John Urbano working on set for Swisse

Advertising & Graphic Design alumnus John Urbano (CCAD 1996) recently directed several commercials for Swisse, an Australian health and wellness company, that feature award-winning actress Nicole Kidman.

John Urbano and Nicole Kidman

The commercials show Kidman relaxing and enjoying time on beaches and gardens at the Terrara House Estate, a historic rural property in Australia.

“The one moment I’ll never forget was shooting Nicole in a field,” Urbano says on Swisse’s website. “It started to drizzle, the sky turned a deep blue, and a soft golden glow focused on Nicole. A rainbow appeared, becoming a perfect backdrop for our film. It was truly a special moment.”

Cover of book illustrated by Leslie Harrington

Illustration alumna Leslie Harrington (CCAD 1986) illustrated the soon-to-be released children’s book The Remarkable Ronald Reagan: Cowboy and Commander-in-Chief.

The book, which will be released on June 17, was written by Susan Allen. It’s a look at Reagan’s life from his beginnings as the son of a shoe salesman, to his years in Hollywood and his service in World War II, to, finally, his presidency. The book features 21 illustrations by Harrington.

Harrington’s other recent clients include Highlights magazine, Pearson Education, and Cengage Learning.

Jess Betz wants to create clothes that make people feel beautiful on the inside as well as the outside. Photo by Kristen M. Foley

By Buffy Sommers

Last year, my freshman year, I was mostly focused on foundations studies–design 101, color concepts, and drawing, lots and lots of friggin’ drawing. I hate drawing. I can do it ok, but it is so BORING! seriously.

I’m not going to lie, by winter break I was starting to wonder if art school was the right decision. I hated foundation studies. Until now.

I am currently in the Illustration concepts class and suddenly it is all coming together. Even though I’m doing stuff on the computer I find myself doing it as if I were drawing from hand–I am more picky about how an arm looks or a hand. I dont’ know how to explain it, I just SEE it different.

Same with color concepts. It’s one of those things that you don’t notice. You notice when something looks really good, or when something looks off, but you don’t know why. Now I know. It’s all in the color.

Still from the Herd of Heroes mobile game

Illustration alumnus Tyler Parkinson (CCAD 2010) and his brother Chris created a mobile game for Dairy Enterprises, Inc., which markets the Ohio-based Smith Dairy Products company.

The game, Herd of Heroes, features five cows with super powers that try to fight off Dr. Fizz who attempts to replace their milk with soda. It is available through Google Play, Amazon, and Apple.

The brothers grew up in Utica, OH, on a dairy farm, so when the head of marketing for Smith Dairy Products approached them, they had a certain familiarity with the business.

“It’s still kind of surreal sometimes, knowing that our game is out there after working on it for so long,” Tyler said in an article for the Newark Advocate.

To learn more about the game and watch a trailer, click here.

Mike, voiced by Billy Crystal, on the ‘Monsters University’ campus. Photo from Disney/Pixar

Illustration alumnus Dan Scanlon (CCAD 1998), director of the soon-to-be-released Pixar film Monsters University, was interviewed in an online article for the Wall Street Journal.

The animated film is a prequel to Monsters, Inc. It follows the main characters Mike and Sulley (voiced by Billy Crystal and John Goodman) as they major in Scaring at a university for monsters.

“It’s tough to tell a story when everyone knows how it ends, so that was one of the biggest challenges,” said Scanlon in the article. “We were telling a story about a character whose dream didn’t work out the way he thought it would, and that’s what we found interesting.”

In the article Scanlon compares his college days at CCAD with what the monsters are experiencing at their university.

“The one part I think is universal to college that I experienced was this sense of growing up and self discovery,” Scanlon said in the article.

Monsters University will be released in theatres on June 21.

The exhibition Two Generations of Castano Artists will be on display in honor of the 100th anniversary of the library.

Castano works in mixed-media collages, piecing together tapestry, vinyl, and leather with prints and photographs.

Todd and Racster were invited to lead a session titled, “A Story of Triumph and Oppression: GBLTQ Impacting National Politics and Law.”

The annual conference is one of Ohio State’s most comprehensive conferences and focuses on issues of diversity, cultural inclusion, and acceptance.

Still from Shannon Benine’s video “Phineas Acts”

CCAD artists have work in a group exhibition, I Forget to Forget, at the the Ohio State University’s Urban Arts Space, June 15–July 20.

Assistant professor and Fine Arts alumna Danielle Julian Norton (CCAD 1999) curated the exhibition that shows her work alongside seven other artists. CCAD-affiliated artists include assistant professor Shannon Benine, adjunct faculty and Fine Arts alumna Mariana Smith (CCAD 2002), professor and Fine Arts alumnus Tim Rietenbach (CCAD 1977), and adjunct faculty Melissa Vogley Woods.

The exhibition challenges the role artists play in historically characterizing events and questioning how we learn about our histories and personally and culturally develop meaning. Inspired by the practices and processes that confront them, these eight artists reinterpret, analyze, reassemble, and re-stage histories within a wide range of mediums and geographies.

The exhibition was curated by Catherine Evans, the William and Sarah Ross Soter curator of photography at the Columbus Museum of Art. The show includes work from 10 contemporary artists who illustrate the variety and complexity of photography by using everything from the earliest photographic processes to the latest digital technologies.

The Ohio Arts Council is a state agency that funds and supports quality arts experiences to strengthen Ohio communities culturally, educationally, and economically.

Visitors look at work during the opening of “SHOW”

Most students are now on break for the summer, but their work can still be seen on campus through June 14 in SHOW: The 134th Annual Student Exhibition. The exhibition features the best work from the undergraduate and graduate programs and opened on May 10, in the Canzani Center.

While SHOW is a year-end celebration of academic achievement collegewide, many seniors thesis projects appear on campus throughout the year.

Fine Arts seniors show their work in weeklong solo exhibitions in various galleries across campus all year.

The Industrial Design and Interior Design programs hold a joint senior thesis show in early May. This year’s projects included new lavatory designs to conserve water, nightclub interior designs, an indoor composting system, and a tool to more easily remove and store contact lenses.

Advertising & Graphic Design hosted its inaugural senior thesis show in April. Students submitted their favorite projects, ranging from merchandise for children and website redesigns to interactive music playlists and iPad apps to find local shops.

Illustration seniors did a new group project this year. Seniors Lexie Holliday and Wes Talbott teamed up to create and publish the book Illustration Student Collective Compendium 2013.

The two students, with the help of Illustration faculty, looked through seniors’ websites and portfolios to pull close to 30 final pieces to include in the book, which is available for purchase here.

Much of the work shown in individual and department thesis shows makes its way to the annual student exhibition, but that’s not all that SHOW features.

Students from Mark Hazlerig’s 3D illustration class always bring out a big piece (literally) for the annual exhibition. You may remember Fleopatra from last year. This year they went even bigger with an 8-foot-tall centipede accompanied by a little girl whom they have dubbed “Ivory Eva Hazel Scott.”

“The girl is very symbolic in this piece,” said Illustration senior Tyler Crooks. “She is dressed in all white, offering an apple to the centipede; it is a good vs. bad or original sin image.”

The project was worked on by seven students, including Animation senior Allison Cundiff; Animation sophomore Naomi Rossman; Illustration seniors Tyler Crooks, Nancy McSwiney, and Henry Scott; Illustration sophomore Doug Cummins; and Fine Arts senior Mary Nemeth.

To see more photos of the opening reception for SHOW check out the Columbus College of Art & Design Facebook page.

Still from the promo for “Behind the Candelabra” created by Favorite Color

Media Studies alumnus Steven Weinzierl (CCAD 2005) is a director for Favorite Color, a motion graphics studio in New York City that recently created a promo for HBO’s film Behind the Candelabra.

Behind the Candelabra, is based on the rocky relationship between the renowned pianist Liberace and his lover Scott Thorson and stars Matt Damon, Michael Douglas, and Rob Lowe.

“During my initial arrival at Favorite Color, HBO was in search of vendors to take part in a pitch for their HBO series True Blood,” Weinzierl said. “We ended up winning the pitch, produced the project, and the rest is history. HBO was happy with the final product and have been a return client ever since.”

The promo took approximately four weeks to complete with a week for concept and design, two weeks for animation, and the last week for render and final approval. It features the falling keys of a piano to symbolize the characters’ relationship.

Weinzierl has been with Favorite Color for more than two years and has worked on projects ranging from music videos to commercial campaigns.

James LaFollette in front of his poster

Fine Arts freshman James LaFollette presented at the 13^th Annual Multiple Perspectives on Access, Inclusion, and Disability Conference at Ohio State University. The conference, which was held April 16 and 17, had more than 200 attendees.

LaFollette competed in a poster session with students from across the U.S. His presentation on Crohn’s disease, Making Crohn’s Visible: From Struggles to Strides with an Internal Disorder, won in the art and performance category. As a prize, he received $200 from the Ethel Louise Armstrong Foundation.

“My main goal was just to simply bring awareness to the disability and also help others feel more comfortable about their own personal disabilities,” LaFollette said.

Through his 20-page book, LaFollette, who has Crohn’s, explains what it is, how it affects the body, and possible side effects from taking medication.

“The main reason I wanted to even talk about Crohn’s was because most people have never heard of it, and since it’s an internal disorder, people can never tell when you’re in pain or struggling that day,” LaFollette said.

LaFollette is from Westerville, OH, and attended Northside Christian School.

“Unwoven Light,” by Soo Sunny Park; photo by Nash Baker © nashbaker.com

Fine Arts alumna Soo Sunny Park (CCAD 1998) has an installation, Unwoven Light, on view at the Rice University Art Gallery in Houston through Aug. 30.

The piece, which is created from 37 individually sculpted units of glass, is an abstract form suspended from the walls and ceiling.

“We don’t notice light when looking so much as we notice the things light allows us to see,” Park notes on the gallery’s website. “Unwoven Light captures light and causes it to reveal itself, through colorful reflections and refractions on the installation’s surfaces and on the gallery floor and walls.”

Park is a recipient of a Joan Mitchell MFA Grant, the 19th Annual Michigan Fine Arts Competition Grand Prize, the Helen Foster Barnett Prize from the National Academy Museum, and the Rockefeller Foundation Bellagio Center Fellowship. Her work has been included in exhibitions across the U.S. and has been featured in numerous art publications.

Park is originally from Seoul, South Korea. She moved moved to the United States at a young age, growing up in Orlando, FL, and Marietta, GA, and attending Lake Howell High School.

Check out images from the exhibit on the art blog Colossal.

Denny Griffith’s “Soliloquy #19″

CCAD President Denny Griffith has a solo exhibition, Purely Abstract: Paintings, Works on Paper, and Photographs, sponsored by Hammond Harkins Galleries and presented at Kaufman Development, running through May 31 in Columbus, OH.

Griffith’s work has been shown in more than 90 group and solo exhibitions domestically and abroad, and he is represented by Hammond Harkins Galleries. His work is in the collections of public institutions including the Butler Institute of American Art, the Columbus Museum of Art, the Columbus Metropolitan Library, and the China Academy of Art.

Kaufman Development is a full-service real estate firm offering investment, construction, development, and management of multi-family, mixed use, and residential redevelopment. Its offices are located at 30 Warren St., Columbus, OH.

The front cover of Hiroshi Hayakawa’s book

Associate Professor and Photography alumnus Hiroshi Hayakawa recently published Paper Pups: 35 Dogs to Copy, Cut & Fold.

The 1985 graduate’s book contains 35 paper dogs ranging from golden retrievers to French bulldogs. Using kirigami, an art similar to origami, the reader can copy a template and follow the steps to create a three-dimensional animal.

“It is truly gratifying to actually see the project I worked on for about a year become a physical reality,” Hayakawa said on his blog. “I do love the weight and touch of the book as well as the design itself, things you couldn’t experience with a digital book.”

Paper Pups is available in bookstores and online.

Hayakawa teaches photography, material studies, and drawing at CCAD. He was born and raised in Japan and works in alternative photography, kinetic sculpture, and paper craft.

Rob Robbins’ work in Art Access Gallery

Drawing & Printmaking Chair and Fine Arts alumnus Robert Robbins (CCAD 1990) will show his work in a group exhibition at Art Access Gallery in Bexley, OH, through May 11. The exhibition also includes work by Marty Kalb and Mark Yale Harris.

Robbins’ paintings depict small, imagined places that draw the viewer into the environment on the canvas.

Robbins’ work has been shown nationally and internationally, including at the Butler Institute of American Art; the Chateau in Rochefort-en-Terre, France; the Springfield Museum of Art; and the Florida State University Museum of Contemporary Art. His work is also in private and public collections including the Ohio State University, the Nord Family Foundation, and the Columbus Metropolitan Library.

Joseph Gargasz’s “Taliman #2″ sculpture

Fine arts alumnus Joseph Gargasz (CCAD 1995) exhibited his works Talisman #1 and Talisman #2 at the annual Sculpture in the Garden 2012 show at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

His 400-pound cast concrete sculptures were among 45 pieces selected by a committee for display last fall at the North Carolina Botanical Garden.

“The Talisman series is my experiment to examine the negative spaces found in everyday discarded consumer materials,” Gargasz said in his artist statement. “Appliance packaging, cardboard boxes, plastic containers, and shopping bags provide interesting negative spaces that I then cast concrete into.”

Gargasz is currently the director of exhibition design at the Michael C. Carlos Museum at Emory University in Atlanta.

Kraft’s paper was “Research and Inquiry: Pedagogical Tools to Engender Responsibility;” Yates presented his paper “Research as Catalyst” in the same session.

The two also participated in the Integrative Teaching International ThinkTank along with Vice President for Academic Affairs Kevin Conlon, Assistant Professor Lori Faist, Assistant Professor and Fine Arts alumna Julie Abijanac (CCAD 1992), and Associate Professor and Fine Arts alumna Tam Peterson (CCAD 1983).

FATE is a national association dedicated to the promotion of excellence in development and teaching of college-level foundation courses. The ThinkTank is part of the FATE conference and includes a facilitated discussion and intensive workshop designed to improve teaching at the college level.

Kraft also presented her paper “Rurality Then and Now: Re-visioning the Landscape in Contemporary Irish Art Practice” at the International Meeting of the American Conference for Irish Studies in Chicago, April 10-13.

Leah Wong’s “Countdown”

Leah Wong, who has taught at CCAD and is assisting the college with its teaching exchange with the China Academy of Art, was featured in the March/April issue of SpaChina magazine.

The article discusses Wong’s artistic inspiration and her work in paper cutting. The article notes that she grew up in northern Qingdao in China and was later accepted into the Zhejiand Fine Arts Academy, now known as the China Academy of Art. She then moved to the United States and earned her MFA from Ohio University in Athens, OH. She has returned to China to share her work.

Wong’s pieces straddle abstraction and representation with inspiration pulled from both Chinese and Western art and culture.

She recently had her work in a group exhibition at Ross Art Museum at Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware, OH.

Read the full article here.

Marquee at 134th spring commencement

Nearly 250 Columbus College of Art & Design students graced the stage of the historic Ohio Theatre to receive their diplomas on Saturday, May 11, 2013.

The 134^th annual commencement in downtown Columbus included an address by nationally renowned artist Mel Chin, who was also awarded an honorary degree by the college.

James E. Kunk, vice chair of CCAD’s board of trustees; Dennison W. Griffith, CCAD president; Kevin J. Conlon, vice president for academic affairs; and director of graduate studies and professor Ric Petry conferred the nine master of fine arts degrees and the bachelor of fine arts.

Student government president and Advertising & Graphic Design major Cailyn Driscoll addressed the audience of peers and family, followed by recognition of the nine outstanding seniors:

• Lillie Templeton, Advertising & Graphic Design
• Tyler Crowley, Animation
• Patrick Kain, Cinematic Arts
• Katharine Hire, Fashion Design
• Stefanie Cook, Fine Arts
• Wesley Talbott, Illustration
• Justin Brown, Industrial Design
• Katelyn Venia, Interior Design
• Kayla Holdgreve, Photography

President Griffith introduced the 2013 class valedictorian, Advertising & Graphic Design major Lillie Templeton.

Following the valedictorian’s address, Griffith spoke to the graduating class. He offered them a heartfelt farewell and encouraged them to spread their talent and the message of love across the world.

Check out a video from the 2013 commencement here.

Rock blockin’ beats

9:50

If you’re just tuning in (and if you are, where have you been?) then here’s where we are.

There was a fabulous cocktail party, then a spectacular runway show, and I’ve just uploaded a gazillion photos, so you can check them out.

Now, as I sit here fiddling with photos, there is, just next door, a dance party going on. No, really, I’m still in the tent, just me and my-girl-Friday Katlin McNally. Well there’s also a crew of people waiting for us to get out of their way so they can start breaking down the tent—tomorrow it will be like this never happened, except we have all of this photographic evidence.

I can hear the bass thumping as DJ Rainer works the crowd up. BTW: props to Rainer who also mixed all of the runway music.

The designers are in there, finally able to let loose and celebrate a year of truly hard work. Tomorrow they will graduate. Tonight they play.

I think it’s time for me to get a glass of my own and toast to our designers, sponsors, volunteers, faculty, staff, vendors—well EVERYONE who made this night so very magical.

Thank you and good night.

The show is about to start.

8:50

OK, we made it, we’re here, and boy is it PACKED.

The house lights are down, and there’s a fabulous pre-show video (produced by Ologie) playing. And, the lights come back as WBNS-10TV’s Kristyn Hartman takes the stage with Michael and Arlene Weiss who are representing our runway sponsor, EXPRESS. They will cut the big red ribbon to kick off the show.

One of these days I’m going to need to ask someone: where exactly does one buy giant scissors?

Up first is six looks from Rachel Chertoff. The gorgeous knit pieces in this collection were painstakingly hand crocheted. I love how she subtly shapes her clothes to frame, and accentuate different areas of the figure.

Next are designs by Leah Sloane Kennedy followed by Jazzmin Evans. While both are showcasing classic red dresses their approaches are distinctly different.

Side note: the make-up and hair by Mukha Custom Cosmetics and Jolie Laide is the finishing touch that gives our show that professional, fashion-week feel.

custom designed fabric

Antoiné Slater’s looks follow. Her African prints are bold and work well with the strong, structured lines in her designs—her patterned pants and jacket are fierce!

Sarah Frederick also brings us some beautifully constructed pants, but her looks are softer. Her color pallet brings in more creams and blues. There’s a lot of detail work in Sarah’s collection—and she was tapped to create a custom piece for Ms. Kristy Eckert from Capital Style (who looks stunning in the Frederick original).

