Ben Copperwheat

Ben Copperwheat is a Professor of Fibers at Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) since 2019. He holds adjunct roles at New York University (2016–18) and Academy of Art University (2015–18), where he developed courses like Textile Printing for Product. Previously, he served as a Senior Lecturer at Northumbria University (2001–03) and Visiting Lecturer at the Royal College of Art (2002–09). His professional design career spans roles at JCPenney, Donna Karan International/DKNY, and Gucci, focusing on printed textiles and color concepts. He operates Ben Copperwheat Studio (2012–present), a textile studio specializing in wearable art and interior design patterns.

Education:

• M.A., Textiles, Royal College of Art
• B.A., Art and Textile Design Studies, Bath School of Art and Design, Bath Spa University

Research & Creative Work: Copperwheat’s practice bridges art and fashion, emphasizing textile innovation. Notable exhibitions include Icons (solo, Schimanski, 2017), Patricia Field Art/Fashion series (NYC, Berlin, Miami, 2016–17), and collaborations with institutions like the Leslie Lohman Museum and Susanne Bartsch. His work explores queer aesthetics, cultural narratives, and interdisciplinary design.

Advising & Grants: No formal grants or student advising listed. However, his teaching roles at SCAD and NYU imply mentorship of students in fibers and textile design.

Labs/Teams: Principal of Ben Copperwheat Studio, a creative studio producing commissioned works such as the Constellation mural for Luisa Via Roma (Florence, 2017) and LGBTQ+ focused projects like the New York Pride Float (2017).