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NEWS + NOTES

    1950 

    James Patrick Lynch (Illustration) retired recently to Las Vegas. He served for 32 years at The Los Angeles Times in their art department creating illustrations, maps, charts, and graphs and writing articles on his passions as a pilot and toy collector. In between reading, writing, sketching, and painting, Patrick teaches on occasion at the College of Southern Nevada and peruses social media.

     

    1963

    Patrick Morrison (Fine Arts) retired from teaching at Naples High School after 35 years in 2003. Patrick also owned a photo restoration business from which he retired in 2019. Laying low due to COVID, Patrick now plays bass fiddle Bluegrass in Bonita Springs, FL.

     

    1966

    Gene Johnson (Commercial Design) showed recent paintings in his solo exhibition Geometry of Intention at the Caldwell Snyder Gallery in San Francisco in February 2020. Gene’s principal studio is in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. genejohnsonart.com

     

    1968

    Tom Hutchinson (Commercial Design) and spouse Carol celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in December 2020. Tom paints by commission and exhibits with Nunnally’s Noble Street Gallery in Anniston, AL. 

     

    1968

    Tom Leigh (Commercial Design) illustrated Dr. Joan MacCracken’s One Hen, Two Ducks. A fun memory challenge book, the proceeds of which benefited The Alzheimer’s Association in honor of her late father, was released in July 2020. Tom is currently specializing in nature-based photography on Little Deer Isle, ME.

     

    1971

    Ken Muenzenmayer (Commercial Design) teamed with his spouse Karen Vernon to exhibit in Gemini, at Live Oak Art Center in Columbus, TX, from June-July 2020. Their studio is located in Brenham, TX. muenzenmayer.com

     

    1971

    Gaylen “Frosty” Rankin (Fine Arts) opened Frosty’s Art Center & Gallery, which includes a studio print shop, frame shop, and jewelry studio in Millersburg, KY, in May 2020. His painting of Abraham Lincoln’s childhood Kentucky home, Lincoln’s Blacksmith Shop, was selected for display by the U.S. State Department in the U.S. Embassy in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, through May 2022. frostyartwork.com

     

    1972

    Robert A. “Bob” Brown (Advertising Design) retired from teaching art at the NJ Institute of Technology in January 2020 and relocated to Waycross, GA where he is an artist, illustrator, designer, and government marketing specialist with Brown Ink Associates. In addition, Bob is also a certified veterans counselor. browninkgallery.com / browninkdesign.net

    Bill Mayer (Advertising Design) exhibited four pieces in the Society of Illustrators (SOI) 63 Show. Three works were for Airbnb magazine (Mallory Roynon, Art Director), depicting the trail of the Grimms Brothers through Northern Germany, and one for SooJin Buzelli of PlanSponsor, titled The Weight of Debt. SOI’s Hamilton King award was for Little Red Riding Hood from the Airbnb series. thebillmayer.com

     

    1974

    Mandy Johnson (Advertising Design) was a featured artist at the Mattie King Davis Art Gallery on the Beaufort Historic Site in December 2020-January 2021. Mandy paints full-time at her Morehead City, NC studio, which is open by appointment. mandyjohnson.com

     

    1977

    Debra (Kauffman) Yaun (Graphic Design) received the following awards in 2020: Exceptional Merit with Colored Pencil Society of America (international); Best in Show from American Pen Women at the Bowen Center; President’s Award from UK Coloured Pencil Society (international); first place from International Scratchboard Society; and was published in Best of Drawing magazine’s Strokes of Genius Competition Winners. debrayaunscratchboard.com / debrayaun.com

    Don Yaun (Graphic Design) celebrated his 25th anniversary as VP of Advertising at Atlanta Attachment Company in May 2020 and retired in September 2020. He was also included in Winners of AcrylicWorks 7 The Best of Acrylic competition. The Yauns’ studio is located in Buford, GA. donyaunart.com

     

    1978

    Ken Bowser (Graphic Design) has released the tenth book he’s written and illustrated in his “Jesse Steam” Mystery series. Published by Red Chair Press and available wherever books are sold. Ken’s illustration studio is located in Winter Park, FL.

    Kathleen (Miller) Winder (Painting) and her business Final Touch Frame & Gallery were featured in the March 2020 issue of Venice Gulf Coast Living magazine. Kathleen specializes in conservation and custom picture framing, catering to original fine art. Her store includes consignment gallery space and handmade gifts. finaltouchframe.com

     

    1979

    Greg Groves (Graphic Design) married Brenda Staub in November 2020. The Groves reside in Tucson, AZ where Greg is a lead software developer for AdventHealth Information Technology. He enjoys hiking, photography, cheering for the University of Arizona Wildcats, and being a smart aleck.

     

    1980

    Bill Dillard (Graphic Design) relocated in September 2020 from Chicago. He shared, “In 1980, I loaded up my truck for the windy city and took a job with a Ringling graduate starting in illustration and design. After 40 years of art direction at FCB, J Walter Thompson, and Leo Burnett, I finally made the move to Western North Carolina. Believe it or not, still working. Life’s been good, thank you, Ringling.” bdillard.com

     

    1981 

    Amy (Golditch) Bernard (Graphic Design) joined the Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County as a senior marketing artist in December 2018. Previously self-employed for 10 years, Amy also raised two daughters as a single mom. Amy was conferred her BFA from Ringling College 2018, and she shared, “Two study-abroad experiences in Italy (Venice and Sicily) were the best thing about going back to college as an adult.”

