Piper Shepard doesn't know who nominated her to receive $50,000. But when the list of 2016 United States Artists winners came out last week, the Maryland Institute College of Art professor's name was on it, alongside big names like Miranda July and Shirin Neshat.

“I was extremely surprised,” said Shepard, 54.

Shepard is a full-time faculty member of MICA's fiber department, where she helps young artists develop an appreciation for textiles and an understanding of their history. “Every textile invention is a kind of extraordinary innovation,” she said, requiring any number of looms or weaving structures, crafted over the centuries.

Nominations for the United States Artists awards are anonymous, but nominees are contacted to submit their materials for consideration.

Shepard may never know who's responsible for her windfall. “I'm not even going to try and guess,” she said. “Why would I do it?”

—Christina Tkacik