UW–Madison’s John Hitchcock, a Vilas Distinguished Achievement Professor in the School of Education’s Art Department, has received the 2025 Excellence in Teaching Award from Southern Graphics Council International (SGCI). The award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to teaching printmaking and demonstrated excellence in their own creative work.

Hitchcock was honored at SGCI’s 2025 conference in San Juan, Puerto Rico, earlier this month. He has taught screenprinting, relief cut, and installation art at UW–Madison since 2001 and has served in several leadership roles, including faculty director of The Studio Learning Community and graduate chair in the Art Department. Before joining UW–Madison, he taught at the University of Minnesota, Morris.

Hitchcock is an enrolled member of the Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma and of Comanche and Northern European descent. His artwork includes printmaking, textiles, neon, sound, and video, and focuses on themes of community, land, and culture.

Much of his work draws from stories told by his Kiowa and Comanche grandparents, childhood experiences growing up in the Wichita Mountains region, and references to beadwork and regalia.