31 minute read
ALUMNI NEWS + NOTES
from Contxt 2019
THE FIFTIES
1952
Ella Beth (McAdams) Ford (Fine Arts) exhibited some of her award-winning artwork spanning 50 years in Beth Ford: A Selective Retrospective, at the Polk Museum of Art (Lakeland, FL), from May-September 2018. Professor Emeritus of Florida Southern College and an award-winning artist, Beth is the author and illustrator of Room 4, a memoir of her early Mississippi years, published in 2018. ROOM4BETHFORD.COM
THE SIXTIES
1966
Wendell Minor (Commercial Design) was honored by the Norman Rockwell Museum with its Artist Lauriet Award, presented to him by author, client, and friend David McCullough in June 2018. Wendell Minor’s America was on view at the museum from April-October 2018. MINORART.COM
1968
Tom Leigh (Commercial Design) was profiled in The Ellsworth American’s, “Artist Tom Leigh and Ark Director Produce Children’s Book” in May 2018. Tom’s career in illustration from Hallmark through Sesame Street, to Nickelodeon and Disney was noted, in addition to his passion for animal welfare. Proceeds from the sale of Hope for Someday benefitted the Ark Animal Shelter in Cherryfield, ME.
THE SEVENTIES
1970
Pam (Beagle) Daresta (Fashion Design) had a solo exhibition, Orarius Ara, at Blue Ridge Mountain Arts Association in Blue Ridge, GA, from January-February 2018. Paul Ladnier (Advertising Design, Graphic Design, and Illustration) exhibited in the group show, The Fine Line, at The Space Gallery, Jacksonville, FL in 2017. Paul retired Professor Emeritus from North Florida University in 2010 with an honorary eponymous student scholarship. Represented by Jacksonville’s South Light Galleries and CoRK Studios, Paul became a member of New York’s Salmagundi Club in 2017. Paul and his wife Jeannette reside in Jacksonville where he teaches and paints on commission. PAULLADNIER.COM
1972
Theodore Morris (Commercial Design) was featured on WEDU-TV’s Arts Plus in July 2018 with his Florida Lost Tribes artwork, which honors Native Americans. Theodore exhibited a solo show at Ringling College’s MADEBY Gallery in January 2019. FLORIDALOSTTRIBES.COM
1976
Regan Dunnick (Fine Arts) exhibited a solo show, Why Yes, My Sketchbooks Are for Work and Pleasure, in Ringling College’s Selby Foundation Gallery from SeptemberOctober 2018. The Sarasota Herald-Tribune reviewed the exhibition in “Regan Dunnick Fills His Sketchbooks with a Humorous Take on Life.” Proceeds from sale of the show’s work were donated to the American Cancer Society in memory of Regan’s spouse Debbie (Moore) Dunnick ’03.
THE EIGHTIES
1980
Brett LaGue (Graphic Design & Illustration) headlined a watercolor and wine workshop in October 2018 at Olin Hall Gallery at Roanoke College during Virginia Watercolor Society’s 39th Annual Exhibition. BRETTLAGUE.COM
1982
Brian Born (Graphic Design) joined Organic/Dallas in October 2018. Over the past 35 years in the advertising industry, Brian has been recognized in D&AD, CA, and One Show. He has been awarded multiple Best of Shows as well as being a judge for the American Advertising Federation. CARGOCOLLECTIVE.COM/BRIANBORN James Covington (Fine Arts) celebrated his 10th anniversary as Scenic Artist for Wolf Films (Law & Order SVU) in 2018. James has also worked as Camera Scenic on numerous films and shows including The Sopranos, and as Back-Drop Artist for stage productions worldwide. Eddie Ryan (Graphic Design) joined Ringling College as Digital Designer in January 2018. Prior to returning to Sarasota, Eddie worked for 32 years in Atlanta at a new, upstart cable channel called CNN, winning multiple awards for his outstanding motion design.
1983
Laura (Keatts) Avery (Fine Arts) joined the staff of the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens as Manager of Classes & Exhibits in April 2016. Ken Beberman (Illustration) exhibited in a solo show at the Heart of Delray Gallery in January 2019. BEBERMAN.COM
Jullie (Butts) Jones (Graphic Design) and her husband Dr. Rev. David F. Jones celebrated their 33rd anniversary in 2018. Jullie owns Oil on Canvas, specializing in 30 x 40 and larger canvas art, in Woodlands, TX. WOODLANDSARTLEAGUE.COM Tom Chambers (Graphic Design) released Heart and Bones, a retrospective of his nine photomontage series, in October 2018, by Unicorn Publishing Group. Exhibitions in Chicago, Boston, Richmond, and Santa Fe surrounded Tom’s book signings and lectures. TOMCHAMBERSPHOTOGRAPHY.COM
1986
Eric Hope (Illustration) launched Eric Hope Media in November 2018. After 15 years as a graphic artist with BB King Blues Club, Eric’s new venture is based in Long Island City, NY and specializes in graphic design, digital composition, and digital coloring for the music and entertainment industry. ERICHOPE.COM
1988
Missy Leigh Lynch (Illustration) released A Friend for Sidney, a heartwarming story of acceptance, in April 2018, by St. Clair Publishing. Missy was interviewed on WBIR-TV’s Live at Five at Four about her journey in authoring and illustrating this children’s book and its important message.
