Contxt 2024

ALUMNI CIRCA:

Celebrating 25 years with Dr. Larry R. Thompson

12

The College welcomes a new director of the Center for Diversity and Inclusion

24 SPOTLIGHT: DR. ELÇIN HASKOLLAR

2023-2024 TRUSTEE SCHOLARS: LUMINARIES

15 remarkable students shoot for the stars

ART IN THE ARCTIC

Eszter Sziksz brings messages of environmental hopes and fears to the Arctic

36

SHELBY DAVIS AND THE UWC SPIRIT

A history of welcoming international students

CIRCA: SIX SUCCESS STORIES

NEWS AND NOTES Updates from the alumni community

38

Stories from alumni spanning six decades MOVING FORWARD: WOMEN IN ANIMATION

Highlighting three generations of women in animation

62 WENDY SURKIS + PEPPI ELONA: LIVING, LOVING, GIVING

ON THE COVER

This issue of CONTXT highlights Ringling College’s new comprehensive campaign, Catalyst for Creativity, and the designs for the new Signature Academic Building. Rendering courtesy of Moody Nolan.

Celebrating a Silver Anniversary: 25 Years of Shared Success

Twenty-five years. I can hardly believe it. To say that I feel honored and proud to have served as President of Ringling College of Art and Design for a quarter-century is indeed an understatement. And, in addition to that, this is CONTXT Magazine’s 11th issue.

When I first arrived at Ringling College in 1999, the Ringling School of Art and Design as it was called until we changed the name in 2007, was a small but vibrant campus of fewer than 900 students. The majority of buildings you see on campus today were not yet built. Fast-forward to 2023 and this past fall, the College achieved its highest enrollment of all time totalling 1,722 students.

In addition to steady enrollment growth, the institution has been able to grow its footprint to an ever-expanding 60+ acres, including opening Sarasota Art Museum and the Ringling College Museum Campus in 2019. In the last 25 years, we have erected 14 new buildings across our campus and renovated several others.

Ringling College has also experienced an overwhelming surge in diversity and inclusion, with increased DEI programming and a robust international student population of 22 percent from 60 countries. You can read about our new Associate Dean of Students for Diversity and Inclusion, Dr. Elçin Haskollar, and our historic and continued commitment to supporting international students through the Davis United World College program in this issue of CONTXT.

Our faculty numbers are at their highest of all time, too. One hundred and twenty-nine fulltime and 64 part-time faculty members have allowed us to uphold the College’s intimate 11-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio, in line with our growing student population. Ringling faculty are industry professionals and leaders in their fields, many traveling to remote areas of the world to pursue their passions and further their disciplines. A great example is Eszter Sziksz whose story you’ll find a few pages in.

One of my favorite things about Ringling College is that we always look forward. For many years now, I have talked about the onset of the Creative Age—and what that will mean for the future of art and design in a world of automation. In this issue, you’ll learn about how the College is tackling the issue of artificial intelligence and leveraging this advanced technology as another creative tool for students and faculty alike.

As I reflect on my tenure—the achievements, the setbacks, the silver linings—I remember that it’s all of YOU—alumni, students, faculty and staff, extended family and friends, donors, and community members—who have made Ringling College into what it is today. Your success is our shared success, and I am grateful to be part of it. Here’s to another 25 years of continued creativity—I can’t wait to see how much more we can accomplish together!

Larry R. Thompson President, Ringling College of Art and Design

Demolition to make way for the Alfred R. Goldstein Library.

Dedication of the Larry R. Thompson Academic Center.

The Passing of the Books at the opening of the Alfred R. Goldstein Library.

Larry and Pat Thompson at the annual fundraiser Avant-Garde, which raises funds for student scholarships.

Ribbon cutting at Ringling College Studio Labs.

Ribbon-cutting for Cunniffe Commons.

Groundbreaking of the Ulla Searing Student Center.

Celebrating the College’s installation at the SRQ Airport.

Dr. Thompson enjoys the benefits of “working” in Florida.

Legacy, Leadership, and Looking to the Future

By Dr. Larry R. Thompson, President

For the past 25 years, it has been my vision and dream for Ringling College to be recognized as the preeminent art and design college in the world.

I’ve been saying it for so long now, I probably sound like a repetitive, broken record. But the truth is, I believe that we are now so close to achieving that distinction. Almost as though we are just on the precipice; if we reach out a little further, we can touch it; we can feel it.

To me, this “preeminence” has always meant achieving the pinnacle of distinction and excellence as an educational institution, but also being “first in mind” when one thinks of the top art and design college, worldwide. To realize that vision, we must continue to provide the absolute best faculty, staff, technology, and facilities to ensure our students receive a world-class art and design education so they can go on to thrive in their chosen careers. So they can truly turn their passions into professions.

“Turning passion into profession.” It’s a great tagline, and we’ve had others over the years that have helped define Ringling College and set it apart from its contemporaries. “Shattering the myth of the starving artist.” “Creativity. It Matters.” I have believed in them all, and still do. And, in many ways I was lucky when I joined the Ringling College family because I inherited a growing art school from the College’s previous president, Dr. Arland Christ-Janer, who left an indelible legacy and truly set the institution on its path to success.

When I arrived in 1999, Ringling College had less than 900 students, six majors (Computer Animation, Fine Arts, Graphic Design, Illustration, Interior Design, and Photography), and our campus was about a fourth of the size that it is today. It’s hard to think back and imagine what the College was like without our Alfred R. Goldstein Library, the Richard and Barbara Basch Visual Arts Center, new residence halls, Film’s Studio Labs, Cunniffe Commons, or even the Student Health Center. The first building I officially opened on campus in 2003 was the Ann and Alfred Goldstein Center, which now houses our Institutional Technology (IT) department and some film facilities. From there, we would go on to erect 13 brand new buildings and renovate several others over the next 21 years.

In the last five years alone—including adapting to, and overcoming the global pandemic—we have accomplished so much as a campus community. We opened the Sarasota Art Museum of Ringling College in 2019, which is truly an exceptional and world-class contemporary art museum for the community and our students, offering countless events and educational programs. We established more than 50 endowed scholarships totaling millions of dollars for deserving students who otherwise could not afford to attend college. We launched two new academic majors—Virtual Reality Development (in 2018) and Entertainment Design (in 2019). And, this year, we reached our highest enrollment of all time, with 1,722 students as I mentioned in my opening letter. The fact is, throughout a decade of art school closures and unstable economies, Ringling College has been fortunate to continue to thrive.

Buildings completed over the last 25 years under Dr. Thompson’s leadership:

2003 - Ann and Alfred Goldstein Center

2006 - Ulla Searing Student Center

2009 - Ann and Alfred Goldstein Residence Hall

2009 - Larry R. Thompson Academic Center

2011 - Arland and Sally ChristJaner Center renovation

2012 - Student Health Center

2017 - Alfred R. Goldstein Library

2018 - Richard and Barbara Basch Visual Arts Center

2018 - Ringling College Studio Labs Complex (not pictured)

2018 - Bridge Apartments

2019 - The repurposing of historic Sarasota High School into Sarasota Art Museum (not pictured)

2019 - Central Energy Plant (not pictured)

2020 - Greensboro Hall

2023 - Cunniffe Commons

Drone photography by Lucas MacFarland ’23, Film.

But, of course, there is still much work to be done.

In order to maintain this trajectory and stay the course on our path to preeminence, we must continue to prepare our graduates for an ever-expanding global and creative economy. To do this, we must continue to invest heavily and responsibly in academic innovation and creative thinking. The College’s comprehensive fundraising campaign, which was publicly announced in November 2023, Catalyst for Creativity, is the vehicle we will use to do just that. Built around three pillars of emphasis outlined below, each area bears equal priority, importance, and weight.

Building Creativity refers to the expansion and upkeep of our state-ofthe-art facilities and technology on campus. One building in particular, which we currently call the Signature Academic Building, will be located on the corner of N. Tamiami Trail and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way—the entrance to Ringling College’s campus. This iconic 100,000-square-foot facility will serve as an entry point to the College and as a signifier for visitors that they have entered the cultural epicenter of Florida’s Gulf Coast. Finally, the College will have its first-ever Welcome Center for prospective students, families, and visitors. The building will also house four of the College’s majors and offer a flexible event space for our creative community. Located near the first-floor entrance will be the new Richard and Barbara Basch Gallery, featuring a rotating selection of 300 of the most outstanding and unique art glass pieces created by internationally celebrated glass masters. Plans for the building have been approved, and construction might begin as early as spring 2025.

2 Igniting Creativity

The Connecting Creativity facet of the campaign is focused on engaging our local community with Ringling College. Sarasota has long been where culture and the arts flourish. That is what has attracted some of the world’s most exciting international artists, thought leaders, and authors to share their work and perspectives. Ringling College is a major force in that effort. Through more than 100 programs offered annually, the College provides opportunities for students, and for over 100,000 local residents and visitors from around the globe to gather, learn, and experience the power of creativity.

Igniting Creativity is all about support for students and faculty. Integral to Ringling College’s mission is attracting diverse students and faculty members who possess an array of perspectives, experience, and talent that is essential to the vibrancy of our campus. Strategic and sustained outreach and ongoing funding in the form of scholarships are required to support students throughout their college years. As I have always stressed, scholarships are our biggest need, and that will always be true. This pillar also seeks funding to assist faculty, provide funding for academic departments, and fund faculty and staff professional development. Key investment components include student scholarships; Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programming and initiatives; endowed department head positions; and a new Center for Teaching Excellence.

1 Building Creativity

3 Connecting Creativity

Lobby of the future Signature Academic Building, courtesy of Moody Nolan.

A Computer Animation class in session.

Community members engage at Sarasota Art Museum.

The new Signature Academic Building, along North Tamiami Trail, will create a gateway to the campus and serve as a creative beacon for the community.

Rendering of the Signature Academic Building, courtesy of Moody Nolan.

17-year Disney Imagineer veteran Greg Randle leads students in an INDEX course. OLLI members enjoy a lecture event.

We have something so unique at Ringling College. We have had the privilege of being an institution that has helped to shape this very community into what it is today. As a corollary, the people in this community have been instrumental in shaping our sustained growth and success over the years.

At the beginning of the 2023-24 academic year, the College implemented an updated vision and mission statement, with the help of a steering committee and our incredibly dedicated Board of Trustees. The vision is for Ringling College to be the preeminent art and design college in the world; to be “first in mind” for setting the gold standard for art and design education, leading to exceptional professional opportunities.

Our mission is something we live, breathe, and practice every day: to educate our students, our community, and the world to understand art and creativity as essential dimensions to life. The College recognizes that scholars, artists, designers, and creative professionals play a significant role in society. Through its policies and practices, the College supports innovation; excellence in education; and fosters the creative, intellectual, professional, and personal development of its students and the greater community at large.

As a campus community, we believe that art and creativity are at the core of the human experience. Creativity takes courage, empathy, honesty, holistic thinking, and imagination. It requires looking at the world from multiple points of view and having many answers to a single question. It’s something I have been saying for many, many years and will continue to stand by: creativity really, really matters to the world, now more than ever.

As we enter this new and exciting era—filled with challenges and endless possibilities—the skills of imagination, innovation, and authentic creativity will be paramount. I am proud to lead an institution like Ringling College where we prepare students for success in tomorrow’s world, positioning them to emerge as leaders in an economy that relies heavily on creative skills and thinking. Together, we have created a safe space that celebrates diversity and inclusivity; an institution that upholds the ideals of academic freedom; a beacon for creativity that inspires our community; and so much more.

When I finally stop and pause for a moment, it is humbling and inspiring to see how far we’ve come—and even more exciting to watch where we are going.

People ask me all the time: “Larry, what do you think the future looks like?” My answer is simple and steadfast—“Ringling College is Creativity; Creativity is the future.”

Dr. Larry R. Thompson, president of Ringling College of Art and Design since July 1999, champions the need for businesses and educational institutions to embrace creativity in order to thrive in the 21st century global economy.

To learn more about how you can be a Catalyst for Creativity, visit: ringling.edu/catalyst

A lawyer and an educator, Thompson previously served as Special Assistant to the President of The Ohio State University; CEO of Flint Cultural Center; and the founding Executive Director of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. Thompson is former President of the Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design (AICAD); is the former Chair of the President’s Council of the Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida (ICUF); and serves on the boards of many local arts and civic organizations.

Thompson has been the recipient of numerous academic and humanitarian honors and awards for his service as a visionary leader and educator.

Portrait by Matthew Holler ’11.

Ringling College Expanded

Ringling College of Art and Design is proud to support and connect with the community through engaging opportunities, unique experiences, and educational programming. The following organizations are supported by the Catalyst for Creativity Campaign.

Sarasota Art Museum opened in December 2019, creating Sarasota’s only museum focused solely on contemporary art. The Museum is dedicated to featuring national, and international artists at varied stages of their careers, whose work reflects the art of our time. As a museum without a permanent collection, SAM offers a fresh slate of thought-provoking exhibitions, educational programming, studio classes for all ages, and so much more.

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at Ringling College

OLLI provides outstanding non-credit educational programs and events covering a range of topics including art, current events, films, finance, health and wellness, history, music, psychology, science, and more. In addition to lifelong learning courses and lecture series, OLLI has two signature programs: CONNECTIONS: Documentary Film Series and Listening to Women.

Sarasota Art Museum

Ringling College Galleries and Exhibitions

Ringling College’s seven on-campus galleries celebrate the work of students, faculty, alumni, and visiting artists. The Galleries host exhibitions that include work from local to international artists from diverse backgrounds working in diverse mediums. Community members can attend exhibitions and talks at no charge.

Ringling College Library Association TOWN HALL

Ringling College presents this annual lecture series for the community featuring internationally acclaimed speakers in world affairs, government, economics, business, social welfare, medicine, arts, entertainment, and more.

Englewood Art Center serves as a nexus for artists and audiences to inspire creativity and exchange ideas. It includes galleries for exhibitions, 2D studio classrooms, a ceramics studio, a digital media studio, and a lending library.

Englewood Art Center

By Nosipho Vilakazi ’25, Visual Studies

Associate Dean of Students for Diversity and Inclusion, Director of the Center for Diversity and Inclusion (CDI)

This fall, Ringling College of Art and Design welcomed its newly appointed Associate Dean of Students for Diversity and Inclusion and Director of the Center for Diversity and Inclusion (CDI), Elçin Haskollar, Ph.D. Motivated by her experiences as a first-generation American and her work all around the world, Haskollar has brought a new sense of urgency to the Center for Diversity and Inclusion. By prioritizing students and their voices, she has familiarized herself with the needs of the campus community. She specifically focused on how these needs can be addressed through the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). With her leadership and advocacy experience in global affairs, political sciences, human rights, and DEI, Haskollar has much to offer the Ringling College community.

As a first-generation American and college student, Haskollar encountered issues surrounding discrimination and lack of inclusivity as early as her undergraduate years. These experiences would have a profound impact on her, going as far as to impact her career choices. Over the years, her career path has taken her all over the world—from working with victims of genocide in Argentina to working for the United Nations in Azerbaijan, plus time spent working for the South African parliament.

Transitioning from teaching Global Studies to working in DEI, Haskollar felt empowered by the notion of helping all students find their voice. Since then, she has committed herself to fostering environments where tertiary institutions are safe spaces for all—with students being the priority. Reflecting on her own experiences in college, this work brings Haskollar full circle in fulfilling those needs she herself should have had access to.

From the very beginning of her journey at Ringling College, she has sought to communicate with students and the College community at large— listening to the community’s needs. “I’m prioritizing listening because I’ve only been at Ringling College for a short time. So I think that it’s extremely important to listen, and then do the things that the students, faculty, and staff are asking for, rather than come directly with my own agenda. I want things to be organic and authentic,” she says.

Since Haskollar’s arrival, she has acquainted herself with the College community, championing new initiatives and familiarizing herself with everyone and everything. One of the first big projects she is introducing to CDI is a diversity calendar. While also incorporating federal guidelines, the calendar emphasizes community building through celebrating and learning about the different identities of students. The calendar was already in full swing in the Fall 2023 semester with the celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, Native American Heritage Month, Pride Month, and the annual Transgender Day of Remembrance. Spring has also been jam-packed with festivities and education initiatives, which included a collaboration with Director of International Affairs Amy Pettengill and the International Cultures Club for International Education Week.

Understanding the campus community’s need for dialogue as well as the Center’s need to reach a wide audience across campus, she has found a way to approach this digitally, outside of campus events. In collaboration with the popular All Ringling Television (ART) Network, the CDI has started its own podcast. According to Haskollar, the podcast entitled Rising Together, is “about the art and design of inclusion,” and features her as a co-producer and a co-host alongside Curtis Anderson, assistant dean of Admissions for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

Haskollar described the overall goals of the podcast: “Each month, there will be an episode, and we will welcome a special guest. We’ll learn from their personal narratives and insights on how to spark change. It’ll include a lot of thought-provoking discussions for real-life strategies. We really want to discover how to create a world where every single voice matters. And we hope that the stories of our guests will inspire the College community and empower students to take action.”

The first episode was released on Feb. 1, 2024, and featured Nate Jacobs, founder and artistic director of the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, who discussed the importance of the issues tied to the diversity calendar. The podcast will be available on platforms such as Apple Podcasts, Podbean, Spotify, and YouTube.

The Fall 2023 semester marked the beginning of Haskollar’s journey at the College, and she has already done a stellar job of familiarizing herself with the campus community. While working to transform the CDI and bring in new and fresh initiatives, she has kept essential services to the campus such as Remy’s Cupboard and Remy’s Queer Closet up and running. While the Center has seen new leadership under Haskollar, as well as an entirely new staff, it still fills a much-needed position as a beacon of hope for students looking to find their place in the world. The CDI’s presence on campus alone this year served as a reminder of the College’s values. The students are looking forward to seeing what great things the Center, under Haskollar’s leadership, has in store for us!

Art in the Arctic

By Amanda Walters | Images courtesy of Eszter Sziksz

For three weeks in October, Ringling College of Art and Design Fine Arts faculty member Eszter Sziksz made art in one of the most remote regions of planet Earth. Sziksz was attending the Arctic Circle Art and Science Expedition, a residency established in 2009 to bring together international artists from all disciplines, scientists, architects, writers, and educators, with the aim of fostering multidisciplinary collaboration and learning. Together with 29 other residency participants, she sailed aboard an Arctic-class expedition ship throughout the international territory of Svalbard, a Norwegian Arctic archipelago, 10 latitudinal degrees away from the North Pole.

The residency is part of a long history of scientific research in the region, dating back to the 1800s. Most of the North Pole explorers began their expeditions from the same location. The archipelago was an international territory until 1925 when it became a sovereignty of Norway. The polar bear population across the islands exceeds that of the human population. Visitors today are made acutely aware of the vulnerability of the region.

In this overwhelmingly beautiful and completely surreal landscape, Sziksz found herself in a series of highly contrasting binaries. From the contrast in temperature between Florida to the Arctic Circle to the variance in the landscapes between the two disparate regions, Sziksz found an extreme departure from her routine life.

Isolated in the far-flung glacial landscape, she was simultaneously surrounded by the many members of her cohort at almost every moment. The group lived and worked together aboard the traditional tall ship. Sziksz said, “One aspect of sharing a really tiny place with 30 artists on a sailboat for two and a half weeks together—sharing such a tiny place challenged my sense of privacy. It really changed the meaning of it for me. I was very isolated but also experienced an extreme lack of privacy in the communal living situation.”

