As Chair of the Amelita Mirolo Master of Fine Arts in Visual Arts and of CCAD's BFA in Fine Arts programs, Professor Julie Abijanac is responsible for providing managerial support for the MFA Visual Arts and BFA Fine Arts programs. In that work, she focuses on creating collaborative, cutting-edge learning environments through curricular development that will challenge and deepen the student's connection to their faculty, studio practice, theoretical and historical practice, and the professional world. 

Abijanac joined CCAD in 2004 as an Adjunct in the CORE program and has proven to be an asset to the college, working her way to Full Professor in Fine Arts in 2021. As a faculty member, she has taught in the CORE, Craft, Honors, Media Studies (Animation/Photo), Fine Arts, and Graduate programs. She was instrumental in planning and developing the 2018 FATE conference hosted by CCAD and later its Craft Program. Her service to the college is extensive and includes curriculum development, faculty council, student advisor, strategic planning, family campaign, faculty and administrative search committees, new student orientation, and recruiting for the college. Outside of CCAD's community, Abijanac has been an active board member of the Ohio Art League, and Mid America College Art Association, and presented/chaired panels for CAA, MACAA, FATE, and AICAD. 

Abijanac’s studio practice is fiber and textile-based. Relief to three-dimensional sculptures explore the systematic development of cancer cell and cordyceps metastasis and scrutinizes the relationship these organisms have with their host. As a result, a connection point is made between the viewer and the beauty found in the organic development of cellular growth in a potentially deadly disease. Her work has been exhibited at ConnectArt in Cuba: Galeria-Taller Lolo in Matanzas, II International Textile Art Symposium: FORTRESS MAN at the Mark Rothko Center in Daugavpils, Latvia (the artwork made was purchased and placed into the collection), 10th, 9th & 8th International Paper Triennial at the Musée du Charmey, Switzerland (place best in show in 2020), FiberArt International 2013 (where she received the People’s Choice Award), and 68th Annual Ohio Exhibition 2012 (where she placed 1st in Fiber/Textiles). Julie is also a recipient of the Capelli d’Angeli Foundation 2013 Artist Grants for woman artists whose work is a response to having and coping with cancer. For more information on her artwork, you can visit her website at www.JulieAbijanac.com.

MFA Cranbrook Academy of Art 1994

BFA Columbus College of Art & Design 1992

MFA First Year Advisor

From Julie: "A good MFA program encourages, questions, and pushes you a tad bit beyond where you think your limits are. We believe that research, critical thinking, and vibrant discourse are essential to make your voice clear, because we want your particular voice to infuse with your visual outcomes."