     

    1982 

    Patricia Gawle (Fine Arts) was featured in Vallarta Lifestyles magazine’s “Tour of 5 Art Galleries,” January-March 2021 issue. Patricia moved to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico in 2008 where she maintains a gallery and studio, Arte & Ceramica by Patricia Gawle, which is located in the Romantic Zone. yourartadventure.com

     

    1983 

    James Powell (Graphic Design) was commissioned in March 2020 for portraits of famous and distinguished Omega Men for the International Headquarters Office of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. In 2019, James retired from teaching after 25 years, and in 2012 he was named Teacher of the Year at Savannah High School. An illustrator, graphic artist, display assistant, and muralist, James’ Semaj Art Studio is located in Stockbridge, GA. semajartstudio.com

     

    1983

    Laura Vardell (Graphic Design) exhibited the artwork of Ringling classmate Gena Semenov (attended as Simmons, ’83, Illustration) at her gallery, Carolina Antique Maps & Prints in Charleston, SC in June and again in November 2020. Gena and her spouse Mark Herbert (’83, Illustration) reside in the greater Orlando area. carolinaantiqueprints.com / genasemenov.com

     

    1984

    John Stahr (Graphic Design & Illustration) was featured in “The Stahr of Aviation Airbrush Artists” in the February 2020 issue of FLYING magazine. artisticaviation.com

     

    1985 

    Pam (Carter) Willoughby (Graphic Design) joined Pasco County Schools’ Office of Career, Technical and Adult Education as Program Coordinator in October 2020. Pam is supporting the Arts, A/V Technology and Communications teachers, marketing and promoting Pasco’s CTE programs and career academies, and coordinating online learning for CTE courses.  

     

    1985

    Tom Chambers (Graphic Design) received a merit award from All About Photo magazine’s #10 Portrait Awards for his Tales of Heroines series in May 2020. This series also was a Grand Prize winner with Photos De Femmes, a finalist in The Portrait Project from the Lucie Foundation, Bronze prize winner with One Eyeland Photo Awards, and third place winner with Dallas Center for Photography. Tom’s photo Marwari Stallion #1 was the cover image for the book, Horse Crazy, by New York Times staff reporter Sarah Maslin Nir, released by Simon & Schuster in August 2020. Tom is located in Richmond, VA. tomchambersphoto.com 

     

    1985

    Christopher Skura (Fine Arts) exhibited in FLUX: Vita Mutata curated by Natsuki Takauji at Sculptors Alliance in November-December 2020, and in Less is More at Upstream Gallery in Hastings-on-Hudson, NY in January 2021. christopherskura.com

     

    1986

    Deborah Rodriguez (Fine Arts) retired from a 30-year career teaching art in the School District of Hillsborough County in 2014. In 2016, Deborah earned her master’s of fine art in painting from Savannah College of Art and Design. deborahrodriguezart.com 

     

    1992

    Merritt Andrews (Illustration) is currently working with Universal Creative’s Resort Development Hotel Team managing the graphics and signage implementation and fabrication for Dockside Inn and Suites at Universal’s Endless Summer Resort, opening this fall. In the past six years, Merritt has managed the signage for Loews Sapphire Falls Resort (2016), Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort’s Bayside and Beachside Towers (2017), Universal’s Aventura Hotel (2018), and Surfside Inn and Suites at Universal’s Endless Summer Resort (2019). All projects were accomplished with the design talents of Wrenhouse Design, owned by Scott Wren ’97 and his spouse, Debra. 

     

    1993:

    Jonathan Goodman (Graphic Design) started Trigonal in January 2021, a private gallery focused on emerging artists and secondary market collections. artsy.net/trigonal / Instagram: @trigonalgallery 

     

    1994

    Todd Kelly (Illustration) joined IKEA as Director of UX and Product Design for the United States in September 2020. Todd most recently served as Director of UX Design at DICK’S Sporting Goods, having spent the last 8 years leading design and development teams across the company. toddjkelly.com

    Mary (Reaves) Uhles (Illustration) illustrated the book written by Cynthia Schumerth, Let’s Pop, Pop, Popcorn (Sleeping Bear Press), which was released in March 2021. Kirkus Reviews calls it, “Fun: a highly disguised STEM book for snack lovers. There is great synergy between words and pictures, making it hard to sit still while turning the pages.” maryuhles.com

     

    1995 

    Limbert Fabian (Illustration) joined Illustration grads Mike Knapp ’95, Brandon Oldenburg ’95, Monique Steele ’14, Teju Abiola ’19, Jamiel Law ’19, Simone Mariano ’19, and RaShawn Dixon ’20; Computer Animation grads Michael Yates ’14, Kal Athannassov ’16, Esteban Bravo ’17, and Camilo Castro ’18 in collaborating with 100 artists and allies to create Art of Change, a book of inspirational artworks promoting positive change and benefitting Black Lives Matter. Funded in December 2020, the book will be released in May 2021.   

    Ryan Sias (Illustration) helped translate mental health professionals’ counsel into engaging storyboards as part of the animation process for Sesame Street’s “Caring for Each Other” initiative during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ryan’s studio is located in Astoria, NY. ryansias.com

     

    1996

    Chie Fueki (Fine Arts) exhibited in the group show Flex at the Tang Museum at Skidmore College in February-June 2020. Chie also exhibited Mother Altar at Mother Gallery in Beacon, NY in May-August 2020, which was reviewed in The New York Times. In January 2021, she was featured in Hyperallergic’s “Beer With a Painter: Chie Fueki” by Jennifer Samet. 

    Kelly (Jezewski) Romano (Computer Animation) joined the PepsiCo Design and Innovation team as a Senior Design Manager in March 2020, where she leads design activation across 13 states for the beverage portfolio which includes Pepsi, MTN Dew, Gatorade, Bubly, LifeWTR, Pure Leaf, Lipton, Rockstar Energy, and more.

     

    1997

    Deborah Blackington (Computer Animation) released Any Bunny’s Covid-19 ABC on Amazon in November and at Barnes & Noble in December 2020. A family effort, the book was written with Debbie’s daughter Grace and illustrated by daughter Brynne ’21 (Illustration).

