Student Spotlight – Get To Know Our Students!
Yahir Perez is a third-year student working toward a bachelor’s degree at UNM. He is majoring in Art History and minoring in Arts Leadership and Business. His interest in art history lies in contemporary and abstract art. Some inspirations of his are Manolo Valdés and Danielle Orchard.
In his free time, he works with color film photography to capture landscapes and candid moments. After he completes his undergraduate degree, he hopes to take some time off before going to graduate school, with plans to move to Chicago.
Ruby Kraft is a fourth-year B.F.A Studio Art student who is following the footsteps of her alumnus grandfather, Jim Kraft, who was an assistant professor in the Department of Art from 1977-1996.
Kraft won the Reggie Behl Drawing Award and was featured in UNM Newsroom article, “Drawing award winner looks forward to showing work, graduation.” written by Mary Beth King.
The Reggie Behl Drawing Award is given in honor of artist, educator, and world traveler, Regina “Reggie” Behl, who taught drawing at UNM and all over the world. The award supports an undergraduate student who excels in drawing.
This November, Kraft’s thesis show, “In the Space Between Breath,” will be in the John Sommers Gallery. Stay tuned for more details!
https://catman03.myportfolio.com/
Instagram: @unm_art, @kvng.perez, @cat_man03
Honoring the Legacy of Jaune Quick-to-see Smith Panel Discussion led by Art & Ecology Professor and Author Subhnakar Banerjee
Subhankar Banerjee, a professor, photographer, writer, curator, and scholar of environmental humanities. He is also the founder and director of the Center for Environmental Arts & Humanities at UNM.
Principal Art Lecturer, Jessamyn Lovell, Featured in LENSSCRATCH
Jessamyn Lovell is a gender-fluid artist and licensed private investigator based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. They hold a BFA from Rochester Institute of Technology, an MFA from California College of the Arts, and are currently a Principal Lecturer at the University of New Mexico.
Why future film students choose UNM Film and Digital Arts
Moviemaker Magazine ranked Albuquerque among the top five large cities as the best place to live and work for filmmakers for the eighth consecutive year in 2026. Moviemaker Magazine is a leading industry publication. The announcement came after recognizing and...




