MFA AC+D Announces New Program Head!

August 12, 2019

We are extremely excited to announce that after a nationwide search, Sara Huston has been appointed Program Head of PNCA’s MFA Applied Craft + Design in the Hallie Ford School of Graduate Studies! Sara has a long relationship with the AC+D program, having taught and mentored in the program for many years before most recently serving as Interim Chair of the program.

On behalf of the AC+D Head Search Committee, Matthew Letzelter said, "The Committee truly enjoyed Sara's interviews and presentations through the search process, and she has our full support."

Sara’s breadth of experience as an artist, designer, curator, and educator, as well as her experience with and vision for this unique program, make her an ideal Program Head. She holds an MFA from Cranbrook Academy of Fine Art and a BFA in Sculpture from the Art Academy of Cincinnati and has taught at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, University of Oregon, Oregon College of Art and Craft, and Marylhurst. She is one half of The Last Attempt at Greatness, an interdisciplinary avant-garde studio she runs with her partner, John Paananen. The cross-disciplinary studio engages design, craft, art, and architecture. Her work explores subjects of progress, expectation, liminality, perception, value and the intersection and language of art and design. Sara is curator and member of the League of Women Designers, a member-led professional forum that aims to elevate women in interdisciplinary design.

Sara has been a steadfast leader as interim chair over the last year, and we are excited for her inspiring leadership to continue!!! Join us in extending a warm congratulations to Sara Huston!


The Last Attempt at Greatness