Our next two designers, Karla Norquist and Jess Betz bring a tropical, beachy vibe to the runway.

Point of interest. This year I’m seeing more pants, shorts, jackets, and men’s looks than past years. Anyone who has watched Project Runway can appreciate that well-fitted pants, shorts, and sleeves are quite difficult to achieve. This crop of designers really challenged themselves and it shows. Ngockhanh Ngo is a perfect example. His Americana-inspired menswear collection is meticulously constructed, fits perfectly, and shows an impressive attention to detail.

Danielle Nicole Jones also bring meticulously constructed garments to the runway, and they are paired with strong vibrant prints that she designed and produced. The ankle-length gown, in particular is a delicious surprise.

Katlin Hatfield’s armor-inspired look is highly structured as Kate Elaine Pohrt’s. Kate has carefully pieced together unique, metallic fabrics to create women and men’s wear that is art-deco-inspired, yet futuristic.

Structure plays a role in Jennica Gray’s look, but the end result feels soft and flows—in part because of the seamless way she has pieced together contrasting colors.

The collection

Nicole Chhuom brings a more neutral palette to the runway, which provides continuity to her two otherwise divergent looks.

Another designer who did mostly menswear and who designed his own patterned fabrics, Dax Thomas Kauser, brings us an edgy, modern, cohesive collection. Each look is beautiful and distinct and yet there is still a sense of unity between his pieces.

Olivia Brezinski’s look combines sleek leather with soft feathers, giving it a goth-princess feel.

In contrast, Phoebe Isaac’s looks are celestial with their soothing blue tones. The long-sleeved, floor-length dress, is particularly stunning as the model turns and we see the cut-out back.

Old world meets new world with Tina Hughes’ collection. There is definitely a European feel to her collection, and yet there are pieces that have a distinctly vintage American flavor.

Kassie Haji brings us a nice range of garments in her five-piece collection, but what really stands out is her menswear look. The suit is sleek, modern, and original.

Stunning

From Katharine E. Hire’ sassy patterned jacket with the triangular cut out in the back to her stunning, purple, a-symmetrical dress; this collection is a crowd pleaser. Point of interest: she bought her fabrics in Africa while on a medical mission trip.

Olivia Mitchell’s architecture-inspired collection is a futuristic wonder coming down the runway and is a perfect segue to Krista Guanlao Sison’s looks. I’ve been looking forward to seeing one piece of hers in particular. Her collection was inspired by a Spanish cathedral, and the last look in the show is truly wearable art—like a moving sculpture.

Twenty-one designers, 66 looks, and now we get to the part of the show that always makes me tear up. Each designer comes out to be recognized. The riotous applause of the crowd and the love they are showing to these young designers is palpable. And as each designer finishes their loop on the runway they are met by their fearless leader, Fashion Design Chair Suzanne Cotton, who gives them flowers. The designers now return the gesture and present Ms. Cotton with her own bouquet—seriously, tears here.

As the audience begins to settle down Kristyn Hartman takes the stage once more, and presents Katharine Hire with the Easton Fashion award, sponsored by Easton Town Center. With that there is only one thing left to do…DANCE!

See you in a bit.

Leaders in fashion!

7:20

I’m not going to lie. I’ve got The Great Gatsby on the brain, and I am anticipating bearing witness to our sumptuous little pre-party.

Men and women dressed to the nines, gorgeous plates piled high with delicious bites both savory and sweet, and free-flowing libations—what’s not to love.

I wonder if there will be any Gatsby-inspired attire? Or, for that matter how about some mod looks inspired by this season of Mad Men?

Doors will open for the VIP pre-party sponsored by Nationwide and Justice & Brothers in just a few minutes.

I must note: This space went from garage to club in a matter of days thanks to Ologie, Lasting Impressions, and many, many CCAD staffers (our facilities’ crew are wizards). The food looks amazing (thank you Cameron Mitchell Catering). I saw the menu a few weeks ago—my mouth watered just reading it. And, bartenders are ready to shake up a Vodka Runway (our signature cocktail, thank you Middle West Spirits).

And me? I’m ready to take it all in.

8 p.m.

Um, sorry, I’m afraid I got a little sidetracked. The people watching is just TOO good. When the first wave of partiers arrived, the energy level went from 0 to 60 in less than three minutes. I have a great view of the photo station—where the fashionable show off their looks for our photographer.

So many fun pieces coming through. Fantastic black-and-white patterned dress that definitely has a 20s vibe, and a strappy version of go-go boots with a bright cocktail length dress. Fantastic!

A woman in a stunning off the shoulder deep-blue gown just passed.

I think I just saw a blond version of Megan Draper. Gorgeous 60s-inspired mini that is sooooo Megan.

Our prez, Mr. Denny Griffith has just stopped by to say hello–dapper as always. Speaking of dapper, our head of security Wallace Tanksley is sporting a mighty fine lime green bow tie.

Seeing lots of leg and strappy gladiator shoes. Denim is making a strong showing, which is right on trend with some of the collections that this crowd will see in an hour.

Orange, lime green, and black-and-white are dominating the looks this evening.

To the guy in the hat and vest, thank you. And to all of our bow-tie wearing gentleman, we applaud you.

As I look around I am not disappointed. I’m seeing great fashion, but I”m also seeing women and men that are dressing to suite their unique style—there are no cookie-cutters here.

8:15

And now they are asking everyone to start heading into the tent so the show can begin. Hopefully as they sit, they’ll have a moment to flip through the Lookbook sponsored by Abercrombe & Fitch. It is stunning thanks to the photographic talents of Nick Fancher and the creative direction from Ologie.

Ok, we are going to get some photos up and then head over to the tent to continue …

Thanks to our title sponsor Limited Brands Foundation

7 p.m.

This is my third year live blogging from our fashion event, and each year I have paused, just before the party starts, to give thanks.

This year I want to get straight to the point—to naming names, as it were.

CCAD is honored and grateful to have such wonderful partners. Each year we go out and ask organizations and individuals to support this event and help us raise money for scholarships. Each year we are humbled by the response.

Below are our 2013 partners. These are individuals and companies that not only support CCAD, but they show a real commitment to making the Columbus community a better place.

Title Sponsor: Limited Brands Foundation

Runway Sponsor: EXPRESS

VIP Cocktail Reception Sponsors: Nationwide and Justice & Brothers

Easton Fashion Award Sponsor: Easton Town Center

Fashion Lookbook Sponsor: Abercrombie & Fitch

Couture Sponsors:  Diamond Cellar, Huntington Bank, Lane Bryant, Macy’s, Nordstrom, Polaris Fashion Place, Porter Wright Morris & Arthur LLP,  R.G. Barry/Dearfoams, and THE LIMITED

Host Committee, chaired by Peg Mativi & Donald Dick: Dana & Mitch Acock, Jakki & Jerry Allen, Pam & Jack Beeler, Teresa & Brian Biernat, Kimberly A. Blackwell, W. Daniel Cordray, Loann W. Crane, Bev & Bob Darwin, Steve & Lynnda Maria Davis, Diane & Andrew Dunn, Phaedra & Michael Edwards, Karen & Michael Fiorile, Erica & Micky Fullen, Nedra Patison Hadley & Alissa Hadley Hines, Fran Horowitz & Michael Bonadies, Alexis Jacobs, Andrew Johnson, Patty & Jerry Jurgensen, Stephanie & Adam Lewin, Tim Maurer & Sanito Mendoza, Jamie & Bill Reinbolt, Arlene & Michael Weiss, and Lyn Williams

Creative Direction: Ologie

Media Sponsors: CD102.5 and Capital Style

In-Kind Sponsors: Baesman Group, Cameron Mitchell Catering, Details and Florabunda Designs Inc., Heidelberg Distributing Company, Lasting Impressions Event Rental, Live! Technologies, LLC, Mukha Custom Cosmetics, Mumm Napa, and Nick Fancher

In-Kind Supporters: Jolie Laide, Middle West Spirits, Pepsi Cola Bottling of Columbus, and Rainer/S77

Class of 2013 valedictorian Lillie Templeton

Columbus College of Art & Design is proud to present the valedictorian for the class of 2013, Lillie Templeton. The Advertising & Graphic Design major will be honored during the commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 11, at the Ohio Theatre.

Templeton was also honored as an outstanding senior for Advertising & Graphic Design. Each year faculty select one outstanding senior to represent each undergraduate major.

In addition to Templeton’s exemplary grades, she has distinguished herself outside the classroom. Templeton was president of CCAD’s honors council for two years and helped lead their group project, a one-day pop-up store on campus in December, which had a second life at Easton Town Center this spring.

Templeton’s work received recognition at this year’s ADDY’s, where she took home a Best of Show and a Gold award.

She has already secured a job as a graphic designer at SBC Advertising in Columbus, OH. She is currently part of their Bed Bath & Beyond team and will begin working full time upon graduation.

Check out our CCAD news blog for more highlights from Templeton’s time here.

Templeton is from Wadesboro, NC, and was home schooled.

CCAD Outstanding Senior Kayla Holdgreve, wearing her “signature” sunglasses

At the end of the academic year, CCAD deans names the faculty-selected outstanding seniors for each undergraduate major. Today, in part nine of our nine-part series, meet Photography outstanding senior Kayla Holdgreve.

Q: What was your proudest achievement while at CCAD?

This last semester. I figured out what I wanted to do, and I created a really strong body of work that represents me as a person, as an artist, and the direction I want to go. The work is a three-part series that deals with the personal journey one takes within time and space. I used a lot of different photo processes and mixed digital and film.

Q: What scared you the most while you were at CCAD?

Just managing everything. It is such a heavy workload here, and you have to balance that with jobs, internships, personal work, and hanging out with friends.

Q: What are your plans after graduation?

Developing my own work, and I would like to travel. I am going to wait a couple years, but then I will start applying to grad schools.

Q: What’s your ultimate dream job or goal?

My ultimate dream job would be to look at old photographs all the time, and travel, and get paid to do that.

Q: Why is it important as an alumnus to give back to CCAD?

It is necessary to keep things going and growing. We have to ensure that students have access to what we did and even more.

Q: Do you remember a single point that made you sit back and say, “This is why I am doing this?”

There was a moment when I was in the darkroom and I was experimenting with these negatives and trying to come up with something I have never tried before. I was in there for two hours, and finally when I was hovering over the chemicals the image came out, and I just thought “thank you, this is it.”

Q: What smell, word, or whatever will always remind you of your time here as a student?

The fix and the photo chemicals.

Q: What will you miss the most?

The connections and the closeness of the students and the faculty here. We were able to have constant feedback, stay up late working with peers, and chat with the faculty on our work. Also, the equipment we had available to us.

Q: If you could describe what graduation feels like in one word or sentence what would it be?

Bittersweet. It is exciting to move on, but there are a lot of things that will be missed.

Q: What was your favorite class at CCAD?

Poetry with Lesley Jenike, feminism in art with Susanne Myers, and my materials study class with Helen Hoffelt. Those three factored so much into who I am and the work that I am about.

Q: What did you like to do during your free time?

Read, that is one thing that I have been enjoying. I’m currently reading 1984.

Q: What is your fondest memory at CCAD?

Just hanging out with everyone in the labs; I practically lived there.

Q: What would you change about your undergraduate career?

Focus more and take advantage of everything offered here, from the equipment to the visiting artists’ lectures.

Q: What is your advice to future CCAD students?

Utilize all of the space, equipment, workshops, and visiting artists’ talks, just everything that is offered on campus.

Holdgreve is from Lima, OH, and attended Lima Senior High School.

CCAD Outstanding Senior Katelyn Venia

At the end of the academic year, CCAD names the faculty-selected outstanding seniors for each undergraduate major. Today, in part eight of our nine-part series, meet Interior Design outstanding senior Katelyn Venia.

Q: What was your proudest achievement while at CCAD?

Being able to start up the ASID [American Society of Interior Designers] chapter again. The co-president and I worked really hard to get it off the ground and bring back that networking and professional spirit to CCAD and our major.

Q: What scared you the most while you were at CCAD?

The amount of work and deadlines. This program is really tough, and we are always under a lot of stress, but it really does prepare you for the outside world.

Q: What are your plans after graduation?

I want to stay in Columbus, and I have been applying for a lot of stuff. I am really interested in higher education in Interior Design.

Q: What’s your ultimate dream job or goal?

Just designing, honestly. I have thought about opening my own firm, but just being able to design for a large amount of people and having those people experience that is really important to me.

Q: Why is it important as an alumnus to give back to CCAD?

Especially in Interior Design, the insight you can get from people who have been through this before is really helpful. It not only clears up questions you may have, but it gives you contacts as you enter the professional world.

Q: Do you remember a single point that made you sit back and say, “This is why I am doing this?”

This year has been a good year for me, and those moments have happened a lot. In particular, last semester we did a hotel project, and we were able to really just do what we wanted to do. I was able to see my vision come to life, and I knew that this was what I wanted to do.

Q: What smell, word, or whatever will always remind you of your time here as a student?

Work.

Q: What will you miss the most?

The people here—our interior group is very compact, there are about 15 of us. We are really tightknit, and there is a lot of fun that happens. It is that family atmosphere that everyone thrives on, so hopefully I find a workplace that is similar to that.

Q: If you could describe what graduation feels like in one word or sentence what would it be?

Amazing. The amount of work that I have done in the past four years is insane, so it’s a good feeling and signifies the end of this time and my transition out. I am ready.

Q: What was your favorite class at CCAD?

There were a few, but probably display design. We have to take it as an advanced course, and I got some really good portfolio pieces. Justin Martini, who taught us, was really great about letting us run with our ideas and really pushing us.

Q: What did you like to do during your free time?

Relax. I love to read, and I haven’t read a book for fun in probably six months—I’m feeling deprived.

Q: What is your fondest memory at CCAD?

That would have to be last semester again, during the hotel presentation. I was able to have a relaxed presentation, and a lot of CCAD faculty and staff came through. It was probably the most fun presentation that I’ve had.

Q: What would you change about your undergraduate career?

I would and I wouldn’t change things. I would have maybe changed how I learned a little bit. I think I needed to see things a little better. We got a lot of information over our time here, and sometimes I wish I could have spent more time on some of those things.

Q: What is your advice to future CCAD students?

Hang in there, it is only four years. It is all worth it in the end. Do your best, people will notice. Work ethic is really important, and if you can show that, you’re good to go.

Venia is from Toledo, OH, and attended Whitmer Senior High School.

CCAD 2013 outstanding senior Justin Brown

At the end of the academic year, CCAD names the faculty-selected outstanding seniors for each undergraduate major.  Today, in part seven of our nine-part series, meet Industrial Design outstanding senior Justin Brown.

Q: What was your proudest achievement while at CCAD?

My Zwei Desk I created my junior year; it was selected for the Design Emphasis Showcase at the International Woodworking Fair, and I placed second in my category.

Q: What scared you the most while you were at CCAD?

I broke my arm my freshman year while throwing a dodgeball. I didn’t think I was going to finish the year. I was in a temporary cast for a week, then I had to have surgery and couldn’t move my arm for about a month, and then I was in another cast after that.

Q: What are your plans after graduation?

I have a job. Throughout the year and during school breaks I have been interning at MidWest Studios in Indiana. I will be an exhibit design fabricator.

Q: What’s your ultimate dream job or goal?

Just being a craftsman; craft is something that I try to emphasize in all my work. So as far as a dream job I can’t really pinpoint that—as long as I am able to build and be a craftsman.

Justin Brown’s Zwei Desk

Q: Do you remember a single point that made you sit back and say, “This is why I am doing this?”

There have been a lot of times when I am asking “why am I doing this?” and I don’t know if that’s been answered yet. It is one of those questions I am still looking to answer. Meeting with my teachers has been very inspiring and they have pushed me to where I am now.

Q: What smell, word, or whatever will always remind you of your time here as a student?

The Motorist building—it always just reminds me of Columbus.

Q: What will you miss the most?

Probably the old wood shop and working with Frank Laskowsky and John Henning.

Q: What are you most excited to leave behind?

The stress, absolutely.

Q: If you could describe what graduation feels like in one word or sentence what would it be?

I would have to say a relief, and I’m looking forward to it.

Q: What was your favorite class at CCAD?

Conceptual drawing with Thornton Lothrop—it was a test class. I learned a lot of things in that class and a lot of interesting concepts that weren’t necessarily covered in my major, and the teacher was very, very inspiring.

Q: What did you like to do during your free time?

I build furniture; it is all I do. I don’t exhibit or sell it, I just give it away. It allows me to keep up with that hobby and be able to just be a craftsman.

Q: What is your fondest memory at CCAD?

Working in the wood shop with Frank and John, that was great.

Q: What would you change about your undergraduate career?

I would have had more of a Fine Arts emphasis. I would take glassblowing, more ceramics, and woodworking, and I would combine those three mediums into a thesis. I have always had this dream of just making bowls out of all three mediums to emphasize the craft.

Learning that stuff is definitely still an option; it’s not too late. I think that if I want to pursue something like that I would look into an apprenticeship, something I can do in my free time, since right now I don’t necessarily want to go back to school.

What is your advice to future CCAD students?

Choose your major wisely.

Brown is a native of Troy, OH, and attended Miami East High School.

Part of Colleen Clark’s comic featured in “Huffington Post”

On April 24, Illustration student Colleen Clark and her comic on body issues were featured in the Huffington Post.

It all started during earlier this year, when she made the comic for a class project and uploaded it to her tumblr.

“There’s a really big body awareness and feminist community on tumblr,” Clark said. “I guess it was just the right audience and time for me to put that up there because it blew up—I was really lucky.”

Nina Bahadur, the author of the Huffington Post article, contacted Clark after spotting the comic and asked to feature it in the women’s section of the online news source.

After what Clark said was three pages of responses to Bahadur’s questions, she sat on pins and needles waiting for the story to be published.

“I was freaking out as I read it, crying, and calling my mom and dad,” Clark said. “I was overwhelmed, flattered, and surprised—all of these emotions—and was really, really grateful that people were noticing my work and it was affecting them in the right way.”

Responses continued many days after the article was published.

“It is really kind of scary and gratifying how many responses I have gotten from women telling me that it changed how they felt or that they could relate to it,” Clark said.

Clark shared one response that she received at a time that she was feeling down about herself and lacking motivation. It was an email from a stranger who confessed that she had been bingeing on food, but that upon reading Clark’s comic she had been able to stop and feel better about herself and her body issues.

“I immediately felt better then. I just couldn’t believe she sat down and took the time out her life to send me that,” Clark said. “I am dumbfounded every single time someone says ‘I’ve felt better about my body after reading your comic.’ I can’t even process that because it is so hard for me to feel better about my body and it’s so flattering that I can have that effect on someone else. If I can even do that for one person it is worth all the work.”

