Marlon Blackwell retires from teaching at Fay Jones after over three decades

Marlon Blackwell has retired from his teaching position at the University of Arkansas after a 33-year career. Blackwell served as Distinguished Professor of Architecture and held the E. Fay Jones Chair in Architecture at the Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design. His retirement took effect on June 30, 2025.

Blackwell joined the faculty in 1992 and contributed to the school as an educator, administrator, and critic. He also led the Department of Architecture from 2009 to 2015 and co-founded the university’s Mexico Summer Urban Studio in 1994.

Related on Archinect: Marlon Blackwell completes Crystal Bridges building behind weathered brass fins. Image credit: Tim Hursley

Alongside his academic role, Blackwell developed his practice, Marlon Blackwell Architects, based in Fayetteville. The firm was selected to lead the design team for the U.S. Pavilion exhibition at the La Biennale di Venezia in 2025. Last year, Archinect spoke with curators about the pavilion.

An exhibition of Blac...