Clayton Merrell

Clayton Merrell is the Dorothy L. Stubnitz Professor of Art at Carnegie Mellon University’s School of Art. His work bridges painting, printmaking, and large-scale public installations, emphasizing themes of landscape, sky, and urban environments. He holds an MFA from Yale School of Art (1995) and a Fulbright Grant for research in Oaxaca, Mexico (1996-97). Notable works include the 69,000 sq ft terrazzo floor installation The Sky Beneath Our Feet at Pittsburgh International Airport (2015), which reimagines the airport’s terminal as a celestial landscape. His research interests span painting techniques, public art integration, and interdisciplinary creativity. Awards include 2005 Artist of the Year and 2016 Creator-of-the-Year honors.

Educational Background: MFA in Painting/Printmaking from Yale School of Art (1995). Professional Development: Fulbright Grant (1996-97), Roswell Artist-In-Residence Fellowship (2004-05).

Research Interests: Exploring sky perspectives, urban landscapes, and public art’s role in civic spaces. Techniques include egg tempera, oil, and mixed media. Recent works (2021-2025) focus on geometric abstractions and environmental themes.

Grants & Awards: Over 15 grants/fellowships from institutions like Virginia Center for the Creative Arts, Skowhegan, and The Millay Colony. Collections: Works held in Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, American Embassy (Belize), and corporate collections.

Labs/Teams: Active in Carnegie Mellon’s School of Art, mentoring students through interdisciplinary projects. Collaborations include installations with architects and public space designers.