Alfred University Professor Emeritus Wayne Higby was awarded the Smithsonian Institution’s prestigious Visionary Award honoring his contributions in the field of ceramic art and art education.
Alfred University Professor Emeritus Wayne Higby was awarded the Smithsonian Institution’s prestigious Visionary Award honoring his contributions in the field of ceramic art and education.
The award, instituted in 2014, honors artists who, according to the Smithsonian, “have risen to the pinnacle of sculptural arts and design, who have works in major museums, and who have demonstrated distinction, creativity, exceptional artistry and vision in their respective medium.”
In accepting the award from Monique Chism, undersecretary of education at the Smithsonian, Higby thanked numerous members of the Alfred University community who attended the event, in addition to members of his family, paying tribute to his late wife, Donna, who died in 2004, and his daughter and son-in-law, Sarah and David Morabito, who also attended the ceremony.
Speaking of his dual role as a ceramic artist and professor at Alfred University, he said, “I’ve devoted my life to education; it is as important to me as my studio work. I view the hyphen in 'artist-educator' as a bridge between my professional career and my students' ambitions. They deserve a mentor fully engaged in the real world of Art, Craft, and Design.”
The Smithsonian noted that Wayne Higby’s artwork draws deep inspiration from the American landscape, transforming it into a focal point for meditation.
The Smithsonian recognized Higby’s 1973 appointment to the faculty of the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University by celebrating his art. His portfolio includes classic ceramic vessels as well as large-scale installations like EarthCloud at the University’s Miller Performing Arts Center and SkyWell Falls at Reading, PA's Miller Center for the Arts.
As a recipient of the Smithsonian’s 2026 Visionary Award, Higby joins other major American artists such as Wendell Castle, Albert Paley, Dale Chihuly, Patti Warashina and Joyce Scott. Of those past honorees, Higby said they had “set the bar” in the field of art and design.
The 2026 Visionary Award was presented in the Smithsonian’s National Building Museum, located on F Street in Washington, DC, on the opening evening of the Institute’s annual craft show, a juried exhibition and sale featuring contemporary craft and design works from across the country. The show is hosted by the Smithsonian Women's Committee, and proceeds support grants that benefit the Smithsonian's education, outreach, conservation, and research programs.
Hundreds of art and craft lovers attended the show Wednesday evening, April 22, and in turn could admire (and purchase) art and crafts by more than 100 artists chosen by the Smithsonian for the exhibit.
The Alfred University community in attendance included University President Mark Zupan; Marlin Miller, ’54, H ’89, H ’19, Alfred University Life Trustee and Board Chair emeritus; Professor of Music Lisa Lantz; alumnus Ben Buess ’25; and Benjamin Evans, Wayne Higby Director and Principal Curator of the Alfred Ceramic Art Museum. Additionally, Helen Drutt English, Higby’s Philadelphia-based gallerist, who received an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree from Alfred University in 2019, attended the award ceremony, as did Brian Oglesbee, who taught photography at Alfred University, New York State College of Ceramics, from 1976 to 1986 and continues to photograph exhibitions at the Alfred Ceramic Art Museum. Oglesbee traveled to the event with his wife, Mandy Oglesbee, who received her Master’s Degree in art education from Alfred University.
The Smithsonian Institution also presented its annual Delphi Award to ceramic artist Cristina Córdova, who received her MFA from Alfred University in 2002. The Delphi Award complements the Smithsonian’s Visionary Award and highlights innovative artists.
Speaking after the ceremony, Miller recalled his first viewing of Higby’s art in English’s Philadelphia gallery. The colors of Higby’s sculpture initially reminded him and his wife, the late Marcianne Miller ’54, of the colors of the American southwest, which they enjoyed touring. “I loved the colors,” Miller said. As he and his wife became acquainted with Higby, partly through English’s gallery, “we got to know him and started buying his artwork. Whenever his work would come up, Helen would point me toward it.”
Miller and Higby over the years developed a close relationship, and Miller eventually supported construction of the Alfred Ceramic Art Museum, where Higby served as director and chief curator from its opening, in 2016, until his retirement in 2025.