1989
Joe Fiorello (Fine Arts) was honored by Provincetown Art Association & Museum, America’s oldest continuous art colony, with its Award for Outstanding Volunteerism and Artistic Excellence at its PAAM Party in October 2018.
THE NINETIES
1990
Dave Hoffman (Graphic Design) relocated to Tokyo in June 2018 as Director, Creative Development for Walt Disney Imagineering Japan. He oversees the team and content being developed locally at the Tokyo Disney Resort. Dave began his career in graphic design and, in his 28 years at Walt Disney Imagineering, he has served as park Art Director and more recently, Creative Director for Disney Springs. Jeffery James (Graphic Design) celebrated his firm’s 15th anniversary in May 2018. Spire2 Communications, Inc. provides full-service marketing and communications for clients in the greater Chicagoland area. Jeffery and his spouse Clarinda reside in Naperville, IL with their five children. SPIRE2.COM Joseph Patrick Arnegger (Fine Arts) and his spouse Ashley welcomed their child Amelia in April 2018. JOSEPHARNEGGER.COM David Sporn (Graphic Design) and wife Dana celebrated 20 years of marriage in June 2018. David teaches drawing and painting at Loara High School in Anaheim, CA.
1996
Jennifer (Arminio) Borresen (Illustration) was part of the 2018 EPPY Award winning team at the Sarasota Herald-Tribune as Design Editor for “One War. Two Races.” Suzanne (Martino) DuFour (Illustration) was elected President for the New Jersey Art Therapy Association, with her term commencing January 2019. In October 2017, she completed her 25 hour/3 day SoulCollage® Facilitator training. Sue currently works in private practice as an art therapist and art therapy supervisor for students and new professionals working to complete their ATR credentials. Sascha Wagner (Interior Design) was inducted into the International Interior Design Association College of Fellows in April 2018. Sascha is President & CEO of Huntsman Architectural Group in San Francisco. HUNTSMANAG.COM
1997
Octavio Perez (Illustration) exhibited a solo show, Octavio Perez – Illustrations at Ringling College’s Patricia Thompson Gallery from May-September 2018. Teaching full time at Ringling College since 2001, Octavio resides in Bradenton with his wife Suzanne and daughter Maya.
1998
Nicole Bartet Lofald (Illustration) launched Loopy Gear, a subsidiary of Bartet Studios, in 2017. Loopy Gear is sold all over the US and has distribution in Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore, Germany, Saudia Arabia, and throughout the Gulf Cooperation Council countries. Nicole was awarded an MFA in Costume Design from the University of South Carolina and is now based in Littleton, Colorado. BARTETSTUDIOS.COM and LOOPYGEAR.COM Misty (Bell) Stiers (Illustration) released Witch, Please: A Memoir: Finding Magic in Modern Times in May 2018, published by Apollo Publishers. Misty’s 2018 book tour included major American city bookstores and universities as well as the Greater New Orleans and New York City Pagan Pride Festivals. Available in all major bookstores. MISTYBELLSTIERS.COM Maria Pavlou (Computer Animation) is co-founder & CEO of PIXEL Giants, in Nicosia, Cypress. Her production, Magic Molly, was exhibited at Cartoon Forum in Toulouse, France in September 2018.
