An art professor at Drake University is a winner of the prestigious Guggenheim Memorial Foundation Fellowship in the arts. He’s only the second Drake faculty member to receive the honor, and one of a few Iowans.
Chicago-born printmaker Phillip Chen has been teaching at Drake since 1996. He is the only person currently living in Iowa on this year’s list of 173 Guggenheim Fellows. The recognition comes with an undisclosed financial reward, which Chen says he can use.
“Oh, I have so many needs," he says. "I’m involved now and have committed to commissions that require that I travel and do research.”
Chen also hopes to advance his creative work.
“Of course, there are always physical needs pertaining to maintaining a studio," he says. "There are equipment needs and material needs.”
Drake’s only other Guggenheim Fellow was English professor and filmmaker Richard Abel in 1993. At least five University of Iowa faculty members have received Fellowships in recent years, and one long-time ISU professor.