artistic experimentation and innovation continues. Artists collaborate with our printers and fabricators, exploring new techniques, materials, and pushing their creative practice in new directions.”
The studio is also open to the public, welcoming visitors each year to view and purchase works, learn about printmaking, and engage with leading artists and collaborative printers.
Together, these efforts reinforce Graphicstudio’s role as a working studio and academic resource, where collaboration, research, and education intersect. By connecting artists, students, and the broader community, the studio continues to support creative growth and innovation, steward future generations through hands-on practice, and cultivate and sustain relationships at USF, within the Tampa Bay area, and beyond.
About the College of Design, Art & Performance:
As the creative center of the University of South Florida, the College of Design,
Art & Performance provides an enriched, creative, and professional environment for
tomorrow’s leaders in architecture, design, art, art history, dance, music, and theatre.
The college embraces opportunities to embed new and existing arts programming in the
rapidly growing regional communities, serving as an integral engine for socioeconomic
progress through its research, advocacy, and engagement.
About Graphicstudio:
Founded in 1968, Graphicstudio has collaborated with more than 120 emerging and established
contemporary artists worldwide, producing over 1,000 limited‑edition prints and sculpture
multiples across a wide range of media. Specializing in traditional printmaking techniques,
it has editions held in major museums, corporate, and private collections globally.
In 1990, the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., established an archive of
the studio’s work, which led to an exhibition and catalogue. In 2014, the Tampa Museum
of Art presented a survey exhibition and publications, highlighting two decades of
Graphicstudio’s produced work. Graphicstudio is a proud member of the International
Fine Print Dealers Association