1991
Eric Binder (Illustration) is celebrating his 10th year owning and operating two locations of Ronny’s Pizza in Tbilisi, Republic of Georgia, with his spouse and three sons. Eric also teaches at International Design School at Georgian Technical University. RONNYSPIZZA.COM Michael Inman (Illustration) departed Warner Bros Animation in Burbank in July 2018 and joined Brown Bag Films in Manchester, England, in August 2018 as Supervising Art Director. Mike serves as key point of contact for the art department for the Manchester-based team and is an advocate for the studio art department at events. Mike also works closely with recruitment in hiring of key resources for the Art Department at BBF/Manchester, including advising on job descriptions, profile reviews, and interviewing. INMANART.COM
1993
Dwight Rose (Fine Arts) exhibited a solo show, Far From Home, at the Chapman Cultural Center in Spartanburg, SC in September 2018. Dwight teaches at Greenville Center for the Creative Arts and Spartanburg Art Museum. DWIGHTROSE.COM
1999
Daniel Bejar (Illustration) exhibited a solo show, Going Public at the Westchester Community College’s Fine Arts Gallery from September-October 2018. Addressing themes relevant to the U.S. fall 2018 election, the exhibition brought together work from three collections of his work: Rec-elections (2012-ongoing); RE-districting (2017) and Get Lost! (2009-2012). DANIELBEJAR.COM Maggie Davenport (Fine Arts) joined Premier Sotheby’s International Realty as a Sales Associate in the firm’s Lakewood Ranch, FL office in May 2018. MAGGIEDAVENPORT.COM Frederick Weiss (Photography & Digital Imaging) celebrated his 5th year as Creative Director at Star2Star in Sarasota. Frederick is also the mind and voice behind the podcast Thunder Nerds, described as “a conversation with the people behind the technology, that love what they do… and do tech good.” THUNDERNERDS.IO
Betsy Mitchell ’85
PAYING IT FORWARD By Su Byron | Photo by Matthew Holler ’11
Quitting isn’t Betsy Mitchell’s style. Passion is. When something moves her heart, she goes the distance. Take art. Mitchell pursued this love at Ringling College of Art and Design, where she studied interior design and space planning from 1982 to 1985. As part of a diverse, creative community, she embarked on a shared adventure through the past, present, and future of visual expression. Heady stuff, and Mitchell loved every minute of it. But she also worked hard. To make ends meet, she got a part-time job. Scholarships weren’t easily available back then. After she graduated with a BFA, Mitchell pursued a successful career in interior design. When children entered the picture, she changed her focus to fundraising and development for nonprofits. Mitchell was equally successful in her new field. But she never forgot her first loves. Art, of course. And also physical competition. Mitchell was a born athlete—until a trampoline accident sidelined her at age 17. She risked losing her leg and people feared she’d never walk again. But she overcame the odds and didn’t stop there. In her 50s, she learned to row and went on to become one of America’s most accomplished para-rowers. A fire in her belly pushed Mitchell beyond the limits that others had set. She brings that same fire to her philanthropic work, along with her expertise in development. At Ringling College, she’s done a world of good. Mitchell created an endowed scholarship at the College, and also gives generous support to capital projects and programs, including the dazzling new Alfred R. Goldstein Library, and Continuing Studies’ PreCollege summer teen program. Mitchell also signed up to be a docent, introducing residents and visitors to the state-of-the-art campus. What creates her special connection to Ringling College? To Mitchell, it’s a way of passing the baton. Empowering the College’s next generation of students to pursue their first loves always makes her smile. “I love seeing students go forward to lead creative and fulfilling lives,” she says. “At some point in our lives, we’ve all been helped by others. Whenever possible, I want to make a difference in someone’s life. My family passed this basic principle on to me—and now it serves as an example to my children, too.”
2000
Amy Beth Christenson (Illustration) is art director of Star Wars: Resistance, an animated series on the Disney Channel. For its premiere in October 2018, Amy Beth was featured in The Wichita Eagle. Amy Beth has worked with LucasArts and LucasFilm since graduation. Android Jones (Computer Animation) was featured in WIRED Magazine, “Creating Art in Virtual Reality—and Entering It” in March 2018. Android exhibited in the group show, No Spectators: The Art of Burning Man at the Renwick Gallery, Smithsonian American Art Museum from March 2018-January 2019, which was reviewed in The New York Times, “Will the Spirit of Burning Man Art Survive in Museums?” Susan Tooker (Illustration) relocated to the greater Orlando area in January 2018 to join Disney Parks Live Entertainment as full-time Costumer in the Character Costuming Department.
2001
Daniel Bemiss (Graphic & Interactive Communication) and Carly (Harrison) Bemiss ’02 (Interior Design) celebrated their 11th wedding anniversary in 2018. Residing in the New York City area with their two children, Emma and Jillian, the Bemisses are remodeling their 1950s home with a second floor for their expanding family. Daniel is celebrating his 4th year at Autel as its Global Marketing Director, managing global teams developing new electronics and automotive diagnostics and creating marketing strategies to support global sales regions. Michael Crabb (Fine Arts) and his partner Jennifer Locke opened Locke & Crabb Gallery in downtown Sarasota in May 2018. Featured in the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, “New Gallery Opens Doors of Perception” in June 2018, Michael strives to showcase both “aesthetics and character.” Michael is founder of Working Title Publications, LLC. Lesley Flanigan (Fine Arts) presented new work for oscillators, subwoofers, and voice at the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine as part of the Red Bull Music Festival New York in May 2018. LESLEYFLANIGAN.COM