    Aiko Hachisuka (Fine Arts) exhibited a special online presentation at Van Doren Waxter in Manhattan in July-September 2020. Aiko was also featured in The New York Times’ T Magazine in August 2020, “The Artist Making Bulbous, Colorful Sculptures Out of Thrifted Clothes,” as part of their series 15 Creative Women for Our Time. vandorenwaxter.com

    Karen (Barberie) Hallion (Illustration) married Brandon Kenney in October 2020. Karen partnered with Ashley Eckstein for Star Wars Her Universe pins which were released at Disney World in March 2020. Karen was Ringling College’s Insight program keynote speaker in February 2020. Her artwork can also be purchased on Etsy. karenhallion.com

    Jennifer Payne (Fine Art) was bestowed the SHINE Landscape Award 2020 from M.A.D.S. Milano Gallery in Milan, Italy in March 2020. Her work, Ocean Storm was accepted into the Copelouzos Family Art Museum permanent collection in Athens, Greece in August 2020. A member of the Beaux Arts of Central Florida, Jennifer’s studio is located in Orlando. jenniferpayneart.com

    Rebecca Perez (Computer Animation) was an animator for Pixar’s Forky Asks a Question, which won a Creative Emmy Award for Outstanding Short Form Animated Program in September 2020. She also was an animator on Pixar’s Golden Globe winning animated film, Soul. In March 2020, Rebecca joined Disney Animation in Burbank and is currently working on Encanto. rebville.com

     

    1999 

    Daniel Bejar (Illustration) was named a 2020 Socrates Annual Artist Fellow by Socrates Sculpture Park in September 2020, and exhibited in MONUMENTS NOW: Call and Response at Socrates Sculpture Park, which was on view October 2020-March 2021. danielbejar.com

    Omarr Otero (Photography and Imaging) married Cinthya Karolina Reyes in July 2020. They reside in Deltona, FL. Omarr teaches 3D Art, 2D Art, and Drawing at Hagerty High School in Oviedo, FL. He also teaches community classes in Orlando. omarrotero.com

    Rich Pope (Illustration) was nominated for a regional Suncoast Emmy award in the Public Current Affairs category for his work on a video investigative series, “Laborland” for The Orlando Sentinel. This series was also recognized with a Silver Medal for Investigation in the Society of American Travel Writers’ Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Competition in October 2020. richpope.com 

    Chris Sheridan (Illustration) exhibited Rediscovering Silence at the Royal Nebeker Art Gallery at Clatsop Community College in Astoria, OR in October-November 2020. Chris’ collection of 30 paintings were created in the time of COVID-19, and inspired by his artist residency in the Finnish Archipelago, just before the pandemic. sheridanart.com 

     

    2000

    Jeff Boddy (Computer Animation) joined Netflix as creative manager of the Internal Production team in August 2020. He recently led the design and animation of the graphics found in Netflix’s first-ever inclusion report film, Sowing the Seeds: Inclusion Takes Root at Netflix. More of Jeff’s work can be found at noboddy.com.

    Andrea Ehret (Illustration) is an associate principal product designer at Hasbro for the Play-Doh brand, where one of her toys, the Play-Doh Builder Treehouse Kit, won a 2020 Good Housekeeping Award. Andrea’s String’n’things are available on Etsy. stringnthings.etsy.com

    Android Jones (Computer Animation) had multiple exhibitions in 2020 including: Bicycle Day TV, live visuals on April 20; performance visuals in collaboration with CloZee on July 2; The Acoma Street Project, live visuals, August 28-October 30; Beyond Borders: Live stream event with live visuals on October 23; and Winter Solstice Fest live stream event and workshop talk, December 18-20. androidjones.com

    Art Vogt (Illustration) and Katie (Menning) Vogt ’01 (Illustration) married in 2011. Both former Ringling RAs, they reside in Union, KY with their three children, where Katie is a graphic designer for MJM Studios Inc. and enjoys quilting. Art is an animation story artist for several clients, including CBN and Fuzz Animation and is currently developing his own animated properties. artvogt.com

     

    2001

    Brian Blomer (Illustration) joined Caterpillar, Inc. as head of digital customer experience in July 2020. Over 13 years at United Airlines, Brian rose through the ranks developing UX and UI for customer-facing digital applications. Brian specializes in designing for various digital devices and interfaces for large complex industries, and is based in Chicago.

    Brock Stearn (Computer Animation) married the love of his life in August 2020, after delaying three times due to the pandemic. In fall 2019, Brock was the initial hire at Lightstorm Entertainment tasked with creating and building the studio’s Post Visualization Department technology and team. He is currently working as the post visualization department lead on the upcoming Avatar sequels.  myanimator.com

     

    2002

    Alexandra “Alexi” Lillis (Illustration) launched Compass Critique, LLC which offers online art instruction and distance-learning opportunities, in April 2020. She offers a variety of different formats for students to engage with through Zoom and email, in both group and private lessons. Alexi currently lives on Anna Maria Island, FL. compasscritique.com / alexandralillis.com

     

    2003

    Claire Almon (Illustration) joined Gimmie Games as a senior artist in March 2020, in Atlanta, GA. Claire specializes in the animation and children’s publishing industries. clairealmon.tumblr.com

     

    2004

    Alan Hawkins (Computer Animation) was promoted to head of character animation at Sony Pictures Imageworks (SPI) in January 2020. Celebrating his 16th year at SPI, Alan is associate producer and head of character animation for their upcoming film,  Hotel Transylvania 4.

    Jeff Miner (Illustration) celebrated his 10th anniversary at TJX in Boston, in February 2020, where he is senior product manager.

     

    2005

    Drew Malesky (Computer Animation) joined Animism Studios as a senior animator in December 2020. Drew specializes in Feature Film Animation and is based in Vancouver, BC. drewmalesky.wixsite.com/animation  

    Bryce McGovern (Computer Animation) joined Epic Games as a senior animator in July 2019. With nearly 15 years of experience on multiple award-winning animated feature films, Bryce relocated to the Greater Raleigh-Durham area and specializes in character animation. brycemcgovern.com

    Dale Mulcahy (Computer Animation) celebrated his 15th year at Treyarch in August 2020, most recently as an FX art specialist in Los Angeles. Dale and his spouse Megan welcomed their second son just as the pandemic hit its stride in 2020.