Her comic didn’t come from a moment of insecurity, but from a battle most women face with body issues. She struggled drawing the original comic, having to pull from her own insecurities. One of the main images is an exaggerated sketch of how she views her body.

“What I have realized throughout my career at CCAD and this experience is that I want to continue this and I want to create stories for women,” Clark said. “In comics, there is nothing for young adult women and if there is, it is unrealistic and not relatable.”

“I think that the huge response to this comic shows that there is a need for this idea and this role model,” Clark said. “I want to stay doing these comics because it is a great way to express yourself and marry narrative and illustration.”

To keep up with Clark and her drawings, visit her tumblr.

Clark is from Gaithersburg, MD, and attended Colonel Zadok Magruder High School.

CCAD 2013 outstanding senior Wesley Talbott

At the end of the academic year, CCAD names the faculty-selected outstanding seniors for each undergraduate major. Today, in part six of our nine-part series, meet Illustration outstanding senior Wes Talbott.

Q: What was your proudest achievement while at CCAD?

I have been really proud of what we have been able to do with the Illustration Student Collective. We’ve done several gallery shows and have had some visiting artists come in—our talks have really been inspiring.

Q: What scared you the most while you were at CCAD?

I was never really scared; I always knew I would just take on whatever came.

Q: What are your plans after graduation?

I was brought on as a freelancer for LEGO in April, and I’m working on a project for them right now. I actually just got back from Denmark and got the chance to see their workspace there and meet people on the team. And for after I graduate, I have a couple of people and companies on the list for freelance projects, and hopefully I will get more work through LEGO.

Q: What’s your ultimate dream job or goal?

Right now, LEGO is my ideal company, but being able to work for a small company may be fun just so you have control over multiple aspects of a project.

Q: Why is it important as an alumnus to give back to CCAD?

I think it’s important for alumni to come back and help current students. It’s helpful for students to see someone who has gone through the exact same thing, classes- and training-wise, and have them speak on their experiences and how they eventually made it. It helps encourage those students that may be struggling.

Q: Do you remember a single point that made you sit back and say, “This is why I am doing this?”

Every time I get a job and I start to get sick of it, I just sit back and think “I have no reason to complain—I am sitting here painting.” I have had other jobs at grocery stores and everything, and I hated it. So to be able to do this and get paid for it is awesome.

Q: What smell, word, or whatever will always remind you of your time here as a student?

Polished concrete and white walls.

Q: What will you miss the most?

The interaction with other students. If I stay in Columbus, I plan to hang around here and still go to Illustration Student Collective meetings. We would have alumni randomly stop in and chat with us, and I loved that and want to be one of those people. But definitely just the people and the interactions.

Q: If you could describe what graduation feels like in one word or sentence what would it be?

Completion.

Q: What was your favorite class at CCAD?

I really liked my sophomore illustration methods class with Joseph Kovach. He made that class, and I am taking two more independent study classes with him.

Q: What did you like to do during your free time?

Build with LEGO; I have a huge collection. At LEGO, you don’t have specific jobs, you kind of do a little bit of everything. One of those aspects is set design. Ever since I discovered that, I have wanted to keep up to date on what kind of pieces there are and how to use them.

Q: What is your fondest memory at CCAD?

I think it’s just the teachers. Sometimes when you show you’re competent at a skill, [outside] people will question why you are even in school, but I learned so much from the entire faculty here that it is irreplaceable.

Q: What would you change about your undergraduate career?

I would have maybe pursued different attributes of illustration, but I don’t think I would really change anything.

Q: What is your advice to future CCAD students?

Work hard, practice all the time, and I think the biggest advice I could give is to do what you love. Sometimes you have to take advice and what people say with a grain of salt and remember you just always have to do what you love.

Talbott is from Johnstown, OH, and was home schooled.

Dominic Bianchi and Mark Hentemann at CCAD, photo by Katlin McNally

Dominic Bianchi and Mark Hentemann visited CCAD on April 29 and gave students a rare peek behind the curtain, showing what goes into creating a weekly, half-hour, prime-time network television program. The fact that they were hilarious while doing it shouldn’t be a surprise; they are, respectively, the supervising director and head writer/executive producer for Family Guy.

Like any good comedic act, the duo knew how to warm up their audience, opening with a montage of clips from the popular series. They then went on to detail the creative efforts that go into producing each episode—a process that  takes approximately 13 months, which means that multiple episodes are in varying stages of development at any given time.

Hentemann shows the writers’ room, photo by Katlin McNally

It all starts in the writers’ room, where Hentemann and his team collaborate on a script that must be ready for the first table read at the end of the week.

“That’s when the first version of the script is finalized and all the actors come in,” said Hentemann.  “We get about 60 people in a room at the table read, and we hear a script on its feet. (We call it hearing it on its feet—it’s performed.) We hear how it sounds, get a good sense of what’s working and what’s not.”

From there the writers will go back and rewrite jokes (aka gags) that didn’t quite work. Hentemann went on to share a few gags that were proposed in the writers’ room but didn’t make the final script—they may not have made it into the show, but they still got laughs from the CCAD audience.

Bianchi talks about the storyboarding process at “Family Guy,” photo by Katlin McNally

“Family Guy is storyboard-based show,” Bianchi said as he began to explain the process for dealing with the artwork on the show, which begins as soon as the audio track of the script is recorded.

“A director and assistant director will have two to three storyboard artists per episode,” said Bianchi. “They’ll take the audio file and listen to it, and go over the script and break it down into different scenes.” The team uses Cintiqs with Toom Boom Storyboard Pro software to begin creating thumbnails of shots for the show, which are then pitched to the supervising director, who makes edits. Bianchi and Hentemann used the episode “Back to the Pilot” (S10, Ep 5) to illustrate this process.

After more editing and rewriting, the team moves to animatics, which (at their most basic) are animated drafts that include sound. There are more rounds of editing and rewrites. At some point color is introduced, and even after that there are rewrites. During this process they also have to work with standards and practices, the network entity responsible for ensuring that a program’s content doesn’t cross legal, ethical, or moral lines that might result in anything from FCC fines to lawsuits or lost sponsors.

Bianchi shared examples of animatics from “Back to the Pilot” (S10, Ep5), photo by Katlin McNally

Anyone who has watched Family Guy can imagine the conversations between the show’a producers and the network. Hentemann read some particularly funny notes they received from standards, including one that involved the word “kleeman”—a word the writers made up to see if the standards office would tag it. They did. However, when producers noted that the word was not in any dictionary and did not actually exist, the standards office had to concede. Unfortunately, after the episode aired “kleeman” became a popular Google search term. When the writers tried to use it again four months later, they were denied, because several online dictionaries had come up with a definition.

The last stage of the production process includes final animation, which is done in Korea and can take as long as four months.

Bianchi and Hentemann ended their presentation with a Q & A that naturally generated questions about how to get a job in their industry. Both men noted that everyone has a different story for how they landed their careers, but Bianchi still offered some advice:

“No matter where you go, what job you are targeting, if you are at a job that you think will lead to that storyboard job (or whatever it is that you want), if you are PA [production assistant] somewhere, be the best PA, have a good attitude, ask questions, be indispensable at that job.”

Stefanie Cook’s “self-portrait in mask (2012)”

At the end of the academic year, CCAD presents the faculty-selected outstanding seniors for each undergraduate major.  Today, in part five of our nine-part series, meet Fine Arts outstanding senior Stefanie Cook.

Q: What was your proudest achievement while at CCAD?

How do you pinpoint your proudest moment? I don’t think I can, because I have been proud of every day that I have been here.

Q: What scared you the most while you were at CCAD?

The whole experience is terrifying; you have a lot riding on it. I am paying for this, I chose this path, and I think it means a lot to not only succeed in the work that you do, but succeed for yourself. Every scary moment I’ve had I knew I just had to suck it up and do it.

Q: What are your plans after graduation?

I would like to apply to grad school, maybe go to OSU. I want to stay in Columbus, though; I feel like moving here was a really good choice. It is a great city to get rooted and grow in—I didn’t expect to love it here, but I do.

Q: What’s your ultimate dream job or goal?

To be able to share my education by some means; I want to be able to plant those creative seeds in other people.

Q: Why is it important as an alumnus to give back to CCAD?

When I applied and moved here I had never been to CCAD, seen the campus, or even visited Columbus; I just went on faith. I had talked to two former graduates that I knew, and hearing them talk about the school helped me make this decision. Having an alum leave here with such a positive attitude really does reflect on what the school is capable of doing.

Q: Do you remember a single point that made you sit back and say, “This is why I am doing this?”

In my honors hand lettering class Richard Aschenbrand said a lot of profound things, and I didn’t get them right away, but they later snuck up on me and really did reflect on all of my other classes and my career here. He taught me how to really look at the marks I was making and that changed how I worked in every other class since then. So, to realize that a teacher actually changed my perception and impacted my work made me sit back and think ‘this was why I am an artist.’

Q: What smell, word, or whatever will always remind you of your time here as a student?

The doughnut smell in the air—that and turpentine, acetone, and any AMF studio smell.

Q: What will you miss the most?

Being with like-minded people and being surrounded by people that are exactly like me. This is such a great place to grow, and it is so much better to be with other people like that than just by yourself.

Stefanie Cook’s “chair 30 (2013)” from her senior thesis

Q: If you could describe what graduation feels like in one word or sentence what would it be?

It’s hard to believe this is going to be the end. But I feel like it is never ending, since I want to head straight into graduate school after this, so it is just another step forward.

Q: What was your favorite class at CCAD?

Brian Williams’ art theft and propaganda classes. The fact that they were offered here was amazing. That’s a fascinating subject for me and I have read a lot of books based on the material he taught, so to be able to explore that with other people was just really great.

Q: What did you like to do during your free time?

I do something with my hands. If I am not doing school work, I am doing my own work. I am always making something, and if it’s not for CCAD, it is for myself—my hands are never idle.

Q: What is your fondest memory at CCAD?

Being with like-minded people, all the relationships, and hanging out in AMF studios, those are my fondest memories.

Q: What would you change about your undergraduate career?

I would have had a stronger relationship with a full-time professor or dean. I would have been able to really learn through them and their mentorship.

Q: What is your advice to future CCAD students?

I actually just wrote a quote down. I watched this today in class, and I have been saying it over and over—it is from John Baldessari: “You have to be possessed, which you cannot will.” I am at this point where I am working on my thesis, and I keep asking myself “Why am I doing this?” and after hearing this quote, it is true. I can’t force this work, I just have to let it happen and let it take me over.

Cook is from Chicago, IL.

CCAD Outstanding Senior Katharine Hire

At the end of the academic year, CCAD presents the faculty-selected outstanding seniors for each undergraduate major. Today, in part four of our nine-part series, meet Fashion Design outstanding senior Katharine Hire.

Q: What was your proudest achievement while at CCAD?

My senior collection and the fact that I am actually graduating.

Q: What scared you the most while you were at CCAD?

Everything. I was a ballet dancer for a long time and came into fashion not knowing where I stood, so it was a big change.

Q: What are your plans after graduation?

I have a job with Lane Bryant; I have been interning with them for the last two years. I will be an assistant designer in knit tops.

Q: What’s your ultimate dream job or goal?

My collection is about using African fabric to create flattering silhouettes for women, and my end goal and dream would be to develop a collection that allows me to give back to the African women I met during a missionary trip. I would love to be able to buy African-made textiles and create jobs for those women.

Q: Why is it important as an alumnus to give back to CCAD?

When alumni come back to talk to students, it allows us to see that they have now made it, but were where we are now and were struggling too—it gives us insight on where we can go from here.

Q: Do you remember a single point that made you sit back and say, “This is why I am doing this?”

Definitely finishing my collection with the African tie-in. For me, things have to have a little more meaning then just an assignment. With this, I want to be able to give back and send that message that beauty goes deeper.

Q: What smell, word, or whatever will always remind you of your time here as a student?

Probably muslin.

What will you miss the most?

Being able to focus on my own work and my own stuff.

Q: If you could describe what graduation feels like in one word or sentence what would it be?

I am so excited; it is just an “I did it!” moment.

Q: What was your favorite class at CCAD?

I took a watercolor class with Linda Gall, and she really encouraged me and changed my perspective on what I was doing. I felt like I could really experiment because it wasn’t a fashion class, and she just took all the fear out of grades. I really learned a lot from her.

Q: What did you like to do during your free time?

I love to dance, and over the years my friends and I would go salsa dancing—that became an outlet for me.

Q: What is your fondest memory at CCAD?

This senior year has been really neat for me to see the camaraderie in our class. I feel we have all got each others’ backs and we’re all pushing and helping each other out, which sometimes is rare in this environment and industry.

Q: What would you change about your undergraduate career?

I would have learned to deal with my anxiety a lot earlier.

Q: What is your advice to future CCAD students?

Put an emphasis on sleep and taking care of yourself. You will perform a lot better.

Hire is from Mansfield, OH, and attended Mansfield Christian High School.

CCAD Outstanding Senior Patrick Kain

At the end of the academic year, CCAD names outstanding seniors for each undergraduate major. Today, in part three of our nine-part series, meet Cinematic Arts outstanding senior Patrick Kain.

Q: What was your proudest achievement while at CCAD?

Showing at the Columbus Museum of Art; I had a few of my films show over there last fall and this fall.

Q: What scared you the most while you were at CCAD?

Nothing, I wasn’t really afraid of coming here at all or anything while I was here.

Q: What are your plans after graduation?

I am working for Human, and we just got offices over in Studio Hall actually. So I will be designing t-shirts and creating animations.

Q: What’s your ultimate dream job or goal?

I interned with this company in New York City that does cartoons for [Cartoon Network's] Adult Swim and I got a little taste of doing that in between animations and clean-ups, so I would love to go to LA and create my own show.

Q: Why is it important as an alumnus to give back to CCAD?

I’ve already started to give back; I helped out with the We Have Answers session for Admissions recently. Without CCAD, I wouldn’t have had the opportunities that I have had. We put an investment into our degree, so we don’t want the school to lose its reputation; it’s important for our own sake to keep the school up and supported.

Q: Do you remember a single point that made you sit back and say, “This is why I am doing this?”

I was a little kid actually. I have been making films forever, and I remember I was trying to learn how to do stop motion. I was a little hustler back then, always trying to get people to watch my stuff.

Q: What smell, word, or whatever will always remind you of your time here as a student?

Hunger pains.

Q: What will you miss the most?

Having faculty like Andy Friz, Tom Richner, and Charlotte Belland—as awesome as everyone here is, I really connected to the professors because of their knowledge and I spent a lot of time talking to them. I’ll miss the immediacy of being able to contact them and ask them any question that pops into my mind.

Q: If you could describe what graduation feels like in one word or sentence what would it be?

I don’t know—I have never been sentimental about ending something. Vitamin C’s song doesn’t play in my head when I think about it, it is just another step in life.

Q: What was your favorite class at CCAD?

Design for Media, which is the class that I did my first film in that showed at the museum. We created a log during the class of our process and how we built it. That log is irreplaceable to show people in the industry what you have done and that you’re familiar with the process that it takes to create a short.

Q: What did you like to do during your free time?

I listen to music. Right now I am into Devo.

Q: What is your fondest memory at CCAD?

Meeting my fiancee.

Q: What would you change about your undergraduate career?

I started out in Animation—I probably would have just stayed in Animation. I’m interested in a lot, so I wanted to dabble in a little bit of everything, but I probably should have just stayed in Animation.

Q: What is your advice to future CCAD students?

Work harder then everyone you are surrounded by.

Kain is from Kettering, OH, and attended Kettering Fairmont High School.

Nicole Chhuom. Photo by Kristen M. Foley

By Kristen M. Foley

As a young girl, Nicole Chhuom became fascinated by the drawings of the female human form her uncle actively sketched. The lines and shapes of the human body not only intrigued her, but also made her desperately want to learn how to create her own sketches.

“I finally asked him to teach me how to draw,” she remembers. “I just thought the human form was beautiful.”

Nicole would sketch and sketch hundreds of variations of the human shape, getting better and better with each stoke. All of a sudden she started to add unique clothing designs onto those illustrations. Later she turned those designs into actual garments for her Barbie dolls using scraps of fabric from her parents’ closet or from old socks. She even created her own version of fashion plates.

“We didn’t have a lot of money when I was little and what toys we did have were from thrift stores, so most of the time I would have to think of something creative,” said Nicole. “I decided to take old magazines and newspapers and clip out outfits and put them together and make them into my own paper dolls—that’s how it all started.”

She later attended a local career center and developd her sewing and advanced art skills. It was there that she learned about CCAD’s fashion program and decided to apply. With all that she’s learned though, she continues to rely on those early sketching skills, especially when she started to research her senior collection.

“My strengths as a designer include design concept, illustration, and the styling part of it,” she notes. “I love mixing and matching pieces together and making people happy and comfortable in what they wear.”

In fact, those elements were key in even choosing her final fabrics for her collection.

“I am so particular when it comes to fabrics. It has to be comfortable, nice to the touch, and I want it to relate to me,” said Nicole.  “I don’t like a lot of prints and I’m very simple in my fabric choices.”

From Nicole’s sketchbook, photo by Kristen M. Foley

However, what wasn’t simple in this process was creating her final collection garments. She laughs about it now, but she admits she could have easily created 10 or more garments this year because she kept changing her mind about what she wanted her collection to be. In essence, she kept starting over.

Her final collection expresses dichotomy. In her written thesis Nicole describes being inspired by fragmented mirrors she saw in the Harajuku shopping district in Tokyo.

“The reflection within the mirrors itself strikes me the most,” Nicole wrote. “The repetitive and defined lines, the edges and soft curves within the reflections were all of the things that inspired my autumn collection.”

She also notes a fascination with femininity versus masculinity. She chose a neutral color palette, and interpreted her soft circular shapes as representing the feminine, while structured lines and triangular shapes symbolized the masculine.

“I’m happy with my collection now, but if I could make more changes I would,” said Nicole. “I sometimes felt like I was doing things to make everyone else happy…. I can’t just please other people. I have to please myself, too.”

Nicole’s designs will join her fellow seniors work on the runway in just a few short weeks at the 2013 Senior Fashion Show. If you were lucky enough to grab a ticket you’ll enjoy the future of fashion at its best and a pretty amazing party, too!

Nicole Chhuom is a native of Columbus, OH, and a graduate of West High School.

2013 Outstanding Senior Tyler Crowley

At the end of the academic year, CCAD names the outstanding seniors for each undergraduate major.  Today, in part two of our nine-part series, meet Animation outstanding senior Tyler Crowley.