Much like the black-and-white palette of her art practice, printing with ash and other dark and ephemeral materials onto ice, she experienced the painful and dreamlike condition of snow blindness while in the Arctic. After staring at an endless array of shades of bright white, her vision began distorting the white objects into black silhouettes. Sziksz described the experience, “The very minimal landscape around me, I saw only a variety of monochrome white colors, but at the same time if the light was out, it changed everything. The light reflecting back from the white snow transformed into beautiful colors. I understand the idea of snow blindness—when there is so much white that it kind of turns into black. It’s severe, like black and white.”

Her inner monologue grew quite loud in the quiet of the place. She says, “You are just having a conversation with yourself. You kind of go deeper into your own thoughts.”

One area that was not much of a departure from Sziksz’s every day was the basic matter of her medium. During the residency, she printed messages of climate concerns, a mix of her own and many culled from young adults—the people who will experience the effects of climate change most acutely—including Ringling students. She printed the messages onto the snow and the ice of glaciers with ash, a similar

Eszter Sziksz

process to her regular studio practice. She frequently prints images onto blocks and chunks of ice and then documents the once-still images as they morph into melted puddles. For this project, Sziksz will not be there to witness the melting of the images, but science tells us that these prints will suffer the same fate.

Bringing that process to the Arctic, Sziksz added a new layer to a practice that already experiments with deep time. Her choice of impermanent printing mediums like ash, charcoal, and cocoa powder are used less in service of their fleeting nature and more for their ability to produce a dynamic series of transitory and unpredictable moments. Transporting this work to the Arctic, Sziksz traded the ability to capture those moments on camera for a mythos of that same narrative on a radical and planet-changing scale. The viewer may not see the animated documentation, but the implications bring a powerful and looming sense of doom to the work.

Returning home, she felt both happy to be back but also a bit out of place and unable to translate her experience to others. She described the transformational nature of her residency, “To socialize and talk about it has been just so overwhelming. Not just the visual parts, but also the whole understanding of the place where I was and how important that piece of land is to the whole planet. It was just amazing.”

Sziksz presented selections from the project at The Universal Declaration of Human Rights at 75: Rethinking and Constructing its Future Together conference at Ghent University in Belgium on December 7. The presentation, “The Wind Whispers’ project: The Interface of Law and Art in Representing Children’s Voices for Climate Justice,” was a collaboration with children’s rights lawyer Kata Dozsa. Their talk was part of the panel on Literature, Art, and Climate Justice.

Eszter Sziksz is a Hungarian artist who has traveled and lived in several countries from Asia to Europe. Her work blends printmaking, installation, and video elements and has been exhibited nationally and internationally. Based in Sarasota, FL, she has taught printmaking in the Fine Arts program at Ringling College of Art and Design since 2017.

Creativity on the Cutting Edge

Getting to Grips with Artificial Intelligence and Its Impact on Art and Design

By Rick Dakan, Creative Writing Faculty,

Task Force Lead

AI artwork generated using Midjourney 5.2 by Vanessa

AI

Landin

Today, AI is

Every day brings multiple news stories about the advancements, concerns, opportunities, and threats that generative AI tools like Open AI’s ChatGPT and Dall-E, Adobe’s Firefly, Microsoft’s CoPilot, and Google’s Bard are creating.

I stumbled into the AI revolution a little ahead of the coming wave. I’d been experimenting with ChatGPT’s predecessor for several months before ChatGPT 3.0’s massive public release in November 2022. At the same time, other faculty on campus like George Cwirko-Godycki in Computer Animation and Stewart Leith in Illustration were exploring the amazing and alarming new AI image generation tools like Midjourney and Stable Diffusion.

By March 2023 it became clear to many of us that AI was going to be a big deal. There was a lot of fear, curiosity, uncertainty, and excitement around AI at the time (there’s even more now), with some faculty and students from every major experimenting with AI tools, and many more expressing deep concerns about how AI would impact their futures as artists and designers.

AI Task Force

A group of us got together with the guidance and support of then-Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Peter McAllister to form a Summer AI Task Force to try and work through some of the most pressing concerns, and to help inform the College’s initial response to AI. We met weekly throughout the summer, each of us working on researching different aspects of AI and compiling resources and connections for our final report. We spoke with experts, attended online conferences, shared tools and news, and worked hard to wrap our heads around what AI might mean for Ringling College.

At the end of the summer, we summarized our findings: “The current Generative AI revolution is extensive, impacting not only image generation but also a host of other sectors our students engage in. It is clear that AI, with its current trajectory, will significantly impact every program at Ringling College in the near future. We strongly believe that there is no single college-wide policy for AI that can serve the needs of all of our distinct majors and departments. We propose that the leadership and faculty within each major or program should work together to craft an AI policy that works best for achieving their student learning outcomes.”

We’d identified the challenge the College faces. Now we had to work with everyone to move forward.

The Ringling College AI Library Guide ringling.libguides.com/ai

Survey

The AI Resource Lib Guide

One of our main tasks over the summer was creating The Ringling College AI Library Guide. The lib guide is a compilation of policy, examples, articles on legal and ethical concerns, and other resources related to artificial intelligence. The guide includes information on suggested departmental AI policy language, and tutorials on AI fundamentals, image generation AI, text- generation AI, and other AI tools.

Our hope is that the guide is a living, continually updated resource for anyone who is interested in learning more about AI or who is using AI in their work. It provides a comprehensive overview of the topic and is a great place to start for anyone who is new to AI.

Another big project for the summer was creating a survey for the entire College community where we could gather their thoughts and concerns about AI. We ran the survey in the first two weeks of the semester and got a good response rate from students, faculty, and staff.

Ringling College students have deep concerns about AI in creative domains. They worry about AI systems using artists’ work without permission, which could impact intellectual property rights and originality. They also fear AI will replace human artists and writers, impacting job opportunities and the value of human creativity. Students are also concerned AI will be used as a shortcut in the creative process, leading to less authentic creativity. Finally, they worry AI will be used as a justification to undervalue artists’ contributions in their industry.

Ringling College faculty also have concerns about AI’s rising influence. They worry that students may misuse AI, hindering genuine learning and understanding. They also worry that AI could devalue art. Faculty members recognize AI as a tool, not a replacement for human creativity. They call for a cautious approach to adopting AI, emphasizing the need to understand its educational implications. They see AI as potentially beneficial in the early stages of projects, but stress the importance of the human touch in final creative outputs.

Ringling College staff have mixed opinions on AI. They are concerned about AI’s impact on creativity and job security, but acknowledge both the positive and negative aspects of AI. There is a consensus on the importance of responsible and informed integration of AI into various sectors.

Faculty Professional Day

The AI Task Force presented these survey results at the Fall Faculty Professional Day held on Oct. 31, 2023 which focused on the role of AI in higher education and the arts. The event began with welcome remarks from Ringling’s new Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Tiffany Holmes, followed by a report from the AI Task Force.

Professor Sid Dobrin from the University of Florida delivered an energetic and informative keynote address titled “Generative Artificial Intelligence and Higher Education: (Re)Thinking Art.”

A panel discussion on “Intellectual Property and Legal/Business Questions related to AI” featured Ringling’s General Counsel Elena Paul and Joseph Feller, professor of Information Systems and Digital Transformation at University College Cork in Ireland. They offered insights into the basics of IP law and discussed alternate copyright regimes.

During the lunch break, departmental meetings were held to discuss the impact of AI on curricula. In the afternoon the members of the AI Task Force presented small group workshops on AI in creative writing, image creation, education, ethics, video editing, and safeguarding digital creative work.

The Faculty Professional Day provided a comprehensive overview of the various dimensions of AI as it relates to art and education. The range of topics and interactive sessions offered the Ringling faculty valuable insights into the integration and implications of AI in their respective fields.

Images below are all produced using different versions of MidJourney with prompt, “a woman riding a tiger.”

Staying Ahead

We’ve stayed busy since then. Stewart Leith and I gave an extensive presentation to the College’s Board of Trustees. President of Ringling College Dr. Larry R. Thompson and the Board understand the significant impact AI will have on the institution, and we had a thoughtful and serious conversation about both the positive and negative implications of AI.

Stewart and I also attended the National Association of Schools of Art and Design annual meeting in St. Louis where we presented a panel discussion on AI and its impact on art colleges. The panel was very well attended, and it was encouraging to see that Ringling College is well ahead of many of our peer institutions when it comes to dealing with AI.

We also engaged more directly with students. The Task Force had a table at the student-run Fall Fest event where we gathered feedback on AI from over one hundred students. The Student Government Association and AI Task Force co-hosted an evening student forum where we were joined by Dr. Holmes and had an honest, deep, and sometimes difficult conversation about ethical and practical concerns about AI and its impact on the future prospects for our students.

At Ringling College, we’re facing the transformative potential of AI, equipping students with tools and skills in this new media landscape. However, this innovation also brings challenges, such as competition with AI and concerns over artistic uniqueness. As AI shapes our graduates’ careers and raises ethical and legal issues, we’re committed to finding a way to teach AI responsibly. It’s crucial for us to balance exploration with critical discussions about AI’s role in art, ensuring our community is prepared for and influential in this evolving landscape.

AI Courses at Ringling College

Fall 2023

Creative Writing Topics: Writing with AI

Spring 2024 100-level Fundamentals of AI: A survey of AI tools with a foundation in ethical use and practices

300-level AI Techniques and Processes for Art: A studio course for advanced students in studio art majors

AI Summer Task Force

Dr. Chelsea Bruner, Liberal Arts

George Cwirko-Godycki, Computer Animation

Rick Dakan, Creative Writing

Jamie DeRuyter, Entertainment Design

Alejandra Lance-Henterly, Career Services

Stewart Leith, Illustration

Sean Murray, Illustration

Michael Phillippi, Game Art

Alexandra Vargas-Minor, Library

AY 23-24 Members

Claudia Cumbie-Jones, Visual Studies

Christian Huthmacher, Motion Design

George Cwirko-Godycki, Computer Animation

Rick Dakan, Creative Writing

Alejandra Lance-Henterly, Career Services

Stewart Leith, Illustration

Playing the (E)field: Building community beyond the game

By Izzy Baldwin ’24, Creative Writing

Competitive video gaming—better known as Esports —has gained a rapid rise in popularity in the world of college sports. The Ringling Rollers, Ringling’s official Varsity Esports team, has solidified its role as a member of the National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE), competing in games such as Overwatch, Super Smash Bros., and Valorant.

The accessibility of Esports has proven to be an incomparable strength, given that the main necessities are an internet connection and a computer. Physical team sports can often be daunting, and can require a certain number of players in one space. Esports allows people to connect all over the world, from any place, at any time, and erases any barriers of age and physical ability.

When asked about the growing popularity of Esports in the world at large, Shan Craddock ’24, Photography and Imaging, a member of the Esports team, said, “Esports are now in the Olympics, which definitely speaks for itself, but also within their respective competitive scenes, the fanbases keep growing. The spaces for competitive tournaments are a little insane with how big they are.” Nathan Kipka ’27, Motion Design, acknowledged the “rough start” that Esports had, given that “many people didn’t see it as a valid sport, or recognize the legitimacy of it,” but that “over the past few years, it has become more of a mainstream activity, and more people actually enjoy watching Esports.”

At Ringling College, a school so centrally focused on the arts, Esports provides an invaluable outlet for students to participate in a competitive sports scene. However, the true heart of Esports at the College goes beyond that. Ana Payro ’24, Illustration, a team captain, noted, “Positive things are, well, of course, the scholarship—but also it is a fun way to distract myself and relax from the responsibilities. It’s lighthearted, competitive, and fun,” adding that “Esports definitely helped me get more friends on campus; it has helped me find a community.”

It takes time to build relationships, and time is easy to lose track of, especially at a school like Ringling College, where the students are extremely ambitious and hardworking. Fletcher Russman ’26, Computer Animation, noted his gratitude for the Esports team in that vein: “Esports has helped me to consistently have something other than work to look forward to. Often, I forget to do anything other than work while at school, so being on the Esports team has helped me to take breaks from my work, which has kept me from burning out. It’s all a balance.”

Opposite: Onlookers and teammates gather to watch during a competitive game.

Wins

Varsity Plus Fall 2022 East Coast Divisional Champs in Super Smash Brothers Ultimate® with a perfect 18-0 record

JV Smash Team earns Ultimate Champion title with Spring 2023 East Coast 5 Conference win

Esports gives students a space to not only unwind and recharge, but is also “a great common ground to start talking with people and make friends,” team members agreed. In interviews, they shared that the sense of community among the Ringling Rollers was the most prevalent thread of appreciation for a variety of reasons. Many mentioned that they were more “introverted,” or “not the most outspoken person” in their classes and that Esports provided an environment in which they felt more confident and comfortable, easing the process of meeting new people who had similar interests. Kipka said that he “look[s] forward to keeping these relationships for the rest of school, even if [he doesn’t] stay in Esports.”

Craddock also noted that Esports has helped them grow as an individual: “The most positive aspects of Esports in my experience has definitely been strong team building, actively becoming better with working in groups, and becoming more confident in myself. With my game, Valorant, and other team-based games, you have to get really good at listening and following instructions, but also communicating and covering for your teammates. If you’re not, your team falls apart and you lose.”

Russman also noticed this individual improvement, observing it not only in others on the team but also in himself, that his friends have “pushed [him] to want to improve in both Esports and [his] education,” and that he’s “seen other friends on Esports teams also find their work-life balance improve by having something to relax and take their mind off work.” Fletcher finalized this thought by saying, “Esports gives you something to work for in improving yourself, and that attitude goes further than the arena, into classrooms and beyond.”

Esports can, admittedly, be intimidating. But Payro made a point to emphasize key values of Esports: “It’s fun, entertaining, and even more accessible than real-life sports. I would always encourage people to try video games even if they think they’re not good at it!”

Students make gaming a group sport in the state-of-the-art Esports arena.

2023 – 2024 TRUSTEE SCHOLARS

By Logan Faulkner ’24, 2023-24 Creative Writing Trustee Scholar

“Shoot for the stars.”

A mantra, an anthem, for creatives around the world. Yet, is it the star we seek or the light and wonder it gives our world?

We are drawn to our passions, to art and expression as a moth is to moonlight, searching for the beauty that gives life and joy to our very souls. That is the energy that thrums in this room, this cosmos of green velvet, white flowers, and shimmering light, a grounding surface for the stage of our shooting stars.

Fifteen luminaries, a constellation of creatives, are gathered in honor of our academic achievements, each one grateful for the support and dedication that led to this moment. Trustee Scholar is the highest honor at Ringling College of Art and Design. Awarded to one student from each academic department and the Office of Student Life, the recipients exemplify ambition, leadership, skill in their craft, and service to the college and their communities. It is through the opportunities and experiences provided by Ringling College that has brought us all to this stage, to be celebrated as budding professionals.

We practice our speeches, abuzz with excitement as we support each other, calming nerves, and wiping away tears shed from our most vulnerable words and memories. When we are done, the tension is there, the anticipation for the grand night to come. So I ask everyone to take a moment to appreciate and congratulate each other on this great honor we worked so hard to achieve. This puts us at ease and breaks the spell of disbelief, enough to bask in the joy and wonder before the ceremony.

A red carpet runs along a row of fine food and drink as we all gather and talk. We feel like stars, a bit overwhelmed by the volume of the celebration, not used to this much recognition and praise, but we are very grateful. We feel like professionals, like artists celebrated for our craft, skill, and talent. Admittedly, it was quite surreal, but held a joy I could barely contain.

The venue is decadent, silver lights cascading over white flowers and shining table spreads like moonlit waves, making us feel part of a fairytale as we sit at round tables filled with Trustees, families, friends, faculty, and staff. Stories are told over a delicious meal, connections are made and mentors are found. As the lights go down and all attention goes to the stage, the greatest part of the night begins.

Heartfelt speeches fill the grand hall, showing the light and life of our luminaries. Gratitude, pride, relief, and elation dominate the air, creating a den of wonder beneath the canopy of stage lights. We hear stories of perseverance, of found family, of acceptance, of mentorship, and of passion found. All are enraptured by the validation from department heads, by the stories of our luminaries, and by the sense of joy and empathy in this cosmos of creativity.

When the speeches conclude, you can feel the inspiration in the air. As we all set out on a path, one full of hope, drive, and joy, forging ahead into the great expanse of the artistic world, we are not afraid. And as we explore this great horizon, we reach back with our trail of stardust, to light the way for the next rising stars as they begin their journey.

Through the experience of the night, our shared stories and vulnerabilities, one message became clear: Never let your struggles dim your light. Understand them, work with them, push forward, and keep striving. The sky is never the limit, for there is a whole universe of stars beyond. You just have to jump, you have to soar, and you have to keep your heart and mind on what makes your light burn brightest. That is where you will find your radiance, your constellation, and make your mark to inspire others and give back for all the wonder you have received. We are creatives, we are guides, we are luminaries, and through our passion and dedication we will all bring light to the world.

Portraits by Matthew Holler ’11

RUSSELL

PHARSENADZE

MICAH EUBANKS

HANNAH NGUYEN

VARONE

DAI

ALEJANDRA CINTR Ó N RIVERA

SERENKO

FAULKNER

COE

MILENA MONTERO

SIX SUCCESS STORIES

By Dr. Ryan G. Van Cleave

Since its inception in 1931, Ringling College of Art and Design has evolved from a modest branch of Southern College with 75 students into a prestigious hub of artistic innovation. Today, the College boasts 13 dynamic majors, over 1,700 students, and a faculty of more than 150 professional artists, designers, and scholars. This rich environment, marked by a rigorous curriculum and a steadfast commitment to student success, has cultivated a distinguished alumni network that spans various creative industries.

This article highlights six of these remarkable graduates, each of whom has left an indelible mark over the decades of Ringling College’s history. Their stories not only reflect the College’s legacy but also serve as a beacon of inspiration for future generations of creatives.

Jamil Lahham

Computer Animation

Graduated: May 2008

Jamil Lahham ’08, Computer Animation, has carved a distinguished path in the animation industry. His journey from interior design studies in Syria to becoming an acclaimed director at Reel FX in Montreal is a tale of passion, adaptation, and creative excellence.

Lahham’s time at Ringling College was a transformative experience that laid the groundwork for his career. Reflecting on his mentors, Lahham recalls, “John Richardson was one of my closest teachers. He talked to me about stuff beyond art, beyond the craftsmanship of what we’re doing.” This mentorship extended to Heather Thomson, who prepared him technically for the world of computer animation, and Keith Osborn, whom he describes as an “absolute giver when it comes to teaching.”

Lahham’s first significant break came shortly after graduating in 2008, when he joined Sony Imageworks as a junior animator on Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. This opportunity was a turning point, and as Lahham puts it, “I felt that I had truly made it.”

His career quickly soared as he took on the role of animation supervisor at Moonbot Studios, working on the Academy Award-winning short film The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore. He describes this as one of many pivotal moments in his career, stating, “I won the Oscars only three or four years after we left school, and you would think, ‘Oh, this is it.’ But 20 years later, I’m still able to see that all this was nothing but a blip in the history of my career.”

Lahham’s journey led him to New York City, where he worked freelance for studios like Psyop and Hornet. “I fit right in. Working mostly freelance on commercials, video game cinematics, and TV pilots,” he says.

In 2015, inspired by George Carlin’s routine, he released Dirty Laundry Day, a film addressing the dark side of change. The film collected accolades at multiple film festivals, showcasing Lahham’s storytelling and directorial talents.

