Published May 8, 2026
Gardner Astalos named Art Outstanding Senior for 2026!
The College of Arts and Sciences' 2026 Outstanding Seniors award recognizes BFA student Gardner Astalos.
Gardner Astalos, Art's Outstanding Senior
Faculty, Staff, and peers of Gardner Astalos have overwhlemingly great things to say about him. Some of these remarks include:
Gardner embodies the definition of being locked-in and determined. He is dedicated to his practice and to building the kind of community and culture we hope all our students will achieve.
- Jeff Sherven, Print Media Technician
Gardner has recieved several well-deserved awards which acknowledge the outstanding artwork he produced this past year. If our department had an award for the most hours-logged in the Print Media studios, I suspect he would have taken that prize home as well. I was extremely fortunate to have him as a paid production assistant for ten weeks last summer as he assisted in all facets of pre-press design, proofing, printing and finishing artwork for two exhibitions in the Czech Republic. I will always be grateful for the dedication and professionalism which he brought to that project.
- Noah Breuer, Assistant Professor of Print Media
Gardner Astalos (rear right), at Red Disk studio, with Professor Breuer (rear left) and Red Disk staff.
Photo: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki
Gardner Astalos with Open Studios guests, during Art in the Open, October 2025
Photo: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki
Gardner Astalos studio work detail.
Photo: Douglas Levere
Gardner Astalos (right) with BFA Senior Thesis Professor Matt Kenyon (left), in a studio visit for Gardner's work
Photo: Douglas Levere
The Outstanding Senior Award
"The College of Arts and Sciences is proud to name the 2026 Outstanding Seniors. This is an annual tradition where each academic department selects a graduating senior who has demonstrated exceptional diligence and promise during their time at UB. Dean Jeff Grabill will recognize the 2026 College of Arts and Sciences Outstanding Seniors at a reception in Slee Hall on April 20.[...]
The students' exceptional efforts have distinguished them among their peers and set an inspiring example of academic and personal achievement. In recognition of their accomplishments, each student receives a certificate and an engraved award. They are also acknowledged during their commencement ceremony." [...]
Gardner Astalos of Buffalo, N.Y., graduates summa cum laude with a bachelor of fine arts with a concentration in print media. Astalos is a college ambassador representing the Department of Art. He works with Ron Gaczewski, preservation and access services librarian, in the preservation department at the Lockwood Memorial Library. During the summer of 2025, Astalos assisted the head of the print media department, Noah Breuer, with his exhibition "Návrat,”which was on view in the Czech Republic at the Moravian Beauty Foundation. Astalos was a 2025 recipient of the UB Evelyn Rumsey Lord Travel Award. In the future, Astalos plans to continue living, working and creating in Western New York."
From the College's article by Jackie Hausler, "2026 Outstanding Seniors Named", which includes the recognized students from all other Departments in the College.