A Celebration of Teaching

Deborah Oliver named one of the 2024 UC Irvine Dean's Honorees

The UCI Celebration of Teaching honors faculty, instructors and teaching assistants who demonstrate excellence in undergraduate teaching at UC Irvine. Nominated by peers, students and staff, award recipients are recognized across six award categories. Professor Deborah Oliver from the Department of Art was named a 2024 Dean’s Honoree for her contributions to the field of interdisciplinary art and education.

“I am deeply honored and humbled to receive this teaching award,” shared Oliver. “It came as such a wonderful surprise! Teaching at Claire Trevor School of the Arts is more than just a job for me — it’s a passion and a source of deep joy. I feel very grateful to be part of a community that values learning and creativity so highly. Thank you for this incredible recognition. It means the world to me, and it makes me even more excited for the work ahead.”

As an educator, independent curator, producer and interdisciplinary artist, Oliver’s work addresses the intersection of performance art, its history and practice, emphasizing audience participation and live practice. She is the founder of Irrational Exhibits, an immersive performance and installation series that has featured over 150 artists since its inception in 2001.

In addition to her curatorial and artistic accomplishments, Oliver teaches a variety of performance art courses at UC Irvine, collaborating with students to produce public performances and exhibitions. Her dedication to both teaching and curatorial practice continues to make an impact on the campus and the broader art community.

To learn more about Deborah Oliver’s work, visit her Department of Art bio page here.