Lahham’s move to Montreal to join the Reel FX team marked his return to feature film animation, where he worked on titles like Scoob! and Rumble. He expresses his love for working under tight deadlines and his passion for problem-solving in short productions. His recent role as animation supervisor for Super Giant Robot Brothers on Netflix is a testament to his skill and dedication.

Lahham’s advice to current Ringling students emphasizes the importance of individuality in an era dominated by AI. “Lean into yourself, into your gut feeling. Individuality is the hottest commodity in the coming years,” he says.

His journey is marked by an unwavering commitment to his craft and a deep understanding of the evolving landscape of animation. Lahham’s story is not just one of success but also of inspiring resilience and the relentless pursuit of creative fulfillment.

Karen Arango

Photography and Digital Imaging

Graduated: May 2013

Karen Arango ’13, Photography and Digital Imaging, a Sarasota-based multimedia journalist, exemplifies the pivotal journey from student to influential creative professional. Her career is a shining example of how a Ringling College education can shape one’s artistic vision and societal impact.

Arango’s time at Ringling College was punctuated by a standout experience during her senior year, the Mapping a Site project. Collaborating with students from Belgium and Finland, Arango engaged in a community arts project under the guidance of Tom Carabasi, department head of the Photography and Imaging program. This international exchange not only broadened her cultural horizons but also solidified her passion for photography and community engagement. “It was magical,” Arango recalls, reflecting on the strong bonds formed and her first real-life professional experience in Sarasota.

Her post-graduation accomplishments are impressive, particularly her documentary work in Uganda. In 2021, Arango traveled to Uganda to volunteer at El Cambio Academy, a boarding soccer academy. There, she created a documentary about the first five pioneer girls at the academy, highlighting the challenges and aspirations of women in Ugandan sports. This project, titled OKUTEEBA (meaning “Goal” in Luganda), not only showcased Arango’s storytelling prowess but also had a tangible impact. The documentary helped raise over $20,000 for a new soccer program for girls and received 10 international film festival awards.

Arango’s advocacy for community and social issues is at the heart of her work. “My artistic expression is advocacy,” she states, emphasizing her commitment to using her art to drive social change.

Working with various nonprofits, Arango produces short storytelling videos to aid fundraising efforts and amplify community impact. Her work in photography and video production has raised significant funds and awareness for over 20 nonprofits.

Her creative process is fluid and adaptive, allowing each project to develop organically. For Arango, a project is never truly finished; it evolves until it fulfills its purpose and resonates emotionally with the audience.

Arango’s education was instrumental in her professional development. She took full advantage of the opportunities provided by the school, which she credits for her growth as an individual and a professional. To students following a similar path, Arango advises seeing Ringling College not just as an educational institution, but as a launchpad for discovering and pursuing their passions without limits.

Looking ahead, Arango and her fiancé are contemplating a new documentary project in Colombia. While details are under wraps, her excitement for continued growth in her career, family life, and personal well-being is palpable.

Wendell Minor

Illustration

Graduated: May 1966

Wendell Minor ’66, Illustration, journeyed from Ringling College to the pinnacle of illustration and authorship. Minor’s career is a harmonious blend of nature, history, and literature, creating a distinct and influential body of work and a testament to his enduring passion, artistic ingenuity, and commitment to his craft.

Reflecting on his college days, Minor fondly recalls the vibrant student community and the wealth of knowledge imparted by experienced instructors. “It was a close-knit group of students,” he remembers, emphasizing the strong bonds created during those formative years that shaped his perspective and approach to art.

Throughout his career, Minor has established himself as a prolific illustrator, creating over 2,000 book covers for renowned authors like Mary Higgins Clark and David McCullough. These collaborations not only showcase his artistic talent but also highlight the deep connections he has built within the literary world. “I think what I’m most proud of is the friendships that I’ve made with authors over the years,” Minor says.

Minor’s contributions to the arts extend beyond his individual work. His active involvement with the Norman Rockwell Museum, where he served as Artist Laureate from 2018 to 2023, and his recent recognition as a 2023 Society of Illustrators Hall of Fame Laureate, demonstrate his dedication to promoting the broader world of illustration and the legacy of illustrators.

In recent times, Minor has delved into authorship, channeling his life experiences into his writing. His latest book, My Farm Year, is an intimate narrative of his childhood on his grandfather’s farm, showcasing his ability to weave personal stories with universal themes.

Beyond his remarkable achievements, Minor remains grounded and committed to sharing his knowledge and experiences. He eagerly engages with students and young artists, offering valuable insights and encouragement.

“Work as hard as you can,” he advises aspiring artists at Ringling College, “and follow your own course. That’s the most important thing.”

Elaine Fong

Graphic and Interactive Communication Graduated: May 2003

Elaine Fong ’03, Graphic and Interactive Communication, has crafted a career that epitomizes the intersection of artistic talent and human empathy. Her journey from the corridors of Ringling College to the forefront of design and brand strategy is a narrative of passion, creativity, and deep human understanding.

Reflecting on her most cherished memories at Ringling College, Fong recalls her senior year as a transformative period. “I was a Graphic and Interactive Communication major and desperately wanted to minor in Fine Arts. So, to fulfill my needs, I held a show at the student gallery and created a series of large-scale paintings while simultaneously working on my graphic design projects,” she says. This period of intense creative output, balancing her dual passions for graphic design and painting, was a defining moment in her artistic development.

Fong’s professional ethos is deeply rooted in her personal experiences, particularly those surrounding life and death. In her moving TEDxSF talk, she discussed how these insights shape her approach to design:

“Our personal experiences teach us something about ourselves, the feelings other people are going through, and how to be in the world.” Her work aims to create designs that resonate at a human level, where emotions and experiences converge.

Navigating various industries, from coffee to online marketplaces, Fong has consistently applied her design philosophy to varied audiences and challenges. “The most memorable and meaningful designs are rooted in human connection. This is what I always try to design for,” she says, underscoring her commitment to understanding and meeting the emotional needs of her audience.

Currently, Fong is channeling her skills towards a cause close to her heart—designing conversations around medical aid in dying and supporting related public policies. “Dying and grief are such universal experiences that transcend race, gender, age, borders, and beyond. My goal is to normalize the conversation in our American culture,” she says. Fong aims to transform the perception of death, making it a topic of open discussion rather than one shrouded in fear and discomfort.

Fong’s journey reflects the expansive potential of a Ringling College education. Her experiences at the College laid the foundation for a career that not only pushes the boundaries of design but also addresses some of the most fundamental human experiences. Her story is a powerful reminder of the impact that creative professionals can have, extending far beyond aesthetics to touch lives and foster meaningful conversations.

Emily Fritz

Business of Art and Design

Graduated: May 2020

From her initial days at Ringling College, Emily Fritz ’20, Business of Art and Design, demonstrated an unwavering dedication to excellence and a deep thirst for knowledge. Now, as an account manager at Watson Design Group in Los Angeles, she is a testament to the transformative impact of a Ringling education.

A pivotal moment in Fritz’s college journey was the appointment of Kathleen Sobr as the head of the Business of Art and Design department. Fritz reflects, “From my first interactions with Kathleen, I knew she was someone I wanted to learn from.” The mentorship of Sobr, along with Dr. Marilyn Garman and Dr. Sarita René Guillory, played a significant role in shaping her career.

Though not an artist, Fritz says her experience at Ringling College profoundly influenced her professional approach, nurturing a strong appreciation for the artistic community. She credits her ability to seamlessly integrate marketing and creative processes to her education. “Every job I’ve had since graduating has required a strong understanding and relationship with fellow creative teams,” she states.

After Ringling College, Fritz’s career rapidly ascended. She transitioned from a role at DreamWorks Animation to her current position at Watson Design Group. Her contribution to digital marketing campaigns for industry giants like Pixar, Disney, and Lionsgate, especially her work on The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, highlights her skill in creating impactful digital narratives and engaging fanbases.

Fritz’s career path wasn’t without challenges, particularly during her senior year amid the 2020 lockdown. The job market’s uncertainty, compounded by her high expectations stemming from an internship at Warner Bros. on the Harry Potter Franchise Development team, was daunting. “How can you top that?” she contemplated while seeking her first significant role post-graduation.

Nevertheless, Fritz’s resilience led her to a production assistant position at DreamWorks Animation. Though it wasn’t her ultimate career goal, the role provided invaluable industry insights. Her true ambition lay in marketing, where she sought a more influential role in the creative process.

Transitioning to digital marketing presented its own set of challenges. “It was harder than I thought to make that transition,” Fritz admits. But her persistence landed her a position in Global Digital Marketing at Sony Pictures Entertainment. During her time there in 2021 and 2022, she contributed to various notable campaigns, such as Bullet Train, The Woman King, Morbius, Spider-Man: No Way Home, Ghostbusters: Afterlife, and Venom: Let There Be Carnage.

To current Ringling College students aspiring to a similar career, Fritz offers this advice: maximize the resources and connections available, and proactively prepare for future success. “Do as much as you possibly can today to set yourself up for success down the line,” she says.

Moe Mitchell

Fine Arts

Graduated: May 1959

Moe Mitchell ’59, Fine Arts, exemplifies a life dedicated to the pursuit of artistic and humanitarian endeavors. His journey, beginning in Highland Park, Ill., led him to become a notable figure in the world of visual arts, imbued with a deep sense of spiritual and cultural inquiry.

Mitchell’s decision to study at Ringling College was driven by his desire for a more profound artistic engagement. “I really wanted to dig my teeth [into art]. I’m a visual thinker. I think in images,” he explains. This intense focus on the visual arts was further nurtured at Ringling College, where he formed an instant connection with his mentor, Loran Wilford. Wilford’s influence was pivotal, guiding Mitchell towards a deeper, more spiritual approach to art.

Another key influence was Ringling art professor Frank Rampolla, a master figurative expressionist artist. His passion and intellect—so deeply rooted in the masters—was unparalleled, Mitchell explains.

Describing himself as a process artist, Mitchell emphasizes the evolution of his work. “You start with an idea. And as the work opens up, you make changes and strengthen the piece,” he explains. This approach underlines his commitment to the organic development of his art, allowing each piece to unfold and transform as he works.

Mitchell’s tenure at Ringling College was not just as a student but also as an influential educator who taught painting there for 42 years. His teaching philosophy was deeply engaging and emotionally expressive. “I loved teaching. I really miss the interaction, the challenges that [students] gave me,” he says. His dynamic presence in the classroom made a lasting impact on his students, fostering an environment of exploration and discovery.

Mitchell’s art is heavily influenced by his spiritual beliefs and his quest for understanding. “I’m a seeker of truth and the world culture, all aspects, spiritual, cultural, intellectual,” he states. This quest is evident in his work, which often tackles profound socio-cultural themes and encourages viewers to delve deeper into the symbolism and metaphors present.

The exhibition of his work at the Patricia Thompson and Alumni Skylight Galleries on Ringling’s campus was a proud moment for Mitchell. It showcased not only his artistic achievements but also his journey as an artist constantly seeking truth and understanding through his work.

Ringling students sweep 2023 Women in Animation Awards

Creative Writing and Film honored with Carl Foreman Award scholarship fund

Alum nominated for a 2024 Blue Spruce Award

Named a Top 25 Film School in the U.S. by MovieMaker

Photography and Imaging alum featured in Photovogue, Lensculture, and Cultured Magazine

GDUSA names 2 Graphic Design students as Students to Watch

Entertainment Design students won an ADDY for collaborative project with Graphic Design majors

Creative Writing alum editing at Penguin Random House

Computer Animation alum won Annie Award for Best Short Subject

#23 The Wrap’s Top 50 Film Schools of 2023

wins Gold ADDY Award

Graphic Design students took home 27 awards at the 2024 ADDYs

Fine Arts alum awarded the 2023 Catherine Doctorow Prize for Contemporary Painting

Recent Motion Design alum won the Motion Award by Motionographer in the student category for Experimental, Short Films, and Music Videos

Game Art added to the Princeton Review Game Design Rankings

Seven Illustration students won ADDY Awards, including Judge’s Choice and an Amy Award

Business of Art and Design alum featured in the New York Times

Ringling College was selected for the Princeton Review 2024 list of Green Colleges

39 students and 3 alumni received ADDY Awards in 2024

Design Center won 10 ADDYs in 2024

Photography and Imaging alum received the Student Award for Innovative Imaging from the Society of Photographic Education in 2024

An Illustration alum won an Eisner Award and a Ringo Award

Alum recieved Best Student Storyteller at Imagine This Women’s Film Festival

Motion Design students and recent alumni won 82 awards at the 2024 ADDYs, including Best in Show and two Judge’s Choice Awards

A Virtual Reality Development student won The Rookies’ Career Opportunity Award

Two 2023 alumni were selected as winners of the Creative Quarterly competition

9 Film students were awarded ADDYs in 2024

Alum nominated for College Television Award from the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.

Photography and Imaging student took home an ADDY Award

Alum won Best Student Film at the Vero Beach Film Festival, Atlanta Best Damn Film Awards, and Chicago Filmmaker Awards

Senior film wins Best Student Film at Open Gate Film Festival

Creative Writing student won an ADDY Award

A Virtual Reality Development student won The Rookies’ Career Opportunity Award

Creative Writing alum joins first cohort of screenwriters in the Lambda Literary Writers Retreat for Emerging LGBTQ Voices

Alum

Your support brings creativity to life.

At Ringling College of Art and Design, creativity is the driving force of all that we do. It inspires every aspect of our daily lives, even beyond the artwork so beautifully created by our students. Creativity empowers us to reimagine how the world works. It changes lives. And your support makes it possible.

The emerging artists and designers of Ringling College have talent beyond measure and a true passion for their craft. They are dedicated to achieving great things, but they can’t always do it alone. The generosity of donors helps alleviate financial hardships for students, provides cutting-edge resources for faculty, and fosters an entire community of creativity. We hope you will join us as we navigate a new world—one where creativity comes to life.

Mia Mu ’23, Motion Design

Yuntian Dai ’24, Virtual Reality Development

Emma Ream ’23, Computer Animation

Jiayue Yu ’26, Photography and Imaging

Annie Crouch ‘22, Visual Studies

Izzy Robe ‘24, Illustration

Stella Pappi ’23,

Design

Jonah Ko ’24, Game Art

Citlali Morales ’23, Creative Writing

Chanya Cserepy ’22, Fine Arts

Bella Thompson ’26, Graphic Design

Kia Dixon ’24, Nereyda Manzano ’24, Ellie Massing ’24, and Gabby Pierre ’24, Business of Art and Design

Still from Code Red, Film

Yael Bloom ’23, Motion Design

JT Chen ’22, Illustration

Nestled along Florida’s sun-kissed Gulf Coast, Ringling College of Art and Design has long stood as a thriving hub for creative minds. Within its vibrant studios and classrooms, students cultivate artistic talents across disciplines ranging from painting to sculpture to filmmaking.

By Joshua Thomas Bray ’24, Creative Writing Veteran, U.S. Air Force

Beyond the College’s renowned academic programs lies an unwavering commitment to honoring brave members who have served in the United States Armed Forces.

This steadfast dedication shines through in our Veteran’s Club, the Yellow Ribbon Program, Veteran Specialist Lisa Goss, the annual War Paint exhibition, and the newly dedicated Veteran monument on campus. At Ringling College, creativity and service join together, weaving artistic expressions that honor the sacrifices of our nation’s heroes.

The College’s Veteran’s Club is a mainstay of camaraderie and support. The club came to life when Marine Veteran Matthew Troyer ’22, Photography and Imaging, saw the need to rally the troops on campus. Under his leadership, both the club and the members began to thrive. When the torch was passed to Marine Veteran Marcus Adkins ’23, Graphic Design, the club connected further with local organizations such as the Military Officers Association of Sarasota (MOAA).

In addition to offering peer-to-peer support, Ringling College is an active participant in the Yellow Ribbon Program, supporting educational opportunities for Veterans. Through the program, the College offers additional financial assistance to Veterans and their dependents who qualify for 100% of Post-9/11 GI Bill educational benefits. This assistance, recently amounting to $10,000, is matched by the Department of Veterans Affairs, totaling $20,000 for the academic year, and ensuring that financial barriers do not hinder the educational pursuits of our nation’s heroes and their families.

Amidst the vibrant campus stands the Resilience monument, a tablet by artist Larry Kirkland that was created as part of his larger Testimonies series. As a gift from The Patterson Foundation, the work was relocated from Sarasota National Cemetery’s Patriot Plaza and now resides in the Ulla Searing Student Center. The monument, featuring a photographic image embedded in white Georgian marble, echoes the voices of those who have served, offering a space of reflection, honor, and gratitude.

This year, the club has a strong membership that consists of not only Veterans but dependents of Veterans as well. This student-led organization fosters a community where stories of service and sacrifice are shared, offering a space to connect and inspire. The Veteran’s Club plays a pivotal role in enhancing the multifaceted diversity of the campus. By welcoming members from varied backgrounds, the club introduces an even broader spectrum of age groups, genders, races, and life experiences to the College’s campus community. This infusion of diverse perspectives not only broadens the horizons of students and faculty but also aligns seamlessly with Ringling’s core mission and ethos. The presence of the Veteran’s Club underscores the College’s commitment to creating an inclusive environment where every voice is valued, and every story is celebrated.

Standing as a primary resource and connection point for Veterans of Ringling College is Lisa Goss—serving as the direct bridge of support for Veteran students. As the Assistant Director of Financial Aid and Veteran Services and a member of the Veteran family, Goss works to assist military and Veteran-affiliated students and families in navigating the college process. Her mission is clear: to be a conduit of information for students using VA educational benefits, paving the way for a smooth transition from military to campus life. Under her care and support, Veterans find their footing in an environment far different than the rigid order of barracks and chow lines. Goss offers wise counsel on navigating VA benefits, encourages Veterans to fully utilize every resource entitled by their service, and channels her more than 25 years of experience in post-secondary education to serve as a compass for Veterans pursuing their academic journeys.

Each year, Ringling College Galleries and Exhibitions showcase War Paint. This annual exhibition is a tribute to the valor of military members, featuring portraits of Veterans created by the talented students and faculty of Ringling College. The portraits tell stories from World War II to current serving troops, serving as a visual narrative of courage, resilience, and sacrifice. War Paint is not just an artistic endeavor; it is a celebration of the indomitable spirit of our military members, ensuring their stories are told, heard, and honored, in a myriad of media.

In the realm of art and design, Ringling College emerges as a champion of Veteran support and recognition. From financial assistance to the unwavering support from dedicated staff, the College is committed to ensuring the success and well-being of its Veteran students. The Veteran’s Club and annual War Paint exhibition provide platforms for Veterans to share their stories, connect with others, and receive the recognition they rightfully deserve. And the dedicated Resilience monument stands as a lasting tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of Veterans.

In the words of Lisa Goss, “It is our goal to continue to grow and support military-affiliated services here at Ringling College of Art and Design,” a mission that resonates in every corner of the campus, echoing the steadfast commitment to our nation’s heroes.