2002
Robert Scott Gilbert (Computer Animation) and his spouse Laurie welcomed their first child Julia Kate in March 2018. Scott is Technical Artist at Tiburon in Orlando. Mike Wewerka (Illustration) exhibited The Vietnam Veteran Portrait Project at Railroad Square’s Southern Exposure Art Gallery, Tallahassee, FL in December 2018. Mike and Tess (Bailey) Wewerka ’09 (Illustration) reside in Tallahassee where Mike runs Mike Wewerka Photography. MIKEWEWERKA.COM
2003
Yael (Rotstein) Campbell (Graphic & Interactive Communication) and Matthew Campbell (Graphic & Interactive Communication) celebrated their 15th wedding anniversary in May 2018. They have two sons, Eitan and Etai. The Campbells own and operate Westcoast Printing in Venice, FL. Justin LaRocca Hansen (Illustration) released the third and final installment of his graphic novel trilogy Secondhand Heroes: The Last Battle, published by Penguin’s Dial Books for Young Readers in April 2018. JUSTINLAROCCAHANSEN.COM Chalice Mitchell (Fine Arts) and Irene Garibay ’16 (Fine Arts) exhibited in the group show, Hope Will Never Be Silent at Pineapple Yoga Studio & Event Space as part of Sarasota’s Harvey Milk Festival in May 2018. CHALICEMITCHELL.COM
Tobey Albright (Fine Arts) launched HOUR Studio in August 2017. HOUR is a graphic design studio specializing in print, web, and environments. Serving the greater Chicagoland area, HOUR Studio collaborates with artists, architects, and cultural institutions. HOUR.STUDIO Brittny (Ferrarini) Baugh (Graphic & Interactive Communication) celebrated her graphic design company’s 10th anniversary in 2018. REDesigns is a full-service graphic design firm specializing in corporate branding for print, web, and collateral marketing materials located in the Greater Orlando area. REDESIGNS.US Tristan Henry-Wilson (Illustration), his spouse Josephine Raimo, and daughter Vivian welcomed their second daughter Alessandra in July 2018. An awardwinning illustrator, Tristan joined ‘You Need A Budget’ as Motion Designer in 2017. THEWHITELEAF.COM Michelle Rene (Illustration) released two novels in 2018: Hour Glass, which won Chanticleer Review’s “Best Book of the Year,” and her experimental novella, Tattoo, which received a starred review in Publisher’s Weekly and was listed in Foreword Reviews top eight sci-fi/fantasy books. MICHELLERENEAUTHOR.COM Jenny (Greene) Medved (Illustration) had a solo exhibition, Indigenous People, Portraits of Heritage and Descent, in the Kellogg Gallery at ArtCenter Manatee from June-July 2018. JENNYMEDVED.COM Jance Rubinchik (Computer Animation) was featured in Animation World Network, “How ILM Blended Practical and Digital Effects for Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom.” Jance is Animation Supervisor at Industrial Light & Magic in their London studio.
2005
Gerry Knall (Illustration) was awarded an MA in Secondary Education from Grand Canyon University in March 2017. In addition to his freelance corporate illustration work, Gerry teaches art at Thompson Middle School in North Grosvenordale, CT. Angela (Smallacombe) Rodriguez (Interior Design) and her interior design firm, Space as Art, were honored with three awards from the American Society of Interior Designers South Florida and West Florida chapters in September 2018. Lead designers on the projects honored also included Pablo Rodriguez ’01 (Illustration) and Sonika Fourie Dechow ’11 (Interior Design). SPACEASART.COM
2006
Andrea Cannistra (Graphic & Interactive Communication) joined Gooee as Product Designer in December 2018. ANDREACANNISTRA.COM Kriss Knapp (Fine Arts) collaborated with LA’s Happy Hour Agency in May 2018 to open Tablerock, a covert, experimental art-bar concept in Culver City, CA. The experience included specialty cocktails in hand thrown clay vessels and an original mural by Kriss. Kriss was also artist-in-residence at Werkartz DTLA 2018. KRISSKNAPP.COM Nicole Mauser (Fine Arts) exhibited in the group show Echoes & Interference at Notre Dame Center for Arts & Culture from April-June 2018. NICOLEMAUSER.COM Brian Murphy (Computer Animation) celebrated his 10 year anniversary at Zynga Games in 2018. Initially UI Artist, Brian is their Lead UX Designer in San Francisco. John Norton (Graphic & Interactive Communication) launched The Graphic Standard, a modern, multi-disciplinary studio specializing in highfidelity experience design and branding, based in Austin, TX in June 2017. THEGRAPHICSTANDARD.COM and JMNORTON.COM Brooke Olivares (Illustration) and spouse Matteo Caloiaro ’07 (Illustration) welcomed daughter Sofia in January 2018. Matteo’s painting Aspettare received 2nd place in the Portrait Society of America’s Members Only Competition’s NonCommissioned Portrait category in December 2018. BROOKEOLIVARES.COM and CALOIARO.COM We want to know what’s happening with you! Share with us and your fellow graduates in Alumni News & Notes. This section includes updates such as life milestones (marriages, babies, relocations, retirements, anniversaries), new jobs and promotions, news and media, accolades and awards, gallery and museum openings, publishing and screenings, etc. Whatever you’d like to share!
