From UWF Art Graduate to Part-Time Professor and Full-Time Artist
October 30, 2025 | By Aimee Farmer, Student Intern, Department of English | Edited by Karen Tibbals, CASSH Communications Coordinator
Christian Dinh, a 2016 graduate of the University of West Florida (UWF) with a Bachelor’s degree in Visual Arts, has carved out a successful career as both a full-time artist and a part-time ceramics professor at Xavier University. Dinh’s journey into the world of visual arts was unexpected, as he did not come to UWF with a background in the field. However, the encouragement he received from UWF’s Art Department changed the course of his life. “The environment of the department was welcoming, yet challenged me to think and create in ways I hadn’t before,” Dinh reflects. This nurturing environment allowed him to fully develop his artistic practice, providing both the time and the skills necessary to build his career.
Dinh credits several UWF professors for shaping his artistic journey, specifically the advanced drawing classes with Gregory B. Saunders, the installation course with Carrie Fonder, Associate Professor, Art and Design, and wheelthrowing with Dryden Wells. These courses were foundational to Dinh’s growth as an artist, helping him to discover and refine his visual style. Carrie Fonder, who worked closely with Dinh, describes him as a fearless and enthusiastic artist.
His fearlessness in the face of creative risk-taking and the enthusiasm with which he approached his work impacted not only the strength of his creative work but also his classmates and the department at large. - Carrie Fonder, Associate Professor, Art and Design
Fonder adds that Dinh’s achievements since graduating have been “well deserved” and “come as no surprise to anyone who had the opportunity to work with him in the Department of Art and Design.”
In 2020, Dinh was approached by Bradley Sumrall, curator of the Ogden Museum’s collection, for an exhibition. After the widely reported bias attacks on Asian Americans, Sumrall wanted Dinh to create a show that highlighted the impact of the Vietnamese-American population in Louisiana. Dinh’s exhibition, “Nail Salon,” showcased sculptures of manicured hands to tell the story of Vietnamese-American women working in nail salons. The exhibition later gained national attention, even being featured in a New York Times profile of the museum.
I was able to take away a lot of insight from these professors about their theoretical and philosophical discourses pertaining to visual art. I still incorporate these teachings into my practice today. - Christian Dinh, Full-time Artist and Part-time Ceramics Professor
Now, Dinh divides his time between teaching wheelthrowing as a part-time professor at Xavier University and working full-time as an artist. Despite his success, Dinh’s advice to current and prospective students at UWF is clear: “Do not feel pressured to follow any specific timeline or trajectory for your artist career, and do not compare your career against other peers and artists. Focus on your practice and stay true to your work and how you work. Opportunities will present themselves when the time is right.”
Dinh’s journey from a student with no background in visual arts to a recognized artist and educator is a testament to the power of mentorship, creativity, and determination. He continues to inspire others by staying true to his practice and encouraging new generations of artists to do the same.
Learn more about opportunities to begin or enhance your career in the field of Art at UWF’s Department of Art and Design here.