Portraits by:

For more information, visit: www.ringling.edu/veterans

Top row: Aishu Krishman ’24, Illustration; Asia Watts ’26, Illustration; Illustration faculty Braden Maxwell ’21; Eliza Naylor ’27, Computer Animation; Emely Paulino ’22, Illustration; First Year Program faculty Hunter Huang ’18; Tanner Henry ’22, Illustration

Second row: Illustration faculty Ken Spirduso ’83; Kiron Robinson ’22, Motion Design; Michael Marsicano ’01, Illustration; Miranda Hauser ’21, Illustration

Third row: Olivia Coucci ’21, Computer Animation; First Year Program faculty Hunter Huang ’18; Paul Lee ’24, Illustration; Illustration faculty Regan Dunnick ’76, Fine Arts

Fourth row: Ross Lapointe ’20, Illustration; Sky Chandler ’25, Illustration

Bottom: Skylar Stewart ’22, Illustration; Izzy Mayman ’27, Illustration

Shelby Davis and the UWC Spirit

By Amy Pettengill, Director of International Affairs

Illustrations by UWC alumna Martina Crepulja ’13 commissioned for Exodus Adventure Travels

United World Colleges (UWC) is a worldwide movement that employs education as a force to unite individuals, nations, and cultures for peace and a sustainable future, inspiring young people from diverse backgrounds to become effective and positive change agents.

At the peak of the Cold War in 1962, German educator Kurt Hahn conceived of an idea to gather secondary school students from across the globe to learn from each other and build compassion and understanding. UWC grew from a single institution in South Wales to 18 United World Colleges spanning five continents, welcoming students from over 150 countries, and producing over 60,000 alumni. The movement could not be contained and was expanded to recruit and engage institutions of higher education in the endeavor of educating for peace.

To support this initiative, longstanding UWC donor Shelby Davis, in collaboration with Philip Geier, established a scholarship program that provides grants to chosen American higher education institutions to sponsor UWC students who enroll. They implemented the Davis United World College Scholars program in 2000 to further promote international understanding by providing those students the financing they needed for educational pursuits at American colleges and universities, jointly enabling these institutions to become more diverse, reflecting the global community. Today, over 90 American colleges and institutions participate in the program. Ringling College of Art and Design became a UWC partner on Aug. 6, 2007, with its first class of UWC Scholars beginning in the 2007-2008 academic year. The College is proud to continue to be a part of this movement and to share the vision and optimism of Davis.

Ringling College is fortunate to have a very special relationship with Davis. He and his wife, Gale are frequent visitors to the campus, regularly attending the annual Avant-Garde scholarship fundraising event. In fact, they have said on numerous occasions that AvantGarde is their favorite event, among the many fundraisers and galas they attend annually because it is so creative. This gathering also happens to coincide with Davis’ birthday, and he delights in celebrating with the Ringling College community and in particular, our resident Davis Scholars. Davis’ life serves as a testament to all that the UWC stands for.

“The UWC Davis Scholars have had such an enormous impact on the culture of our campus community—and then on the professional world after graduation,” said Dr. Larry R. Thompson, president of Ringling College. “It has been such a great honor to be so closely involved with the program and to have such a dear friend in Shelby for all of these years. We are beyond grateful for that partnership.”

Over the years, the College’s involvement in the Davis United World College community has continued to expand and evolve. The Ringling College class of 2012 included two Davis United World College Scholars. Nowadays, the College boasts a community of 40 to 43 Davis United World College Scholars on campus representing almost as many countries. They bring diversity, energy, creativity, leadership, and a global perspective that enriches every member of our community. They are among the best and brightest students on campus, often well-represented among the recipients of the most prestigious award at the College, the Trustee Scholarship. Since the partnership was established, the College has graduated more than 120 Davis United World College Scholars.

These UWC Davis Scholars, from a myriad of majors, leave Ringling College and go on to do great things, truly embodying the UWC spirit. They are filmmakers, activists, photographers, fine artists, and graphic designers; they occupy seats in parliament and non-profits; and they are all committed to doing their part to change the world for the better. These scholars maintain their relationship with the College by making themselves available to current scholars, offering advice, guidance, and mentorship as well as a home away from home when necessary. The UWC Davis Scholar network is undeniable and strong; members share a common experience, a common language, and a sincere and profound appreciation for peace, diversity, and intercultural understanding.

UWC South East Asia alum Mariana Greif ’14, Photography and Digital Imaging, also holds a documentary photography certificate from the International Center of Photography in New York. Now a visual storyteller and documentary photographer living between Brazil and Uruguay, she works freelance for international agencies and regional outlets, along with her own personal projects. Her work explores topics such as gender, migration, relationship to the land, and climate justice. Greif believes the UWC values have shaped her approach to her work throughout her different projects around the world.

“I find teaching very rewarding,” says UWC Adriatic alum Vladimir Stanishevskii ’16, Computer Animation. A successful animator, Stanishevskii realized over time that teaching was his true calling and this year, he returned to Ringling College as an animation instructor. He brings to his classroom lived intercultural experience and communication skills, along with a genuine appreciation for diverse perspectives. “Thanks to UWC, I had the opportunity to study abroad and gain the necessary skills and education. And teaching for me is a way to give back to society.”

A fundamental part of the UWC experience is travel and exposure to other cultures and communities. UWC Bosnia and Herzegovina alum Martina Crepulja ’13, Illustration, a visual developer and passionate advocate for supporting children through art, has been affiliated with initiatives that do just that.

“Creativity and travel are a lot alike—they both create out-of-the-box thinkers and powerful individuals,” says Martina. “We need more of those in this world.” Thanks to Shelby Davis and the UWC Spirit, we’ll continue to get them.

Mariana Greif ’14

Vladimir Stanishevskii ’16

Martina Crepulja ’13

Shelby Davis

Shelby M. C. Davis by Erdni Mangutov,

Moving Forward: Wom e n i n An i mation

By Heather Thomson ’96, Computer Animation

As a Ringling graduate and current faculty in the Computer Animation department, I have seen changes over the years that have been nothing short of amazing.

When I was a student from 1993 to 1996, our classes were in a repurposed minimart and hair salon (the Joutras Center) with 25 computers. We did not start learning 3D until our junior year. Senior films were 15 seconds for a single student and 30 seconds for a team of two. There were three full-time and one visiting full-time faculty. The graduating class was around 36. In my senior year, less than a third of the class identified as female, and many of us were nontraditional students.

Since my student days, the department has grown in both size and quality. The ratio of male to female students has reversed, where we now have more female incoming Computer Animation students than male. The same trend holds true for most of the top animation schools in the country.

When I returned to Ringling College to teach in 2001, there were seven instructors in the department, including myself. We were still in the Joutras Center. In one building we had a classroom for the senior and junior 3D Computer Animation classes and one small open lab where students were able to work on their homework while classes were in session. The sophomore 3D Animation, Story Development, and Traditional Animation classes were in two adjacent buildings. The department had more than a 3:1, male-tofemale ratio of new incoming students.

When I was working in the industry, I was the only female 3D artist at multiple companies. I always felt like I had to work harder than my male contemporaries, to prove that I was just as capable. At the start of my teaching career, I would quietly mention to my female students that they may need to work twice as hard to be thought of as half as good. Thankfully, it’s been years since I have said that.

In 2004, Computer Animation moved to a new building, the Center for Innovation and Collaboration (now the Ann and Alfred Goldstein Center), which was below Institutional Technologies; this gave us another 3D classroom and a larger open lab space. The Story Development and Traditional Animation classes were held in other parts of campus. Being scattered around campus was something our Department Head Jim McCampbell would work hard to rectify. At this time, the new incoming enrollment still skewed 70 percent male to 30 percent female.

In 2007, we moved to the Ulla Searing Student Center so the entire department could be in one building. We now have eight 3D classrooms and two open labs. There are 180 computers with dual monitors at each station, one Wacom for the students to draw and paint on, and another to view their lighting, documents, and other applications. The classrooms are shared by the 3D Computer Animation, Story Development, and Visual Development classes.

Ringling Computer Animation students have won more Women in Animation Awards than any other institution in the world for two consecutive years, in 2022 and 2023.

Traditional Animation is housed on the floor below us. Through our growth, we have maintained the 15:1 student-to-teacher ratio, which is critical to ensuring the quality of the learning environment. By 2008, the department’s enrollment was 51 percent male to 49 percent female. This year’s incoming student enrollment in Computer Animation is just under a 1:9 ratio, male-to-female.

Women in Animation (WIA) revealed that in 2015, even though more than 70 percent of animation and art school students were female, only 30 percent of the creative jobs were held by women. (Other sources state that the numbers for women in creative jobs are even less.) WIA has been working hard to reach 50/50 by 2025, with their aptly named project “5050 by 2025.”

Meet a few of the women, both Computer Animation students and alum, who are excelling in their field. Their unique stories and experiences have set them on the path to achieving their career goals as they work to reshape and redefine today’s animation industry.

You can follow the progress of Women in Animation’s 5050 by 2025 project at www.womeninanimation.org/5050-by-2025.

Heather Thomson ’96. Photo by Karen Arango.

Hannah Sherman ’07

Lead Lookdev Artist, Sony Pictures Imageworks

I’ve been lucky enough to have a lot of very strong female mentors in my career: Heather Thomson, Laura Grieve, and Nicola Lavender to name a few. Women who have shown me what hard work, persistence, and leadership really look like. To quote Heather, “I will make you swim really hard, but I’ll never let you drown.” Words I’ve repeated more than once. Honestly, I can only hope to be half as incredible as these women.

The summer I graduated (2007), I was offered an internship at LAIKA in Portland, Ore. I started my first professional job at DreamWorks/ Pacific Data Images (PDI) in Feb. 2008. I moved sight unseen into an apartment in Redwood City, Calif., and bid the East Coast farewell. PDI was such a formative experience on so many levels. I finally had my dream job. I started as a lighting artist on Madagascar 2. The team there was something really special: old-timers, people who worked on some of the first computer-generated images ever made, newbies like myself, and everyone in between. There were also a large number of women in leadership positions, which was a rare sight for a very male-dominated industry. They had a sense of history and pride there that felt unique.

I had the pleasure of working on 11 films while there, including How to Train Your Dragon, Megamind, and Rise of the Guardians. In 2015, DreamWorks decided to close down the PDI branch. This time an even more distant window opened: an opportunity in Vancouver. Sony Pictures Imageworks was looking for lighting artists to kick off their latest project, The Angry Birds Movie. Since then I’ve worked on eight films including The Mitchells vs. The Machines, The Sea Beast, and Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire. I have also changed positions from lighting artist to look development artist to lead lookdev artist.

The Mitchells vs. The Machines. All movie stills courtesy of individual contributors.

How to Train Your Dragon

The Sea Beast

Shir Baron ’20

Animator, DreamWorks Animation

In my current role at DreamWorks, I’ve worked on franchises such as Trolls, Boss Baby, and the Oscar-nominated Puss in Boots: The Last Wish. I am currently working on a new film called The Wild Robot as part of the animation development team where we get to explore the film’s style and help prepare the characters for the show.

I had a very unconventional path to reach where I am today, and that windy road has created experiences that have enriched my world of storytelling, making me a more creative artist. I was born and raised in Israel, where I first served in the Israeli Defence Forces as an officer. After that I went on a three-month solo backpacking trip in Far East Asia. I fell in love with traveling so much, so the day after I got back home I had my first interview with an airline, where I eventually worked as a flight attendant for two years.

I finally decided it was time to pursue my goal of becoming an animator. I was familiar with Ringling College from all the amazing short films the students created, but being from a different country, and due to the high tuition of schools in the U.S., it didn’t seem possible. As I was preparing my portfolio for domestic schools, I couldn’t help but feel like I was settling. I asked, “What do I have to lose?” I graduated [from Ringling College] with multiple job offers from top studios. I completed a summer internship at Riot Games and then began working at DreamWorks, and I have been there ever since.

Violette Sacre ’06

Look Development Artist, DreamWorks Animation

Ringling College was the only school I wanted to attend because of the robust career services department. The number of alumni working at prominent companies was so impressive, it made me confident that a career in the arts could be accessible.

I graduated in 2006, and currently work at DreamWorks Animation as a look development artist. We paint, create materials, set dress, groom characters, and scatter assets on locations for feature films— we transform the gray 3D models into fully-colored, groomed, and textured assets. I spent nine years at DreamWorks before working for a few other studios, including Nickelodeon and Disneytoon Studios before coming back to DreamWorks. I did the look development for Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III in How to Train Your Dragon, Eep and Douglas from The Croods, as well as the ‘crystal cave,’ for which I was nominated for a Visual Effect Society Award. I also worked on fuzzy assets and characters for Trolls World Tour and Trolls Band Together, and recently Perro from Puss in Boots: The Last Wish.

Boss Baby

Award-winning scene from The Croods.

Douglas from The Croods.

Trolls World Tour

The next generation:

Kimberly Peh ’24

I grew up in Singapore watching animated films and shows and making comics, although becoming an artist is not typically encouraged or respected as a career path there. I decided to apply to Ringling College after researching animation degrees, and seeing that they were one of the top schools in the world. The College has opened up opportunities to me that I would not have had otherwise. In the spring, I had the opportunity to be part of Nickelodeon’s Storyboarding Workshop, where I got to complete a storyboard test of a sequence from an episode of Kamp Koral. During the workshop, I was mentored by Kamp Koral’s Supervising Director and Animation Director, who taught me Nickelodeon’s professional storyboarding process, in addition to tips for entering the industry.

Josefina Moss ’24

My time at Ringling College has allowed me to deeply engage in both traditional and digital art. I have gained knowledge in so many of the programs used in the industry such as Maya, Zbrush, Substance, and several others. I have experienced many different aspects of the industry from story to visual development to 3D modeling, to name a few. And, it really taught me how to handle a fast-paced environment.

Monica Lagrange ’24

I feel lucky to have spent my summers interning at great companies, such as Duolingo and Walt Disney Animation Studios, letting me focus on my specialty of character animation. Both times, I got to be in-person with the teams, learning one-on-one from industry professionals and improving both my portfolio and professional skills. These opportunities allowed me to experience first-hand how both mobile apps and animated films are made, further teaching me how to cater my work to best fit a professional future in the industry. At the same time, I also got to meet students from other colleges who were interning alongside me. It was great to exchange knowledge and to help each other improve.

By Kimberly Peh ’24

By Josefina Moss ’24

By Monica Lagrange ’24

Industry Experience at Ringling College

Ringling College of Art and Design offers students a world-class art and design education and a pre-professional program. Through INDEX, we are committed to offering every student the opportunity to have hands-on industry experience before they graduate.

This is, after all, what employers are looking for and it helps to break the perpetual cycle that has frustrated college graduates for years: “I can’t get a job without experience, but I can’t get experience without a job.”

Ringling College and The Patterson Foundation partnered in 2012 with the shared goal to strengthen the creative workforce of tomorrow. INDEX continues the legacy of this partnership by aggregating the myriad experiential opportunities the College has long offered.

The next few pages highlight a sample of noteworthy INDEX projects showcasing Ringling students collaborating with a local community nonprofit, acclaimed international artist, and an industry-leading brand.

“Creative confidence is forged in the crucible of deadlines, demands, and deliverables— the very foundation of INDEX.”

Dr. Larry R. Thompson President, Ringling College of Art and Design

One For The Books: A Ringling College and Sarasota African-American Cultural Coalition Collaboration

By Nicole Caron

Ringling College of Art and Design’s beautiful campus is located amid Sarasota’s Newtown neighborhood, an area rich in Black history. Now, a four-year collaboration between the Sarasota African American Cultural Coalition (SAACC) and INDEX, the College’s experiential education program, has helped showcase three key events in Newtown’s history: The struggle for beach integration; the school boycott of 1968; and the fight for singlemember district voting. (The latter led to the first elected official from Newtown to represent the district in the city government.)

The project’s current focus is a 50-page illustrated history book narrating the beach integration story, which occurred when most Florida beaches were segregated or white-only. The book will be for sale in the SAACC museum and cultural center gift shop, located at the historic 1923 Leonard Reid House near the College’s Studio Labs. That museum was itself another early SAACC and INDEX collaboration: a design project sponsored by the Larry Thompson Innovation Fund to transform Reid’s historic home into a community center space. Leonard Reid was an influential member of the Sarasota African-American community who founded a church and was involved in the city’s early education efforts.

Ringling students participating in the INDEX beach integration book project, co-taught by Creative Writing faculty Rick Dakan and Fine Arts faculty Nathan Skiles, were compelled by the history. In the early 1950s, Newtown resident and small business owner Maxine Mays went before the city council to request beach access for the African-American community, and the city council said no. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) got involved in the fight. In 1955 the organization staged a wade-in at Lido Beach, with a hundred vehicles driving over the causeway and people wading into the Gulf fully clothed.

“I’m thrilled that Ringling students and faculty saw a need to develop that beach desegregation story further,” said Vickie Oldham, president and CEO of the SAACC. “We’re known for our world-class beaches, and people can’t fathom a time when Black people were not allowed on the beach. The people who participated [in the wade-in] are still alive. Imagine how they’re going to feel when they see what they experienced honored in a book? That’s going to make them feel so good. This story has won Sarasota a listing on the Civil Rights Trail, right up there with the Edmond Pettus Bridge and Dr. King’s church, all the big iconic civil rights locations—that’s how important the story is.”

Students spent time researching and talking with local residents like Odessa Butler, who went on wade-ins as a child, and Jetson Grimes, who owns a salon on Osprey Avenue and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way, where he also curates a Newtown photo history.

“The students felt it was important to cover the Jim Crow laws and quote living people, as well as documents and interviews from the past, and give it all a visual identity,” said Skiles. “They learned to apply their skills to a greater purpose outside of themselves.”

“This project involved my two interests: Sarasota beaches and history,” said Tyler Wade ’24, Game Art, one of the eight students creating, writing, and designing the book. “I started taking Sarasota vacations in 2003 with my family, and soon after, we decided to move down here full-time. I also was enamored at the opportunity to use my Creative Writing minor in a professional setting. My biggest takeaway thus far has been the outstanding determination and organization of the leaders of the NAACP in Sarasota and the African-American community as a whole. The fight was not straightforward. It was long and drawn out. There were steps forward, and there were also steps back. In the end, I walked away inspired and grateful for the opportunity to participate in this project.”

For more information about the history of Newtown, please visit: newtownalive.org

Illustration by Madi Wong ’24, Illustration.

Book cover design by Madi Wong ’24, Illustration.

De Boeck’s participatory performance was inspired by the late Brazilian artist Hélio Oiticica’s wearable artwork Parangolés, a series of capes and banners adorned with political and poetic messages worn while dancing to Samba. In De Boeck’s project, Ringling students sewed capes of their own and choreographed a parade/ performance that spoke to queer and gender-fluid identity politics.

That’s What’s Going On

By Tom Winchester

Two-hundred-and-forty miles south of the Ringling College of Art and Design campus, in Miami Beach, a cohort of Ringling students participated in a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Led by Belgian artist Lieven De Boeck, the students, about 12 in total, paraded through the Untitled Art fair and performed dances in the fair’s main throughway.

As they danced in zig-zags and figure-eights, the students, who wore unique garments they’d made themselves, pulled in on-lookers and passers-by to engage even the shyest of art-fair goers. The piece developed such palpable joy that it passed by in an instant, despite lasting nearly 30 minutes. A saxophonist’s tacitness signaled an ending to the celebration, so the crowd, which had gathered 100 strong, cheered and clapped.

The project was created in collaboration with the INDEX Center and had guidance from Fine Arts faculty Marina Shaltout and Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dean of Undergraduate Studies Jeff Schwartz.