     

    2006

    Mona Bagla (Graphic & Interactive Communications) relocated to her hometown of Mumbai, India after spending nearly 18 years in the USA, and joined Duff & Phelps as VP of marketing/head of design and creative in September 2020. monabagla.com

    Duncan Barton (Illustration) and Emily Dove (Gross) Barton ’07 (Illustration) welcomed their first child, Rowan Jesse Barton, in June 2020. Blue Planet II, illustrated by Emily, was named to Books for Topics’ 2020 Best Children’s Books of the Year list. The Bartons reside in Cleveland, OH. duncanbarton.com / emilydove.com

    Guillermo Careaga (Computer Animation) will be celebrating his 15th anniversary with DreamWorks Animation in June 2021, where he was hired right after graduating from Ringling. He was a character lead on his most recent project, Boss Baby: Family Business (fall 2021 release). Guillermo is also VP of the non-profit Paraguay Animation, which promotes animation in his home country through training and education. Over the last 5 years, Paraguay Animation has offered countless webinars, masterclasses, conferences, and workshops and in January 2021, its animated short film contest awarded a $1,000 prize to the winning team. paraguayanimation.com

    Nicole Mauser (Fine Arts) exhibited in The Arts Club of Chicago’s 89th Exhibition of Visual Artist Members in January-February 2020. In October 2020, Nicole co-founded the Chicago gallery Space & Time. Its inaugural exhibition titled, Exhibitionisms was co-organized by Tobey Albright ’04 (Fine Arts), and co-hosted at Tiger Strikes Asteroid from November 2020-January 2021. nicolemauser.com / spaceandtimegallery.com

    Kaylene (Simmons) Rudd (Illustration) and her spouse Matthew Rudd ’07 (Illustration), welcomed their second child, Arthur in November 2020. After two years in Los Angeles, Kaylene joined Westlake Academy in greater Dallas-Fort Worth as Middle Years Programme Principal in June 2020.

    Jamie Swick (Illustration) released Easy Chango, her first book of Polaroids featuring images made while living in Mexico, in February 2021 and now available on her website. Jamie has contributed to podcasts, interviewed on working with Polaroid film as a medium, and is located on the Pacific Northwest coast. jamieswick.com

    Shawn Witt (Illustration) and spouse Kristin Palach Witt ’09 (Computer Animation), welcomed their second child, Teddy in February 2020. Along with son Julian, the Witts reside in the greater Boston area where Shawn is a principal artist at Proletariate, Inc., and Kristin celebrated her 10th year at Harmonix as a lead animator.

     

    2007

    Eric Droble (Computer Animation) started 2020 by rejoining ReelFX to work on Scoob! as a senior animator, then headed to Brazen Animation to work as animation supervisor on Crash Bandicoot 4. In June he helped animate a Clash of Clans spot with Psyop, before finally returning to Playstation as a senior animator in July. patreon.com/drobile

     

    2008

    Melanie (Munns) Antonelli (Illustration) just celebrated her 10th year at the University of Mississippi Museum where she currently serves as curator of exhibitions and collections manager. Recent passion projects include a digitization initiative and the development of a sculpture garden. Her next major exhibit will feature works by Jacob Hashimoto. Melanie remains an active artist and educator. melaniemunns.com

    Celeste Argueta (Graphic & Interactive Communication) married Jorge Fuentes in December 2020. Celeste owns Studio Dos, an event, decor and styling, print, crafts, photography, and design company based in San Salvador, El Salvador. studio-dos.com  

    Ellen (Murray) Coonrod (Illustration) joined Pearson Education Management as a multimedia graphics designer/animation assistant in March 2020. ellencoonrod.com

    Greg Dechow (Illustration) and spouse Sonika Fourie Dechow ’11 (Interior Design) welcomed their first child, Sienna Rhone Dechow, in July 2020. Greg was promoted to senior manager of Creative Services and Digital Marketing at ASO Corp., in July 2020 and Sonika was promoted to project manager and senior interior design associate at Angela Rodriguez Interiors in September 2020. sonikadesigns.com

    Mike Johnston (Graphic & Interactive Communication) joined Critical Mass as a senior producer in November 2020. miketothemax.com / superspacecreative.com

    Brent Lewis (Computer Animation) was promoted in February 2021 to software engineering manager at Airbus Digital Solutions – Growth and Innovation, located in Atlanta, GA.

    JQ Park (Computer Animation) and Computer Animation alumni Byung-Joo Choi ’09, Kevin Herron ’13, Sagar Arun ’18, and Daniel Ceballos ’18 were animators on the Golden Globe nominated feature film Over the Moon. A senior character TD and senior animator, JQ celebrated his 10th year at Sony Pictures Imageworks in 2020. Byung-Joo joined Cinesite as a senior 3D animator in November 2020. Kevin joined Cinesite as an animator in February 2021. Sagar joined Spire Animation Studios as an animator in January 2020. Daniel joined Blizzard Entertainment in May 2020. vimeo.com/benc3d / LinkTr.ee/kevinherronart / vimeo.com/sagararun / vimeo.com/dceballos

    Taylor Pate (Computer Animation) was promoted to chief technology officer at KERV Interactive, in Austin, TX in August 2019. taylorpate.com

    Carolyn Vale (Computer Animation) joined Guerrilla Games to work on an upcoming AAA title in February 2020. Carolyn specializes in character, keyframe, and motion capture face and body cleanup animation. She is located in Portland, OR.

     

    2009

    Heather Heckel (Illustration) was featured in “Park Palette,” published in National Parks Magazine in Winter 2021. Heather has completed 11 artist residencies and teaches middle school in Port Washington, New York. heatherheckel.com

    Bonnie (Przonek) Herbough (Interior Design) married Charlie Herbough in May 2020. Bonnie is in sales with Materials Marketing in Atlanta, GA.

    Francis Vallejo (Illustration) was awarded a Master’s of Arts in Illustration from Savannah College of Art and Design in August 2020. He also celebrated his 5th year as an instructor in the Illustration Department at the College for Creative Studies in Detroit, and was a 2021 Ringling College Alumni Wall of Honor honoree. francisvallejo.com

    Kendra Vander Vliet (Computer Animation) directed a short for Walt Disney Animation Studios entitled Downtown as part of their Short Circuit Experimental Films, released in January 2020 on Disney+. Kendra is a rough layout artist at Disney Animation Studios, currently working on Encanto.

     

    2010

    Ashley Folkman (Illustration) joined NVIDIA in San Francisco as a senior product and visual designer for their Gaming Platform Division in July 2020. With 10 years of product life-cycle knowledge, Ashley specializes in user-centered design processes and experiences. ashleyfolkman.com

    Keith Hutson (Illustration) joined Bulldog Creative Services in Huntington, WV as a video producer in November 2020. After working at Walter Reed Army Institute of Research in video production, Keith now specializes in bringing stories to life through the fundamentals he learned at Ringling, and is creatively thriving through more outdoor activities found in his new rural environment.