Q: What was your proudest achievement while at CCAD?

Being co-founder of the Animation Student Collective, which is the big student animation group that we founded two years ago. We were actually elected the best student group through Student Affairs last year.

Q: What scared you the most while you were at CCAD?

I don’t think I have ever been scared here. Mostly that is because I transferred here, so I got my freshman jitters out of the way.

Q: What are your plans after graduation?

To find a studio to work in. I am going to be interviewing with some California studios at Directions [CCAD's reverse career fair], as well as some back home in New Hampshire.

Q: What’s your ultimate dream job or goal?

To work in a studio out in California and eventually pitch my own show.

Q: Why is it important as an alumnus to give back to CCAD?

It’s important to give perspective to current students about what it’s like to leave this school. It is important for students to know that the people that they look up to and aspire to be were where they currently are at some point. Through the Animation Student Collective it’s been great for me to speak to alumni Chris Oatley and Alex Alvarado.

Q: Do you remember a single point that made you sit back and say, “This is why I am doing this?”

A year ago I was working on a kind of a goofy assignment where I was making a guy try to pick up a girl in the bar, and she turns around and her face is an alligator. I was struggling with it and being really critical of the project, giving myself a hard time, and I got to thinking that no matter how hard I am on myself, I am still able to do projects like this, where there is an alligator-faced person, so it can’t be that bad.

Q: What will you miss the most?

The Animation Student Collective group. It is a huge group, but I really feel like I am close friends with all of them. It is going to be difficult to move into a different group of people.

Q: If you could describe what graduation feels like in one word or sentence what would it be?

I have never been one for ceremony or anything like that; graduation for me is more of a relief that this part is done and thinking, okay, what’s next?

Q: What was your favorite class at CCAD?

Any of my animation classes—especially ones with Tom Richner, Andy Friz, and Phil Garrett.

Q: What did you like to do during your free time?

I would spend a lot of time with my friends in the animation collective group. We have five student leaders, so the five of us are as tight as can be.

Q: What is your fondest memory at CCAD?

The late nights that I spend with those five other leaders, anywhere from planning out our meeting to going to Steak ‘n Shake after, which is a tradition of ours.

Q: What would you change about your undergraduate career?

I would have come here immediately instead of spending the year at the technical college and transferring.

Q: What is your advice to future CCAD students?

Get involved in your department. Animation is one of the most collaborative art forms, so you are going to be working with a lot of people; develop those people skills, and get more comfortable talking with people both in informal and formal settings.

Crowley is from Milford, NH, and attended Milford High School.

2013 Outstanding Senior Lillie Templeton

At the end of the academic year, CCAD presents the faculty selected outstanding seniors for each undergraduate major.  Today, in part one of our nine-part series, meet Advertising & Graphic Design outstanding senior Lillie Templeton.

Q: What was your proudest achievement while at CCAD?

Being a part of the team that kick-started the pop-up store effort here at CCAD. I was part of the honors class project’s One and now I am working on FORTHMADE, which will go up at Easton.

Q: What scared you the most while you were at CCAD?

Probably being so far away from my family in North Carolina—it was a really big transition from a small town to a big city.

Q: What are your plans after graduation?

I currently have a job as a designer at SBC Advertising; I was hired in January, and I am really happy to be a part of the team. I am primarily working with the Bed Bath & Beyond team, and I have worked on their email, their campus and beyond campaigns, their bridal campaigns, and just a little bit of everything.

Q: What’s your ultimate dream job or goal?

Ultimately I want to be a creative director. I like doing a little bit of everything, and I love seeing a project through from the strategy and research to the final visual project.

Q: Why is it important as an alumnus to give back to CCAD?

It is very important. I was part of the phonathon team my sophomore year, so I got to speak to a lot of alumni firsthand. Most of the alumni were eager to talk to students, and they would keep us on the phone sharing tips, knowledge, and wisdom. It was wonderful and made such an impression on me. Alumni donations, involvement, or even willingness to look at your portfolio really does make a difference in a student’s education.

Q: Do you remember a single point that made you sit back and say, “This is why I am doing this?”

Yes, absolutely. Normally it is when you finish a big project at the end of the year, and you step back a bit and get a phone call from your mom and she says she loves the project and you get messages from outside people saying how much they love your work. Those moments make the all-nighters worth it.

But the big moment for me was sophomore year when I was an illustration major (I’ve changed my major four times), and I was taking the advertising classes that were required and I realized I was the only person in the class that was enjoying myself. I liked it and wanted to do it the rest of my life.

Q: What smell, word, or whatever will always remind you of your time here as a student?

All-nighters.

Q: What will you miss the most?

I am going to miss the community here; I think that is the scariest thing about leaving here. I have so many friends, and there are faces that you are familiar with seeing every day—walking away from that and starting over is just terrifying, I am going to miss saying hi to Denny [Griffith, CCAD president] and seeing Jim [Lutz, chair of Advertising & Graphic Design] walk around outside, everything.

Q: If you can describe what graduation feels like in one word or sentence what would it be?

Victory.

Q: What was your favorite class at CCAD?

Biotechnology Inspires Artistry. I enjoyed it so much because it was unrelated to anything else I have done in my career. It was with Julie Posey; she taught the biology side and Kristine Schramer taught the art side. It was entirely new curriculum. Julie spent the first half of the semester talking about human anatomy and biology, and then Kristine helped us create gallery pieces and we had in a show at the end. It was fun because it got me away from the computer and I learned so much.

Q: What did you like to do during your free time?

If I did have free time, I probably just cleaned, since it was long overdue by the time I got to it.

Q: What is your fondest memory at CCAD?

Freshman year, those were the days. Hanging out in the dorms and late-night walks.

Q: What would you change about your undergraduate career?

I would have taken more credits my first semester. I only took 12 and I knew you could take up 18; that way I would have had less of a workload my last year.

Q: What is your advice to future CCAD students?

It is never too late to start your LinkedIn profile. You can start building your professional presence online, and LinkedIn can help back up your reputation. It also is helpful if you don’t have your website built yet. It’s so easy to neglect the business and networking side when you are in the arts, and this helps you get connected to those networks.

Templeton is from Wadesboro, NC, and was home schooled.

From left, Animation Chair Charlotte Beland, Toon Boom CEO Joan Vogelesang, CCAD President Dennison Griffith, Cinematic Arts Chair Ron Saks, and Toon Boom Market Development Director Mark MacLellan,
photo by Katlin McNally

This morning Columbus College of Art & Design was officially declared a Center of Excellence by Toon Boom, a global leader in digital content and animation software. CCAD is the first college or university in the U. S. to receive such an honor.

The announcement was made, fittingly, in the college’s labs for Animation and Cinematic Arts. Toon Boom CEO and President Joan Vogelesang flew in from Montreal (where the company is based) to celebrate CCAD’s selection with faculty, staff, students, guests, and media including WCMH-NBC4, WBNS-10TV, and WSYX . As CCAD was honored, a moment was taken to give a special thanks Cinematic Arts Chair Ron Saks for his ongoing commitment to the industry

“CCAD has been a long-standing customer and supporter of Toon Boom. We are thrilled to see them become the first Center of Excellence in the U.S. and prepare students for the marketplace. CCAD will be highly recommended to all our customers as a prime source of talents for their productions,” Vogelesang said.

Dana Turtle (right) interviews Don Yoakam while a few feet away Angela An interviews Andrea Rawson and Emma Pennington, photo by Katlin McNally

When asked why Columbus was chosen for the site of their first U.S. Center of Excellence, Vogelesang noted that in addition to Columbus having a solid reputation, CCAD was an early adopter of the technology. Toon Boom began changing how animation was produced 14 years ago. They not only sought to create paperless methods of production, but to utilize technology in a way that allowed for more creative flexibility. CCAD was among the first institutions to embrace these advances in the industry.

“Being a Center of Excellence provides CCAD students with the opportunity to test and use the latest versions of this industry-leading software and maximize their value among film and animation employers,” said Dennison Griffith, president of CCAD. “Employment opportunities in this field are growing significantly with the use of animation not just in the entertainment industry, but in the development of apps, software, and gaming technology.”

Rather than explain the value of Toon Boom software in Animation and Cinematic Arts work, CCAD chose to show how students work with the product. A team of three Animation students worked together to animat three local television anchors.

Juniors Andrea Rawson and Don Yoakam along with sophomore Emma Pennington turned Angela An (WBNS-10TV), Monica Day (WCHM-NBC4), and Dana Turtle (WSYX) into animated characters.

Juniors Andrea Rawson and Don Yoakam along with sophomore Emma Pennington turned Angela An (WBNS-10TV), Monica Day (WCHM-NBC4), and Dana Turtle (WSYX) into animated characters—which were shared to the delight of the gathered audience, which included An and Turtle.

The audience also viewed a live demonstration, thanks to senior Alan Backer, who showed how the software works through each phase of concepting and producing animation.

The audience was also shown a trailer for the student-made film Lumin, which utilized Toon Boom software in its production. Lumin has been submitted to more than 30 festivals internationally and nationally and it has already been accepted into several, including Chile Monos, Leeds Young Film Festival, Ohio Shorts, taafi Official Selection, and Sff International Film Festival.

To cap off the event, CCAD announced a storyboard contest for high school students with a prize worth nearly $3,000. Students are invited to create and submit a storyboard for a short film (not to exceed one minute of screen time). The winner will receive a full-ride scholarship to attend CCAD’s three-week residential summer program College PreView, where they will be able to focus on Animation and Cinematic Arts and work with Toon Boom production suite software. Details on the contest can be found here.

The choice of CCAD as the first American Center of Excellence follows Toon Boom’s selection as an official educational resource and curriculum to support development of 21st century skills among Canadian students by the Information and Communications Technology Council in Canada.

Becker is from Columbus, OH, and graduated from Dublin High School; Rawson is a from Buffalo, NY, and graduated from Williamsville East High School; Yoakam is from Delaware, OH, and graduated from Bishop Watterson High School; and Pennington is from Hilliard, OH, and graduated from Hilliard Bradley High School.

Jazzmin Evans. Photo by Kristen M. Foley

By Kristen M. Foley

Jazzmin Evans always strived to be different, especially when it came to her fashion choices. As a teen, not only did her desire to be distinctive influence her retail purchases, but when she couldn’t find what she wanted in the store she started sketching her own designs and turned to her seamstress aunt to help her create her own trends.

“Fashion is a way to express yourself and I’m a person who loves to be different,” notes Jazzmin. “Fashion is different and there’s no right or wrong way to do fashion.”

Hearing her stories about her fashion focus as a youth, it’s not surprising to hear that Jazzmin’s favorite part of the design process is still trend forecasting.

“I love the entire process of starting a new trend. It’s how I can express myself—feelings, personal experiences, my surroundings, music, and just everything that inspires me,” she said. “I’m easily inspired and get a great feeling from being expressive.”

For her senior collection, Jazzmin turned her attention to an Egyptian theme. She was attracted to the bold patterns and the rich colors of red, white, and gold. The theme came to her while she was searching for her inspiration last summer. At first she wanted something that was more sculptured, but eventually moved toward a look that allowed the clothing to drape on the human form.

Jazzmin on set at the lookbook photoshoot. Photo by Katlin McNally

“I’m proud of my decision to be bold by color and design,” she said. “I’m stepping out of the box, and in my designs I’m aiming for a high-fashion audience.”

Jazzmin accumulated so much fabric during her initial research that one of her biggest challenges this year was deciding which pieces to use in her designs.

“I went to Michigan, Cleveland, Miami and Chicago to buy fabric,” she said. “I didn’t find exactly what I wanted here and I didn’t want to settle. Everything I got had gold in it, too. I ended up with a lot of fabric left over that I didn’t use.”

Not settling seems to be a theme with Jazzmin. She came to CCAD with a sincere desire to not only learn the basics of creating her own three-dimensional designs, but to dive into illustration, pattern making, construction, surface design, and even electronic design. She felt CCAD gave her an abundance of options that would ultimately allow her to fulfill her fashion dreams.

“I just knew I wanted to study fashion design and I was patient with myself and didn’t rush,” she reflects.  “I even gave myself an extra year to graduate to retake classes, to get a full understanding and more experience to better myself. That was one of the best decisions I made since being at CCAD.”

Jazzmin’s elegant collection will grace the 2013 Senior Fashion Show runway on May 10. Don’t miss out on this amazing annual event, there is still time to get tickets.

Jazzmin Evans is a native of Columbus, OH, and a graduate of Independence High School.

]]> http://www.ccad.edu/blog/2013/04/jazzmin-evans-brings-bold-egyptian-inspired-work-to-the-runway/feed/ 5 http://www.ccad.edu/blog/2013/04/ccad-counts-down-to-graduation-day/ http://www.ccad.edu/blog/2013/04/ccad-counts-down-to-graduation-day/#comments Fri, 26 Apr 2013 13:00:19 +0000 Katlin McNally http://www.ccad.edu/blog/?p=20789

Photo from 2012 commencement

May is quickly on its way, accompanied by rain, flowers, and, very soon, graduation caps and gowns. On May 11 Columbus College of Art & Design will celebrate nearly 250 graduating CCAD students as they cross the stage of the historic Ohio Theatre and receive their hard-earned diplomas.

As the countdown to commencement begins, CCAD honors this year’s outstanding seniors. Each year department heads choose an outstanding senior for each undergraduate major. This year’s awardees include Justin Brown, Industrial Design; Stefanie Cook, Fine Arts; Tyler Crowley, Animation; Katharine Hire, Fashion Design; Kayla Holdgreve, Photography; Patrick Kain, Cinematic Arts; Wesley Talbot, Illustration; Lille Templeton, Advertising & Graphic Design; and Katelyn Venia, Interior Design.

We sat down to interview each of these stellar students, and we’ll publish a profile a day (on school days) starting on April 29 and culminating on May 10 when we announce the class valedictorian(s).

The outstanding seniors and valedictorian(s) will be honored at commencement, which will also feature an address by nationally renowned artist Mel Chin.

Olivia Brezinski. Photo by Kristen M. Foley

By Kristen M. Foley

Olivia Brezinski has always been a lover of clothes and everything they represented. In fact, in high school she made it a personal goal every year to never repeat an outfit. She succeeded.

“It’s changed a lot since then though, as I’m not that strict about it anymore,” she laughs. “I did achieve it though, which is scary.”

While the daily styling of her personal wardrobe was a priority back then, she also started to focus on the technical side of her passion.

I took every home economics class my school had to offer from seventh grade until senior year,” said Olivia. “I was very fortunate that once I got to high school there was actually a sewing construction class, and that is where I began altering patterns and making real clothing.”

Even with her sincere fondness for fashion and her construction skills growing stronger, Olivia didn’t consider either as a future career. It wasn’t until her mom posed the suggestion that Olivia started to research various art schools around the country.

“Then one day my mom came home from work and told me she found a design school in Columbus, CCAD” she said. “This was it. I found my school. I immediately requested information, took a campus tour, and applied. Here I am four years later in my last semester ever, and I couldn’t be happier.”

Detail of the feathers used throughout Olivia’s collection. Photo by Kristen M. Foley

As Olivia planned for her senior collection at CCAD, she found herself listening to the music of Lana Del Rey. One particular song, “Dark Paradise” started to encapsulate the sketches she was working on. A combination of soft and hard; stiff and feathery. Yes, feathery. There are lots of feathers throughout her collection.

“I have always done sketches with feathers and I felt like this was finally my chance to use them,” she said. “It’s about the dimension that feathers have and they just take it to a different level than normal materials.

“I knew I wanted to use feathers in some shoulder pieces,” she said. “I always draw strong shoulders and I thought feathers would accentuate them.”

Olivia incorporated the feathers as well as chiffon and leather into her pieces; each with their own strong and dark personality.

Olivia admits that one challenge throughout the process was completing the entire collection and creating final, finished pieces for the runway.

“Up until this point I had never completely lined a garment, and I realized how much time and work it takes,” she said. “That was probably one of the biggest challenges I had to work through.”

Olivia’s dramatic “Dark Paradise” collection will take the stage on Friday, May 10. There are still some tickets left, but get them soon.

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Poster for Gwenaëlle Gobé’s film “This Space Available”

On May 2, the CCAD MindMarket will welcome Gwenaëlle Gobé as she screens the documentary she directed, This Space Available, which is about the efforts of activists, artists, and communities to take those spaces back.

The idea for the film began with a discussion between Gwenaëlle Gobé and her father, Marc Gobé, the internationally renowned creator of the concept of emotional branding.

“Well, I come from a very opinionated family. Marketing and the international promotion of brands were definitively a hot topic at the dinner table, since my dad, Marc, has developed the branding for huge companies around the world,” she said in an article in The Atlantic.

Gwenaelle Gobé shooting “hoardings,” the name for billboards in India.

“He still sees corporations with a ‘Helvetica’ innocence of neutrality and righteousness. He would say, ‘Look at the all the colors, the emotions, and social change they are involved in.’ Obviously I strongly disagree; I feel brands infiltrate our space, our privacy and our health without asking permission. Everywhere we go we are treated as potential consumers,” she says in the article.

After pulling together 240 hours of film, 160 interviews, and visits to 11 countries on five continents, the film, which was produced by Marc Gobé, premiered in November 2011 and has since been shown at numerous international festivals.

Check out the details for the May 2 event, sponsored by the Easton Community Foundation, on the event page and watch the trailer for the film here.

FORTHMADE is a pop-up store created by CCAD students; click above to watch the video.

Last semester, CCAD honors students created One, a one-day pop-up store on campus. This semester the students are at it again with FORTHMADE and they are partnering with Easton Town Center to bring the one-day store to the outdoor shopping center located in Columbus, OH.

The honors Developing Retail class is a project-based class led by adjunct faculty Marcia Tabler.

“It has been really interesting to watch the creative juices flow,” Tabler said. “There is so much satisfaction in seeing these students create something of their own from the ground up, and watching the natural ebb and flow of designers as they work as part of a team.”

The nine students handled everything from the marketing strategy, including the promotional photography and video, to the store design. Details such as branding the shopping bags, price tags, and even hangers were not overlooked.

Students involved in the execution of FORTHMADE are Advertising & Graphic Design seniors Alex Laniosz and Lillie Templeton, junior Haley Fischer, and sophomore Qisha Kendy; Cinematic Arts juniors Amanda Hess and Richard Smith; Fashion Design senior Ryun Harrison and junior Lauren Colbert; Illustration sophomore Phong Nguyen; and Industrial Design senior Meara Swiler.