A week before the performance, De Boeck and the students rehearsed the piece for the first time in its totality, but not before running through a few team-building exercises. The students were gathered in a circle, and, in the middle guiding the exercises would be either De Boeck, or a member of his team, former student and assistant Emma Revest, and curator and collaborator Kurt Vanbelleghem. “We just saw some exercises meant for people to start to feel comfortable with the costume they made themselves,” said De Boeck. “And to understand some of the conceptual frameworks which were integrated into the original thinking about this form. It’s a growing process.”

Titled What’s Going On?, the performance challenges heteronormative and gender binary traditions by celebrating LGBTQIA2S+ inclusivity. “I think this is a really complete piece,” says Revest. “We are engaging the question of gender identity, but also our relationship with our bodies, how we represent our bodies with flags, and the way we feel in our clothes. I live in Belgium, but I understand there are harsh restrictions in Florida when it comes to gender equality, so performing this piece was incredibly poignant and topical.”

One of the students who participated in the piece, Noa Walker ’27, Illustration, said they wanted to be part of the performance because it celebrated, “Costumes, gender identity, and performing—and I love all those things. Everyone handmade their own costumes, and it’s meant to be a representation of your identity. So, it’s important that we make the costumes. For me, I chose the trans flag, all the colors are the colors of the trans flag. It’s nicer than a flag; it’s a couture flag.”

After only a few hours in the hustle and bustle of Miami Beach, the Ringling cohort made the journey back to campus with a perspective few artists achieve: They’d performed in a piece by an internationally recognized artist that took place where the entire art world was looking, and, in doing so, spread a message of love. So, if anyone ever asks you, “What’s going on at Ringling College?” Tell them that’s what’s going on.

Students performing in Belgian artist Lieven De Boeck’s parade, What’s Going On? There were two parade performances, one at Sarasota Art Museum and the other at Miami’s Untitled Art Fair, hosted alongside Art Basel.

Hélio Oiticica, Parangolé P4 Cape 1, acrylic on canvas, fabric, nylon, rope and plastic, 93 x 160 x 10 cm (MAM Rio Collection)

Making a Mark With Maker’s Mark

By Nicole Caron

Bourbon aficionados throughout Sarasota will soon have another reason to celebrate their favorite libation. We often don’t think of alcohol and college as a good mix, but in the case of Ringling College of Art and Design and Maker’s Mark Kentucky Bourbon, it’s a match made by design. Maker’s Mark, distilled in Loretto, Kentucky, and founded by Bill Samuels Sr., in 1953, is known for its red winter wheat-based mash bill and iconic red wax bottle seal. With its own water source and watershed—that Kentucky limestone famous for producing world-renowned bourbons— Maker’s Mark is a top-shelf tasting dream.

Jeff Schwartz, associate vice president for Academic Affairs and dean of Undergraduate Studies at Ringling College, is currently managing an INDEX Center project with Maker’s, one of the biggest, most recognized brand collaborations for the College.

A school friend connection between Rob Samuels, eighth-generation distiller and managing director at Maker’s Mark, and Ringling College Esports consultant Scott Treibly, led to an invitation for a team from the College to visit the distillery in the summer of 2023. Maker’s offered the College a barrel of bourbon to be used for raising funds for scholarships. Treibly, Schwartz, and David Jackson, associate vice president for Academic Affairs and dean of Faculty, visited the distillery in May 2023 and built their flavor profile upon the classic French-oaked 46 mash bill. They tasted five combinations of barrel stave flavors, then selected 10 for the Ringling College barrel, which aged for three months. In August, Maker’s Mark produced 250 bottles, each numbered and with a Ringling College label that reads, “turning passion into profession.”

“The goal is to launch this at Avant-Garde 2024,” Schwartz said. “Each bottle will be designed, sculpted, etched, or painted—an original art piece—by a faculty or staff member, an alum, or a student. These bottles will be part of the scholarship fundraising experience.”

Schwartz built 50 original oak boxes for the prized, one-of-a-kind bottles. Graphic Design Department Chair Jeff Bleitz designed the graphics and typography for the boxes. Each box will contain the original bottle, along with a photo of the bottle artist and an artist statement.

I had the privilege of tasting from Bottle No. 246 and admiring some of the first designs. Bourbon lovers will appreciate the notes of caramel and a kiss of apple, without any of the peppery heat or spice that sometimes accompanies other brands. The bottles are indeed beautiful, signed by each artist, and protected in gorgeous oak boxes, each one distinctive. They will surely become coveted collector items.

“Just as my grandmother Margie Samuels did, Maker’s Mark has celebrated the arts for generations,” Samuels said of the partnership. “We’re honored that the funds raised through this collection of Maker’s Mark Private Select bottles will continue to support Ringling College and their artistic community.”

Students will have the opportunity to apply for an INDEX-led weekend intensive. Participants will design their own bourbon bottle and compete for prizes, and those bottles will also be part of the AvantGarde auction and prize offerings. To the eventual auction winners, Maker’s Mark advises that the best way to display the bottle “is a place where all can see! Just like a unique piece of art that you’d find in a gallery, these unique bottles look just as nice on a top shelf as they do on a bar cart.”

“Our goal is to do more than one event,” Schwartz added. “Please stay tuned for more opportunities to participate. We’ll try to do special experience releases over the next year or two for our scholarship fundraising efforts so we can help even more students realize their dream of a Ringling College education.”

Maker’s Mark one-of-a-kind bottles for scholarship fundraising. Special edition artwork by faculty: Julie Kanapaux ’00, Regan Dunnick ’76, Don Brandes, Sheryl Haler, Octavio Perez, Tim Jeagar ’02.

The Art of Giving

Sara Curtis Robinson. Portrait by Matthew Holler ’11.

Dear Friends,

If you have not visited campus recently, you might not know that Ringling College of Art and Design has some of the very best views in all of Sarasota, Florida.

From the third floor of the Alfred R. Goldstein Library, you can take in how much our campus and community footprint has grown. From the deck of the Ulla Searing Center, you can see hundreds of emerging artists and designers move excitedly from class to class. And from the parking lot on the corner of Martin Luther King Jr. Way and North Tamiami Trail, you can imagine our newest campus milestone about to take shape, the creation of our new Signature Academic Building.

As spectacular as these views truly are, they are not what initially stood out to me when I joined Ringling College’s Office for Advancement nearly one year ago. From the moment I stepped onto campus, I was inspired by the remarkable culture of this special institution. Everyone values respect, diversity, forward thinking, and positivity, all to help our students and community grow and thrive.

Regardless of how you become a part of Ringling College, whether as a student of one of our 13 majors, as a visitor to Sarasota Art Museum, as a member of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI), as a TOWN HALL subscriber, or as a friend who walks through our seven campus galleries, our entire creative community adds to the depth and breadth of our culture.

There are many exciting things happening here, and I hope you enjoy learning about them in this issue of CONTXT. With the public launch of our comprehensive campaign, Catalyst for Creativity, we are thrilled to share our institutional growth and strategy to make an impact for generations to come.

I am honored to have been welcomed with such open arms by the supportive donors, alumni, faculty, staff, and friends of Ringling College. The last year has certainly flown by, but it is the future of this special place that I find so exciting. I look forward to all we can accomplish together. And I hope you do, too.

With gratitude,

Sara Curtis Robinson Vice President for Advancement

Robin and John Sullivan: Teaching

young students through art

By Gayle Guynup Portrait by Henry Jones Photography

Robin and John Sullivan both studied chemical engineering in school, though they then took different career paths. Robin worked in new business development for a corporation in Charlotte, North Carolina, while John worked at several manufacturing locations before moving into business management and later mergers and acquisitions.

The couple met in Charlotte while working for different divisions of the same company. The acquisition of a California-based business prompted their move to the West coast, where they would ultimately form The John and Robin Sullivan Charitable Foundation. Their careers had literally taken them from coast to coast before John and Robin retired to Sarasota in 2001.

At a luncheon in Sarasota, the Sullivans met the leaders of Sarasota’s foster care system. That seed soon blossomed into Youth Experiencing Art (YEA!), which the Sullivans started under their foundation’s umbrella. They realized that many foster kids living on Florida’s cultural coast had little or no exposure to the arts institutions that make Sarasota so special. John and Robin set out to change that.

Today, YEA! operates under the Ringling umbrella as the John and Robin Sullivan YEA! Program.

How and when did you first become involved with Ringling College?

The President of the College, Dr. Larry R. Thompson heard Robin and I make a presentation about the Youth Experiencing Art (YEA!) program we had founded and suggested that flat art should be included as well as performing art. Larry introduced us to a Ringling student who started teaching art classes in five of the foster care facilities our program served. We were so impressed that we approached Ringling College and made plans for expanding the program, first to foster care, then secondchance schools, and finally Title I public schools.

Tell me about the YEA! program.

The YEA! vision reflects the belief that when young people experience an immersive art experience, they gain enhanced self-confidence and self-esteem and the opportunity to develop a life vision beyond the ordinary. However, the program grew to be much more when Ringling College students met with public school teachers and began co-developing and co-teaching in the classroom. This allowed art to be utilized for teaching core curriculum subjects and gave Ringling students the opportunity to earn a stipend while sharing their passion for their art in an impactful manner with young students.

What is it that impresses you the most about the College?

The astounding quality of Ringling students and their ability to conceptualize approaches that are truly “lightning in a bottle” for teaching young students in a classroom. There seemed to be no challenge that a Ringling student could not meet, from working with severely mentally and physically challenged students to autism clusters. Equally important is the support staff such as Rachel Levey-Baker, who was instrumental in adapting our YEA! vision to the Ringling campus.

What advice would you give young people today interested in pursuing a creative career?

Avail yourself of every opportunity to share your passion for art with non-artists. You will have a major impact on other people’s understanding of just how magic art can be, and additionally, you will be developing future patrons of the arts.

Reverend Liz Walker: Opening the door a little wider

By Gayle Guynup

Portrait by Matthew Holler ’11

The daughter of a minister, Rev. Liz Walker is an American pastor and retired journalist. She was the first Black woman to co-anchor a newscast in Boston, Massachusetts, and became the Pastor of the Roxbury Presbyterian Church in 2014.

Walker graduated from Little Rock Central High School in 1969 and earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in communications from Olivet College in Michigan. In 2005 she graduated from Harvard Divinity School with a master’s degree focusing on religion and women’s issues.

Her career in journalism spanned nearly 30 years and took her from Little Rock to Denver and San Francisco. She then moved to Boston in 1980 and went to work at WBZ-TV in 1981. It was traveling to South Sudan in 2001 for a story that changed her worldview. “I saw trauma, I saw war, and I saw its impact,” she said. The experience led her to re-evaluate her life and enter the ministry.

Walker retired from the church in 2021 and started a program on mental health and trauma called “Can We Talk?” The program now has 18 sites in churches around the country where people can get both mental and spiritual support.

In 2017, Walker was invited to preach in Sarasota, fell in love with the community, and decided to retire here. Today she is writing a book on spiritual and mental wellness, the church’s role in mental health, and how we can help each other heal. Soft Spaces in Hard Places is scheduled to be published in January 2025.

How and when did you first become aware of and involved with Ringling College of Art and Design?

I was introduced to Ringling College by one of the board members, who had been a television executive at a station where I worked in Boston. I didn’t know much about the College at the time, but did my own research and found a great symmetry between the fields of communication and technology and all the wonderful things the school is doing.

Tell me about your decision to create an endowed scholarship. Why are scholarships so important today?

It’s all about diversity. I’m looking to help students who might not have the opportunity to attend or stay at the school. I discovered that the President of the College, Dr. Larry R. Thompson is very committed to that goal, as am I. It’s an incredible institution, and the top institutions are not always accessible to everyone. I wanted to be part of the support system that opens that door a little wider.

You are also now a member of the board. What led you to take this step and what do you hope to accomplish as a board member?

If I can help make this school more accessible, through ideas, through actions, and through resources, then I will have done my job. Making sure that poor students, or students of color get the chance they deserve—that is my single desire.

What is it that impresses you the most about Ringling College?

Ringling College is doing the kind of work that will take us into the future. I love being involved with a school that is so innovative, future-oriented, and that is leaning into where the world is going.

Leon Sickles: A creative path

By Gayle Guynup

Born and raised in suburban Philadelphia, Leon Sickles was surrounded by family members immersed in the business community. Naturally creative, he had opportunities early on to sing, play the guitar, and paint—but without any encouragement to build a future in the arts.

College options were focused on finance, computer management, and general business to complement his family’s commercial finance business. Sickles stayed within the familiar business domain, eventually creating a real estate and commercial lending brokerage company.

“While staying with what was familiar, I also took time to learn about the dynamics of creative energy, healing, and visionary leadership. This led to meeting a mentor in Ottawa, Ontario, and the creation of The Baca Institute for Vibratory Study of Children, whose focus was to ensure that a child’s creativity would not be disrupted by the outside world as they age,” he said.

The institute’s motto was, “Life is creative expression in action.” As President, Sickles reexamined his own path in business and the arts.

“I was surprised to learn my grandparents, parents, and siblings had each turned their backs on their natural creative expression in favor of convention,” he said.

As a corollary, his involvement pushed him to develop his own creative side, including painting and more recently, glasswork. “Throughout my life, there were always these creative threads,” he said. “I began living my life as a creative being and was open to different ideas and ways of doing things.”

At the age of 40, Sickles went back to graduate school at the University of Denver, studying digital media studies. Once this program was completed, he moved to New York City and used his business expertise to consult with companies transitioning from ventures into reality.

During this time, the illness of his parents brought him back to the Philadelphia area to assist in their care. “I then moved to Sarasota in 2012, shifting my life completely and introducing me to work as a nonprofit volunteer, real estate investor, and positions on a variety of association boards,” he said.

How were you first introduced to Ringling College?

My introduction to Ringling College was through friends who had created a scholarship fund for students. I set out to discover more about the College with the intention of creating my own scholarship fund. Ringling College aligns with my beliefs about higher education, where students are encouraged to build their creative strengths while developing a more comprehensive skill set relative to their future careers. The more I learned about the College, the more I wanted to become involved.

Why did you decide to start a scholarship fund and endowment?

I have always believed that a relevant education is the strongest gift any person can receive. Ringling College has something I had always wanted to experience from the time I was growing up, going to school, graduating, and entering the real world—a place where creativity flourishes, and students are encouraged to explore, organize, and integrate. The purpose of this scholarship is to give more deserving, less financially stable students the opportunity to complete their studies. I love the fact that Ringling College is constantly working to develop future opportunities and build a lasting future for students and the College itself. I knew there was a lasting financial impact and investment I could make in the future of deserving students. I announced this year that this scholarship fund would lead to the creation of a long-term endowment fund. Thank you, Larry Thompson, for your lasting vision to build the top school of visual, creative, and fine arts in the country.

Portrait by Matthew Holler ’11

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THE SIXTIES

1964

Sheila (Alvarez) Rinker, Commercial Design, was honored with the Women of Distinction Award by Palm Beach Atlantic University for her exceptional community involvement and philanthropy in February 2024. With a lifelong interest in music, literature, arts, and athletics, Sheila serves as vice president of the Marshall and Vera Lea Rinker Foundation in Palm Beach, FL.

1966

1950

James Patrick Lynch, Illustration, released The Savage Skies , WWI historical novel he authored and illustrated, through Kindle in October 2023. He exhibited in the group show, Nevada Wild Life Art, at the California Trail Interpretive Center, in Elko, NV, from January-April 2024. Patrick’s studio is in Las Vegas, and he teaches at the College of South Nevada.

1959

Morris “Moe” Mitchell, Fine Arts, exhibited God in My Hands in Chattanooga’s St. Paul’s Episcopal Church from March-May 2023. The solo show, Morris Mitchell: Perceptions of My Life, was exhibited in Ringling College’s Patricia Thompson Alumni Gallery from November-December 2023. Moe continues to mentor former students from throughout his over 40year teaching career at Ringling College. morrismitchell.com

Gene Johnson, Commercial Design, exhibited Gene Johnson: American Influences, curated by Marie Deparis-Yafil, at Galerie Talmart in Paris, from April-May 2023. He exhibited in the Himeji Museum Biennial, Himeji, Japan, in July 2023, where he was a featured speaker. Gene is represented by Caldwell Snyder Gallery in San Francisco, and his principal studio is in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. genejohnsonart.com

1968

Morgan Samuel Price, Commercial Design, exhibited in Lifetime Journey: Three Artists at Sarasota’s Palm Avenue Fine Art in December 2023. She was featured in Plein Air Magazine’s December 23-January 24 issue, “How Figures Fit Into Plein Air.” Morgan’s studio is based in the greater Orlando area.

1969

Jere H. Allen, Fine Arts, was featured in the August issue of Oxford Magazine, “Enigmatic Beauty in a Complicated World,” by Julie Hines Mabus. Exhibited in national museums and galleries and featured in notable art publications nationally and internationally, Jere was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award by The Mississippi Institute of Arts and Letters in 2017. With his principal studio in Oxford, MS, Jere is represented by Carol Robinson Gallery in New Orleans, where he also participates in the annual Art for Art’s Sake festival. Instagram: jerehallen

THE SEVENTIES

1971

Katie Dobson-Cundiff, Fine Arts, was awarded the Silver Medal in the Oil Painters of America National Juried Exhibition by Master artist Daud Akhriev, for Timber Island Boatyard in March 2023. In the September Oil Painters of America’s Eastern Awards ceremony, her painting, Light and Shadows, was awarded a Silver Medal in the Associate/ Signature division by Juror of Awards and master painter Roger Dale Brown. Recently, Katie received an Honorable Mention for her painting, Cafe Impressions, in OPA’s Fall Online Showcase. Katie is represented by Palm Avenue Gallery, Sarasota; TSJ Gallery, Englewood; and Coconut Grove Gallery, Miami. Katie’s studio is in Sarasota. dobsonart.com

1972

Bob Brown, Advertising Design, became a pivotal figure on the boards of Okefenokee Heritage Art Center and Museum and Southern Forest World, both in Waycross, GA, in 2023. Serving as OHACM’s Art and Gallery Director, Bob leads all art exhibition programs. For SFW, he co-chairs the Black Heritage Exhibit Committee, preserving African American legacies. In 2023, Bob and his spouse Diane celebrated their 25 years of marriage. browninkdesign.net

Bill Mayer, Advertising Design, had a busy 2023 with nine pieces of art accepted into the Society of Illustrators West and awarded with a Gold, a Silver, and an Honorable Mention. He had two pieces in American Illustration 42 and three in the Society of Illustrators. Bill was also featured in the November 2023 issue of American Art Collector Magazine for his small works exhibited at Principle Gallery in Alexandria, VA. His illustration, The Great Goldfish Invasion, was commissioned as cover art for the January 2024 edition of The New York Times For Kids bill@thebillmayer.com

The Offering by Bill Mayer ’72. THE FIFTIES

1973

Randy Eckard, Advertising Design, exhibited new work in his seventh solo show at Richard Boyd Art Gallery, Portland, ME, Works in Watercolor by Randy Eckard, in June 2023. He is also represented by Jud Hartmann Gallery, Blue Hill, ME. Randy Eckard Studio/ Gallery has been open for 32 years in Blue Hill. randyeckardpaintings.com

1978

Ray Dillman, Graphic Design, and his spouse Serene are set for a March 2023 release of Take Me Out Feet First a 10-part, 2-season, documentary series about Medical Aid in Dying, on Amazon. Serene directed and produced the series while Ray served as cinematographer, editor, and art director. It is the third documentary project to be released from their production company, Confiscated Film. outfeetfirst.com and confiscatedfilm.com

1980

Bill Farnsworth, Graphic Design and Illustration, was recognized as a Master Artist by National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society in August 2023. Bill was named an ARC Associate Living Master ™ by Art Renewal Center® in December 2023. He is represented by Palm Avenue Fine Art Gallery, Sarasota; Gingerbread Square Gallery, Key West; and seven other galleries in the United States. billfarnsworth.com

1981

Martin Pate, Graphic Design, exhibited a painting in The Oil Painters of America 32nd National show in Charleston, SC, from March-April 2023. Since 1991 Martin has done many commissioned works for the National Park Service including three large paintings completed in 2022-2023 for the Red River National Wildlife Refuge in Northwest Louisiana for exhibition in 2024. martinpate.com and pateart.com

1982

Christopher Tuscan, Illustration, exhibited his oil paintings in a solo show, Flowers & Florida, at Alliance for the Arts in Fort Myers, FL in March 2023. Additionally, Christopher won the open competition for the Bloom and Wallace Digital Art Lab logo at the Alliance in July. In December, Christopher was awarded Second Place for his painting, SunKing Lost in Time, in the exhibition The Bold and the Beautiful at the Venice Art Center. doghousestudio.com

Tony Weldon, Illustration, was honored by his painting, Mother and Child, being accepted into The Booth Western Museum, Cartersville, GA, in December 2023. Te Ata Bearer of The Morning was accepted into the permanent collection of The Chickasaw Cultural Center, Sulphur, OK, in January 2024. Tony’s Learning How to Fly is in the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian’s permanent collection. tonyweldon.com

1983

Mark Little, Graphic Design, had a solo exhibition at Mitchell Prime Properties and Gallery in Pilot Mountain, NC, in April 2023. Mark’s fine art studio is in Winston-Salem, NC. Instagram: artgift1210

Michelle Millay, Fine Arts, was awarded her 30-year membership certificate from Operative Plasters’ and Cement Masons’ International Association Local 755, in November 2023. Michelle sculpts for a living at various studios throughout Hollywood for film, TV, music videos, and commercials, and was featured in “Sculpture in Motion Pictures,” by Sculpture Review Magazine (the industry’s premier publication) in Fall 2009. Notable commissioned work includes Diagon Alley Dragon for Universal Studios Orlando and the 2019 Women of Power Award sculpted in bronze.