Email alumni@ringling.edu
2007
Corinne (Aiello) Tau (Illustration) married Haley Tau in June 2017. In 2018, Corinne celebrated her 10th year with Falcon’s Creative Group in Orlando, where she is their Graphic Design Manager. Meghan (Jones) Appelboim (Illustration) relocated to Tel Aviv in December 2016 where she is Senior Designer for AnyClip, a video advertising technology company. Meghan married Shay Appelboim in June 2017. MEGHANAPPELBOIM.COM Erik Jones (Illustration) exhibited in Armor, his solo show at Jonathan LeVine Projects, Jersey City, NJ from January-February 2018. The gallery released a limited-edition print in mid-January. ERIKJONESART.COM Adriane (Pavlick) Orion (Interior Design) Assoc. AIA, NCARB, NCIDQ was awarded a Masters of Architecture degree from the University of Florida in May 2014. Upon graduation Adriane and her spouse Justin moved to her hometown of Naples, FL where she started an architectural design practice and accepted a leadership position in her family’s real estate investment firm. Adriane joined Ringling College’s faculty in the Interior Design department in August 2018. ADRIANEORION.COM
2008
Nick Sipes (Interior Design) and his spouse Valerie welcomed their son in March 2016. Nick is Application Specialist for CADD Microsystems in Baltimore, MD.
2009
Lauren (Leffingwell) Albers and spouse Jake welcomed their first daughter Brynn in September 2018. Lauren is Production Supervisor at Walt Disney Feature Animation. Jeslyn Cantrell (Illustration) married Travis Sebold in September 2017. They reside on the Florida Panhandle where Jeslyn is a freelance illustrator. JESLYNKATE.COM Sandra (Builes) Diaz (Illustration) founded Lucia & Co. as a fashion illustrator. She hosts various live sketching events for top fashion brands including CHANEL, Carolina Herrera, Diane Von Furstenberg, Saks Fifth Avenue, Marciano, and Bloomingdales. Sandra and her husband Jonathan have recently moved to Seattle where Sandra has accepted a new position as Visual Designer at Amazon. LUCIAAND.CO Anastasia Garcia (Photography & Digital Imaging) had her photography featured in Harper’s Bazaar article, “How Model Ebonee Davis is Normalizing Being Abnormal,” in October 2018. ANASTASIAGARCIA.FORMAT.COM Brittany Zachos (Interior Design) returned to Sarasota to open Zachos Realty and Design Group, a combined interior design-real estate firm with her father and brother, in May 2018. In 2015-16, Brittany was Lead Designer for Property Brothers (HGTV). ZACHOSDESIGNGROUP.COM
2010
Daniel B. Dias (Illustration) was awarded an MFA in Fine Art with a focus on Painting from the University of Delaware in June 2018. From 2010-2016, Daniel lived and worked in China. Daniel exhibited in Eight Emerging Artists at Steven Zevitas Gallery, Boston, from June-August 2018, and was featured in New American Paintings, Issue 135. Daniel’s studio is in Newark, DE. MRDANIELBD.TUMBLR.COM Will DiMondi (Graphic & Interactive Communication) joined Apple Inc. in Cupertino, CA as a Designer in September 2018. Jacob Neagle (Illustration) joined Inspiration Academy in Bradenton, as a full-time art instructor charged with building their visual arts program in August 2018. Jacob also paints on commission in Southwest Florida. JACOBJAMESNEAGLE.COM David Serna (Illustration) was awarded 2018 Lone Star Emmys for direction on “Discussion with Artist” and for production on “Univision 45 Harvey Uplift” in November 2018.
2011
Erica (Beall) Lynch (Illustration) married Christopher Lynch in September 2018. Erica recently celebrated her 7th anniversary with Kohl’s Department Stores as Graphic Designer. Athena Torri (Photography & Digital Imaging), represented by Deli Gallery, exhibited at Material Art Fair, Mexico City in February 2018. Athena also exhibited with ten fellow graduates of the Ringling College-International Center of Photography programs at the International Center of Photography in New York City in JanuaryMarch 2019. Also exhibiting were Karen Arango ’13, Bill Ellis ’14, Mariana Greif ’14, Kathryn Harrison ’15, Rachel Kuzma ’15, Angie Garcia ’16, Miles Goscha ’17, Charles Robbins ’18, Alyson Smyth ’18, and Rebecca Morrello ’19. Curated by Kathryn Harrison ’15, Signs From the Interior will also be on view at Ringling College’s Crossley Gallery in June-July 2019. ATHENATORRI.COM
2012
Pilar Garra (Illustration) had a solo exhibition, The Letter at The Greenpoint Gallery in Brooklyn, NY in November 2018. Proceeds of the sales of her work benefitted Wolf Conservation Center. Adam Hartlaub (Illustration) married Becky Penn in November 2017, and the couple resides in the Greater Philadelphia Metro area. After 4 years at Unique Industries, Adam joined PetroChoice as its Web Operations Technical Specialist, where he strategizes B2B e-commerce. ADAMFINE-INTERACTIVEDESIGN.COM Sean Pearson (Fine Arts), represented by SEASON Gallery, exhibited at the Seattle Art Fair 2018. Sean also participated in a 2-week residency in 2018 at Musashino Art University in Musabi, Tokyo where he studied traditional Japanese pottery. SEANROGERPEARSON.COM
2013
