Awards

President's Medal for Excellence - 2013

Academic Excellence Dinner

Bloomington, Indiana

Presenter: Michael A. McRobbie

About Phillip Tennant

Phillip Tennant was recruited to the Herron School of Art and Design in 1974 to launch a woodworking program for art majors. It began as a small struggling program in the basement of the old Herron Museum building on 16th Street in Indianapolis. Under his watch, the program tripled the number of students and broadened its curriculum. In 2008, Herron launched new MFA degrees and has attained national prominence among the top furniture design programs.

Before joining the Herron School, Tennant earned his degree from Alfred University in New York and studied under master woodworker and furniture designer, Wendell Castle.

Tennant’s creative activities and scholarly work have been focused on designing contemporary fine art furniture and the exploration of material and process. His work has been exhibited nationally and featured in various publications, including Fine Woodworking, American Craft Magazine and Furniture Studio. He also conducts many workshops as a visiting artist and has received numerous public and private commissions.