1984

Sharron Ott, Fine Arts, exhibited Halloween Night at the Patch at Remington Gallery in Marcellus, MI, in November 2023. Specializing in painting, video, and teaching, Sharron is the Director of Blue Dart Art, a nonprofit in Dowagiac, MI. ottart.org

1985

Christopher Skura, Fine Arts, exhibited his sculpture By Hook or By Crook and the painting Twins (Castor and Polux) in the show Scribbles, curated by Amy Cheng and Lois Bender, at the Carter Burden Gallery in Chelsea, New York, in June 2023. He exhibited new work in 440 Gallery’s 19th Annual Small Works Show, from November 2023-January 2024 in Brooklyn, NY. He exhibited in a solo show, Social Studies, at Art Center Sarasota from January-March 2024. Christopher and his spouse Julie Knight ’90, Fine Arts, have JAKPOT Studio in New York City and Woodstock, NY. christopherskura.com

Michael J. White, Illustration, was honored to become one of only 50 artists selected for the 2024 Embracing Our Differences public art exhibit. There were over 16,000 submissions from around the world. His work titled, OK Awesome, is the first sequential piece to ever be selected and displayed at Sarasota’s Bayfront Park from January-April 2024. In addition,

Michael recently created a 50-foot mural for the new Wolfie’s Delicatessen in Sarasota featuring 95 of Sarasota’s most famous citizens including Ringling College’s own Larry and Patricia Thompson. michaeljwhiteart.com

Pam (Carter) Willoughby, Graphic Design, joined Saddlebrook Preparatory School in Wesley Chapel, FL, as the Director of Curriculum. With over 18 years of service to Pasco County Schools, Pam is now helping to serve the educational needs of student-athletes pursuing their goals in tennis and golf from over 20 countries.

1986

Joel Anderson, Illustration, and spouse Patty (Atlan) Anderson ’85, Interior Design, celebrated 37 years of marriage as well as their studio’s 30th anniversary in April 2023. Anderson Design Group, specializing in illustrative design, packaging art, hand lettering, product development, publishing, and licensing, is located in the heart of Nashville, TN. andersondesigngroup.com and ADGstore.com

Eric Hope, Graphic Design, relocated to Western North Carolina in September 2023. Eric specializes in graphic design, digital composition, and digital coloring for the music and entertainment industry. erichope.com

Deborah Rodriguez, Fine Arts, exhibited Boldness, Born of Color and Texture in the Gallery@2607 at C. Blythe Andrews, Jr. Public Library in Tampa, from February-April 2024. Deborah’s fine art and photography studio is located in Tampa. deborahrodriguezart.com

Statue used in the television series The Orville sculpted by Michelle Millay ’83.

Alumni Wall of Honor: A Celebration

By Abby Weingarten

Championing the accomplishments of graduates has been a beloved annual event at Ringling College of Art and Design for the past six years.

In January, the Alumni Wall of Honor—a tribute to those who have made incredible impacts in their industries—added 12 new names. Ringling College President Dr. Larry R. Thompson led the induction ceremony in the Patricia Thompson Alumni Gallery of the Keating Center, where the Wall of Honor (designed by Jeff Bleitz in 2018) is located.

This year’s honorees have done transformative work in their fields.

Nazanin Varasteh ’14, Business of Art and Design, is an awardwinning brand strategy manager at Zarrin Roya who works to empower women as a leader of the top feminine care brand in Iran.

Ron Zeitler ’94, Computer Animation, is a computer animation faculty member at Ringling College and worked on Disney films such as Pocahontas, Mulan, and Tarzan.

Jessica Pinns ’16, Film, is a camera assistant/writer with the International Cinematographers Guild whose credits include House of Cards and The Handmaid’s Tale.

Omar Chacón ’02, Fine Arts, is an internationally known fine artist based in New York City, who is the recipient of the New York Foundation for the Arts Fellowship.

Artemiy Bulgakov ’19, Game Art, is a technical artist at Sledgehammer Games in California and has contributed to multiple Call of Duty titles.

Chean Wei Law ’05, Graphic Design, is the head of interactive design for Asana in San Francisco, and has created work for brands such as Nike, Volkswagen, and Starbucks.

Natalie Andrewson ’13, Illustration, is an illustrator, comic artist, and Riso printmaker in Los Angeles. Her narrative work includes the graphic novel adaptation of television show The Nutcracker and the Mouse King.

Cory Fanjoy ’14, Motion Design, is the creative director for Newfangled Studios in Boston. He is renowned for crafting animated brand systems and design-forward social campaigns for global brands.

Dylan Johnston ’13, Photography and Imaging, is a freelance photographer, director, and founder of Prospect Studios in Brooklyn, New York, who has collaborated with top athletes on major commercial brands.

Kitt Thomas ’21, Visual Studies, is an illustrator and graphic novelist, the No. 1 New York Times bestselling illustrator of Stacey’s Extraordinary Words, and a two-time National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Image Award winner.

Wendell Minor ’66, Commercial Design, is an illustrator and author for Wendell Minor Design in Washington, Connecticut. He is a children’s book illustrator and author of 60-plus award-winning books, and was inducted into the Society of Illustrators Hall of Fame in 2023.

Mark Saffell ’86, Interior Design, is the designer and co-founder of 5d Studio in Manhattan Beach, California. Their work has been featured in exhibitions at the Pasadena Museum of California Design and the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum.

“My time at Ringling College was a transformative journey, filled with mentors, colleagues, and students who collectively shaped my personal and professional trajectory,” Zeitler said. “I’m profoundly thankful for these experiences. To find myself on the Alumni Wall of Honor is a deeply humbling and gratifying experience.”

1988

John Chitwood, Graphic Design, exhibited The Farmer’s Daughter and Catnap in the Mt. Pleasant Town Hall Art Exhibit from AugustDecember 2023. His illustration, Blue Moon Raccoons, also exhibited there from JanuaryApril 2024. John’s studio, Renaissart, which provides creative and production services for all forms of visual media, is located in Mt. Pleasant, SC. artofcharleston.com and renaissart.com

Danielle Glaysher, Fine Arts, and her company, Inspired Art Solutions LLC, completed a restoration of sculptures in January 2024 that were originally commissioned in 1996 to her and Papo Cobian. The art pieces depict endangered Florida animals: Florida Panther, sea turtle, alligator, lizards, and manatees, among others. They can be seen at the Bayfront Park in Sarasota.

Patty (Agrifoglio) Huls, Graphic Design, and her spouse John celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary in August 2022. In 2012 Patty retired from her 22-year career as a graphic designer with Publix Super Markets, to spend more time with her family. In 2023 she returned to work for Florida Polytechnic University in an administrative role.

Missy (Nachamie) Lynch, Illustration, released The Honey Box, her children’s book on acceptance, through St. Clair Publications in June 2023. Her studio is in Louisville, TN. missyleighsgifts.company.site

1989

Michael N. White, Computer Design, and spouse Jane (Turner) White ’90, Computer Design, relocated back to the greater Baltimore area in August 2022, where Michael is a senior footwear developer with Under Armour. Jane teaches at Kennedy Krieger High School. They became grandparents this past November, when Jacob White ’16, Film, and Alyssa Torres had a baby girl, Nova!

1991

Trahern Cook, Illustration, known as Easel Cathedral, was featured in the June 2023 issue of Columbia Metropolitan magazine. Trahern’s studio is in Columbia, SC and he calls his style relational and experiential, creating visual stories of his surroundings in his own unique painterly style by marrying a free folk recklessness with a trained and practiced deliberateness. easelcathedral.com

Kerstin Upmeyer, Illustration, joined the University of Tampa as an adjunct professor in the Department of Communication in January 2023. Kerstin has been teaching and acting as a yearbook advisor at Academy of the Lakes since August 2014. Partner Scott Andre ’79, Graphic Design, owns Plant Guy Entertainment and they are based in the greater Tampa Bay area. plantguy.me.

1993

Dwight Rose, Fine Arts, exhibited in a solo show, Florida Habitat, and in Bullets and Bandaids group show, A Veterans Anthology, both at Englewood Art Center, from January-March 2024. In conjunction with the exhibitions, Dwight led watercolor workshops and participated in panel discussions. A signature member in excellence at the South Carolina Watercolor Society, Dwight was selected as faculty for the 4th annual Watercolor Live online international conference in January 2024. His studio is located in Bradenton. dwightrose.com

1994

David Sporn, Graphic Design, and spouse Dana celebrated 25 years of marriage in June 2023. After 24 years educating students in art, leadership, and sports at his high school alma mater Loara High School in Anaheim, CA, David joined rival Katella High School as a photography teacher, his minor while at Ringling College. Instagram: doysporn

1995

Matthew Binkowski, Illustration, released the Amazon bestselling book, The Creative Algorithm: How to Harness the Power of AI and Create Outstanding Digital Products, in July 2023. His book was listed in the Communication Arts: Interactive Issue recommended reading list in February 2024. Based in Northville, MI, Matt is an award-winning digital product and marketing leader, covered by Mashable, AdWeek, and The Wall Street Journal mattbinkowski.com and memora.design

Brad Booker, Computer Animation, won an Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film for WAR IS OVER! Inspired by the Music of John & Yoko. The short animation also received an Annie Award in February 2024 for Best Short Subject. Brad is founder and CEO at ElectroLeague, LLC, the film’s studio. electroleague.com

Limbert Fabian, Illustration, was recognized for his VR project, MLK Now Is The Time, an immersive virtual experience bringing the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s most famous speech to new audiences via Meta Quest headsets, for TIME Studio, by winning the XR Audience Award at SXSW 2023. The program was also honored with a 75th Creative Arts Emmy award nomination for Outstanding Emerging Media Program. With Brandon Oldenburg ’95, Illustration, Limbert formed a new directing duo INBETWEEN. The duo will collaborate on a variety of projects where they can put storytelling front and center in their signature way. nowisthetime.time.com and weareinbetween.com

Jason Yanofsky, Computer Animation, relocated to the greater Tampa Bay area in November 2023. Jason specializes in Lighting, Materials/Shaders, LookDev, and Compositing. jasonyanofsky. wixsite.com/vizfx

1996

Suzanne (Martino) Dufour MPS, LPAT, ATR-BC, Illustration, was bestowed the state chapter’s highest award, Honorary Lifetime Member of the New Jersey Art Therapy Association (NJATA) for her dedication to the profession of Art Therapy and the members of NJATA, at the Caldwell University Conference in October 2023.

Chie Fueki, Fine Arts, exhibited In Your Arms I’m Radiant: Joshua Marsh and Chie Fueki with spouse Joshua Marsh at Shoshana Wayne Gallery, Los Angeles from March-April 2023. She was awarded the 2023 Catherine Doctorow Prize for Contemporary Painting in May 2023. Awarded by the Jarvis and Constance Doctorow Family Foundation, the prize came with a $15,000 unrestricted cash award and a solo exhibition of Fueki’s artwork at Utah Museum of Contemporary Art from September 2023-January 2024. dcmooregallery and shoshanawayne.com

WAR IS OVER!, Inspired by the Music of John & Yoko produced by Brad Booker ’95, cofounder of ElectroLeague.

Patrick Tuorto, Illustration, as an animator and story artist for Titmouse Animation, completed work on Pantheon for AMC+ in December 2022. Patrick’s studio is in Bucks Co., PA. Instagram: patricktuorto

1997

Karl Zurfluh, Illustration, exhibited in Bullets and Bandaids group show, A Veterans Anthology, at Englewood Art Center where he also was a veteran panelist, from January-March 2024. Karl continues to have commercial success designing AAA video game key art. With his fine artwork, Karl was awarded a residency with the Gibbes Museum of Art, in Charleston, SC, from September-October 2024. karlzurfluh.com

1998

Sherrie (Dorr) McKinley, Illustration, joined the Asolo Repertory Theatre, in Sarasota, as brand and design manager in January 2024.

Jon Pinto, Illustration, held a “mini-reunion” exhibiting with Ringling College roommates Alberto Mier ’98, Illustration, and Mike Spring ’98, Computer Animation, at 2023 Heroes Convention in Charlotte, NC, in June 2023. Jon’s studio is located in Clermont, FL. Alberto released his third children’s book, The Day Ana Fell, in February 2024 through Amazon. Mike became adjunct faculty in the first-year program at Ringling College in January 2024. jonpinto.com and Instagram: albertomier_art and art_of_mike_spring

Misty Bell Stiers, Illustration, wrote two essays published in The She Series, the book created and illustrated by Karen Hallion ’97, Illustration, featuring 120 portraits and essays celebrating inspiring icons whose actions changed the world, in July 2023. Misty released her second

book, Light, Fire, and Abundance: Harness the Power of Food and Mindful Cooking to Nourish the Body and Soul, through Apollo Publishers in November 2023. Misty was also recognized by SheRunsIt as a 2024 Working Mother of the Year, and she became head of Inclusion for Citi Design and user experience at CitiBank in New York City, in January 2024. mistybellstiers.com and karenhallion.com

Steve Whitlock, Illustration, launched a new line of apparel with Bass Pro Shops in 2023, celebrating his 20th year as their vendor. Specializing in marine life and illustration, art and design for business and apparel, Steve’s clients also include Cabela’s, U.S. Customs, and U.S. Coast Guard. He was selected as a featured artist in the 42nd Annual Englewood Rotary Fine Art Show in March 2024. stevewhitlock.com

1999

Rich Pope, Illustration, had his painting Sun Soaked selected for inclusion in the American Illustration 42 book. The release party for the annual happened in New York City in November 2023 and was released in early December. Rich’s studio is located in Clermont, FL. richpope.com

THE AUGHTS

2000

Truman Adams, Illustration, was commissioned by Atlantic TNG for a two-story mural celebrating workforce diversity located on Myrtle Avenue in Sarasota and unveiled and featured in the Herald-Tribune in October 2023. Truman’s studio is in Sarasota. trumanadams.com

Teferri Stewart, Illustration, celebrated 15 years at CNN’s headquarters in Atlanta, most recently as a production manager, in November 2023. Awards during tenure include BDA Gold Award and a Peabody. teferri.com

Christy Works Boutte, Illustration, was featured by Inside New Orleans Magazine as a “Reader’s Favorite Women in Business” in their April/May 2023 issue. Christy’s public art sculpture, It’s Fat Tuesday Everyday, was commissioned for the Henry Shane Sculpture Trail, and dedicated by Jefferson Parish Councilwoman Jennifer Van Vrancken in October 2023. Christy was also commissioned by the regional restaurant Raising Canes to design their first Mardi Gras poster for their 2024 campaign. Art by Christy is located on Magazine Street, New Orleans, with her studio in Gretna, LA. artbychristy.com

2001

Kameron Gates, Computer Animation, joined Agora Studio as a Pre-vis supervisor and production designer in July 2023. Most recently leading the Pre-vis team on the film Sonic the Hedgehog 3. Kameron works remotely from his home office in Petersburg, IL. kamerongates.com

Thomas May, Graphic and Interactive Communication, relocated to Los Angeles in August 2023. Tom specializes in creative direction for higher education and the entertainment industry. twmaydesign.com

Abby Phillips, Illustration, contributed to the live service of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II as senior producer of the Seasonal Events UI and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III’s Reveal Event UI. Abby was also chosen for Activision’s Way2Play Hero team to represent Infinity Ward Austin.

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2002

Omar Chacon, Fine Arts, exhibited Cirio Totale at Margaret Thatcher Projects (MTP), New York City, from November 2023-February 2024. Omar Chacon: Chromatic Echoes was on-view at Ringling College’s Patricia Thompson Alumni Gallery from January-March 2024. Omar was the first recipient of the Terri and Alan Spoon artistin-residence program at Ringling College in January 2024. In addition to MTP, Chacon is also represented by Fouladi Projects, San Francisco; Robischon Gallery, Denver; and, Brunnhofer Galerie, Linz, Austria. Omar’s studio is located in Astoria, NY.

Tim Jaeger, Fine Arts, joined the board of The Library Foundation for Sarasota County and the Suncoast Black Art Collaborative Board in summer 2023. After three years of work, Tim also completed 42 windows for the Berkeley Preparatory School in Tampa, making it the first chapel in the United States with all fused glass windows. Additionally, Tim serves as Director and Chief Curator at Ringling College, and teaches within the Business of Art and Design and Fine Arts departments. timjaegerpainter.com

Daniel Miyares, Illustration, released three books in 2023 that he illustrated: Nell Plants A Tree, written by Anne Wynter; The Many Assassinations of Samir, The Seller of Dreams, written by Daniel Nayeri; and, Sometimes I Cry, written by Jess Townes. Each received notable national accolades, including from Kirkus Reviews and CCBC Choices, and The Many Assassinations of Samir won a Newbery Honor. Daniel’s studio is located in the greater Kansas City area. danielmiyares.com

Age of Aquarius, 2022 acrylic, gemstones, and resin on canvas 24” by Katie Niewodowski ’02.

