Covington-Rhode Senior Prize Winners: Kaitlin Bone and Shaun Pinello

The UNM Department of Art is proud to announce the recipients of the 2026 Covington-Rhode Senior Prize: Kaitlin Bone (Kat B.) and Shaun Pinello.

Made possible through the generosity of UNM alumna Dr. Patricia Covington and Shari Rhode, the Covington-Rhode Senior Prize recognizes outstanding graduating artists whose work demonstrates creativity, dedication, and artistic excellence.

Kat B. is a multidisciplinary artist based in New Mexico whose practice centers on the small and often overlooked. Working with metals, textiles, found objects, and mixed materials, they create intimate sculptural works that explore memory, place, and human connection.
Kat first studied linguistics at the University of New Mexico before returning to pursue a BFA in Art Studio, completed in 2026. Their honors thesis exhibition at Masley Gallery focused on themes of birds and birdwatching, continuing a long-standing personal fascination that informs much of their work.

Shaun Pinello is an artist and scholar completing a double major in Fine Art and Philosophy at UNM. Working primarily in ink and comics, his practice explores the relationship between visual storytelling, material experimentation, and philosophical inquiry. Shaun often creates pigments from foraged materials collected from places of personal significance, embedding his work with ideas of memory, process, and environment. In addition to his studio practice, he has led community-based art initiatives, including printmaking workshops at Healthcare for the Homeless’ Art Street Facility and monthly community drawing events at Scum Pit Comics.

The Department of Art congratulates Kaitlin Bone and Shaun Pinello on this well-deserved recognition!