Catching Up: Conversations with Five Past “21 Under 31” Artists

It’s time to celebrate! This issue of Southwest Art marks the 25th year of our popular “21 Under 31” feature. Since 2000, this coverage has cast the spotlight on 525 emerging artists (including this year’s rising stars) at the advent of their fine art careers. They hail from small towns and big cities across the U.S., and over the years their journeys in art have continued. Some artists are now in their 40s and 50s, established or in mid-career. Others, featured more recently, are still in their 20s and building reputations. Flip through the following pages and catch up with five of our talented stars from years gone by.

By Bonnie Gangelhoff

Glenn Dean Featured in 2000

Michelle Dunaway Featured in 2003

Albin Veselka Featured in 2009

Whitney Michelle Hall Featured in 2011

Kyle Ma Featured in 2016

Bonnie Gangelhoff is a Colorado-based writer and former senior editor of Southwest Art

This story appeared in the August/September 2024 issue of Southwest Art magazine. Subscribe today to read every issue in its entirety.