Katie Niewodowski, Fine Arts, had three solo exhibitions from 2022-2023: The Sacred and The Sublime, curated by Amy Neufeld ’89, Illustration, at Arts at St. Paul’s Carr Hall, Jersey City, in April-May 2023; Fibonacci’s Flower at Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown, NJ, from September-October 2023; and, Circling the Sphere at Gallery 389 in Jersey City from October 2022-January 2023. katieniewo.com and petitraits.com

Mike Sudal, Illustration, was featured in the May 2023 “Striper Issue” of On The Water, interviewed by editor Jimmy Fee. He also appeared on a number of podcasts including Angler’s Journal and Cut and Retie to discuss art, fishing, and his time at Ringling College. Mike is a data visualization lead for Meta and is based in New York City. mikesudal.com

2003

Olga Herrera, Illustration, released The Unwelcome Surprise through MacMillan Kids in April 2023. Olga is co-host of IlloChat, a podcast for illustrators. She teaches illustration and mentors emerging authors and illustrators of children’s books. Olga is represented by Red Fox Literary. Her studio is in Maryland. olgachildrensillustrator.com

2004

Jorge Lacera, Illustration, and spouse Megan released a graphic novel, The Wild Ones, through Lee and Low in April 2024. Their Studio Lacera is located in Montreal. leeandlow.com and studiolacera.com

2005

Matthew Meyer, Illustration, was featured in April 2023 on NHK World Japan in “Enchanted by Yokai Monsters: Matthew Meyer/Yokai Illustrator” for illustrating and translating over 500 varieties of supernatural creatures from Japanese folklore in his illustrated books. Matthew is based in Fukui-shi, Japan. matthewmeyer.net

2006

Shanna De Iuliis, Fine Arts, joined Cosm as a Director of Technical Product Management in March 2023. Shanna is based in Pittsburgh.

Manuel Larino, Illustration, launched his latest project, Forecast, on Art Blocks, a Generative Art gallery, in November 2023, selling out over 365 pieces in an hour. Manuel’s studio is in Oleiros, Spain. mlarino.com

Kaylene (Simmons) Rudd, Illustration, and spouse Matthew David Rudd ’07, Illustration, relocated to the greater San Francisco area in May 2023. Kaylene now leads the East Bay German International School as Executive Director and Matt is a voice actor, audio engineer and visual artist working in animation, film, and videogames, and is represented by Dean Panaro Talent. sonofrudd.com

Elle (Lile) Travis, Photography and Digital Imaging, was juried to exhibit Chalk Memories in the Team Kentucky Gallery’s new Spring 2024 photography exhibit, which was on view from January-June 2024. Elle serves as executive director of Yes Art in Frankfort, KY. yesarts.org/team-ky-gallery

2007

Jenny Ambrose, Graphic and Interactive Communication, illustrated The One With the Heavy Backpack by Alice An and sold through Barnes and Noble starting in April 2022. Jenny returned to New York City in December 2023. Her company, Purée Fantastico, specializes in brand voice, strategic directions, and visual execution for companies ranging from independent start-ups to larger corporations. pureefantastico.com

Fosca, 2015, 12″ x 24″, acrylic on wood panel by Omar Chacon ’02.

Matteo Caloiaro, Illustration, received fifth place in the Portrait Society of America’s International Portrait Competition for his painting, Mom, in May 2023, and ninth place in the Portrait Society of America’s Members Only Competition, Landscape Category, for Australian Pines, in December 2023. Additionally, Matteo’s Santino Surf Designs was featured SRQ Magazine, “Matteo Caloiaro and The Summer of the Tentacled Mollusk,” in June 2023. Santino Surf Designs can be found at West Coast Surf Shop in Anna Maria and online. santinosurfdesigns.com and caloiaro.com

Stephen Culmone, Graphic and Interactive Communication, joined DOWC as a senior graphic designer in July 2022 and was promoted to creative manager in January 2024. Stephen is based in northern New Jersey. stephenculmone.com

2008

Greg Dechow, Illustration, spouse Sonika (Fourie) ’11, Interior Design, and child Sienna welcomed baby Navy Aurora Dechow in February 2024. Sonika was promoted to design operations manager at Angela Rodriguez Interiors in May 2021 and Greg joined Enzymedica as digital and ecommerce marketing manager in March 2023.

Jameson Donoian, Fine Arts, exhibited a solo show of paintings and mixed media at Kahwa Coffee in Osprey, FL, from April-June 2023. Jameson’s studio is located in Sarasota. Instagram: skating.gypsy

Neesha Hudson, Illustration, released the book she wrote and illustrated, The Best Flower Ever!, through Dial Books for Young Readers, a division of Penguin/Random House, in June 2023. Neesha’s studio is in Brunswick, ME. neeshahudson.com

Erin (Winick) Richard, Graphic and Interactive Communication, relocated to Huntsville, AL, in June 2022. Her graphic design company’s clients include Naples Princess and both Bert’s HarleyDavidson sister dealerships (Black Widow in Port Charlotte, FL, and Barracuda in St. Pete, FL). erinricharddesign.com

2009

Dr. Heather Heckel, Ed.D., Illustration, was awarded her 19th artist residency by the United States National Parks Service and Bureau of Land Management, in Stones River National Battlefield, TN, to be completed in April 2024. She illustrated visuals for the 2024 Sarasota Visitors Guide for Miles Partnership, released in January. Heather’s doctorate research findings, “Leadership Skills and Teaching Creativity Through Art Education,” for the University of Cumberlands Educational Leadership program was published in the Art Education Journal in January 2024. heatherheckel.com

2010

Jordie Bellaire, Illustration, won her third Eisner Award, this time for Best Coloring for her work on The Nice House on the Lake, Suicide Squad: Blaze (DC), Ant-man (Marvel), Miracleman by Gaiman and Buckingham: The Silver Age (Marvel), in September 2023. Jordie has also garnered two Ringo Awards (2020 and 2023), and her studio is based in Portland, OR. jordiebellaire.com

Taylor Kovacic, Interior Design, opened Dogwood Ink Tattoo in Greensboro, NC, in November 2020. Instagram: dogwoodinks

Nilah Magruder, Computer Animation, created the character “Spider-Byte” who now appears in Spider-Man: Across the SpiderVerse, released in June 2023. Nilah wrote a new Spider-Byte story appearing in Edge of SpiderVerse #1 from Marvel Comics, on sale February 2024. Nilah lives in Maryland. nilahmagruder.com

2011

Betsy Bauer, Computer Animation, was featured in ImagineFX magazine, “The Art of Betsy Bauer: ‘Young Jedi Adventures is an Interesting Beast,’” on character design, working with Disney, and communicating personality, in November 2023. With her studio in Burbank, CA, Betsy also teaches remotely at College for Creative Studies, Detroit. betsybauerart.com

Donal Casey, Illustration, spouse Orpha, and their child Nora relocated to the greater Barcelona area in June 2023. Donal is a senior consultant at Intevity. A creative technologist, he is the co-founder of ORDO Design LLC.

Erica (Beall) Lynch, Illustration, spouse Chris, and son Fletcher welcomed baby Rory in June 2023. Erica also was promoted to art manager at Kohl’s Department Stores headquarters in Wisconsin and celebrated her 12th year with Kohl’s in January 2024.

Nick Paul, Computer Animation, joined Riot Games on Project L as senior motion designer in January 2024. He is based in the greater San Francisco area. nickoliverpaul

Dylan VanWormer, Computer Animation, joined College for Creative Studies in Detroit as an assistant professor of Entertainment Arts in September 2023. Having served as a technical artist for Marvel and a senior 3D artist at General Motors, Dylan specializes in digital media arts and 3D animation.

2012

Mari Garman, Business of Art and Design, was awarded a Doctorate in Business Administration from St. Leo University in May 2023. As CEO, she launched Meraki Business Consulting Group (MBCG) in July 2023. MBCG is dedicated to fueling faculty motivation and eliminating organizational job burnout in education. Mari also teaches full-time at Ringling College. marilyngarman.com and merakiconsultancy.com

Lauren (Jadick) Herriges, Computer Animation, relocated with her spouse and two children from the Twin Cities to Sarasota to join Advocacy Digital Media as creative director in February 2023. Lauren oversees the forensic and medical artwork (graphics, illustrations, and animations) for legal cases, and is enjoying the slight change of weather.

“Spider-Byte” character concieved by Nilah Magruder ’10.

Illustration by Betsy Bauer ’11.

Charles Valsechi, Illustration, co-founded the Solarpunk Conference in 2022 with its first event in June 2023, which focused on research, praxis, and thoughts about solarpunk. Charles’ current role is co-founder and director of Design and Public Relations, with the next conference on the boards for Summer 2024. Charles joined Colorado University in Denver as an illustration and game art and design professor in June 2023. He is also serving as their interim director of Illustration and Digital Design. charlesvalsechi.com and solarpunkconference.com

Chaz Woods, Graphic Design, was promoted to senior digital designer at Universal Orlando Resort in January 2024. Chaz celebrated 10 years with the company in Spring 2024, and his work encompassed numerous marketing campaigns over the years including his personal favorite, Halloween Horror Nights clockworkdesign.net

2013

Andrew Schoneweis, Motion Design, had been at Google since 2017. He joined YouTube as a senior UX designer in March 2022. Andrew and his spouse Elise welcomed their first baby, Edie Leigh, in December 2023, and they reside in Mountain View, CA.

Chris Schumaker, Fine Arts, joined Andrick and Associates as their full time pre-press technician and graphic designer in December 2023, bringing his knowledge and creative problem-solving skills to the printers and the company. Spouse Diana Lueken ’13, Fine Arts, celebrated her 10th anniversary at Ringling College in January 2024 where, as the studio technician and part of the Makerspace Team, she supervises Fine Arts studios and studio labs across campus. With working experience in several studios and galleries, Chris and Diana have also participated in pop-up shows, exhibitions, and booth/tent art fairs in Sarasota, St. Petersburg, and Miami. Working and collaborating with other working artists, their studio, PrintandMake, creates large-format digital archival prints, screen prints, etchings, lino block prints, and vinyl stickers/decals for individuals and corporate clients. printandmake.studio

Justin Timmons, Motion Design, married Brian Eubanks in January 2019. They reside in Atlanta with their dog, Jackson. Justin started a new position as associate creative director at Digital Media Management in September 2023. justintimmons.com

2014

Diana Castillo, Illustration, married Gustavo Martinez Iozzia in July 2023. She resides in beautiful, snowy Norway where she’s working on her author/ illustrator debut picture book, Snap! Crunch! Munch?? with Holiday House. She spends her free time dreaming up new children’s books and going on snowy walks with her dog Guenevere. Diana is also one of the 2024 recipients of the SCBWI Stephen Fraser Encouragement Grants. dianacastleart.com and dianacastleportfolio.com

Did You Know?

As a Ringling College graduate, you have access to these benefits and resources.

Center for Career Services

Ringling graduates have access to the Center for Career Services for life!

College Central

Access job postings, submit your resume for review, and find resources on topics such as resumes, cover letters, job searching, and more: www.collegecentral.com/ringling Career Counseling

Visit www.ringling.edu/ccsappointment to select a date and time to meet with Career Services staff or call 941-359-7502.

Natalie Lerner, Fine Arts, attended the Orein Arts Residency at the Mount Savior Monastery in Pine City, NY, in August 2023. She exhibited her work with sculptor Alison Kudlow in The Speed of Darkness at Parent Company Gallery in Brooklyn, NY, in November 2023. natalielerner.com

Philip Löfstedt, Advertising Design, married Niccolò Bressan in April 2023. They reside in Stockholm where Philip is an art director and motion designer for DNAB.

Rosa Magnone, Photography and Digital Imaging, was promoted to marketing project/ production manager at Fox School of Business at Temple University in May 2023. behance.net/RMagnone

Shannon (Berke) McSheehan, Game Art, welcomed her second child, Willow, in May of 2023. This year she will celebrate 11 years at Riot Games where she is a senior manager for VFX in the RnD department. She’s currently located in the Seattle area helping Riot with their new office in Mercer Island. She was a speaker on “Visual Effects Summit: Climb Your Mountain: Tools for Intentional Learning” at Game Developers Conference in March 2024.

Alexis Schultz, Photography and Digital Imaging, relocated to Honolulu to join Reuse Hawai‘i as Marketing Communications Manager in September 2023. Re-use Hawai’i is creatively cultivating a circular economy, offering Hawaii’s only licensed deconstruction services and a community hub for building material redistribution. alexisschultz.com

Ariel (Silverstein) Christian, Illustration, and spouse David welcomed their first child Luke in March 2023. They reside in the greater Orlando area where Ariel is an associate product design manager with The Walt Disney Company, designing plush for Disney Global Product Creation.

Engage Fellow Alumni and Current Students:

Hire Ringling Talent

For employees or interns, look to Ringling College talent first! It’s free to register and post opportunities: collegecentral.com/ringling

Be a Mentor

Assist students and alumni in finding mentors for career networking purposes. Post your profile at: collegecentral.com/ ringling/MentoringNetwork.CFM

2015

Danielle Colón, Fine Arts, earned her Master of Creative Arts from Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia, in November 2022. She was awarded two artist residencies in 2023: Maple Glass Printing which focused on 3D printing and using recycled materials from January-July, and Eastern Beach Art House in October. Danielle teaches at Deakin University in the arts and works as a freelance glassblower. daniellecolon.com

Terrence Donlin, Business of Art and Design, joined corporate HQ of The Fresh Market as its email marketing content manager in April 2023. Terrence resides in the greater Greensboro, NC, area.

Tandeka Lauriciano, Advertising Design, joined Bumble Inc. as a senior content designer in November 2023. She is based in London. tlauriciano.com

Isabela Littger de Pinho, Computer Animation, was featured in Little Black Book, “Animate! Finding Inspiration in Unexpected Places with Isabela Littger,” sharing industry insights in March 2023. Her senior thesis, None of That, became the official welcome intro for Museu de l’Art Prohibit, Barcelona, in October 2023. Isabela joined Zombie Studios in São Paulo as a creative director in August 2023. Instagram: littgeri

Keith Nielsen, Business of Art and Design, was featured in The New York Times article “Clothes that Conjure the Holiday Spirit” for his work costume designing for Hallmark productions. For the 2023 winter holiday season, Keith’s work was featured in four films, and Fashionista Magazine also featured Keith in “How Hallmark’s Costume Designer Creates Holiday Movie Magic.” Keith is based in the greater New York City area. keithcostumes.com

Jackson Petty, Fine Arts, married Kenzie Veurink in September 2023. They reside in Charlotte, NC, where Jackson has a photo studio specializing in fashion, lifestyle, and portraiture. Clients include Netflix, Belk, Peter Millar, Bleacher Report, and Malbon Golf. jacksonraypetty.com

Brenna Thummler, Illustration, released a new graphic novel, Lights, the third installment of her bestselling Sheets trilogy, in September 2023 from Oni Press. Her next graphic novel, Gumshoe, will be published by HarperAlley in 2026. Delicates the Musical, written by Brenna, is slated for the Dramashop Originals Festival in Erie, PA, in April 2024. She is represented by Hannah Mann at Writers House. brennathummler.com

2016

Lara Arikan, Computer Animation, and Seth Anderholm ’17, Computer Animation, married in August 2022 in Lara’s home, Istanbul, Turkiye. The couple resides in the greater Los Angeles area where Lara is working as the lighting department producer on the latest installment of the Call of Duty franchise and Seth is a storyboard artist, most recently at Titmouse and Warner Bros. Animation. sethanderholm.com and laraanderholm.com

Allison Baylor, Motion Design, relocated to Johnson City, TN, in December 2023. Allison is director of production at Pixel Park. Instagram: akbaylor

Katelyn (Hagen) Orth, Computer Animation, married Evan Orth in November 2022. They reside in Las Vegas, where Kate is lead designer on “Palm Pals,” Aurora World’s #1 best seller. Kate

also released “Henry James the Cowboy Spider” plush toy by her company Katerbugs Art in August 2023, which is available through Etsy. Instagram: katerbugs_art

Lindsey Healey, Illustration, relocated to Port St. Lucie, FL, in August 2023. Lindsey is a brand assets and quality control for The Mars Agency.

Danica (Jokic) Konatar, Illustration, married Vladislav Konatar in March 2023. They welcomed their first child, Luka, in April 2023, and reside in Sarasota. Danica started a marketing agency called Kona Media, which specializes in branding and website design and development in January 2022. konamedia.co

David Machov, Graphic and Interactive Communication, married Jasmine Kwan in July 2023. They reside in the greater San Francisco area where David is a digital product designer with Polaris. davidmachov.com

Christina (Schucht) Maksoud, Motion Design, was recognized as a “35 Under 35 Honoree” from SRQ Magazine in December 2023. Christina has also been an honored class member of Leadership Sarasota through the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce. Christina and spouse Karim Maksoud ’15, Motion Design, own MakSchu Productions, and celebrated their fourth year in their studio facility near downtown Sarasota, and eight years in business total. makschu.com

Grace Morris, Business of Art and Design, married Luke Schiltz ’16, Film, in November 2022. They reside in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Grace was promoted to senior designer at GhostRanch Communications in January 2023 and Luke joined Coldwell Banker Mountain Properties as a real estate broker associate in September 2023. lukeschiltz.com

Kade O’Casey, Illustration, married Ethan Parent in September 2023. The two tied the knot in a fabulous enchanted masquerade with many 2016 Ringling Alumni present. They reside in Dallas, where Kade is a UI artist with Gearbox Entertainment. kadeocasey.com

Carol Patton, Motion Design, launched Rage Puddle, a stationery brand with stickers, magnets, and small gifts in June 2022. Located in South Lake Tahoe, CA, Rage Puddle has been sold in over one hundered independent retail stores across the United States and Canada. RagePuddle.com

Mikaela San Pietro, Illustration, released I am an Orangutan, DittyZoo’s first in a series of interactive storybooks, written by Emmy Award winning writer/producer, Lisa Moody, through the DittyZoo website, Amazon, and Walmart in April 2023. DittyZoo.com and Instagram: mikaelasanp

Echo Wu, Computer Animation, is creator, and showrunner of the upcoming Netflix Original Animated Series Jentry Chau vs the Underworld, produced by Titmouse, Inc. with Ali Wong and Aron Eli Coleite as Executive Producers. Echo is based in Los Angeles. Instagram: echoechowu

2017

Sarahina Borgia, Motion Design, earned their Master of Arts in Student Affairs and Higher Education at Stephen F. Austin State University in May 2020. They were promoted to assistant director of Career Advising at Reed College in Portland, OR, in March 2024, and they also serve on the Gender Advocacy and Identity Network (GAIN) Board as the director of marketing. Instagram: papa_sarahina

2018

HP Denham, Fine Arts, exhibited her debut solo exhibition, Having Recently Come From the Interior, at Euclid Gallery in Los Angeles from September-November 2023. She participated in the group exhibition When the Hero Becomes the Problem at Josh Lockman Gallery in Los Angeles in April 2024. hpdenham.com

John Erwin Dillard, Fine Arts, exhibited a solo show, When an Opening Becomes an Orifice, at Prive Gallery, New York City from December 2023-January 2024. John exhibited, The Day Before Forever, his MFA thesis for Tyler School of Art and Architecture, at Temple Contemporary, Philadelphia, from February-March 2024. johndillardprojects.com and Instagram: johndillard__

God is a Circle. Worship, for It Chews but Does Not Consume, 2023, 4.5’x38”x28”, resin, fiberglass, silicone, wood, aluminum, glass, epoxy by John Dillard ’18.

Fashion photography by Jackson Petty ’15.

