Sarah Clark graduated from Oklahoma State University with a bachelor’s degree in Fine Art and subsequently earned her master’s degree in Fine Art at The University of Tulsa, graduating in May 2007. Sarah had a lifelong gift and passion for art – not only to create it herself, but also to inspire creativity in others of all ages. She worked with the preschool and the summer arts ministries at Kirk of the Hills Presbyterian Church; with Masai children in Africa; and with her fellow students at Oklahoma State University and The University of Tulsa.
In 2007, Sarah’s parents, Ben and Nancy Clark, chose to honor the memory and talents of their daughter by establishing a permanent source of encouragement for aspiring artists and art historians studying at The University of Tulsa, and this tribute was known as the Sarah Clark Memorial Awards Endowment Fund for the School of Art. Three Sarah Clark Memorial Awards continue to be presented annually during the Gussman Student Art Exhibition awards ceremony, and they recognize the most outstanding students in printmaking, graphic design, and art history, as selected by faculty.
In 2021, the Clarks decided to expand the parameters of this endowment, retaining the original awards program, but adding a resource fund and a student emergency fund for students in the School of Art, Design and Art History. This endowment has been renamed and is now known as the Sarah Clark Memorial Endowment Fund for the School of Art, Design and Art History.
Also in 2021, Ben and Nancy Clark created an additional endowment fund to honor their daughter’s legacy in a way that will help advance artists’ careers. The Sarah J. Clark National Works on Paper Biennial Exhibition Endowment helps fund a national juried exhibition of works on paper and contemporary prints. This biennial exhibition features works by artists from across the United States, with an emphasis on emerging artists who do not yet have a national profile. Awards are given to the winning entries.
The University of Tulsa is deeply grateful for these meaningful tributes to a talented TU alumna, whose artistic legacy will be sustained for generations to come by the recipients of her namesake awards.