The class sent a request campuswide for students to submit their work to be judged and possibly sold in the store. The response was overwhelming, which wasn’t surprising considering last semester’s store sold more than 70 percent of its inventory. Submissions ranged from clothing to jewelry to prints and everything in between. One thing that is certain is that the products available will all be CCAD-designed, handcrafted, and one-of-a-kind.

“Our ultimate goal is to have this project be self-funded,” Tabler said. “All the profits from this store will go to the next class’s retail store project, and hopefully this can become an ongoing tradition here at CCAD.”

Easton Town Center generously donated space for the store. The class will take advantage of the large theater that once housed Shadowbox Live.

“At Easton, we’re always looking to present new ideas,” said Beau Anderson, the executive vice president for asset performance of Steiner + Associates. “We’ve enjoyed a wonderful relationship with CCAD, and the pop-up shop seemed like a logical way to extend our partnership while offering our customers unique, locally designed apparel and accessories. This will be a shop of discovery, and we cannot wait to see what the students offer in this space and how they will approach the visual merchandising.”

FORTHMADE will be in business May 4, 1–9 p.m., at 160 Easton Town Center, Columbus, OH.

Colbert is from Westerville, OH, and attended Saint Francis De Sales High School; Fischer is from Lawrence, KS, and attended Lawrence High School; Harrison is from Alpharetta, GA, and attended Alpharetta High School; Hess is from Columbus, OH, and attended American School of Technology; Kendy is from Jakarta, Indonesia, and attended Jakarta International School; Laniosz is from Willowbrook, IL, and attended Hinsdale South High School; Nguyen is from Germantown, MD, and attended Mansfield High School; Smith is from Blacklick, OH, and attended Licking Heights High School; Swiler is from Maumee, OH, and attended Trinity High School; and Templeton is from Wadesboro, NC, and was home schooled.

Leah Sloane Kennedy. Photo by Kristen M. Foley

By Kristen M. Foley

Leah Sloane Kennedy’s love of fashion started as early as fourth grade when she would carry around a little sketchbook full of rough drawings of various garments. As she got older she came to a personal realization of what fashion really meant to her.

“It was not just items of clothing I was putting on my body, but that they were a part of me,” said Leah. “Fashion is art one wears and that was the most beautiful idea to me.”

While Leah is obsessed with the details behind a design, one of her favorite parts of the process is coming up with concepts.

“Once I get the ball rolling with my inspiration the ideas just keep coming,” said Leah. “I feel the most fulfilled when I can lay out really quality designs that come from my heart and mind.”

Having so many ideas is a good thing; however, Leah admits she struggled earlier in the year with even starting some of her garments because she didn’t like the direction her initial collection concept was going.

“I was just kind of lost in it,” said Leah. “I was pressuring myself to do something, and it just wasn’t working.”

Leah took a step back, reevaluated her designs and completely stopped what she was doing mid-semester and started over. The collection is now appropriately entitled “The Collection Reborn.”

“I saw Rear Window with Grace Kelley and was drawn to her silhouettes by Dior and loved everything about it,” she said. As Leah researched the film she found connections between Hitchcock’s 1954 suspenseful drama about voyeurism and the political climate of the ’50s, in particular McCarthyism.

Leah’s sketchbook. Photo by Kristen M. Foley

“I researched the whole meaning behind that film and the whole red scare,’” she said. “It started leaking into my own Russian heritage and I wanted to bring that out.”

After starting over and receiving positive feedback on her final pieces, Leah is even more confident in not only her collection, but also her career choice.

“I kind of feel like it’s that part of the year where I’m reaching a point of ‘what am I going to do with the rest of my life?’” reflects Leah. “Hearing that I have what it takes really felt good. It reaffirmed ideas that I kind of lost in all of the stuff that was senior year.”

As the year comes to an end, she is also happy to offer advice to those students who will soon embark on the same journey she is close to completing.

“I would tell them to use every resource given to them, try your very hardest even if it’s not your favorite subject,” Leah advises. “Be honest and true to yourself, and put your heart into all of your work and love it with all of your being.”

Leah’s Russian-inspired collection will grace the runway on May 10. Don’t be left out. Grab your tickets now.

Leah Kennedy is a native of Ypsilanti, MI, and a graduate of Ypsilanti High School.

Screenshot from the Justin Timberlake countdown video

Coming off his recent music video work with the band One Direction, Advertising & Graphic Design alumnus John Urbano (CCAD 1996) has just finished a project with singer and actor Justin Timberlake.

Urbano directed the countdown video to the the highly anticipated release of Timberlake’s newest album, The 20/20 Experience.

The short clip shows Timberlake walking through a recording studio talking about his artistic process for the new album.

Urbano is a native of Rensselaer, IN, and attended Rensselaer Central High School

Work by Chun Arthur Wang

Assistant Professor and Fine Arts alumnus Chun Arthur Wang (CCAD 1994) has a solo exhibition at the Muscatine Art Center in Muscatine, IA, through April 21.

The Other Side of the World by Chun Arthur Wang looks at Wang’s recent work, which is often a hybrid of East and West styles. Having lived in China and the U.S., Wang references the Western oil painting tradition in some of his work, while finding inspiration for others in Buddhist and Chinese folk art.

The Muscatine Art Center is located at 1314 Mulberry Ave., Muscatine, IA.

Jennica Gray. Photo by Kristen M. Foley

By Kristen M. Foley

Jennica Gray was so excited about finally being able to design what she wanted without limitations that she came up with five different concepts during the summer break before her senior year. Luckily, she was able to put together a collection using the best aspects of all of those original concepts. She refers to her inspiration as “structural delicacy.”

“It’s based around the more organic shapes in nature and how they live harmoniously with more structural shapes,” said Jennica. “More specifically focusing on the organic curve of the leaf in opposition to the ridged, sharp line of a crystal formation.”

As elated as she was that she didn’t have a theme to guide her collection, Jennica soon found out that having too much freedom was even more of a challenge.

“Being able to make up our own theme was wonderful, but then I realized ‘wow, I can do anything’ and it’s hard to begin on an infinite amount of options,” she said. “I wanted to challenge myself, but still show my aesthetic and the end needed to be fabulous. That was a lot of pressure I put on myself way too soon.”

Two of Jennica’s looks being photographed for the lookbook. Photo by Katlin McNally

Jennica began by researching and pulling inspiration for the collection from all aspects of her surroundings, both natural and structured. She then tried to take those two very different worlds and find a way to connect them harmoniously in her designs.

“It was then about morphing them together and taking aspects from each that I liked,” she notes. “Putting them together and making it work.”

Jennica is particularly proud of the line work in her collection. She wanted to create interesting lines throughout the pieces that would be viewed as fresh and innovative.

The result is four finished pieces for the show that have a unified look, even though she used nearly 10 different fabrics in her pieces—everything from leather to silk to lace. Jennica also challenged herself to work with a minimal color palette of neutrals, greys, and mint; which contributes to the cohesive feel of her collection.

“I’m extremely proud of the risks I took as these are some of the most complex pieces I’ve ever created,” said Jennica. “Knowing how much labor, heart’ and soul went into it and that the collection turned out better than I [expected] was personally gratifying.”

The 2013 Senior Fashion Show is almost here. Will you have a seat to see Jennica Gray’s unique designs? Only if you have a ticket. Hurry before they are gone.

Jennica Gray is a native of Columbus, OH, and a graduate of St. Francis DeSales High School.

Denise Romecki’s “Ecosystem”

Fine Arts alumna Denise Romecki (CCAD 1976) will exhibit her work in Seeking Harmony with Nature: Ceramic Sculpture at the Zanesville Museum of Art through June 8.

Romecki’s clay sculptures focus on the raw elements of nature, including plants, trees, animals, and bodies of water.

The Zanesville Museum of Art is located at 620 Military Rd., Zanesville, OH.

At the Teaching Excellence ceremony, from left to right, Kevin Conlon, James Lutz, Mark Hazlerig, Stewart McKissick, and Denny Griffith

Professors Mark Hazlerig and James Lutz received CCAD’s Teaching Excellence Award and Professor Ronald Tardino, who is retiring this year, was honored in an event on April 18 in the Canzani Center atrium.

Each year CCAD recognizes an outstanding faculty member for excellence in teaching—and this year the college gave the honor to two faculty members. The award celebrates the exemplary efforts faculty members contribute to the college as a whole, using the classroom setting to engage and enhance students’ experiences.

The recipients were selected after receiving 57 nominations, which were solicited from students, alumni, faculty, and staff.

Hazlerig, a CCAD alumnus, graduated with a degree  in Advertising & Graphic Design in 1974 and received his degree in Illustration in 1977. Lutz is also an Advertising & Graphic Design alumnus, graduating in 1978.

Hazlerig has taught at CCAD for 39 years teaching classes ranging from lettering and packaging to illustration and welding. He also is a freelance illustrator with clients including the state of Ohio, General Electric, and Hallmark Cards.

Student nominators said that Hazlerig “makes you answer your own questions as you work and go through the design process” and “encourages experimentation and independence.”

Ronald Tardino speaks during the April 18 ceremony

Lutz has served as a faculty member at CCAD for 19 years and is the current chair of the Advertising & Graphic Design department. He also is the senior designer and owner of Lutz Design Group LLC that has clients including Ohio Health Group, South-Western City Schools, and the Ohio Department of Mental Health.

Student nominators touched on his ability to provide opportunities for students to get them on the right career path. One student commented that he is “always trying to get students involved with each other, and really pushing us to network and advance ourselves.”

After Hazlerig and Lutz received their awards, Stewart McKissick, professor and chair of Illustration, honored Tardino talking about his years of service to the CCAD community. Tardino, an Illustration alumnus, has taught at CCAD since 1971.  He helped establish the Directions Career Fair, a reverse career fair where potential employers come to check out the work of CCAD students. He is also a liaison for Walt Disney Studios and has served as an instructor and adviser to CCAD’s Art Explorer Post 407 program, guiding high school students interested in art careers.

The article discusses Richner’s work on shows such as The Simpsons, what attracted him to teach at CCAD, the importance of Liberal Arts classes, his students’ recent project Lumin, and some of the partnerships the department and CCAD as a whole have cultivated.

To read the full interview, click here.

Animation Career Review is an online source for aspiring animation, design, and gaming professionals seeking information on training programs, colleges, software and technology, and careers.

Phoebe Isaac. Photo by Kristen M. Foley

By Kristen M. Foley

Phoebe Isaac searched and searched for a word that would encompass the inspiration behind her collection. She finally found it in a Japanese word: yugen.

“There isn’t a translation for it, but there should be because it’s such a powerful word. I wanted to choose a word that identified breathlessness or when something takes your breath away,” said Phoebe.

“It’s this feeling that you connect with the universe. For me it’s when I’m on an airplane and I can press my face to the window and just sort of be in the clouds, or when I’m laying on the ground and looking up at the stars when I’m in Maine and looking from one side of the sky to the other,” she said.

Phoebe used a resist technique when creating her fabrics. Photo by Kristen M. Foley

Phoebe expects that everyone will conjure a different emotion upon viewing her collection, but she hopes it will be one of transcendence. The designs are otherworldly with her uniquely dyed fabric, which showcases her celestial and star-scape inspirations.

“I actually dyed my own fabric and it was supposed to be a loose interpretation of the stars,” she notes.

She crafted the design by first using a “resist” technique with a tjanting tool. She then hand dyed the fabric with various vibrant colors.

“The tool has hot wax in it with a little spout and you just press it on the fabric,” said Phoebe. “I put it on wherever I didn’t want the color. Then I dyed it the dark color first and added the other colors in various spots.”

Phoebe never really specifically pictured herself pursuing an education in fashion; however, she did know she would eventually end up at an art school.

Celestial views were among Phoebe’s inspirations. Photo by Kristen M. Foley

“I’ve loved drawing since the day I could pick up a pencil. My mom, dad, and stepmom would hang countless, pointless drawings that I had done on the fridge, they never stopped letting me express myself,” she remembers. “As I grew up, they continued to encourage my artistic nature and as a teen, I began checking out my favorite Sailor Moon comics from the Columbus Metropolitan Library and I would go home and draw the Sailor Scouts until I couldn’t possibly draw anymore. It was around this time that I became interested in fashion.”

Looking back on those early drawings Phoebe can identify the progress of her talents and how the intricate outfits would improve with each new sketch. Even today she can look back at previous designs and garments and see their improvements.

You can see Phoebe’s final progression come down the runway on May 10 at the 2013 Senior Fashion Show. Do you have your tickets yet?

Phoebe Isaac is a native of Lexington, OH, and a graduate of Lexington High School.

Weigle will discuss his artistic influences and current work and will follow his talk with a demo. His work, which includes drawings, prints, and plein-air landscapes, often depicts the Cape Cod environment.

The cooperative is dedicated to promoting the art of printmaking by providing a studio, educational opportunities, and an environment of support and inspiration for artists, students, and the community.

Carol Boram-Hays (middle) with two Zulu women during her last trip to South Africa in 1997

Adjunct faculty Carol Boram-Hays was selected to participate in the Core Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program.

Boram-Hays, an artist and historian, will be teaching and doing research at the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa, starting in January of 2014 and staying through June.

“I will be teaching and working with graduate students and doing research there and in the field,” Boram-Hays said. “The project is designed to culminate in an exhibition of Zulu beadwork at [the University's] museum and a scholarly publication on the subject.”

Boram-Hays did her dissertation on Zulu beadwork and has been looking for an opportunity to return to South Africa and continue that work.

Zulu man from 1890 wearing beaded accessories; photo from Carol Boram-Hays

“I am looking forward to gathering materials to write new publications on my original area of specialization,” she said. “Johannesburg is also a center for contemporary art in South Africa, which is also a strong interest of mine, so I look forward to being able to visit galleries and meet artists in person. I always find that going to new places and having new experiences stimulates my creativity. So while I will be away from my sculpture studio, I also look forward to developing new ideas for individual pieces as well as proposals for installations and site-specific works.”

The Core Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program sends approximately 800 scholars and professionals per year to approximately 130 countries, where they lecture and/or conduct research in a wide variety of academic and professional careers.

From the 2012 Art Educator’s Studio

The Art Educator’s Studio, an invite-only residential opportunity for high school art educators, will return for its third year this July.

The weeklong experience allows art educators to invest in their own creative growth, build relationships with their peers and CCAD faculty, learn specific techniques and lessons to take back to the classroom, and take advantage of CCAD facilities.

Last year, the program had participants from across the country, including California, Florida, and New York.

“Our Continuing & Professional Studies office does a great job of creating residency programs over the summer for middle school and high school students considering a future in art. We saw an opportunity for an easy crossover to an entirely different population—high school art educators,” said Paul Ritter, admissions manager at CCAD.

Participants get a residence hall room in CCAD’s Design Square Apartments, meals in the dining hall, workshops with faculty, and their own studio space with faculty input on their studio project.

“One of the appealing factors of the program is that invitees are chosen because of their contributions to the field of art and design. We look at factors such as their student success and recognition on a national level and work to bring educators to campus whose commitment to teaching art and design is evident,” Ritter said.

Marcy Adams’ “Arrangement Number 2″

The small group of participants ensures an intimate environment where educators can have one-on-one classroom and studio experiences with faculty members.

Marcy Adams from Fort Wayne, IN, attended last year’s program and is currently showing the work that she made in the summer studio in the exhibition M.A.C Show at Artlink Contemporary Art Gallery in Fort Wayne.

“It was beneficial to have the studio time at CCAD because I seldom have one week entirely to myself to create art,” Adams said. “I work 50 hours or more a week, maintain a rental business on the side, and I am married with four children.”

Adams used her time at CCAD to create a new body of work and enjoy the one-on-one times with CCAD professors who served as mentors.

She received help in particular from Gordon Lee, professor of Fine Arts, who worked with her on a new technique, which she applied to her existing work.

“I came away from the workshop with a pile of figure drawing sketches, two large-scale drawings, two completed mixed-media works, one animation short, and a few digital drawings. I can continue to develop my drawings into finished works, and I have learned several new techniques that I will utilize in the future,” Adams said.

“Our goal is for each of these participants to go back to their high school classrooms with a refreshed passion for art and a positive testament for their students regarding what CCAD has to offer anyone interested in art and design,” Ritter said.

Jess Betz wants to create clothes that make people feel beautiful on the inside as well as the outside. Photo by Kristen M. Foley

By Kristen M. Foley

When you first meet Jess Betz, you instantly recognize that her personality is as bright and colorful as her senior designs, and there is a positive energy that simply radiates from her. It’s no wonder that her goal is to change the way people feel about themselves through her designs.

“As a girl growing up in a world that is so focused on the outer appearances I began to explore the world of fashion design,” she said. “It was at that moment that I found my calling, and since then it has been my mission to create clothes that make people feel beautiful not only on the outside, but more importantly on the inside.”

After completing her associate’s degree from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles, she took some time off and began to experiment with painting fabrics and decided she wanted to learn more about textile art. Her aunt, who lives in Columbus, told her about CCAD. She knew instantly it was the place for her, especially when she learned of the school’s surface design classes. Ever since then, Jess has come to love all aspects of the fashion design process, but still gravitates toward the surface design lab and creating fabrics using dying techniques such as shibori and batiking.

Jess used hand-dying & painting techniques on her fabrics. Photo by Kristen M. Foley

“Designing my own fabrics is such a peaceful and tranquil part of the process that allows me to express my true nature,” notes Jess.

That same tranquility is reflected in her ocean and tropical fish inspired designs. As a child, she remembers vacationing in the Florida Keys with her family and watching her father fish.

“I remember dangling my feet off of the dock above the endless sea and being amazed by the beautiful creatures that swam beneath the glistening surface,” she says. “As a child I wished I could wear clothes that reflected the patterns and textures of fish, but what I did not know is that my wish would one day come true.”

Jess was inspired by the ocean and tropical fish. Photo by Kristen M. Foley

Her tie-dyed and hand-painted fabrics are as lively as the reflections of her youth. The unique use of color and patterns make the designs seem to float. It’s a look that she describes as modern hippie.

“Some days I feel as if I am living in one of my own reveries, but realize that they are real. I could not be more proud of myself and my classmates for never giving up on our true callings in life,” says Jess. “Now, the only thing left that I have to wish for is that my clothing will inspire people to treat our oceans and the environment with more care, so that we can continue to cherish all of the beauty that life has to offer.”

Do you have your tickets yet for the May 10 Senior Fashion Show? Don’t miss out on the fun. Order your tickets today.

Jess Betz is a native of Toledo, OH, and a graduate of St. Ursula Academy.

Liz Trapp’s “Orifice Installation”

Adjunct faculty Andrea Myers and MFA candidate Liz Trapp will have work in Tell/Tale, a one-day exhibition on May 18.