    Candy Minosa (Computer Animation) was promoted to creative director at Predator in January 2020, located in Jacksonville, FL.

    David Serna (Illustration) was awarded a 2020 regional Lone Star Emmy in graphic arts for his work as an illustrator on a U.S. Census public service announcement. David is a creative services producer for Univision Communications in Houston. davidserna.net

     

    2011

    Ellen Andersen (Photography and Digital Imaging) and her partner Dylan VanWormer ’11 (Computer Animation) relocated to the metro Detroit area in February 2020 after 5 years in Los Angeles. Ellen is senior project manager for Digitas while Dylan is senior 3D artist at General Motors.

    Erica (Beall) Lynch (Illustration) and her spouse Chris welcomed their first child, Fletcher in August 2020. Erica also celebrated her 9th year as a textile designer at Kohl’s Department Stores HQ in Wisconsin.

    Jeremy Fisher (Fine Arts) was part of the design team sculpting for the exhibition, Lost Vegas: Tim Burton, working directly with Burton to translate his drawings into larger than life sculptures at The Neon Museum Las Vegas, and an as-yet unannounced stop motion feature. Jeremy returned to Stoopid Buddy Stoodios as a stop motion animator in October 2020 on Season 11 of Robot Chicken. Jeremy specializes in short form commercial stop motion work. jeremydfisher.com

    Avner Geller (Computer Animation) joined Netflix animation as an art director in June 2020 on an unannounced project.  avnergeller.com

    Meg O’Brien (Illustration) married Jeremy Post in July 2019. Meg is owner and art director of Owlish Studios in Portland, OR. owlishstudios.com

    Sam Tilson (Computer Animation) and his Los Angeles-based Super Silly Films released Part 1 of his documentary series Why Art in 2018, and it is currently streaming on Comcast’s Xfinity Streampix. Why Art challenges what it means to be an artist. Part 2 wrapped and is out to festivals. Additionally, Sam exhibited photography in The Space Between Us at Bailey Contemporary Arts in Pompano, FL from July-September 2020. supersillyfilms.com

     

    2012

    Curtis Anderson (Advertising Design) and his spouse Taylor welcomed their first child, Story James Anderson in October 2020. The family resides in Sarasota where Curtis is a Ringling College admissions counselor and runs Curtis Anderson Photography. Curtis will exhibit his documentary photography series, The Story I’ll Tell – The Mixtape in March 2021 at Ringling College’s Patricia Thompson Alumni and Skylight Gallery. curtisandersonphoto.com

    Katya Bowser (Computer Animation) joined Atomic Cartoons as a storyboard director in January 2020. katyabowser.com

    Dan Martinez (Game Art and Design) joined Falcon’s Creative Group as senior CG artist in June 2020. Dan specializes in sculpting, modeling, and texturing for entertainment studios. dmartine.artstation.com

    Casey (Cummings) Vala (Business of Art and Design) married Steffen Vala in April 2019 in Orlando, FL. The Valas reside in San Diego, CA where Casey is a motion capture technician at Rockstar Games.

    Ian White (Computer Animation) was promoted to lead rigger at ICON Creative Studio, located in Vancouver, BC in May 2020.

     

    2013

    Karen Arango’s (Photography and Digital Imaging) photo documentary, Where the Magdalena River Ceases, was published by Dodho in January 2021. Karen is an independent visual journalist studying in the USF Digital Journalism and Design MFA program, and serves on the board of UnidosNow in Sarasota.  karenarango.com

    Max Golosiy (Game Art and Design) and Game Art alumni Mauricio Sotolongo ’18, Peyton Varney ’18, and Katelyn Johnson ’19 were artists on The Last of Us Part II at Naughty Dog studio, which was awarded 2020 Game of the Year by The Game Awards in December 2020. After over 7 years at Naughty Dog, Max joined Blizzard as a senior dungeon artist in February 2021. Mauricio is an environment artist at Naughty Dog. Peyton is an environment texture artist at Naughty Dog. Katelyn joined Santa Monica Studio in July 2020. figureight.artstation.com / artstation.com/maurici0o / artstation.com/peytonvarney / artstation.com/katelynjohnson

    Audrey Gonzalez (Illustration) joined Atomic Cartoons as a design supervisor for an unannounced Netflix show in August 2020. thatsaud.com

    Sharon (Correa) Harris (Motion Design) was promoted to motion lead, Google Maps and all Geo Efforts Team at Google in New York City in April 2020. Sharon celebrated her 5th year at Google in 2021. instagram.com/sharonmharris

    Kevin Herron (Computer Animation) joined Cinesite as an animator on The Addams Family 2 in February 2021. With 10 years of major studio experience and management, Kevin specializes in character animation. LinkTr.ee/kevinherronart

    Gracie Kennedy (Illustration) joined CraftHTV America as the Creative Director in April 2020, where she designs patterns, manages large format printing, all global marketing, and production staff for this online crafting vinyl retail company, headquartered in Dallas. paperlaine.com

    Danny Samuels (Illustration) was awarded the Robert B. McMillen Foundation scholarship in June 2020 to complete his graduate studies in digital art at DigiPen Institute of Technology where he is currently also a professor. Danny is the art director at a new startup board game company in Seattle, WA. dannysamuelsart.com

    Carly Senora (Computer Animation) joined Boulder Media as a remote lighting and compositing artist in May 2020 working on a fun film for Hasbro. carlysenora.com

    Blair Whiteford (Fine Arts) earned his MFA in painting from Yale University in 2019. His exhibition, Sowing a Seed in a Field Made of Ash, was on view at Jack Barrett Gallery in New York City from January-February 2021. Blair is a studio artist in the greater New York City area. blairwhiteford.com

     

    2014

    Sarah Kambara (Business of Art and Design) won a 2020 Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Preschool Children’s Animated Series as producer for Ask the StoryBots (Netflix) in July 2020. Ringling Alumni team members included Greg Mako ’14 (Graphic Design), and Computer Animation alumni Robert Showalter ’11, Megan McShane ’14, Jackson Read ’16, Andrew Wilson ’16, Masha Zarnitsa ’16, and Ashley Anderson ’17. Sarah currently is a producer for Chromosphere-LA. sarahkambara.com

    Rosaleen Magnone (Photography and Digital Imaging) joined Temple University’s Fox School of Business as assistant director of their MIS department in February 2020, where she helps to oversee student engagement, PRO Points, and marketing initiatives for undergraduate and graduate programs.