Karen Arango (Photography & Digital Imaging) was honored with her short film, Families Together/Familias Unidas being selected for two festival screenings in April 2018: Through Women’s Eyes Film Festival and Sarasota Film Festival. KARENARANGO.COM
Graduating with Honors
By Sydney Anderson ’20 | Photo by Elan Photography The second annual Ringling College of Art and Design Alumni Wall of Honor was unveiled on January 17, 2019. Debuting last year, the Wall of Honor recognizes exceptional graduates in each major, as well as alumni leaders. Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Peter McAllister thanked the department heads before further explaining the importance of the Alumni Wall of Honor stating, “President Thompson, it is your vision for 20 years as president that enables us to celebrate this event today. Our alumni are living proof that preeminence is becoming a reality. To select our alumni, we asked each department head to choose individuals who have made a significant impact in their chosen field and exemplify the passion and excellence that are hallmarks of Ringling College.” As a current junior, it was an inspiration to see all of the amazing things our graduates have done and how they’ve used their degrees as a base to navigate their professional paths. Half of this year’s honorees were able to attend the ceremony in person: Jody Haneke (Graphic Design, ’95), Christian Sampson (Fine Arts, ’98), Ignacio Guajardo Unanue (Game Art, ’14), Keith Nielsen (Business of Art & Design, ’15), and May Todd (Film, ’15). Watching them accept their award reinforced the idea that Ringling College is shattering the myth of the starving artist. Keith Nielsen now works as a costume designer and credits Ringling College and the insights he gleaned from his peers, stating, “If someone gives me a prompt, that’s my starting point, not my ending point. I want to cross the finish line. My major was great and I loved it, but there were a lot of different things surrounding me. There are so many different majors with all of these different focuses that can support and help me in different ways.” It is easy to get lost in the tunnel of your major, but what makes these honorees so influential is their commitment to branch out of their majors and seize all the opportunities Ringling College offers. Jody Haneke now runs a software company. Haneke offered this piece of advice to current students: “Having a strong foundation in design is extremely important in the world I live in and it touches on so many aspects of software. One of the first things I learned very quickly was to do a lot of iterations. One of the first real lessons I learned was your first idea is typically already executed so you can throw it away.” Haneke is a reminder that design is at the heart of so many things. Those iterations that so many students dread are a part of the creative process and help us to become better artists.
The Alumni Wall of Honor is located in the Keating Center. Stop by to see how much campus has changed and visit the Alumni Wall of Honor, designed by the Department Head of Graphic Design Jeff Bleitz. It is truly a motivation to continue to grow as an artist in the Ringling College community.
Jessica Anne Cattle was awarded an MFA in Arts Leadership from Seattle University in May 2018. JESSICAANNE.NET Ted Gola (Digital Filmmaking) became LATAM Regional Product Lead for Google in January 2018. Ted has worked with Google in marketing solutions in South America for nearly 5 years, and is based in São Paulo, Brazil. Esther Love (Game Art & Design) departed Microsoft in Seattle in August 2018 to be Environment Artist with Cryptic Studios on the Magic: The Gathering team in Los Gatos, CA. ESTHERLOVE.COM Walter Matthews (Painting) was awarded an MFA in Painting from University of South Florida in May 2017. In addition to his studio work, Walter teaches painting at USF. WALTERERICMATTHEWS.COM
2014
Alexis Copeland (Motion Design) relocated to Seattle in September 2017 and is Motion Visual Designer for Microsoft. ALEXISCOPELAND.ME
2015
Tony Ahedo (Film) directed Downpour in an amazing 30 days, thanks to a stellar cast and crew including Ringling College Film alumni Natasha Thornton ’14, Harrison Stagner ’15, Nick Lennon ’15, and Nichole Fernandez ’16. Downpour was selected for both the Sarasota Film Festival and the Sunscreen Film Festival (St. Petersburg, FL) in April 2018. Tony’s Lost in Romance won Best Escapism Film at the Tampa Bay Underground Film Festival in December 2018. Alec Armbruster (Film) brought to life Nathan and Sherri Pauls’ business in his short film, Take a Tour of Reedley, California’s Luffa Gardens. Noted by ABC’s “Secretly Awesome” in November 2018, the film went viral with over 16 million hits. ALEC.WORK Erin Colleran (Illustration) was promoted in February 2018 to full-time Stitcher at