Myers curated the exhibition, which will feature her work alongside that of Trapp and another local artist, Josh Welker. The show is part of the Rooms to Let Temporary Art Space program.

Tell/Tale refers to Edgar Allan Poe’s short story “The Tell-Tale Heart,” bringing attention to the internal life and space of the architecture with a parallel interest in the formal space between painting and sculpture.

Rooms to Let was founded in 2010 by adjunct faculty Melissa Vogley Woods. It allows artists to show their work in diverse environments by staging exhibitions in empty houses, lots, and warehouses.

Tell/Tale will take place in a vacant house at 219 N. 22nd St., in Columbus, OH. The house was provided by Homeport.

Danielle Nicole Jones was inspired by the majesty of palm trees for her “Royal Trees” collection. Photo by Kristen M. Foley

By Kristen M. Foley

Last summer, Danielle Nicole Jones found herself alone in Florida while completing an internship with Chicos. Her son and family were home in Ohio; therefore, she discovered she suddenly had a lot of time on her hands. She used that time to search for her senior collection inspiration and found it unexpectedly in a palm tree.

“Palm trees struck me first with their outer beauty. They amazed me in their beautiful stature: a strong large trunk but free flowing at the top with the palm leaves,” she said. “I watched them as they went through the vicious tropical storms of Florida and I loved how no matter how hard the wind blew, the trunk stayed strong. While the leaves blew, the tree almost never tore down completely.”

Danielle found the palm to be almost a metaphor for her life.

Danielle used her sketches to design and produce her own prints. Photo by Kristen M. Foley

“The meaning of palm trees is victorious, growth, and triumph—all true to my journey of life thus far. I felt this was the perfect opportunity to use this as a symbol, to speak to my victory. No matter how beat down I may have gotten through life’s circumstances, I will get back up and shine beautifully,” said Danielle.  “The fallen pieces of my leaves are only a testament of the storms I’ve weathered. I am a mother, a designer, a warrior, and I am victorious—A royal tree.”

Before coming to CCAD, Danielle earned an associate’s degree in graphic design and started creating designs for T-shirts for family and friends. That sparked a desire to study fashion in a deeper way.

“I’ve always admired clothing with the fancy prints and patterns and I wondered what would happen if my graphics experience and fashion could somehow marry and I could create wonderfully fun clothes,” said Danielle.

During her internship at Chicos she had the opportunity to work with the Computer Aided Design (CAD) department, which designs prints and patterns.

Danielle adjusts one of her looks before a photo shoot. Photo by Katlin McNally

The experience inspired her to design her own prints for her collection.

The collection, aptly named “Royal Tree,” includes an assortment of prints created from the sketches and images captured during Danielle’s summer in Florida. Creating and producing her own patterned fabric added another challenge to her design process. The results; however, are stunning, and she’s found an area of fashion design that she’d like to pursue professionally.

“Ultimately I would love to be over a CAD team that deals with print, art, and color. Or, [work on] a trend team that travels and researches—drawing inspiration from all around the world,” said Danielle.

Be sure to check out Danielle Nicole Jones’ “Royal Tree” collection during the 2013 Senior Fashion Show on May 10. Get your tickets now before it’s too late.

Danielle Nicole Jones is a native of Westerville, OH, and a graduate of Westerville South High School.

Cover of the April issue of “Timeline”

Adjunct faculty Carol Boram-Hays has an article featured in the Ohio Historical Society’s Timeline magazine.

Her story “Balancing Art and Science: Arthur Baggs,” which appears in the April issue, is an extension of her work promoting Ohio’s important historical role in United States decorative arts.

Timeline is published quarterly and explores the fields of history, archaeology, and natural history.

Josh and the “happy trays” at Middle West Spirits.

The story of this year’s fashion-show cocktail has two parts. Act I occurred on a cloudy day in March when my colleagues and I quietly snuck out… ahem, I mean purposefully went out to meet the lovely gentlemen from Middle West Spirits (MWS).

I got to do this last year. Sometimes my job simply rocks (there’s an on-the-rocks joke in here somewhere, but I can’t find it).

This year we were invited to do the cocktail tasting at MWS, which I personally prefer. If you haven’t been, go to one of their tours. It’s hard to come by a group of people more passionate about what they do, and seeing where the magic happens is not only cool, but it smells really good in there when they are making the mash—like a bakery.

At a rustic wooden table under a fantastic chandelier, Josh set up two trays with the ingredients for two distinctly different drinks—I call them the happy trays.

If I had reviewed the ingredients ahead of time I would have told you before the tasting which cocktail I liked best.

I would have been wrong.

One option used the OYO stone fruit vodka (which I have a mad passion for) and champagne (um, HELLO, champagne). The second option used the OYO classic vodka and grapefruit. I hate grapefruit.  I mean I REALLY hate grapefruit.

A Vodka Runway

I’m not being subtle here, so you can probably guess which drink I ASSUMED I would like better. As I mentioned above: I was wrong. Apparently I LOVE grapefruit if you mix it with vodka and St. Germain Elderflower liqueur.

Side question: does it count as a fruit serving if you mix it with vodka?

So we chose a drink that is a fun little twist on a greyhound, but it really needed a special event-night name (just like I need special event-night shoes).

Last year we didn’t bother to come up with a name for our Middle West Spirits cocktail, and that was sad. This year, we looked to a team of dedicated experts to help us Christen our new baby: our host committee.

And thus we arrive at Act II, which took place quite recently on a warm, sunny April evening.

Let me set the scene: It’s 5 o’clock in the hour of happy, and gathered at CCAD (in an undisclosed location) is a selection of dignitaries from our host committee. I’m not going to lie, they are a rowdy bunch.

Their mission: to liberally sample our event-night cocktail, and then name it.

They took their task seriously. Well, maybe “seriously” isn’t the best word… they were dedicated in their work. Yeah, that’s better.

There was some lively debate (and googling to ensure that we weren’t stealing an existing name), but in the end a name suggested by our committee chair Peg Mativi was the clear choice.  On May 10 at THE fashion event in Cbus, you can enjoy a Vodka Runway.

That is, if you get your tickets before they sell out.

Andrea Myers’ “Pulsate #1″

Adjunct faculty Andrea Myers will show her work in the group exhibition in visible at Ray’s Living Room, located in the Short North, Columbus’ arts district, through May 14.

Myers’ artwork explores the space between the two- and three-dimensional, hybridizing painting, printmaking, and sculpture.

Ray’s Living Room is located at 17 Brickel St., Columbus, OH.

Katlin Hatfield found inspiration in armor for her senior collection. Photo by Kristen M. Foley

By Kristen M. Foley

Last summer, Katlin Hatfield became fascinated with armor—the shape, the size, the materials used to construct it, and why it was worn. The more she learned, the more she realized there was a deeper meaning rooted in her fascination.

“The reality of society being so in denial about vulnerability attracted me. We don’t like to be perceived as vulnerable, so we have this armor,” said Katlin. “That’s what I really wanted to do with my collection, so I built these really structured armored pieces that would draw you in, but keep you at a distance at the same time.”

Katlin has always found ways to create. Growing up in a rural area she did not always have easy access to art classes; therefore, she utilized her surroundings and created her own art education.

“I grew up across the street from a garage and behind the garage there was tons of stuff that we would gather,” she remembered. “My brother and sister and I would go build random things. I loved to create anything, whether it was fabric, wood, or metal; I just loved to create things.”

When she was just nine years old, Katlin’s grandmother surprised her with a toy sewing machine. She was so enthralled with it that her mom had trouble even getting her out of her room for dinner. She also loved to draw and since she loved to sew, clothing was always the main subject.

Katlin used wool and leather in her armor-inspired, structured looks.

“When I realized that fashion design was a career option I decided that it was what I wanted to do,” she noted.  “I learned about CCAD when I was 15 while I was looking at all the fashion design programs in the states. I visited a few institutions and private colleges and decided that CCAD, with its amazing community of artists and talented professors, was where I wanted to be.”

Katlin also found that her foundation classes at CCAD were just as important as her fashion design classes, if not sometimes even more enlightening.

“Starting at the beginning is really important and helpful. Plus, if you take [foundation classes] earlier, it really helps to conceptualize things,” she said. “From a fine arts perspective it helps you come up with pretty unique designs, which results in more consistency in your collection.”

When it came to Fashion Design classes, for Katlin patternmaking was something that just clicked with her.

“I love how you could take simple math and in a very technical process draw it out,” she muses. “Now it’s like a meditative process for me because it’s a nice, slow, and meticulous process. Once you learn how to do it, it becomes an essential process.”

Katlin’s armor-inspired pieces will grace the runway on May 10. Will you be granted entrance to the show? It only takes a ticket to be part of the magic. Get yours today.

Katlin Hatfield is a native of Adamsville, OH, and a graduate of Tri-Valley High School.

Craig Carlisle’s “Big Head in the Peaceful Valley”

Fine Arts alumnus Craig Carlisle (CCAD 1988) has a solo exhibition Petite Heads & the Peaceful Valley Paintings at Sharon Weiss Gallery through April 28 in Columbus, OH.

Carlisle has lived and maintained studios in New York City, San Francisco, and Los Angeles and is represented by George Billis Gallery NYC/LA. He has exhibited throughout the United States and has work in numerous private and public collections around the world.

Image of Graham Erwin’s illustrations, courtesy of his Instagram

Illustration alumnus Graham Erwin (CCAD 2011) created illustrations for the April issue of Wired magazine.

His illustrations depict well-known television characters including Ron Swanson from Parks and Recreation, Richard Harrow from Boardwalk Empire, Jesse Pinkman from Breaking Bad, and Schmidt from New Girl.

The illustrations accompany an article discussing breakout television characters currently on air. Wired magazine discuses the impact of new and developing technology on culture, the economy, and politics.

Erwin is a native of Columbus, OH, and attended Whetstone High School.

The exhibition includes work from more than 50 Ohio artists with mediums ranging from paintings to sculptures and jewelry.

Weigle is a plein air landscape painter who often focuses on the Cape Cod environment.

Karla Norquist created tropical-themed summer cruise wear look. Photo by Kristen M. Foley

By Kristen M. Foley

Karla Norquist’s love of fashion was uncovered when she was just a tween. She completed her first fashion sketch at age 11, even though at the time she admits she really didn’t know what she was doing.

“I liked an outfit in my mom’s fashion magazine so I drew it,” she remembers. “Then I started drawing a version of what I would want. When I showed my mom she told me I should look into fashion as a career.”

Karla still has that first sketch. It’s a constant reminder of what she loves and what she wants from the future, including her senior collection, which she considers “tropical jungle wear.”

In her designer brief she notes that she “wanted to capture the energy and creativity of youthful street fashion through silhouette and color” and “based on upcoming trends, chose a tropical theme for spring and summer cruise wear.”

Karla was also inspired by street fashion. Photo by Kristen M. Foley

Just as Karla’s relationship with fashion started young, so did her education at CCAD. An alumna of the Saturday Morning Art Classes program as well College PreView, Karla quickly learned that there was a place for her in the CCAD community.

Karla notes that she also chose CCAD because she had the option to take classes from different fields of study. If she had attended a fashion-only school she wouldn’t have been able to take classes in ceramics, oil painting, or advertising, all of which she felt were essential to her creativity.  However, fashion has always been a guiding force in her art direction

As she has developed her skills in fashion design, Karla found that by draping the fabric on a form first, she would get a better idea of what she wanted to create.

Karla started at CCAD young in the Saturday Morning Art Classes program.

“I worked backwards,” she laughs. “I’m much better at draping so I just started draping forms on mannequins. I initially came up with this scaled looking garment with all these inverted pleats down the back. Once I made my first look my classmates told me I should use brighter colors and before I knew it, it was tropical.”

With her senior collection done and graduation nearing, Karla had a moment to think about what advice she would give to next fall’s incoming class.

“At CCAD you’ll take a lot of classes that seem like they have nothing to do with your major, but pay attention in these classes,” she said. “They have everything to do with your creative process and design influence. Keep an open mind and you’ll learn a lot. You’ll be surprised what ceramics can do for a fashion major.”

You’ll have a chance to see some of Karla’s vibrant cruise wear on May 10 during the CCAD Senior Fashion Show. Order your tickets today before you miss the boat.

Karla Norquist is a native of Eagan, MN, and a graduate of Northridge High School.

Krista Guanlao Sison found inspiration for her collection in Spain. Photo by Kristen M. Foley

By Kristen M. Foley

Inspiration comes in many forms. It can be a cloud on a sunny day, a random splash of color from a garden of flowers, a sharp angle on a sign, or even from a church. For Krista Guanlao Sison, her inspiration came to her while traveling in Spain and visiting La Sagrada Familia.

“I’m Catholic so every time I go into a new church my mom tells me I should make a wish. So I made a wish when I went in there and it was a really amazing place,” remembers Krista. “I don’t think I ever felt that way before. My breath was taken away. I wanted to recreate that feeling in my collection.”

Although her designs are not exact replications of the space that touched her so deeply, it did encourage her to think beyond customary fashion materials and produce something entirely unique. She hopes that those who experience her work understand the message she was trying to convey with the pieces.

“Even though it doesn’t reflect the same kind of coloration or structure, I think it shows the feeling of what a home is or what a sanctuary is to a person,” said Krista. “I think everybody goes through that search of who they are, where they belong, who they belong to, and if they fit in anywhere. I wanted to show that the body is a person’s home. Only in your own self can you truly feel at home.”

A detail of one of the garments created by Krista.

She originally tried to construct her architectural inspired designs out of fabric; however, she quickly learned it wasn’t reflecting her original vision. After expressing her frustration, her teacher simply asked, “Why do you have to use fabric?” That question prompted Krista to start over, this time with materials that better suited her vision.

“I used weird materials that a lot of the designers probably wouldn’t use, including acrylic, Plexiglas, and a lot of vinyl, which was really hard,” said Krista. “I’d never worked with leather and vinyl is similar, but I had worked with Plexiglas before.”

Krista wanted to recreate, in her collection, the feeling she experienced visiting La Sagrada Familia. Photo by Kristen M. Foley

For one of her pieces she started the process by creating two isosceles triangles from foam core, traced it out on Plexiglas, drilled holes in it, and then connected it with fishing wire. In the end, Krista thinks it took her 80 hours to complete.

“It was built piece by piece,” said Krista. “I couldn’t really plan out the whole thing because it had to fit around the whole form. I had to hang it on the form and then add another piece and then another and then another. When it went down the runway for the jury I was crying because that’s the first time it actually worked on the body.”

As commencement draws near, Krista is looking to graduate school, and has applied to the internationally renowned Central Saint Martins College of Arts and Design in London. After spending last summer there for a three-week program she knew she wanted to return to continue her studies in sculptural fashion.

You’ll soon have a chance to see Krista’s collection, “Sanctuarium,” at CCAD’s 2013 Senior Fashion Show on May 10. Make sure you get your tickets today.

Check out Krista’s website: www.kristaguanlao.com

Krista Guanlao Sison is a native of Parma Heights, OH, and a graduate of Valley Forge High School.

Ohio Governor John Kasich with winning design Aaron Roberts

CCAD-Designed Licenses and Plates Hit the Road

It was a pretty big deal when Gov. John Kasich asked CCAD to help design new driver’s licenses and license plates for the Ohio BMV. And ever since the selected designs were unveiled in November 2011, we’ve been itching to see them out in the real world.

Well, that time has come. The new driver’s license went into circulation in January, and the new plates are due to come into use as this magazine hits the mail. So watch the wallets, purses, and bumpers near you for clean, elegant new designs by CCAD’s very own Aaron Roberts (Advertising & Graphic Design 2012)!

Informal Critique Blooms on Campus

Want to get unvarnished opinions about your art? Ask your peers.

That’s the approach Fine Arts alum Erin McKenna (CCAD 2012) adopted for a student-driven critique program she started at CCAD.

During her junior year, she participated in the semester-long New York Studio Residency Program. “There were kids from all over the United States,” McKenna says. “Nobody knows anybody when you get there. We decided that on Wednesday nights we’d make dinner together and walk around the studios, giving critiques. It was at night, much more relaxing; there were no professors there. We listened to each other. I learned a lot; it was nice to have the perspective of a peer.”

McKenna liked the idea so much she brought it back to campus, organizing evening critique sessions for students during her senior year. Up to 30 participants, mainly Fine Arts majors with some from Illustration and Advertising & Graphic Design, visited studios. “I had a lot of people come up to me after they had their critique and say it was very helpful.”

“It’s still going on Wednesday nights and has even more people,” she says.

Animation students during Skype conversation

Animation Students Skype for Advice

For members of the Animation Student Collective at CCAD, professional advice is only a Skype away.

Skype, an Internet voice and video service, links the student animators to professionals, including CCAD alumni. Animation senior Rico Jackson, president and founder of the Animation Student Collective, explains: “Most of the professionals are in California because that’s where the animation industry is, the bulk of it. We can’t bring them to Ohio because that would cost entirely too much money.

“Instead, we Skype them.”

The group meets in Kinney Hall. Using a computer linked to a video projector, Jackson asks the guest animator questions; other students also can come up to the computer’s camera and pose questions as well.

Chris Oatley (CCAD 2001), a former Disney character designer who now runs an online art academy, held a session with students last semester. “Chris is a phenomenal speaker,” Jackson says.

Jackson hopes to have Skype sessions with three guests during spring semester. He says the sessions have an impact. “With Chris, a lot of people sent us messages or talked with us afterward. They said it was really inspirational. Students made some artwork right away because they were inspired.”

Students work in the MindMarket

Students Embark on Two-Year Project with Electronics Company

The CCAD MindMarket’s DesignLab is giving students the chance to dig into an extended design project with the advanced electronics company InPower.

“InPower reached out to CCAD after learning about some of the offerings CCAD has for Industrial Design,” says Cynthia Gravino, CCAD MindMarket director.  “We determined that a DesignLab partnership would best serve their needs and would provide a great hands-on opportunity for our students in a client-based project setting.”

Tom Gattis, dean of the School of Design Arts and chair of Industrial Design, stepped in to lead the project.

For the first semester (fall 2012) students conducted a comprehensive market, product, and competitive landscape analysis.

This spring, they’ll incorporate that research into a redesign of InPower’s product packaging.

InPower will continue to tap into CCAD talent throughout 2013­–2014, focusing on work to find new avenues for their products.

“As an engineering-based organization, InPower provided an opportunity to expand the types of companies we serve,” Gravino says.

“The only difference [from the real world] is we are doing it within the safe confines of the college,” Gattis says. “Students have expert guidance from faculty and can try a lot of things and really explore concepts that in a corporate setting would be a bit too risky.”

