SCAD Alumni Transform Historic Paris Staircase for Design Miami
Savannah College of Art and Design graduates showcase multidisciplinary installations at L’hôtel de Maisons.
1Historic Venue Transformation
At Design Miami.Paris, SCAD alumni reimagined the 18th-century staircase of L’hôtel de Maisons. Designer Abel Macias, a 2002 illustration graduate, covered the structure in vibrant, tufted fabric. His design choices were directly informed by the distinct landscapes of the American Southwest, creating a stark, colorful contrast against the historic Parisian architecture.
2Suspended Sculptural Elements
Gretchen Wagner, an MFA painting graduate, installed a suspended sculpture at the staircase summit. The piece utilizes accordion-folded paper cylinders, embellished with intricate embroidered beading. Hanging like a chandelier, the installation demonstrates the technical versatility of SCAD’s fibres department graduates, blending traditional craft techniques with contemporary sculptural forms and spatial awareness.
3Furniture Design Contributions
The showcase featured functional art pieces from recent furniture design graduates. Evan Baker, a 2025 graduate, presented a wood-grain credenza, while Anne Weber Callahan, a 2019 alumna, displayed two ceramic stools designed to mimic natural clay textures. These contributions highlight the school's focus on material experimentation and the intersection of utility and aesthetics.
4Materiality and Natural Dyes
Katie Hagen, who earned an MFA in fibres in 2023, contributed a natural-dyed silk organza weaving to the exhibition. This textile work emphasizes the current trend toward sustainable material sourcing within design education. The piece was displayed alongside industrial design works, showcasing the diverse range of disciplines represented by the university's alumni.
5Alumni Atelier Residency Impact
Marcelo Suro showcased six sculptural lamps created during his time at SCAD’s Alumni Atelier residency in Lacoste, France. These items merge hand-blown glass with volcanic stone, reflecting a year of intensive material research. This residency program serves as a critical bridge between academic training and professional practice for the institution's graduates.
6Institutional Partnership Strategy
SCAD serves as the official university partner for Design Miami, facilitating these high-profile showcases. This follows their previous exhibition in Florida, where they debuted an intricate plaster-cast installation. These recurring appearances at international design fairs function as a strategic platform for alumni to gain global visibility within the competitive luxury design market.
7Academic and Professional Trajectories
The participating designers represent a wide spectrum of graduation years, ranging from 2002 to 2025. This mix of established alumni and recent graduates illustrates the long-term career support provided by the institution. By integrating various disciplines like fibres, furniture, and industrial design, the university maintains a cohesive brand identity across global events.
8Future Exhibition Outlook
Following the conclusion of the Paris event on October 25, SCAD is preparing for the flagship Design Miami fair in Miami Beach this December. This consistent exhibition schedule reinforces the university’s commitment to professional design discourse. Observers should monitor these upcoming displays for further evidence of the school's evolving material and aesthetic focus.