Lisa McKinnon Designs, where she was part of the team stitching 16 outfits seen in the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympic Games, including the German pairs team that won the gold, Aljona Savchenko and Bruno Massot. Erin is based in the greater Los Angeles area. @MISSHAUNTMOUSE Molly Dean (Illustration) released I am Young in November 2018, published by Fantagraphics. Her book was named to The Washington Post “10 Best Graphic Novels of 2018” list. MEEDEAN.COM Ingeborg Flage (Photography & Imaging) has taken the artist’s name Iggy Smalls. She was named as Adobe Rising Stars of Photography list in August 2017, and was selected for the Photography of Humanity Museum’s Women Photographers Grant. Iggy’s work was screened at the Vogue Photo Festival in Milan, Italy in November 2018. She is based out of Barcelona, Spain. IGGYSMALLS.COM Kathryn Harrison (Photography & Imaging) was awarded an MFA in Photography from Yale University in June 2018, and received The Richard Benson Prize, Yale’s top award. Kathryn was also awarded the International Center of Photography’s Rita and Alex Hillman Foundation Fellowship for 2018-19, which included a $10,000 prize. Kathryn’s portrait of the novelist and screenwriter Gillian Flynn for The New York Times accompanied its article, “Gillian Flynn Peers Into the Dark Side of Femininity,” which was on the NYT’s “11 of Our Best Weekend Reads” in November 2018. Kathryn teaches photography at SUNY Purchase. KATHRYNEHARRISON.COM Mindy Nguyen (Graphic & Interactive Communication) relocated to Los Angeles and joined Use All Five as Senior Designer in 2017. Anne Passchier (Illustration) joined Joann Fabrics as Textile Designer in July 2018. ANNEPASSCHIER.COM Alex Pope (Motion Design) relocated to New York City in April 2018 to join Cheddar as Senior Snapchat Designer. AXPOPE.COM Chris Powell (Computer Animation) won Best Animation for his film, Novalis at the Oregon Independent Film Festival in September 2018. His film was in competition with Oscar nominated animated short, One Small Step. Chris was featured in The Buzz Magazine’s “Remember VHS Tapes?” in November 2018. Chris works as Lighting Artist for Alchemy Engine LLC, based in Houston. FILMFREEWAY.COM/CHRISPOWELL Irene E. Rofail (Illustration) and Ferenc Beleznay (Photography & Imaging) married in June 2018. Brenna Thummler (Illustration) released her debut original graphic novel, Sheets through Lion Forge Comics in August 2018. Sheets was recognized with the 2018 First Legacy Comics Award for Best Graphic Novel. BRENNATHUMMLER.COM
2016
Luiza Alaniz (Computer Animation) was an animator on Sgt. Stubby: An American Hero, released in April 2018. Prior, she was an animator on Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie, released in June 2017. Kal Athannassov (Computer Animation) was promoted in summer 2017 to Lead Artist at Baobab Studios, Inc. Working in VR, Kal is based in Burbank, CA. KALATHANNASSOV.COM Benjamin Bryant (Graphic & Interactive Communication) and spouse Danielle welcomed their first child Gunnar Michael in March 2018. Ben is the Director of User Experience at Flexshopper in Southeast Florida. BBRYANTS.COM Brianna Geoghegan (Motion Design) relocated to New York City in June 2016, where she is a Motion Designer at BET. BRIGEOGHEGAN.COM Ryan Robert Minford (Film) was awarded an MFA in Film Directing from ArtCenter College in August 2018. Ryan is currently finishing his first feature film, The Cry. He is also prepping his next film, a psychological thriller that will shoot in Los Angeles and Vancouver in 2019.
2017
Adam Dehus (Illustration) joined Ringling College as an Admissions Counselor in August 2018. Tierney (Nesbitt) Drach married Daniel Drach in May 2016. They reside in Los Angeles where Tierney is with the Directors Guild of America as Assistant Signatories Representative. Noah Hayes (Illustration) was part of the creative team (pencil and inks) for the 3rd volume of Goldie Vance with BOOM! Studios, which was nominated for a 2018 GLAAD Award for Outstanding Comic. Cole Kornell (Film) has earned additional acclaim with his film, Unending Love: Best Director from Los Angeles Independent Film Awards 2018; 2nd Best Romantic Drama Short from Indie Gathering International Film Festival 2018; and, Silver Lei from the Honolulu Film Awards 2018. Cole is working as a freelance director and filmmaker on commercials and has a card game in development. COLEKORNELL.COM
2018
Hayley Denham (Fine Arts) was featured in “Conversations with the Inspiring” by Voyage MIA Magazine in December 2018. HAYLEYDENHAM.COM Ethan Early (Photography & Imaging) relocated to New York City in December 2018 where he joined Trunk Archive/Great Bowery as Junior Creative Liaison. ETHANEARLYPHOTO.COM Rosie Fortunado (Motion Design) and David Reyes (Motion Design) won Promax Gold Student Awards at the PromaxBDA annual conference in New York City in June 2018. Jordan Holm (Fine Arts) was selected for the International Sculpture Center’s 2018 Outstanding Student Achievement in Contemporary Sculpture Award in July 2018. Jordan’s artwork was featured in the October 2018 issue of Sculpture Magazine. Brooke Routh (Game Art) was runner up for “Rookies of the Year-Virtual Reality” by The Rookies in June 2018. Peyton Varney (Game Art) was named “Rookie of the Year-Game Design” by The Rookies in June 2018.
