Cover image: Layton works on her senior portfolio in 1990.

The Lamar Dodd School of Art celebrates a significant gift to our graphic design area by 1990 BFA alumna Kelly Layton through the Layton Graphic Design Endowment. The $500,000 contribution is the largest single commitment in the graphic design area’s history.

Read more in an excerpt below from the University of Georgia Alumni Association article “Kelly Layton supports UGA’s future artists and designers” by Lily Fleenor. 

Kelly and Brent Layton

“Georgia has a great graphic design program, and more people need to know about it,” said Layton. “If you want to pursue art, UGA presents such a great opportunity: a quality program, a rich campus community and a well-rounded, liberal-arts education.”

The endowment will provide substantial support for the graphic design area—part of UGA’s Lamar Dodd School of Art. Graphic design is the most high-demand, selective major in the School of Art, and with her contribution, Layton hopes to both elevate the program and inspire future artists and designers.

“This gift will be transformative for graphic design and our students as we have minimal to no discretionary funds,” said Julie Spivey, graphic design professor and area chair. “We truly cannot thank Kelly enough.”

Layton, who received her bachelor of fine arts degree in 1990, is a longtime donor to the university along with her husband, Brent. Her gift came after a campus visit to the School of Art.

“I had not been to see the graphic design area since I was in school,” said Layton. “And after I went, met with the professors, listened to what the area’s needs were and sat in on a class, I knew the difference I could make and knew I had to contribute.”

Brent and Kelly in 1987, just before that year’s Georgia-Florida game.