    Shannon (Berke) McSheehan (Game Art and Design) married Sean McSheehan in September 2019. They moved with their new baby, Connor to Washington State in December 2020. Shannon is working as the VFX lead of research and development at Riot Games. artstation.com/shannonmcsheehan  

    Marysol Stepanof (Motion Design) was promoted to art director and celebrated her 6th year at JibJab in June 2020. dribbble.com/marysolstepanof

    Ray Vazquez (Graphic Design) relocated from San Francisco to Beaverton, OR in July 2020, and he joined YouTube as an interaction designer on their Search and Discover team in January 2021. Ray practices empathy always and specializes in making thoughtful user experiences across platforms. rayvazquezdesign.com  

    Andrew Wierzba (Illustration) relocated to Amsterdam, Netherlands in May 2019 with his spouse, Chelsea and their two kids. Andrew is a user experience designer at Booking.com. wierzba.design

     

    2015

    Amalia Fredericksen (Graphic Design) joined Facebook as a full-time senior visual and product designer in January 2020 after contracting since April 2019. 

    Kenneth Sterling Gronquist (Photography and Imaging) married Megan Breukelman in February 2019. They reside in Brooklyn where they are wedding photographers. meganandkenneth.com

    Nancy Nyström (Graphic and Interactive Communications) joined HUGE as a senior art director in February 2020, working on nationwide commercials for brands such as Realtor.com and AIG. Nancy is based in NYC. nancynystrom.com

    Susan Saulnier (Illustration) and John Treanor ’16 (Illustration) married in February 2020. Susan is pursuing her BFA in Entertainment Design from Ringling College where she is coordinator of student volunteerism and service learning, and John is a freelance illustrator for Hasbro. susansaulnier.com / johntreanor.com

    Harrison Stagner (Film) and his Stag Productions released a series pilot, STUBBZ in January 2021. Film alumni Nichole Fernandez ’16, Tony Ahedo ’15, Nick Lennon ’15, and Lauren Sobczak ’16 were lead creatives, while Aaron Kinsey ’15, Evan Mattson ’14, Chandler Howard ’17, Casey Nelson ’17, Benny Davis ’16, and Darrien Land ’19 were a part of the production team. STUBBZ can be viewed for free at stubbzshow.com.

    Brenna Thummler (Illustration) created a short comic for COVID Chronicles: A Comics Anthology (Graphic Mundi/PSU Press), a collection of COVID-related comics that creators donated with proceeds benefiting booksellers/comic shops affected by the pandemic, released in February 2021. Brenna released a new graphic novel Delicates, her sequel to the critically-acclaimed Sheets in March 2021 from Oni Press (Simon & Schuster). brennathummler.com 

     

    2016

    Christopher Blond (Fine Arts) married Denee Rose Blond in January 2021. A studio artist in Venice, FL, Chris joined Ringling College’s Sarasota Art Museum on the visitor experience team in October 2020.  chrisblond.com / teamblond.com

    Chelsea (Brukardt) Meyer (Interior Design) and spouse Kevin Meyer welcomed their first child, James in July 2020. The Meyers reside in greater Adelaide, Australia where Chelsea is a design consultant for Forpark Australia, in addition to her own business styling homes for sale. chelseabrukardt.com

    Anne Lesniak’s (Illustration) art, Don’t Tread on Us (2019) for Ms. magazine was awarded the American Society of Magazine Editors Best Cover Contest and Awards for Photography and Illustration 2020: News and Political Cover Readers’ Choice Award in July 2020. Anne’s artwork was originally published in Summer 2019. Anne is an illustrator for Cloudco Entertainment. illustrationsbyanniee.com

    David Machov (Graphic and Interactive Communication) joined Polaris as a digital product designer in October 2020.

    Andrés Paz (Motion Design) and Meybis Pitty ’19 (Visual Studies) married in May 2019. They reside in Sarasota where Andrés works for Ringling College’s Communications Department and is owner of FAMA Productions, and Meybis is a videographer and graphic designer with The Sarasota Ballet. They welcomed their first child, Andrea in February 2021. famaproduction.com

    Erica Pead (Motion Design) joined Positiv TV as a multimedia designer for broadcast and social media in November 2020. Since moving to LA, she’s fallen in love with working from home and Dungeons & Dragons. She is surviving LA with humor and the ability to adapt to any situation. epead.myportfolio.com

    Ally Sage (Business of Art and Design) joined Netflix in Los Angeles as a production coordinator on The StoryBots in November 2020.

    Kristin Sjoquist (Motion Design) and Christian Huthmacher ’17 (Motion Design) married in November 2019 at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort. They reside in Manhattan where Kristin is a GFX animator at A&E Networks and Christian is an animator with Nickelodeon. kristinsjoquist.com / christianhuthmacher.com

     

    2017

    Bailey Hoback (Illustration) joined Treasure Studios as a concept artist in May 2020. Bailey also is a freelance concept artist with Jam City and is based in greater Los Angeles. baileyhoback.com

    Natalie Palumbo (Motion Design) was motion designer, poster designer, and VFX artist for the film Daybreak, which was awarded Best Comedy and Best LGBTQ from the Cannes World Film Festival in January 2021. natalieapalumbo.com

    Jenette Rodriguez (Fine Arts) earned her Master’s of Fine Arts in studio art from Burren College of Art in Ireland in May 2020. Jenette’s studio is located in Cape Coral, FL. jenette-rodriguez.squarespace.com

    Madison R. Young (Fine Arts) earned her MFA in art and technology studies from School of the Art Institute of Chicago in May 2019. Madison is an independent curator in Chicago. madisonryoung.com

     

    2018

    Audrey Crist (Graphic Design) joined Quad in Bellevue, WA as a production artist in July 2020.