IN MEMORIAM
Muriel E. (Cheetham) Green ’43
John Hardy ’47
Fine Arts October 10, 2014, New York, New York
James “Jimmie Ray” Anders ’48
Bettye (Chumley) Boyer ’50
Fine Arts August 30, 2017, Bradenton, Florida
Bobbie Sue “Suzie” (Lenett) Boggs ’52
Dorothy (Brewer) Benzian ’52
Joyce (Greaves) Stewart ’53
Richard Maurer ’54
Fine Arts October 15, 2017, Lewiston, Maine
Nancy (Noble Dick) Maurer ’54
Commercial Art May 2017, St. Helena Island, South Carolina
Russell Brungard ’58
Clyde “Walton” Luck ’63
Interior Design January 11, 2019, Asheville, North Carolina
William B. “Bill” Burtch ’64
Mary Jane (Chittwood) Burtch ’64
Fine Arts April 21, 2016, Roanoke, Virginia
Hon. Benjamin H. Smith, Jr. ’69
Danny R. Robinson ’72
Interior Design April 22, 2018, Sarasota, Florida
David Lee Stokes ’73
Interior Design May 29, 2018, Sarasota, Florida
Susan E. Meyer ’76
Joel Andrews ’82
Graphic Design & Illustration September 8, 2018, Westlake Village, California
Dennis B. Drenguba ’83
Melanie (Eldred) Wildfong ’83
Illustration January 19, 2019, Sarasota, Florida
Sanford (Sandy) Cohen ’88
Graphic Design April 2, 2018, Sarasota, Florida
William J. “Bill” Haas ’89
Illustration November 9, 2018, Kissimmee, Florida
Debbie (Moore) Dunnick ’03
Fine Arts July 9, 2018, Sarasota, Florida
RINGLING COLLEGE OF ART AND DESIGN
CONTXT is designed and produced in-house by the Ringling College Design Center. It is published by the Office of the President of Ringling College of Art and Design.
Board of Trustees Officers
Chair Ms. Jean Martin Vice Chair Mr. George Miles Secretary Ms. Rosemary Oberndorf Treasurer Mr. Michael Klein President Dr. Larry R. Thompson
Ringling College Senior Officers
President Dr. Larry R. Thompson V.P. for Academic Affairs Dr. Peter A. McAllister Assoc. V.P. of Academic Affairs, Dean of Faculty Mr. David H. Jackson Assoc. V.P. of Academic Affairs, Dean of Undergraduate Studies Mr. Jeff Schwartz V.P. for Finance & Administration Ms. Tracy A. Wagner V.P. for Advancement Ms. Stacey Corley V.P. for Human & Organizational Development Ms. Christine Carnegie DeGeorge V.P. for Student Life & Dean of Students Dr. Tammy S. Walsh
CONTXT Team
Publisher Dr. Larry R. Thompson Executive Editor Jim Dean Creative Director Jennifer Mumford Brady Editor Stephanie Lederer Designer / Art Director Laura Bucholtz ’04 Video ART Network Production Manager Karen Durocher Business Manager Laurie Strothman
Writing Sydney Anderson ’20, Susan Borozan, Su Byron, Clonia Charite ’20, Nicole Caron, Stacey Corley, Rachel Drouin, Minna Gannon ’20, Megan Greenberg, Stephanie Lederer, Lisa Moody, Vivian Owen, Andres Paz ’16, Anne-Marie Russell, Rich Schineller, Kate Schwartz, Dr. Larry R. Thompson, Ryan G. Van Cleave Photography Elan Photography, Ryan Gamma, Matthew Holler ’11, Forrest MacDonald, Cliff Roles, Rich Schineller Illustration Jamie Green ’20 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.
Student Artwork on page 31 Clockwise, from top left: ‘Best Bao in Shanghai’ illustration by Dion MBD; Character Development by Aemilia Widodo; ‘Boats & Books’ illustration by Natalie Andrewson; VR experience ‘Rust Bucket’ by Teddy Mundy; Still from video ‘Full Dome’ by Matthew Wissing; Photography by Ingeborg Flage; Style frame by Dani Cash; Game art ‘As the Sun Sets’ by Jared Lewin; ‘Organic Peace Silk’ by Jordan Daher; UI/UX design for App ‘Odyssey’ by Alex Castiglia, Amalia Fredericksen and Mindy Nguyen; Still from film ‘Containment’, Producer: Sergio Serrano, Writer/Director: Austin Zveare, Director of Photography: Nicholas Dello Russo, Production Designer: Sean McGann Alumni, keep in touch!
Update your contact information at www.ringling.edu/alumni and let us know what’s new in your life. You may also email us at alumni@ringling.edu.
If you want email updates and/or to discontinue receiving printed copies of CONTXT magazine, contact us at contxt@ringling.edu.
We encourage comments and questions about CONTXT
CONTXT magazine Ringling College Design Center 2700 North Tamiami Trail Sarasota, FL 34234 You may email us at contxt@ringling.edu or visit www.ringling.edu/contxt
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