Science Chair’s Research Presented

CCAD Chair of Science Julie Posey has worked with Ohio State University’s Division of Infectious Diseases since 2010 to create a tracking profile for a specific strain of methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

Posey’s research studied nearly 500 positive cases of MRSA.

The resulting paper, Development of Bio-informatics Research Network for Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) Blood Stream Infections (BSI): A Multicenter Regional MRSA Surveillance Collaborative for Genotyping, Geocoding, and Data Collection for Outbreak Investigation, was presented by OSU researchers at the Infectious Disease Society of America conference last fall.

Alexa Carson’s holiday card design

’Twas the Season — for a Holiday Card Contest Winner

CCAD teamed up with the Columbus Partnership last year to create a new tradition — a holiday card design contest.

The Columbus Partnership is a nonprofit, membership-based organization of 49 CEOs from Columbus’ leading businesses and institutions. Its primary mission is to improve the economic vitality of the Columbus region.

“Partnering with CCAD was a great opportunity to support an incredible educational asset in our community and work with the creative student innovators of Columbus who help drive our economic growth,” said Stephen Lyons, vice president of member services and community engagement at the Partnership.

A jury reviewed 38 entries and selected Illustration senior Alexa Carson’s design.

Carson received a $1,000 cash prize, and the card, which included her name and contact info, was distributed to more than 3,000 Columbus Partnership clients and friends.

Fine Arts Faculty Member Keeps Active Practice

Danielle Julian Norton’s approach to artmaking? Two words: keep moving.

Norton, a 1999 Fine Arts alum and now an assistant professor of fine arts and graduate studies, is keeping up an almost dizzying itinerary of residencies and exhibitions in the United States and Europe.

This includes stints last fall at the Anderson Ranch Arts Center in Snowmass Village, CO, and last summer at I-Park in East Haddam, CT.

A year earlier, she did residencies at the Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts in Omaha, NE, and in Dresden, Germany, under the sponsorship of the Greater Columbus Arts Council.

Her exhibition schedule last year ranged from the Decorative Arts Center of Ohio in Lancaster to the Center for Fine Art Photography in Fort Collins, CO, to the Cynthia-Reeves Gallery at Art Miami. A show at Ohio Dominican University will have just closed as this magazine mails.

“To grow as an artist I feel it’s important to meet other artists and go outside my comfort zone.” Norton says. “Each time I go and meet a new art community and group of artists, it’s like a mini-graduate school; you learn new approaches to art-making.”

“I think it works well in the classroom,” she says. “I can give [students] real-world examples. A teacher should also be an active artist.”

Norton calls her work interdisciplinary, “a cross between sculpture, photography, and performance.”

Next on tap is I Forgot to Forget, a June 15 – July 20 exhibition she is curating at the Urban Arts Space of Ohio State University.

For new CCAD graduates with a creative degree in hand, the horizon is vast, and to each destination lays myriad paths. This is both super exciting and—we’re not afraid to say it—daunting. Between launch and land there will be a bit of unknown, which is why we decided to contact 10 of our top 2012 grads and ask them how things are going.

From these 10, we found that two have formed LLCs, four have shown in galleries, one has “gone viral,” and, among them, there are nine cats, two dogs, and one “very handsome” fish named Columbus. Their workplaces are diverse: while one is at an international clothier, another might spend all day in a urethane-casting lab.

To what do they owe their successes so far? CCAD comes up—the inspired friendships, life-altering classes, and amazing professors are too many to list — but so do hard work, integrity, connections, knowing one’s priorities, curiosity, and gumption.

They are a grateful bunch. Asked to be specific, classmates and sweeties get a mention, and from Alex Trimpe, “Just being alive is pretty nice, wouldn’t you say?” But overall, their greatest gratitude is to mom and dad. (Awww…)

May we introduce: our Ten to Watch.

Chavilah Bennett at work

Chavilah Bennett

Major: Advertising & Graphic Design

City: Columbus

Position: Motion graphics designer at S77

Cause: The Maximin Project

Go-to Food: Avocado

Chavilah Bennett was warned she’d be a coffee girl or a “pair of hands” at her first job. “That was a lie,” she says. Already, at S77, she’s designed the opening titles for a CeeLo Green/Muppets holiday video, worked post-production on a “T.I. featuring Lil Wayne” music video, and helped to direct and shoot footage for a series on the Bio Channel. Bennett’s job is in motion graphics, though her training is not. When she was hired—because of “people saying nice things about me behind my back”—it was with the understanding that she’d be learning on the job. No problem:  “The great thing about CCAD,” she says, “is it teaches how to think creatively, how to problem-solve, and how to work efficiently, and those are qualities that transfer to any career.”

Lian Dziura

LIAN DZIURA

BFA: Photography

City: Columbus

Position: Freelance photo assistant for Michael Cogar at Lane Bryant

Inspired by: Medieval and Renaissance art

Fave CCAD class: Still-life photography

A day at work for Lian Dziura might be spent assisting photographer Michael Cogar on-set, editing and color-correcting final images, photographing an edible tableau for a freelance client, or maybe even working on her own collages. Since graduating, she’s shown in two galleries, including the Clifton Cultural Arts Center, where she received an honorable mention. While she wasn’t sure what to expect post-college, to have a job she enjoys and to show and sell work “is a great feeling,” she says. “I’m glad it’s turned out the way it has.”

Rachel Cass

RACHEL CASS

BFA: Fashion Design

City: New York

Position: Assistant designer at American Eagle Outfitters (AEO)

Fave CCAD Class: Collection (“the class where all the hard work pays off”)

Words to Live By: Grow or die.

Talent, skill, and education are all key to landing a dream job, but for Rachel Cass, so were patience and confidence. Certain she’d find the right job, she looked at a lot of companies, even turned down some. Then she applied to AEO. “I left my interview knowing I would work there,” she says. Sure enough, she’s now in New York designing denim jeans and jackets. The transition was smooth, something she credits to all her hard work at CCAD. She plans on growing with AEO and looks forward to “seeing where my adventure takes me.”

Leah Fisher

LEAH FISHER

BFA: Photography

City: Columbus

Position: Archivist and evening supervisor at CCAD’s Packard Library

Go-to Food: Gatto’s Pizza

Creative Jumpstart: Crossword puzzles

Leah Fisher didn’t look for a job—she already had one. Since 2007, she’s been transforming a roomful of boxes into a digitized, cataloged, and shared archive about the history of CCAD. She’s added to that history by, for instance, replicating old photos for a Then-and-Now exhibit. It’s the kind of project that keeps her passionate. Fisher also remains focused on her art. Nine of her “drive-bys” (photos she takes from a moving vehicle) are part of Image Ohio 2013, one of those won an Honorable Mention in that exhibition, and she’s applied for a show at the Urban Arts Space. “Life right now feels great,” she says.

Jake LaBombarbe

JAKE LaBOMBARBE

BFA: Industrial Design

City: Columbus

Position: Lead industrial designer at Concept Engineering

Cause: Toys for Tots and the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund

Hobby: “I am a connoisseur of terrible movies.”

“It may be corny,” says Jake LaBombarbe, “but to hold something you’ve designed as a tangible object is still one of the greatest feelings in the world.” At Concept, LaBombarbe does design, research, product testing, and modeling; he’s overseen a new silicone and urethane casting lab; and he’s the go-to guy about additive manufacturing and prototyping capabilities. Owens Corning is a big client, but potentially so is anyone with, as he says, “great concepts but no idea how to make them.” His ultimate aim is the toy industry (and he’s developed some ideas, so keep an eye out on Kickstarter). Although he had a job ready and waiting after graduation, his advice is to never take anything for granted. Also, “do right by others,” and, sharing a tip once given to him, “don’t ever point out a flaw in your own sketch: chances are, only you see it.”

Sarah McCance, photo by Kevin Brown

SARAH McCANCE

BFA: Interior Design

City: Dallas

Position: Interior designer for Wilson Associates

Go-to Food: Hot Cheetos

Tool to Unwind: Jim Henson’s The Labyrinth

Designing interiors for a palace in Abu Dhabi may not have been on Sarah McCance’s career to-do list, but because she made the most of opportunities while at CCAD, it’s one item she can now check off. “My company designs luxury,” she explains—often for high-end resorts, casinos, and, yes, palaces. After careful research, McCance applied to be a student intern at Wilson and, while there, was “a sponge, absorbing everything,” she says. Afterward, she prioritized those professional ties and was hired on full time after graduation. Time to set new goals: she’s now focused on professional certifications—and recruiting more CCAD students for Wilson internships.

Kattie Baker

KATTIE BAKER

BFA: Advertising & Graphic Design

City: Columbus

Position: Designer at Fine Citizens, a web design agency

Cause: Big Sisters (“I’m a sucker for children.”)

Tool to Unwind: Zumba

“To see your work grow up and march out into the real world feels fabulous,” says Kattie Baker (even if, technically, her work is in the virtual world). At Fine Citizens, she’s in charge of responsive web design and is the “icon and vector graphics girl,” which means she gets to do fun stuff like animal illustrations for the Columbus Zoo’s online guide. Add in art direction and client presentations and “it’s a lot of hats,” she says, “but multi-tasking is a skill all CCAD grads acquire.” Baker and her husband just bought their first house, and, as for the future, “it’s whatever keeps challenging me,” she says.

Erin McKenna

ERIN McKENNA

BFA: Fine Arts

City: Columbus

Position: Host at Better Earth in the North Market; founder/manager of No Place Studios, LLC

Fave CCAD Experience: NY Studio Residency

Words to Live By: If you want something done, do it yourself.

Erin McKenna wasn’t ready to give up the tools, materials, supportive community, and feedback she had at CCAD, so she problem-solved. McKenna formed an LLC and with 10 other artists (nine from CCAD) founded No Place Studios: 2,500 sq. ft. to make art, hold events, and foster community. “We’re very proud of this space,” she says. After an artist’s residency at Chicago-based ACRE and a related exhibition this spring, grad school is next up. Already, she’s been nominated for a scholarship.

Sara Diesel

SARA DIESEL

BFA: Illustration

City: Pittsburgh

Position: Freelance illustrator

Fave CCAD Class: Entrepreneurial Illustration

Inspired by: 1980s sci-fi movies

“Freelancing,” says Sara Diesel, “is a great way to network and work your way up the field to larger clients.” But jobs don’t fall in your lap; it takes hustle, and “persistence, most of all.” Asked to brag, she mentions her work on the Lord of the Rings and Game of Thrones card games, to which, she says, “it was an honor to add my voice.” She calls it “humbling and surreal” to have work in Spectrum 19, a publication full of her favorite illustrators. Though someday she might like to try her hand at game creation, she’s happy freelancing and excited to see just where it will take her.

Alex Trimpe

ALEX TRIMPE

BFA: Media Studies

City: Akron

Position: Proprietor of Alex Trimpe Motion Design, LLC

Cause: Longstride

Creativity Jumpstart: Going outside

With the ink on his diploma barely dry, December grad Alex Trimpe is the boss of his own motion graphics company, producing work (usually typography-based with illustrations) for clients around the globe. The “short story,” he explains: “A video of mine [The World Is Obsessed with Facebook] went viral. People wanted similar-style videos. Then, bigger people wanted videos.” Some of those bigger people are Samsung, Levi’s, and Cisco. But don’t just chalk up his success to luck. Trimpe asked for it. He messaged Vimeo: Hi…can you give me feedback…thank you…oh, and if you like it, maybe throw it on your staff picks. They did. His advice—along with “be kind but not a pushover, persistent but not annoying, and have a good reel”—is “simply ask, it works better than you’d think.”

Web Exclusive, full interviews from our Ten to Watch:

Chavilah Bennett

Go-to food: Avocado! I’ll eat it with (almost) anything.
Fave class at CCAD: Mr. Mohr’s Senior Ad/Graph class; the work consistently forced me to explore outside my comfort zone.
Fave CCAD hangout: The study/work room in the Admin building. During December finals one year I had to pull so many all-nighters in the admin building that I brought Christmas lights, music and snacks to make it feel a bit more cheerful.
Productivity/creativity jumpstart: On a warm day my favorite thing to do is walk around the city with a coffee and a camera, exploring hidden side streets, pretty neighborhoods and parks. I like to think of the world as an adventure and if someone takes the time to look, they will find something beautiful and unexpected.
Hobby: Singing, playing the piano and small harp, power yoga. I’ve missed painting and drawing so I started a few personal projects. Right now I’m painting a large map of the world on my wall. (I’ll send photos to Lindsay Kronmiller.)
Fave game: You can’t go wrong with Uno or Settlers of Catan. A new favorite is Telestrations; it’s like the game of telephone but in drawings. I played with my siblings over the holidays and the results were hilarious.
Ideal breakfast: A mountain of bacon
Everyday breakfast: Coffee and a granola bar or bagel
Cause/nonprofit close to your heart: Maximin Project. I was involved as a designer for this organization for about six months after initially meeting them at Startup Weekend 2011 at CCAD.
Website/podcast for inspiration or to learn something: I listen to podcasts when I’m in the middle of a project. NPR Planet Money, TED Talks, The Moth: True Stories Told Live, and This American Life. Listening to the BBC News podcast as I get ready for work is a ritual for me, it helps put life in perspective before I leave the house.

Kattie Baker

Go-to for blowing off steam or relaxing: Zumba dancing. I’m self-taught, so I’m not sure I have much of a knack for it. Mostly it’s just me shaking my hips and romping around the living room. It gets the energy out regardless.
Fave game: I like simpler, classic games like Mario Kart. If there are guns or aliens I tend to grip the controller too tightly and take my character’s death too seriously.
Best advice you’ve heard: “If your first job out of college doesn’t make you worried that you’ll be fired every day for the first six months, you’re not being challenged enough.”
Cause/nonprofit close to your heart: There are a ton that deserve limelight, but this year I’ve decided to volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sisters. I’m a sucker for kids.

Rachel Cass

Go-to food: Sushi!
Fave class at CCAD: Collection. It’s where you get to show all your skills, all while creating your own designs. It’s what we went to school for; it’s the class where all your hard work pays off.
Fave CCAD hangout: Sitting on the lawn between classes. It’s a great place to take a time out and just relax
Fave artist/designer/photographer(s): I have a huge list of people I look up to and admire, but narrowing down to just one is too hard.
Productivity/creativity jumpstart: Visiting the German Village Book Loft with my fiance. Sifting through books and discovering new artist and places is always a source of inspiration. Music is always a huge inspiration in my creative process. The right music can change anything.
Go-to for blowing off steam or relaxing: Sleeping; it’s not something I see much of, but when I really need to relax or take a break, I like to close my eyes and dream.
Hobby: Camping, snowboarding, enjoying life
Words to live by: My dad told me if you’re not growing in life, you’re dying. He’s a pretty smart man, so I try to apply it to all aspects of my life.
Fave game: Monopoly
Comic book or character: I would be Storm from X-Men.
Ideal breakfast: Cream-cheese eggs with toast and fruit
Everyday breakfast: Veggie breakfast sandwich and coffee
Best advice you’ve gotten: To live my life as an adventure, not as something set in stone.
Best advice you’ve given: follow what’s in your heart
Pet(s)? My dog Charlie, she’s a mutt and the cutest one out there! She’s also back in Columbus, and I miss her everyday. I got a fish to keep me company in NYC. His name is Columbus; he is a very handsome blue beta.
Grateful for: I’m grateful for the amazing people in my life and the unbelievable amount of support they have showed me.

Sara K. Diesel

Fave class at CCAD: Entrepreneurial Illustration with Andrew Bawidamann—very informative and challenging!
Go-to for blowing off steam or relaxing: I’m a big movie watcher. I love the old eighties sci-fi movies especially. It’s where a lot of my inspiration comes from.
Fave game: I play a lot of video games. I think it would be safe to say that at the moment I’m stuck on Dishonored. It has great design and concept all around.
Best advice you’ve gotten: Fake it ’til you make it.
Website/podcast for inspiration: Muddy Colors is a blog chock-full of great inspiration, advice, and tips, and it’s run by some of the big names in the illustration world.
Grateful for: My parents, especially right now. They’ve given me so many opportunities and have supported my decision to be an illustrator 100%.

Lian Dziura

Fave class at CCAD: Still-life photography
Fave artist/designer/photographer: I love most medieval and Renaissance art. I think that’s where most of my inspiration comes from.
Productivity/creativity jumpstart: Pinterest and sketching
Go-to for blowing off steam or relaxing: A cup of tea and Downton Abbey
Hobby: Reading and cooking
Fave game: Scattergories
Ideal breakfast: French toast from Tasi. Or crêpes.
Everyday breakfast: Tea and toast or hot cereal
Best advice you’ve gotten: Never give up; failure is not the end, it’s just another step in the process of learning.
Best advice you’ve given: Probably the advice above.  :)
Cause/nonprofit close to your heart: Children’s homes and orphanages
Pet(s)? Cat named Lily
Website/podcast to learn something: The Guardian and TED talks
Grateful for: My mom

Leah Fisher

Go-to food: Gattos Pizza
Fave class at CCAD: It’s a toss-up between my independent studies with amazing faculty members Helen Hoffelt and Charlotte Belland
Fave artist/designer/photographer(s): Garry Winogrand and Diane Arbus
Productivity/creativity jumpstart: Crossword puzzles
Go-to for blowing off steam or relaxing: Obsessive fiction book reading
Hobby: Cooking
Words to live by: Use it or lose it
Fave game: Apples to Apples
Everyday breakfast: Nuts Over Chocolate Luna Bars
Ideal breakfast: Frittatas and biscuits
Cause/nonprofit close to your heart: Planned Parenthood
Pet(s)? I am a mom to four cats! Mookie, Milton, Hellz Bellz and Hormel.
Website/podcast for laughs: Cracked.com
Website/podcast to learn something: Salon.com
Grateful for: My amazing husband, Dave, who not only supports the things I am passionate about, but also shares my passion.  We are pretty much always together when I am out shooting, and he is my primary driver for the Drive-By Shootings series.

