About this Event
Join, the , , the , and the for a one-week residency with illustrator, storyteller, and fashion historian This event is made possible through the generous support of Illuminations.
Free and open to the public. All events will take place in the UC Irvine School of Humanities. Visitors are welcome to attend one, two, three, or all four events. For further event details and contact information for the organizers, visit
COMPLETE SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
Monday, October 26
1. Gallery Viewing Hours for ICONIC: An Illustrated Tribute to the Revolution of Fashion
2-6 PM
Humanities Gateway 1030
Drop in to Humanities Gateway 1030 between 2 and 6 PM to tour the ICONIC exhibition.
Tuesday, October 27
2. Gallery Viewing Hours for ICONIC: An Illustrated Tribute to the Revolution of Fashion
2-6 PM
Drop in to Humanities Gateway 1030 between 2 and 6 PM to tour the ICONIC exhibition.
Tuesday, October 27 (Continued)
3. Gallery Talk with Artist Nicole Updegraff, followed by Evening Gallery Viewing Hours for ICONIC
6-7:30 PM
Humanities Gateway 1030
In her gallery talk, Artist Nicole Updegraff will take viewers through the highlights of her work on ICONIC, from the exhibition concept, to the research and writing, to the visual design and illustration. Learn from Updegraff about the stories behind some of the exhibition's most powerful portraits and histories. Updegraff's presentation will be followed by a Q & A with the audience.
Wednesday, October 28
4. A Masterclass on Creativity, Design and Storytelling with Nicole Updegraff
5-6:30 PM
Humanities Instructional Building 135
In this masterclass, Updegraff will share her journey as an artist and creative professional, offering tips and advice for students of all ages who share a love of art, creativity, and storytelling. All are welcome to join; no prerequisites or special skills are required to participate.
ABOUT ICONIC:
Updegraff’s project, ICONIC: An Illustrated Tribute to the Revolution of Fashion, is a first-of-its-kind narrative and visual exhibition that sits at the intersection of fine art, fashion history, and Black cultural legacy. Designed to educate, inspire, and engage multigenerational audiences, ICONIC is both an illustrated tribute to fashionand a living archive of Black cultural excellence, bringing art, fashion, and history to life in a multisensory experience.
Conceived as a hybrid between art gallery, interactive museum experience, and cultural anthology, ICONIC explores the dynamic evolution of fashion through the lens of Black creativity. Honoring 100 Black designers, stylists, and fashion and cultural icons, this interactive experience is dedicated to ensuring their legacies and contributions are experienced, studied, preserved, and given the institutional recognition their innovation, influence, and impact deserve.
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Nicole Updegraff is an international fashion illustrator, writer, and creative director based in Los Angeles, whose distinctive, elevated illustration style sits at the intersection of art, beauty, fashion, and culture. Since the release of her children’s book, I LOVE My Cotton Candy Hair! in 2009, Nicole has worked across the U.S., Europe, Japan, and West Africa. Her work spans bespoke personalized commissions, book illustration, live event activations, creative campaigns, and elevated illustration projects for private collectors and global brands.
Narrative is at the center of our lives, and human beings are hard-wired for stories. The telling of stories helps us to understand ourselves, connect with others, form memories, and make sense of our world. Building on the historical strengths of the UCI School of Humanities, the Center serves as a hub for the exploration of nonfiction storytelling. We offer researchers, students, journalists and members of the community methods for becoming better storytellers, while fostering academic research and experimentation in life writing and documentary.
Agenda
🕑: 02:00 PM - 06:00 PM
Monday, October 26: Gallery Viewing Hours for ICONIC @Humanities Gateway 1030
Info: Drop in to Humanities Gateway 1030 between 2 and 6 PM to tour the ICONIC exhibition.
Tuesday, October 27: Gallery Viewing Hours for ICONIC @Humanities Gateway 1030
Info: Drop in to Humanities Gateway 1030 between 2 and 6 PM to tour the ICONIC exhibition.
🕑: 06:00 PM - 07:30 PM
Tuesday, October 27: Nicole Updegraff Gallery Talk @Humanities Gateway 1030
Host: Nicole Updegraff
Info: In her gallery talk, artist Nicole Updegraff will take viewers through the highlights of her work on ICONIC, from the exhibition concept, to the research and writing, to the visual design and illustration. Learn from Updegraff about the stories behind some of the exhibition's most powerful portraits and histories. Updegraff's presentation will be followed by a Q & A with the audience and evening gallery hours.
🕑: 05:00 PM - 06:30 PM
Wednesday, October 28 4. A Masterclass on Creativity, Design and Storytelling
Host: Nicole Updegraff
Info: Location: Humanities Instructional Building 135. In this masterclass, Updegraff will share her journey as an artist and creative professional, offering tips and advice for students of all ages who share a love of art, creativity, and storytelling. All are welcome to join; no prerequisites or special skills are required to participate.
Event venue & nearby stays
The Humanities Gateway Building, The UC Irvine School of Humanities, Irvine, United States
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