The School of Art, Art History & Design hosted Anthony Blue (B.F.A. 2011) March 6-8 for Nebraska's Alumni Masters Week.
Each year, a selected group of exceptional alumni return to campus to share their experiences and knowledge with the UNL community. Known as the Alumni Masters, these individuals are proven trailblazers in their respective fields. Now in its 55th year, the program showcases the best that each college has to offer.
"This honor means so much," Blue said. "Coming here my vision was just kind of sports-oriented."
Blue is a former Nebraska cornerback whose football career ended after two major knee injuries. He refocused his energy on his art.
"To be able to shift gears to the arts and be recognized for the work I've done after leaving here is amazing," Blue said. "Even with the art world, you never really know what your work is doing or who is viewing it, so to be honored by a prestigious university like this, in the school I love and the place I love, is just crazy. It's an unreal experience."
Blue met with students and faculty in the School of Art, Art History & Design; gave a lecture with information on his career and advice for being creative; and met with a select group of students at Sheldon Museum of Art to view and discuss a selection of works pulled from Sheldon's permanent collection by prominent African-American artists.
Blue is an avid photographer, animator and DJ. He has hosted numerous residencies in New York City while also playing various venues globally.
He has also shot for Milan fashion week and has become a favorite among Influencers for his easy-going approach and keen eye. His resume spans a range of clients including Nike, Revlon, B.E.T. and Zegna to name a few. He has also DJ'd parties with many popular artists including Migos, Virgil Abloh, Soulection, Big Boi, and more.