2019

Leslie (Simmons) Rodriguez, Illustration, married Emil Rodriguez in April 2023. They reside in the greater Phoenix area where Leslie is a senior 3D digital and prototype painter for McFarlane Toys. lesliesimmonsart.wixsite.com

THE TWENTY-TWENTIES

2020

Doug Alberts, Motion Design, married Stefanie (Voinea) Alberts NCIDQ ’21, Interior Design, in November 2022. They reside in the greater Chicago area where Stefanie joined Variant Collaborative as an interior designer in January 2023 and Doug is owner and creative director of Noodle Animation. noodleanimation.com

Shir Baron, Computer Animation, was named on Animation Magazine’s 2023 “Rising Stars of Animation” list in March 2023. An animator at DreamWorks, her recent titles include character animator on Ruby Gillman Teenage Kraken, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, and most recently on the upcoming film The Wild Robot. Shir married Guy Wolfus in April 2023 and they reside in Los Angeles. shirbaron.com

Selina Bostic, Graphic Design, was sworn in as 2023-2024 AAF Suncoast President in September 2023. studio97.graphics

Lauren Taylor Coney, Illustration, was honored with an Achievement Award by her employer, Justice Design Lab (JDL), in recognition of her dedication and exceptional contributions to reflecting the core values at the JDL workplace. Lauren is an associate graphic designer with JDL since 2022 and is based in Columbus, OH. She does their packaging and print, as well as assisting in photoshoots. laurentconey.myportfolio.com

Sophia Kim, Illustration, was promoted to associate UI/UX lead at Booz Allen Hamilton in May 2023. She leads a team of designers to oversee creation, maintenance, and organization of systems, products, and internal team tools within an Agile environment. sophiackim.com

Alli Luihn, Photography and Imaging, joined the Pérez Museum of Art as an art handler in September 2022. Alli’s photography studio is based in Miami. alliluihn.com

2021

Allyssa Ellis, Graphic Design, was promoted to art director at Leo Burnett in May 2023. She works remotely from Portland, OR. designbyallyssa.com

Oskar Flores, Motion Design, joined Cynosure Creative Agency as a junior motion graphics artist in June 2021. He creates work that promotes his clients on social media, including projects for Marvel, Disney, and Amazon, to name a few.

Emily Garfinkle, Illustration, joined Walt Disney Imagineering’s Live Entertainment team as a concept artist and illustrator in November 2023. Emily is located in the greater Orlando area. emilygarfinkle.com

Gabrielle Scianna, Photography and Imaging, was promoted to associate art director at Hollister Co. in November 2023. Gabby photographs and directs content capture for social media on assigned, seasonal location campaign shoots all around the world as well as in New Albany, OH, HQ office and in regional retail stores. gabriellescianna.com, Instagram: g4bbys

Briana Mukodiri Uchendu, Illustration, released her picture book debut, The Talk, by Alicia D. Williams in October 2022, published by Atheneum/ Caitlyn Dlouhy Books. The Talk won American Library Association’s Coretta Scott King (Author) Honor Book and an Amazon Best Book of the Year, among many other honors, in January 2023. Briana’s studio is in Houston. mukoart.com

Scott Schoenike, Illustration, worked with the creator of Pickle Ball Slam, a family/party card game, to illustrate over 100 appealing and lovable characters for all ages based on real moves and terms from pickleball, released in July 2023 and featured in The Boston Globe. Scott is a freelance illustrator based in Austin. scottschoenike.com

2022

Ethan Gathman, Film, has just co-written and directed his first feature-length film with Jorge Rodriguez ’22, Film. The film, titled Jit, is a horror mystery set on the Gulf Coast of Florida. Professionally, he works as a post-production coordinator in Los Angeles, overseeing post-production for a series being developed at Warner Discovery. ethangathman. com

Juniper Johnson, Creative Writing, was promoted to associate copywriter at The Walt Disney Company in May 2023. Based in the Greater Orlando area, Juniper screened her short film, Heavy is the Head, exploring the history of Black women’s hair, at Station House St. Pete in October 2023. juniperjohnson. me

Ciara Lambert, Motion Design, relocated to central Colorado in February 2023, working with confidential clients. Ciara specializes in character animation and anime-like style. ciaralambert.com

Andrea Saravia Pérez, Creative Writing, was selected for a Grant 3.0 by Latinx in Gaming. Andrea works as a Narrative Lead at Anima Interactive while she pursues a graduate degree at Harrisburg University of Science and Technology. With her company, Renaissance Hat Productions, Andrea offers narrative design consultancies and career coaching. renaissancehatproductions.carrd.co

Matthew Troyer, Photography and Imaging, was recognized by the Society of Photographic Education with their Student Award for Innovative Imaging in March 2024. Matthew was also recognized by the Midwest Center for Photography in Wichita, KS, as an Emerging Artist in November 2023. Matthew is a teaching fellow at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. troyermatthew.com

Motion design by Noodle Animation, founded by Douglas Alberts ’20.

Book by Briana Mukodiri Uchendu ’21.

Irezumi, 2023 Etching with oil ink on Stonehenge paper, 20x24 prints by Ren Anan ’23.

2023

Ren Anan, Fine Arts, was named as a Finalist for the 2023 AXA Art Prize U.S., held by the New York Academy of Art, for his work, Irezumi Ren exhibited new work in the David E. Rodale and Rodale Family Galleries at the Baum School of Art in Allentown, PA, in January 2024 and he was a featured artist in a Lehigh Valley Press article about the exhibition. Ren joined Muhlenberg College as a Makerspace Technician in October 2023, and joined Baum School as a drawing and painting, sculpture, and metalsmithing instructor in December 2023. ranan2.wixsite.com/altern

Mikenna Bowers, Photography and Imaging, joined Sarasota Ballet as marketing coordinator in May 2023. She was one of three photographers recognized by Creative Quarterly Issue 72 for her image, Signifier of Solidarity mikennabowersarts.com

CJ Callins, Film, was honored as a 2023 new director to watch by SHOOT Magazine, in association with the Director’s Guild of America. Since then CJ has moved to Chicago and is now gearing up to film his next project while still promoting his award-winning thesis film.

Jesse Clark, Photography and Imaging, had images selected by Best of PhotoVogue 2023. He participated in the group show, Teaching and Learning: Featuring Works from the Richard & Ellen Sandor Family Collection of Photographs, on view at Ringling College from AugustOctober 2023. The exhibition featured works by Bill Brandt and Harry Callahan and presented works that carry these artists’ lineages: Emmet Gowin, a student of Harry Callahan; Tom Carabasi, a student of Gowin; and Jesse, a student of Tom Carabasi. Jesse was featured in

Cultured Magazine with six of his iconic photos. He was one of three photographers recognized by Creative Quarterly Issue 72 and won Arts Thread’s Global Design Graduate Show 2023 photography category. Jesse also had his first international solo exhibition, Where The Light Is, at Space Place Gallery in Nizhny Tagil, Russia, in February 2024. jesseclarkart.com

Steven Dvornik, Motion Design, won Motionographer’s Motion Award for his senior thesis, Ouroboros, in the student category for Experimental, Short Films, and Music Videos, in February 2024. Steven is a motion designer for FutureDeluxe in Los Angeles. stevendvornik.net

Jackson Fowler, Film, joined International Leadership of Texas as a broadcast engineer and videographer within their headquarters’ media team in September 2023. Jackson also runs Mediaverse LCC, his own media technology company in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. jackson-fowler.com

Zach Grzymala, Computer Animation, joined Aristocrat Gaming in Las Vegas as an animator in August 2023. ztgart.com

Zhengwu Gu, Computer Animation, and Ling Zhao ’23, Computer Animation, were selected to show their senior thesis, Dandelion, at the Beaufort International Film Festival in February 2024, in Beaufort, SC. Ling is a 3D generalist at MAKE Studio in Minneapolis, and Zhengwu is a 3D designer at Air A Med in Southwest Florida. zguconcept.myportfolio.com and lingzhao.myportfolio.com

Meibol Moran, Computer Animation, was selected for the 2024 Nickelodeon Artist Program. The program is a six-month, hands-on mentorship located at the Burbank animation studio. As a fan of classic Nickelodeon shows like Avatar: The Last Airbender, Meibol is thrilled to be joining an amazing unannounced project as a story revisionist. meibolmoran.com

Ria Shinde, Computer Animation, was nominated for the 43rd College Television Awards in the Animation Series category for her senior thesis, Strings Attached. The annual award recognizes and rewards excellence in student-produced programs from colleges nationwide. Ria is currently interning at Hornet Animations Inc. in New York as a compositor. riashinde.com

Pearl Stockwell, Motion Design, joined Proven Media, an Arizona-based cannabis marketing and public relations firm, as graphic design and marketing coordinator, in July 2023, and was promoted to associate creative director in January 2024. pearlsmotion.com

Maha Yousaf, Visual Studies, won Honorable Mention for her senior thesis film, Standards at the Athens International Monthly Film Festival in July 2023. She was featured in 6x Magazine’s Charisma Magazine and on the cover of Quadros Female Energy in October 2023. Maha launched SACH (South Asian Creative Hub) in September 2023. Maha joined LMSL Labs of KPI Institute in Australia, as a remote graphic designer in December 2023. She continues to freelance, with clients including UN women (Pakistan) and National Status of Women Pakistan. Instagram: ahayousaf.art and sach.network

Sam Zappola, Illustration, joined Kooapps as a junior concept artist in January 2024. zappolas.wixsite.com/samzappola

Dandelion by Zhengwu Gu ’23 and Ling Zhao ’23.

Ouroboros by Steven Dvornik ’23.

In Memoriam

Edith Mae “Kitty” (Proctor) Kokx ’49

Landscape

April 9, 2023, Pentwater, Michigan

Roderick Miller Hughes ’52

Advertising Design & Illustration

July 3, 2023, Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Patricia Joan Sexauer ’54

Commercial Design

June 4, 2019, St. Petersburg, Florida

Dorothy Jo “Dody” (Graydon) Burford ’55 Fine Arts

October 2, 2024, Montgomery, Alabama

Jacqueline (Robinson Gross) McNally ’56

Fashion Design

March 12, 2023, Sarasota, Florida

Patsy (Kellum) Svendsen ’57

Fine Arts

September 19, 2021, Jacksonville, North Carolina

Carroll T. Erlandson ’58

Painting

July 24, 2023, Sauk City, Wisconsin

Lucy (Mahorner) Johnston ’58

Fine Arts

October 22, 2023, Dallas, Texas

Eugenia P. (Dean) Rowe ’58

Commercial Design

January 7, 2024, Newark, Delaware

Robert Hal Garden ’59

Commercial Design

December 17, 2022, Irving, Texas

Sylvia Laurena “Susie” (Labon) Morton ’59

Fine Arts

June 8, 2022, Prescott Valley, Arizona

Marian Jean Bowman ’60

Commercial Design

April 4, 2023, Venice, Florida

George H. Lawrence ’60

Commercial Design

September 20, 2023, Lebanon, New Hampshire

Arnold Rudolph “Rudy” Hinshaw ’61

Interior Design

July 2, 2023, Greensboro, North Carolina

Florence Reid (Leslie) Lovett ’61

Commercial Design

July 17, 2022, Ashland, Kentucky

Marion Orcelia “Cissy” Bissett ’63

Fine Arts

June 30, 2023, Salem, Alabama

Michael Dennis Little ’64

Interior Design

September 9, 2023, Childersburg, Alabama

Patricia S. Murphy ’64

Fine Arts

January 17, 2024, Alexandria, Virginia

Harold B. “Jack” Pardue ’64

Commercial Design

August 18, 2023, Hertford, North Carolina

John Randall “Randy” Smith ’66

Interior Design

April 9, 2023, Tallahassee, Florida

Marilyn Jean (Waldron) Evans ’67

Fashion Design

November 16, 2023, Helena, Montana

Julius Earl Towery ’67

Commercial Design

June 25, 2023, Buckeye, Arizona

Dennis W. Hicks ’69

Commercial Design

June 11, 2023, Lawrenceville, Georgia

Dianne Lee Deason Cochran ’70

Fine Arts

March 17, 2023, Biloxi, Mississippi

Stephen Carl Gundlach ’70

Advertising Design

June 15, 2023, Lantana, Florida

James Michael “Jim” Pegram ’70

Commercial Design

December 18, 2023, Winston-Salem, North Carolina

William Wolk ’71

Fine Arts

May 21, 2022, Sarasota, Florida

Charles “Charlie” Adam Decker ’72

Interior Design

May 1, 2023, Bradenton, Florida

Sharon Ann (Brunk) Blackmar ’73

Advertising Design

October 24, 2023, Devils Lake, Michigan

John Shelton Allen, III ’75

Painting

June 5, 2013, Sarasota, Florida

Joe David “Dave” Sargent ’75

Advertising Design

February 11, 2024, Maryville, Tennessee

David Richard “Rick” Alley, Jr. ’76

Advertising Design

September 6, 2023, Sarasota, Florida

John Brent Simpson ’76

Advertising Design

October 5, 2022, Madison, Tennessee

Daniel P. White ’79

Graphic Design

April 28, 2023, Rockingham, North Carolina

William Randall “Randy” Wofford ’79

Fine Arts

February 15, 2024, Cookesville, Tennessee

Dan S. Stevens ’80

Interior Design & Space Planning

September 10, 2023, Kent, Ohio

Mark Steven Dodson ’81

Graphic Design & Illustration

September 11, 2023, Athens, Georgia

Kenneth W. McLeod ’81

Graphic Design & Illustration

May 8, 2023, Jacksonville, Florida

Darrell Eric Smith ’82

Illustration

November 16, 2023, Charlotte, North Carolina

Melody Ann Cummons ’83

Illustration

September 4, 2023, Brooklyn, New York

David Mark Madden ’89

Illustration

December 28, 2023, Tampa, Florida

Geraldine P. “Geri” Meegan ’89

Interior Design

June 30, 2023, Sarasota, Florida

William Albert “Billy” Perrella ’91

Illustration

January 30, 2024, Vienna, Virginia

Barbara K. “Barb” Rau ’00

Illustration

July 25, 2019, Bradenton, Florida

Rebecca A. “Rekka” (Korol) Jay ’03

Graphic & Interactive Communication

July 18, 2023, Fairfield, Connecticut

Angel Alberto Gonzalez ’20

Illustration

November 4, 2023, Miami, Florida

Wendy

Surkis + Peppi Elona:

Living, Loving, Giving

By Gayle Guynup

While it took a village, literally, to bring the Sarasota Art Museum to life in 2003, there are two women who were especially instrumental in giving of their time, talent, and treasure: Wendy Surkis and Peppi Elona.

Sadly, we lost Peppi last year, when she passed away at the age of 86.

Both women had extensive backgrounds in the arts, Wendy having spent 25 years in the field of advertising before “retiring” at the age of 50 and becoming involved with the burgeoning museum. She was instrumental in transforming Sarasota High School into a museum totally devoted to 20th- and 21stcentury artwork, helping to raise more than $30 million for the project.

Peppi, the mother of four, was an exhibiting artist, showing her work at venues including Art Center Sarasota and the Selby Gallery at Ringling College of Art and Design, the Newark Art Museum in New Jersey, and various galleries in New York.

For Peppi, her own words best explain her love of art. On her website she wrote: “Continuously, I journey, explore and experiment. In each work I stretch myself… never knowing what the outcome will be… and enjoying every exploration.”

Wendy and Peppi met at the University of Louisville in 1973. During their 47-year relationship, they were first classmates, then confidantes and the best of friends, and finally were married and life-long companions.

In 2003, Peppi and Wendy were two of the 13 founding members of Sarasota Art Museum, where Wendy became founding president.

“At first, the idea of creating a new art museum seemed beyond our wildest dreams,” Wendy said. “It really sparked my interest. I saw it as giving birth to a new treasure for Sarasota, which would add to the cultural depth of our city. Remember, at that time, there was not a venue devoted exclusively to modern and contemporary art in Sarasota,” she said.

“It was also an opportunity to take a blank slate with virtually unlimited possibilities, and bring it to life—which was my type of Wendy challenge,” she said.

“Peppi and I, and so many others, worked tirelessly to make the museum a reality. It was 11 years of our lives that we devoted to this endeavor. Our commitment ran deep. And when we rolled up our sleeves to work on a project, we gave 200 percent, not 100 percent, to bring it to fruition.”

“Art is a diary of my time on Earth.”

- PEPPI ELONA -

“The people of our community really fueled us. They were encouraging and enthusiastic and, of course, financially generous. I coined them ‘the believers,’ and they are the ones who really kept the project going,” she said. “From day one, I was determined not to let the believers down. The founding group of 13 was focused on looking forward to opening day, as was the community as a whole.”

Once they received the keys to the building, the historic Sarasota High School became Wendy’s second home. “I would meet with people in the building, and I remember I would often start with the words, “Just imagine…”

Opening night, Wendy said she felt exhilarated. “The joy in the air that night was contagious,” she said. “People kept coming up and saying ‘We did it. We did it.’”

Then came the essential moment of passing the baton. “Today, I am thrilled with Executive Director Virginia Shearer’s leadership. She has made this Museum Campus robust, credible, and a respected go-to destination,” Wendy said. “I believe the Museum is in wonderful hands.”

“Having a museum devoted to contemporary art, our guests have the opportunity to meet, greet, and learn from artists who are creating their art today. It is so enriching for a museum to be able to offer this. And for Ringling College students studying art, they have the opportunity to learn from the artists in real time. What could be better?”

Wendy says when she thinks about Ringling College and the Museum, she is really overwhelmed at the confidence, trust, and support that Larry Thompson, president of Ringling College, showed in the founders’ vision. “Larry is a big-time dreamer, and so am I. His support meant so much, especially since this was my first foray into the nonprofit world. I appreciated it, probably more than he knows.”

Today, the Wendy G. Surkis and Peppi Elona Lobby holds a special meaning for Wendy. “For 11 years, I stood in that historic lobby with a microphone speaking passionately to thousands of people about the vision to transform this 57,000-square-foot historic landmark into an art museum with classrooms and studios. It was my job as founding president to visualize and communicate the idea that we were breathing new life into this vacant, musty building. I would watch the faces of those who came as they began to imagine a future for this 1926 Sarasota landmark. That is why the lobby has such special meaning for Peppi and me.”

“Today, when I walk into the Museum it takes my breath away. I look up at our names in the Wendy G. Surkis and Peppi Elona Lobby and I get tearyeyed each and every time. If you could get inside my head, you would hear me saying to Peppi, ‘We did it. We did it.’”

Peppi was a talented artist in her own right. You can enjoy some of Peppi’s work on her website: visualinnovator.com

Peppi Elona and Wendy Surkis in their namesake lobby at Sarasota Art Museum.

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CONTXT Magazine

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Executive

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Writing Izzy

’24, Joshua Thomas Bray ’24, Susan Borozan, Nicole Caron, Sara Curtis Robinson, Rick Dakan, Logan Faulkner ’24, Gayle Guynup, Amy Pettengill, Heather Thomson ’96, Dr. Ryan G. Van Cleave, Nosipho Vilakazi ’25, Amanda Walters, Abby Weingarten, Tom Winchester

Photography Karen Arango ’13, Élan Photography, Ryan Gamma, Matthew Holler ’11, Daniel Perales

The information presented in this issue of CONTXT is correct to the best of our knowledge. We hope you will alert us to any inaccuracies. We apologize for any concern they may cause.

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Rendering of entry space in the new Signature Academic Building courtesy of Moody Nolan.