    Solongo Enkhtor (Visual Studies) was promoted to product design manager at Octopus Interactive, a company providing entertainment in Ubers and Lyfts. She is also collaborating on a children’s story that transforms the conventional medium into an interactive experience that involves both the reader and listener! Act along with Ren the Red Panda at storymoves.com.

    Keishen Lloyd (Film) rejoined Hasbro as an assistant editor in January 2021. Keishen specializes in film editing, digital artistry, and post production. keishenlloyd.com

    Michael Owooje (Photography and Imaging) relocated to Maryland in January 2020 where he is currently a junior photographer/digital tech for CreativeDrive on the Under Armour creative account team. Michael specializes in fashion editorial work that further developed after 10 months as an editorial photographer at Zulily in Columbus, OH. michaelowooje.com

    Abigail Udell (Illustration) joined Moose Toys in Cornwall, United Kingdom as product designer/illustrator in December 2019. Abigail specializes in pattern and product design and she additionally sells cards and gifts through Etsy. abbiudell.co.uk

     

    2019

    Anna Conde (Computer Animation) joined DreamWorks Animation as technical animator in December 2019. annaconde.com  

    Paul Detling (Motion Design) and Lauren Cash ’20 (Motion Design) married in June 2020. The Detlings relocated to Kingsport, TN in February 2021, where Paul is an animator remotely for Epipheo and Lauren is a junior designer remotely for Hue & Cry. pauldetling.com / laurencash.myportfolio.com/work

    Daun Kim (Computer Animation) won the 2020 YouTube Kids Animation Dingle Student Award for Best 3D/CGI for Don’t Croak in March 2020. Additionally, her senior thesis work won Best Animated Series at the 40th College Television Awards in May 2020. daunkim.com

    David Klos (Fine Arts) exhibited Paper Manefest(o): Paper Revolutions at Morgan Conservatory, Cleveland, OH from January-March 2020 and at Robert C. Williams Museum of Papermaking in Atlanta from August-December 2020. davidklos.com

    Jamiel Law (Illustration) and Jennifer (Medina) Law ’19 (Illustration) married in May 2019. Jamie’s art for The New York Times article, “Trying to Parent My Black Teenagers Through Protest and Pandemic” was noted in The New York Times’ 2020 Best Illustrations List. Jamie and Jenny reside in Bradenton where Jamie is a designer for Buck Design, LLC and a freelance illustrator, and Jenny is owner and creative director of Ola Studios and a freelance illustrator for clients including Teen Breathe Magazine. jamiellaw.com / olastudios.co / jmedinaillustration.com

    Savannah Magnolia (Fine Arts) was awarded VSA Emerging Artist Program’s First Place Award from The Kennedy Center, Washington D.C. in October 2019. She exhibited six paintings with Zenith Gallery at Art Basel Miami Beach in December 2019, and in Keep it Cute at MIZA Gallery, St. Petersburg, FL in February 2021. Additionally, Savannah was accepted into Skyway 2021. meltingmagnolia.com

    Sanjana Sharma (Motion Design) joined Spacejunk in Columbus, OH as a motion designer in November 2019. She teaches “Intro to Modular Typography” on Skillshare. In March 2020, Sanjana started a stationery and art shop, TheStudioSS, which is available on Etsy. thestudioss.etsy.com / sanjanasharma.com

    Jenna Thomas (Film) was awarded her Master’s in Leadership for Creative Enterprises, with a focus on film and the business of the film industry, from Northwestern University in May 2020. Jenna is working in development for filmmaker Neal Edelstein in the greater Chicago area. jmtfilm.com

     

    2020

    Emily Fritz (Business of Art and Design) joined DreamWorks Animation in Burbank as a production assistant on Boss Baby: Back In Business in June 2020. emilyfritz.me

    Tabitha Kitchen (Computer Animation) and Computer Animation alumni Kate Namowicz ’20 and Eric Wang ’20 all relocated to Vancouver, BC in February 2021, to join Sony Pictures Imageworks as animators on Hotel Transylvania 4. tabithakitchen.portfoliobox.net / katenamo.com / adzukibean.wixsite.com/eric

    Briana McPhee (Illustration) joined CloudCo as an illustrator in Cleveland, OH in February 2021. brianamcphee.myportfolio.com

     

    ——-

     

    Congratulations to our contributors to Best Motion Picture – Animated Golden Globe Winner, Soul

    Computer Animation Alumni Jaime Landes Roe ’04 (Directing Animator), Rebecca Perez Stodolny ’97, David Torres ’99, Joshua West ’01, Jessica Sances Torres ’02, Kevin Andrus ’06, Lindsay Andrus ’06, Gwendelyn Enderoglu ’06, Robb Gibbs ’08, Kristen Needham Beech ’08, Catherine Hicks ’09, Alex Marino ’09, Mikey Sauls ’10, Mike Bidinger ’14, Michael Yates ’14, Gang Maria Yi ’14, Tarun Lak ’16, Camilo Castro ’18, and Aviv Mano ’18 

    Congratulations to our Golden Globe Nominees

    Best Motion Picture – Animated

    The Croods: New Age

    Computer Animation Alumni Liron Topaz ’09 (Animation Supervisor), Michelle Cowart ’96, Elisabeth Franklin Constantine ’03, Dane Stogner ’03, Greg Hettinger ’09, Garrett O’Neal ’14, and Luiza Alaniz ’16

    Onward

    Computer Animation Alumni Jessica Sances Torres ’02 (Directing Animator), David Torres ’99, Joshua West ’01, Gaston Ugarte ’02, Lindsay Andrus ’06, Gwendelyn Enderoglu ’06, Kristen Needham Beech ’08, Ben Beech ’08, Robb Gibbs ’08, Nick Pitera ’08, Catherine Hicks ’09, Greg Peltz ’09, Mike Rutter ’09, Mikey Sauls ’10, Adam Campbell ’12, Mike Bidinger ’14, Gang Maria Yi ’14, Tarun Lak ’16, and Aviv Mano ’18

    Over the Moon

    Computer Animation Alumni JQ Park ’08, Byung-Joo Choi ’09, Kevin Herron ’13, Sagar Arun ’18, and Daniel Ceballos ’18 

