Gloria Jean (Anderson) Marion, Commercial Design, ’63 and Gerald Marion, Commercial Design, ’64
My very first day at Ringling College, I was on the way to drawing class with Frank Rampolla when I just happened to meet Gloria Jean Anderson, who was also on her way to class. She greeted me with a beautiful smile and said, “Hi!” That smile captured my heart and we dated throughout our years at Ringling, marrying two weeks after my graduation. We celebrated our 56th wedding anniversary in June 2020. We have two sons and two daughters-in-love, and seven beautiful grandchildren. Thanks, Ringling!
– Gerald Marion
Heather (Tinkey) Jones, Interior Design, ’03 and James “Ted” Jones, Illustration, ’00
Our love story started at Ringling and began with a Sharpie.
August 1999, I arrived on campus for “Make Your Mark!” new student orientation. My group leader was Ted Jones. The week ended with a family cook-out where Ted ran up to me wearing a plain T-shirt with a Sharpie in outstretched jazz hands, and shouted, “Sign me!” I was mortified!
It would be years before our first date, but after many long emails and well after Ted graduated, we eventually dated and married. Now, 16 years married, one beautiful daughter, multiple addresses, heartaches, joys, AND a worldwide pandemic, later… We’re still standing together!
– Heather Jones
www.tjonescreative.wixsite.com/portfolio
Julie Knight, Fine Arts, ’90 and Christopher Skura, Fine Arts, ’85
I first met Christopher at a retro ’50s art party the first week of school at Ringling College, in 1987. To make an impression on the freshmen, Chris and his friends lit their clothes on fire in the microwave and arrived wearing them, still smoking!
Chris and I were close friends until 1990. I was in New York City then and Chris came to visit me – and we decided to become a couple! We visited museums, cafes, and held hands walking down Broadway! We were married in Woodstock, NY in 1997.
After our chance meeting at Ringling 33 years ago, we are committed to supporting each other in our artistic pursuits. I work as a ceramic instructor and artist and Christopher is a visual artist and art conservator. We split our time between New York City and Woodstock, NY, where we have our own art studio.
– Julie Knight
To hear more about our stories, listen to Larry Forte’s (Fine Arts, ’86) podcast, “Limited Perspective”:
www.limited-perspective.com/podcast/2020/4/16/julie-knight
www.limited-perspective.com/podcast/2020/4/27/chris-skura
www.julie-knight.squarespace.com
www.christopherskura.com