Button Menu

Zach Taylor | Alumni

My writing still helps my art…it helps my life in general.

Zach Taylor Alumni

Learning how to cut the fat

Zach Taylor graduated as a poetry and studio art double-major. Initially he was on an English literature track which led to an interest in writing which progressed from fiction, to non-fiction, and, finally, to poetry. Along the way, he developed his photography at Peeler. “Poetry influenced my work as a photographic artist. Poetry was a means of ‘cutting the fat.’” 

“My writing still helps my art…it helps my life in general. When I graduated, I didn’t know what I wanted to do (I knew I had options, including a top graduate school). I knew I could write and it was writing that helped me figure things out. It helps me develop my plan and it helps me develop my work, especially when collaborating.” 

“Cynthia O’Dell was one of the first professors who showed me the possibilities at DePauw. I told her, during the second semester of my first year, that I was thinking about majoring in art. She immediately walked into her office, came back with a form and said, ‘fill this out.’ Later, she wrote a letter of recommendation for graduate school and I got accepted to great programs.” 

Zach pursued an interest in lighting and environmental design as a vocation. Today, he is a neon-tube artist in Sante Fe. In 2025, through the Ted and Katie Blair Ukrop Visiting Artist Fund and the Department of Art and Art History, Zach was on campus for a week, sharing his work and leading workshops with students.   

 

Faces of DePauw

Drew Cosgray
Guaranteed Success

Drew Cosgray

I came to DePauw for a Copeland Scholarship interview. I had never been on DePauw’s campus, but as soon…

Discover Drew Cosgray
Christian Rivera
Confidence In Leadership

Christian Rivera

I came to DePauw as a Posse Scholar from an inner-city high school, already credited for my leadership…

Discover Christian Rivera
Naima Shifa
Building Connections

Naima Shifa

The biggest part of my teaching is building connections with my students and creating a community in…

Discover Naima Shifa

Request Information

Loading...