     

    Best Television Series Drama

    The Mandalorian

    Amy B. Christenson ’00, Illustration and Matt Sullivan ’12, Computer Animation 

    Lovecraft Country

    Mitch Gonzalez ’10, Computer Animation

     

    ——-

     

    In Memoriam 

    Carl Smith Allen ’75
    Interior Design
    October 29, 2020, Daphne, AL

     

    Nicola Marie “Nicci” Annistopoulos ’91
    Graphic Design
    November 28, 2020, South Pasadena, FL

     

    Dean F. Clark ’58
    Fashion Illustration
    October 30, 2020, Kalamazoo, MI

     

    Jimmy Collins ’91
    Computer Design
    October 13, 2017, Newberry, FL

     

    Armello “Glo” (Fields) DeRaimo ’58
    Commercial Design
    June 24, 2020, Ashland, KY

     

    John Marcus “Marc” Dodson, Jr. ’06
    Illustration
    September 30, 2020, Tallahassee, FL

     

    Marcia Carol Ente ’95
    Computer Animation
    March 26, 2018, Sarasota, FL

     

    John G. Fairey ’55
    Fine Arts
    March 27, 2020, Hempstead, TX

     

    Shine Fitzner ’94
    Computer Animation
    February 27, 2021, Wailuku, HI

     

    Jeanne (Trimble Wilson) Garrison ’48
    Fine Arts
    July 7, 2018, Bradenton, FL

     

    Frederick J. “Tup” Goodhue ’66
    Fine Arts
    July 26, 2020, Moultonborough, NH

     

    Oliver Jernigan “Jere” Gordon, Jr. ’53
    Fine Arts
    May 11, 2020, Hudson, WI

     

    Elizabeth Anne “Beth” Griffin ’84
    Graphic Design and Illustration
    July 16, 2015, Brooklyn, NY

     

    Marvin Edison Haas, Jr. ’78
    Painting
    April 8­, 2020, Morehead City, NC

     

    Ann Elizabeth (Medlin) Hall ’77
    Interior Design
    April 21, 2019, Bradenton, FL

     

    Edward Clark Harnage, ’78
    Graphic Design
    March 6, 2015, Perry, FL

     

    Eugene “Gene” Hawkins ’68
    Fine Arts
    May 26, 2020, Greenville, SC

     

    Nathan Andrew Hubbard ’01
    Illustration
    December 16, 2020, Chuluota, FL

     

    Joseph Michael “Mike” Huey ’58
    Illustration
    January 10, 2019, Pensacola, FL

     

    Peter James Isbell ’70
    Interior Design
    July 12, 2015, Bradenton, FL

     

    Dennis Lee Jaenicke ’75
    Fine Arts
    December 4, 2020, Kankakee, IL

     

    William “Gardner” Jenkins ’80
    Graphic Design
    January 9, 2018, St. Petersburg, FL

     

    George E. Jordan ’63
    Fine Arts
    May 2020, Westport, CT

     

    Julius Michael “Mike” Kelly ’66
    Interior Design
    July 13, 2019, Grayson, GA

     

    David Kendal Kenemer ’79
    Graphic Design and Illustration
    May 31, 2020, Deltona, FL

     

    Charles W. “Chuck” Kennedy ’52
    Advertising Design and Illustration
    May 26, 2017, Palm City, FL

     

    David J. Klein ’77
    Graphic Design
    April 29, 2020, Key West, FL

     

    Patricia “Pat” (Roper) Laney ’63
    Fashion Illustration
    September 27, 2020, Atlanta, GA

     

    Richard Cyrus “Dick” Lewis ’55
    Commercial Design
    September 27, 2020, Pearl River, NY

     

    Robert M. “Mike” Noles ’78
    Painting
    June 24, 2020, Orlando, FL 

     

    William Parry Owen, Jr. ’66
    Commercial Design
    January 29, 2021, Alliance, OH

     

    Charles “Jerry” Pair ’63
    Interior Design
    June 14, 2020, Atlanta, GA

     

    Samantha Pellicano, ’14
    Photography and Digital Imaging
    June 29, 2019, Sarasota, FL

     

    Samuel Glen “Sam” Perry, ’83
    Fine Arts
    January 28, 2021, West Palm Beach, FL

     

    Jessica Anne Pomerleau-Halnon ’10
    Computer Animation
    August 21, 2020, Burlington, VT

     

    Ilona G. (Mueller) Ranaudo ’72
    Fine Arts
    July 7, 2020, Watertown, CT

     

    Philip Ruxton II ’61
    Commercial Design
    February 17, 2021, Rising Sun, IN

     

    Thomas Alvin Scanio ’62
    Commercial Design
    February 4, 2021, Sanford, NC

     

    Dorothy Ann (Hutchins) Shank ’60
    Interior Design
    November 24, 2020, Jacksonville, FL

     

    Rose Noel Sigona ’16
    Interior Design
    January 3, 2021, Winter Park, FL

     

    Bethany Jayne Somers ’07
    Illustration
    February 5, 2020, Portland, OR

     

    Matthew M. Spisak ’84
    Illustration
    September 21, 2020, Chickasaw, AL

     

    Edward Henry Springs ’59
    Commercial Design
    September 19, 2020, Blowing Rock, NC

     

    Erin Lynn Starks ’96
    Illustration
    February 16, 2021, Jupiter, FL

     

    Sheridan Eileen “Sherry” (Smith) Stiller ’75
    Interior Design
    July 25, 2020, Tulsa, OK

     

    William E. “Will” Turner ’74
    Painting
    May 30, 2020, Helena, MT

     

    Mary P. (Gross) Wallace ’48
    Fine Arts
    November 5, 2020, Delray Beach, FL

     

    Charles Edward Walsh ’61
    Fine Arts
    March 19, 2017, Jefferson, GA

     

    Jill Ann (Martin) Young ’69
    Fine Arts
    June 6, 2020, North Canton, OH

    Contxt
    • Contact us at contxt@ringling.edu
    • www.ringling.edu
    • Spring 2017
    • Spring 2018
    • Spring 2019
    • Spring 2020
    • Spring 2021

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