Skip to main content
Intellect

Robert Barrett receives Phi Kappa Phi Artist Award

Robert T. Barrett, a professor of visual arts at Brigham Young University, was recently announced as a recipient of a 2012 Phi Kappa Phi Artist Award from the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest, largest and most selective all-discipline honor society.

The award honors those individuals who demonstrate the ideals of the society through their activities, achievements and scholarship. Awardees receive $1,000 and a trip to the society's annual convention. ­

The Artist Award was established in 1983 to recognize the achievements of those who, in addition to their outstanding scholarship, have displayed talents in the broad realm of the arts — creative, graphic, performing, visual and fine arts. ­The award is given once every two years.

Barrett has created thousands of works during his long career, including portraits for leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and illustrations for children’s books. Additionally, he recently illustrated books about the lives of President and Michelle Obama.

He has been a faculty member in BYU’s Visual Art Department since 1982 and has served as the department chair and associate dean of the College of Fine Arts and Communications. He has received more than 50 awards for his paintings, both locally and nationally. He has also received the 1995 Karl G. Maeser Award for Excellence in Teaching, the highest teaching honor BYU gives, and the 2010 Distinguished Educator of the Year by the Society of Illustrators.

For more information, contact Jenith Larsen at (801) 422-4842.

Writer: Jenith Larsen

barrett.jpg
Photo by Mark A. Philbrick/BYU Photo

Related Articles

data-content-type="article"

Photographic memory: BYU boasts nation's top student photographer for third year in a row

August 05, 2025
One of BYU’s very own is the best student photographer in all the land. Information systems student Matthew Norton was just named the Student Photographer of the Year by the University Photographer’s Association of America.
overrideBackgroundColorOrImage= overrideTextColor= promoTextAlignment= overrideCardHideSection=false overrideCardHideByline=false overrideCardHideDescription=false overridebuttonBgColor= overrideButtonText= promoTextAlignment=
data-content-type="article"

Forum: Faith and flourishing in your life and work

July 29, 2025
Paul Lambert, the religion initiative director at the Wheatley Institute, shared in a BYU forum address how faith in Jesus Christ is more than just a personal foundation. It’s also a powerful force for good in the world around us.
overrideBackgroundColorOrImage= overrideTextColor= promoTextAlignment= overrideCardHideSection=false overrideCardHideByline=false overrideCardHideDescription=false overridebuttonBgColor= overrideButtonText= promoTextAlignment=
data-content-type="article"

From Campus to Kayaks: BYU students teach local school children about Utah wetlands

July 28, 2025
Recognizing the wetland treasure of the Provo River Delta and hoping to share it with the rising generation, recent BYU graduate Josh Hammari developed a two-day camp to inspire wonder and environmental stewardship in 8-12 year olds.
overrideBackgroundColorOrImage= overrideTextColor= promoTextAlignment= overrideCardHideSection=false overrideCardHideByline=false overrideCardHideDescription=false overridebuttonBgColor= overrideButtonText= promoTextAlignment=
overrideBackgroundColorOrImage= overrideTextColor= promoTextAlignment= overrideCardHideSection=false overrideCardHideByline=false overrideCardHideDescription=false overridebuttonBgColor= overrideButtonText=