Jake LaBombarbe

Fave class at CCAD: Anything with Dave Burghy or Tom Williamson
Fave CCAD hangout: The ID Cave in Kinney Hall
Fave artist/designer/photographer(s): Animator Bruce Timm, illustrator Matt Wagner
Productivity/creativity jumpstart: Punk rock and copious amounts of coffee
Go-to for blowing off steam or relaxing: Street Fighter 4
Hobby: I am a connoisseur of terrible movies.
Words to live by: My latest: “Dude, sucking at something is the first step to being sorta good at something.”
Fave game: Metal Gear Solid 3
Comic book or character: Batman
Ideal breakfast: Coffee and a bagel with lox
Everyday breakfast: Coffee
Best advice you’ve gotten: Don’t ever point out a flaw in sketch, chances are you are the only one who knows that it’s there.
Best advice you’ve given: Play to your strengths, but mind your weaknesses.
Cause/nonprofit close to your heart: Toys for Tots and the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund
Pet(s)? Chippy, he’s a cat. He’s also an a$$hole.
Website/podcast to learn something: Brad Jones aka The Cinema Snob, Matt and Pat at Two Best Friends Play, and Noah Antwiller aka The Spoony One
Grateful for: I am grateful for Alex Mazur, Caleb Boller, Hak Chan Kim, Jennifer Helber, Joe Washington, Joel Van Gilder, and Nikki Stapleton…the finest classmates and greatest friends that anyone could ever have.

Sarah McCance

Go-to food: Hot Cheetos!! More of a snack really, but I just can’t help myself. They are delicious.
Fave class at CCAD: Definitely my Fairy Tales class my senior year. The content and the teacher were both incredibly interesting. I only ever missed class if I was on my death bed with sickness. (Haha. Even then I contemplated going.) That class definitely makes me rethink whether or not I want to read certain fairytales to my children someday. Especially Snow White.
Fave CCAD hangout: Interior Design is a relatively small program at CCAD, so you become really tight knit with your classmates. My favorite memories and most fun experiences there were whenever we were all in the computer lab on the second floor of the Crane Center. We laughed, we cried, we had screaming matches due to lack of sleep and WAY too much estrogen, but those are my favorite memories at CCAD.
Fave artist/designer/photographer(s): I have always been inspired by designers like Eero Saarinen, Frank Lloyd Wright, and Verner Panton. They all had very simple design with a bit of a funky flair. Each very different and each very inspiring. As far as still living designers go, my best friend and classmate Amanda Shaw is incredibly inspiring to me. She is so incredibly creative, driven, and won’t take no for an answer…EVER. I can only hope to pick up some of her traits along the way.
Go-to for blowing off steam or relaxing: The Labyrinth by Jim Henson starring David Bowie, and music
Comic book or character: I’ve always been really into X-Men. As a child my cousin and I were always reading the comics or watching the TV shows. I feel like a little kid every time a new movie is released!
Everyday breakfast: Oatmeal with brown sugar, golden raisins, and cranberries. It’s the only thing that will keep me full well into the afternoon!
Best advice you’ve gotten: My mom always encouraged me to push myself. She would never let me quit anything without putting up a fight. And she always encouraged me to just be myself. She said, “Sometimes the only honesty you will truly have in life is with yourself.” I try to be as honest with myself, others, and my work as much as I can.
Pet(s)? My fiance and I got our first puppy a few months ago. She is a german shepherd/black lab mix. Her name is Trinity and she is 5 months old. I feel like I’m chasing a toddler around half the time between the teething and getting into anything and everything she can! I love her to pieces though. She is a little bit of a tomboy, ALWAYS wants to play, and is convinced that if she chases her tail enough she is DEFINITELY going to get it one of these days.

Erin McKenna

Fave class at CCAD: The most helpful thing about CCAD was my professors. Danielle Julian Norton, Matt Flegle, Tim Rietenbach, Michael Goodson, and Kelly Malec-Kosak were a huge part of my growth as a person and artist.  Without them, I would not be thinking the way I do now.  Also, CCAD provided the opportunity to go to the New York Studio Residency Program when I was a junior.  I was in NYC for a semester, and it changed my life dramatically.  I think I actually learned how to make art and how to think there.
Fave CCAD hangout: AMF studios
Fave artist/designer/photographer(s): Mika Rottenberg, David Lynch, Vincent Fecteau
Productivity/creativity jumpstart: Cleaning and organizing my studio
Words to live by: If you want something done, do it yourself.
Best advice you’ve gotten: Don’t be afraid.
Best advice you’ve given: Make work that makes you uncomfortable
Cause/nonprofit close to your heart: Materials for the Arts in Queens, NYC.  Nonprofit group that has a warehouse where people and companies can donate anything and everything.  Artists, teachers, or anyone in art organization can get any of the materials, all for free.  The only catch is you have to write a thank you card.  It promotes recycling and saves money.
Pet(s)? Jasper and Wayne—both cats
Website/podcast to learn something: ContemporaryArtDaily.com, DailyServing.com, iTunes U lectures, Art21, documentaries on Netflix of favorite directors
Grateful for: Very grateful to my parents, for their support both financially and mentally now and through school.  I’m very lucky that my parents support my decision in pursing art.

Alex Trimpe

Go-to food: Chicken Tikka Masala
Productivity/creativity jumpstart: Going outside
Hobby: Reading
Words to live by: Conan O’Brien said, “If you work really hard and you are kind, amazing things will happen.”
Fave game: Video-Team Fortress 2. Board game-anything!
Ideal breakfast: Sausage.
Everyday breakfast: Scrambled eggs in a mug in the microwave.
Pet(s)? Ollie the fat cat
Website/podcast to learn something: Reddit, for everything
Grateful for: Just being alive is pretty nice, wouldn’t you say?

Jennifer Porreca Faux at her desk, photo by Luke Kramer

By Kristin Mack Deuber

Fashion Design alumna Jennifer Porreca Faux (CCAD 2002) was always the person her friends turned to for fashion advice. Whether flipping through magazines or weekend shopping at thrift stores to embrace the ’90s grunge trend, she’s been interested in style and spotting the hottest trends since she was a little girl.

“Growing up, we didn’t have a lot of money to spend on fashion,” says Faux. “I would do my best to save my money and beg my parents to buy me trendy clothes and accessories.”

In addition to fashion, Faux also had an interest in the fine arts—with artistic parents, art was a big part of her youth. She took Saturday Morning Art Classes at CCAD as a child, where she began to develop her creative skills. When the time came for her to choose a college, it was a lucky coincidence that CCAD was so close to home and had a great fashion program.

“I loved that CCAD’s curriculum focused not only on fashion, but also on fine art skills, including color concept, 2D and 3D figure drawing, and art history,” says Faux. “It made me a more creative fashion designer by providing me with the foundational skills that I could use to easily design any type of fashion including apparel, accessories, footwear, and lifestyles.”

Tween products, photo by Luke Kramer

An Upward Trend

Upon graduating from CCAD in 2002, Faux landed a job as assistant designer of sweaters, active, and graphic tees for Justice, a label of the industry leader Tween Brands, Inc. Over the next four years, she was quickly promoted to associate designer of sweaters and accessories, and then to designer of accessories, footwear, and lifestyles. She rejoined Tween in 2009 as a senior designer of accessories and footwear.

Today, Faux is Tween’s director of specialty design, overseeing a team of six designers and two interns.

The position calls for extensive travel to keep abreast of trends worldwide. But when Faux is in Ohio, business meetings are a big part of her day. She works with senior design and merchandising staff to align Tween’s design and sales strategies. She also meets with cross-functional partners, including the tech department, to check the fit of products she is creating and make sure the sampling and production of all products are flowing smoothly.

Faux usually ends her day researching trends, visiting stores, and doing last minute trouble-shooting.

Being a fashion designer and traveling around the world may sound glamorous, but it can be taxing work. Faux often gets up at 4 a.m. to catch flights, works 12- to 14-hour days, hauls bags in and out of cabs (and trains and planes), battles jet lag, and eats on the run — all while staying in constant contact with her home office.

Over the past 10 years, Faux has seen many changes in the speed of fashion trend cycles and the way goods are sourced. “With social media and blogging, our customers have become extremely fashion savvy, wanting the hottest trends NOW,” she says. “Also, with all of the [political] changes happening around the world, sourcing new factories and obtaining competitive prices for goods have become increasingly challenging. “

Tween products, photo by Luke Kramer

Advice: Get It and Give It

During her time at Tween, Faux has cultivated relationships with several mentors, which she says has been the best part of working for the company. Her favorite mentor advice is “know your business.” In other words, good designers can design absolutely anything, as long as they study their target market, understand the business side of the industry, and build a design strategy based around that knowledge.

She also values “speak with facts, not emotions,” because the facts make a stronger case that is less likely to be misinterpreted.

Her biggest piece of advice to today’s students? Network, network, network. “To get a great job in the fashion industry it definitely helps to know the right people who can recommend you and help you get your foot in the door,” says Faux. “It’s important for students to put themselves out there early and take advantage of any opportunities that come their way. No job is too small or insignificant. If you do everything with passion, others will see that and want you on their team.”

The CCAD Angle

Faux enjoys supporting CCAD. She always looks to hire CCAD graduates because she knows they have strong design skills. She also financially supports the annual senior fashion show, reviews student portfolios, and speaks to classes as often as her schedule permits.

Maintaining relationships with fellow CCAD alumni has benefited Faux’s own career. Many of her fellow fashion design alums have found successful careers in Columbus, New York, and beyond — and their paths constantly cross.

“I truly value the education I received at CCAD,” says Faux. “I love staying part of the CCAD community and continuing to build relationships with new CCAD students as well as alumni.”

Tim Bowers’ cover image for “Dinosaur Pet”

By Bill Mayr

To keep up with illustrators from CCAD, just peruse the bestseller lists.

A good place to start is the Children’s and Young Adult categories, where three illustrators with CCAD ties — graduates Tim Bowers and John Jude Palencar, along with faculty member C.F. Payne — have helped propel books to the top of the market since 2011.

To be sure, they aren’t the first CCAD-related illustrators to make the lists, and it’s a safe bet they won’t be the last. But the varied experiences of this trio reflect the opportunities, challenges, and joys of illustration, especially with works created for a younger crowd.

Tim Bowers

Tim Bowers (CCAD 1979) made the New York Times and Publishers Weekly lists in the middle of last year with Dinosaur Pet, a picture book by Marc Sedaka with a CD recorded by his Grammy Award-winning father, Neil Sedaka. That project came on the heels of Bowers’ 2011 success with Dream Big, Little Pig, written by figure-skating champion Kristi Yamaguchi.

Bowers devotes his entire practice to children’s books, a focus that started forming years ago. “The things you need to develop a picture book are things I’ve been interested in for a long time — storytelling, humor. Basically I’m a very narrative artist. Character expressions — I’ve been fascinated with that since I was a little boy,” he says.

Bowers has illustrated more than 30 children’s books. Usually, publishers who have accepted book manuscripts will seek out the illustrators. When he is offered a project, Bowers says, “I read through the manuscript and let them know if I think I’m a good fit.” Then he starts creating characters with pencil sketches, later transferring them to canvas or illustration board to paint with acrylics or oils.

John Jude Palencar’s cover image for “Eragon”

John Jude Palencar

Bowers’ experience contrasts with that of his friend John Jude Palencar (CCAD 1980), a leading book-cover illustrator who spends only part of his time on young-adult books. Every cover in Christopher Paolini’s bestselling four-book Inheritance Cycle series — about a teenage boy, Eragon, and his dragon — has carried an elegantly rendered Palencar painting of Saphira the dragon.

Palencar says he has declined offers to illustrate entire children’s books. “You have to live with it for a while, trying to develop a character. I’m mostly a cover illustrator. I enjoy the variety of each new manuscript. I like doing symbol and allegory.”

Palencar has some 300 book covers to his credit and has worked with big-name authors like Stephen King. He knows the ways of the world, but his illustrations for young adults have a special resonance. “You don’t realize how some people hang on to your image for the cover. Everything is kind of mulled over by these young kids. Being a freelance illustrator, we work somewhat isolated in our personal studios… [but] you never know, you may be influencing the illustrators of tomorrow.”

His paintings have a suave, 21st-century sensibility to them, but, the illustrator says, “I’m still an old dinosaur; I paint traditionally. I still think there is something noble and almost monastic when you work with your hands. I feel like an old Jedi knight: Don’t forget the old ways.”

C.F. Payne

C.F. (Chris) Payne, CCAD’s illustration chair for a decade-plus and now distinguished professor of illustration, assuredly hasn’t forgotten the old ways. Payne created animal and outer-space scenes for Mousetronaut, a number-one bestseller written by retired astronaut Mark Kelly.

A widely published editorial illustrator, Payne holds a can-do attitude and works in varied media: oils, acrylics, watercolor, colored pencils. “It is getting the drawing and color down right and making the picture look as good as you can possibly make it look,” he says. Payne says he and the other Illustration faculty teach that approach.

“I’m really proud of the department we’ve got. We have solid people who care about what they do. We want to be honest. Being an artist of any kind is a challenge, but it’s worth it,” he says.

C.F. Payne’s cover image for “Mousetronaut”

Challenges — and Rewards

So don’t make the mistake of thinking that illustrating books for younger readers is a piece of cake.

“A children’s book comes along and you have six months, three months, a year, and now you are in a crazy marathon and have to manage that time along with the other projects you’ve got,” Payne says.

“For most of them you’ll do 16 to 18 images. For an ABC book, there are 26 letters plus the cover and the title page, so it ends up being 28 images. It’s a grind, a ton of work. You make a dozen pictures and go cripes, I’m not halfway there yet.”

Such a big investment of time and effort has its rewards, though.

A magazine illustration might have a shelf life of a week and poof, it’s gone from the newsstand. “Whereas a children’s book can be around for a long time,” Payne says. He adds, “I’ve not walked out of too many children’s books saying I’ll never do that again.”

Being on the children’s book bestseller lists is a “wow” experience, Bowers says, but the real payoff is deeper. “The best confirmation I receive is when I visit a school and the kids are really excited, familiar with the characters, and love the book. The bestseller list is great for my career, but the real joy is seeing the kids enjoying the book and enjoying the characters.”

The ROI

By Dennison W. Griffith

The term “ROI” (return on investment) has entered the realm of higher education with a vengeance.

You can’t have missed it: As U.S. public funding for college education has contracted, students and families are shouldering a much higher portion of the cost — and they’re seeking reassurance that their sacrifice will be worth it.

It’s an eminently reasonable concern. Unfortunately, the recent tsunami of articles, reports, and online discussions has often lost a key nuance: How does one effectively evaluate the value of preparation for careers in professions that have radically different starting salaries?

While some fields—like engineering or finance—traditionally have high starting salaries, others—like education or law—do not, or may require extended internships or education after the bachelor’s degree.

Starting salary is simply a very limited indicator of a field’s ultimate value both to society and to the individual pursuing it.

At the Center

Creative education is a great example of this. The new app you just downloaded on your smartphone required a designer or illustrator and an animator along with the programmers. And a creative promotional campaign spurred you to download it.

What would the team that launched that new app say to school rankings that advise prospective college students that only the programmer’s future prospects are worth pursuing? The programmer may deliver the content — but artists and designers bring it to life and deliver the customer.

Who’s Got Answers?

As CCAD president, I led a national-level conversation on this question when I co-chaired a panel discussion at the 2012 annual meeting of NASAD (the National Association of Schools of Art and Design).

And as schools outside the United States start to field similar questions from their students, we’re there, too. I was one of just 15 leaders who met last fall in Hangzhou, China, for a conference of the International Art Presidents Network, where I was proud to contribute CCAD’s experiences to the international conversation about global best practices in the constantly changing realm of art and design education.

The good news that we share everywhere we go: there are plenty of data-based ways to describe the value of higher education in the creative fields.

Working—and Happy

The arts compare favorably to other majors in employability and job satisfaction:

• Even during the recent recession, creative professions have been adding jobs.
• Arts-related college graduates are finding work in their fields at higher rates than graduates in many science-related fields. Their unemployment rate is a third less than the national average. (And contrary to what Aunt Jackie might predict, only 3% are working in food service!)
• A recent national study found that 9 of 10 arts graduates were satisfied with the job in which they spend the majority of their work time. And 82% were satisfied with their ability to be creative in their current work.

Private creative education is a powerful investment that pays off.

• The average three-year loan default rate for private art and design schools is barely half of the national average for all colleges.
• 80% of undergrad alumni from private art and design schools are now working or have worked in their professional fields after graduation, compared to only 64% from multidisciplinary schools.
• 71% of graduates from private art and design schools say their college education is relevant to their current work, compared to only 59% of alumni from multidisciplinary schools.

Staying on Target

But value is, by necessity, a moving target. We listen closely to our students and their families. Our partners in the creative economy also help us keep our curriculum in tune with what hiring managers are looking for.

At CCAD we’re leading other art schools by

• Providing real-life art, design, and entrepreneurship opportunities through the CCAD MindMarket’s DesignLab and the college’s Entrepreneurship Club. (20% of CCAD graduates will launch their own small businesses.)
• Infusing business knowledge throughout our curriculum. It’s not just important for those who start their own companies — even creative employees need to understand the bottom-line component of their work.
• Reworking our freshman year to allow broad, accurate exposure to different majors — ensuring right fit between student and his/her specialized training.

More about Careers

Want to read more about the creative economy and what it means for graduates in the arts? Take a look at Columbus College of Loving What You Do, our newest publication at issuu.com.

Michael Goodson (second from left) during an MFA critique, photo by Luke Kramer

By Melissa Starker

CCAD has been raising its profile in Columbus quite successfully over the past couple of years.

But Michael Goodson, CCAD’s director of exhibitions since August 2011, is looking ahead with something much broader in mind.

“My goal with exhibitions and visiting artists is quite simply to bring great contemporary art and artists to the school,” he says. “This will in turn make CCAD a destination for contemporary art—not only for patrons but also for great students and teachers from all over the U.S. and, ultimately, the world.”

Formerly exhibitions director of New York’s James Cohan Gallery and a professor of art at Hunter College, Goodson has also assumed a teaching role at CCAD. He guides students in the MFA program, leading discussions and presentations of their thesis work. But as he explains, “The exhibitions programming and visiting artists are my first thought as I drag myself to consciousness each morning.”

Goodson sees a distinction between his efforts in the classroom and in the Canzani Center Gallery and believes there’s educational value in developing thoughtful programming that doesn’t always fit seamlessly into school curriculum — but his two roles are organically entwined. Each strongly informs the professional development of CCAD’s artists in training.

By exposing students of all levels to the works and real-world wisdom of a stellar assortment of visiting artists, he’s expanding and strengthening personal connections between the student body and the global community of working artists.

Stefan Sagmeister speaking at CCAD as part of the Visiting Artists & Scholars Series on Aug. 30, 2012

According to Ric Petry, director of graduate programs and part of the search committee who hired Goodson, “He has brought an impressive group of artists and scholars to campus who have been meeting with the grad students—Stefan Sagmeister, Benjamin Anastas, Eleanor Heartney, Byron Kim, Donald Moffett, and Chris Ware, to name just a few from last semester. It’s been great.”

With MFA candidates, Goodson also shares the practical experience he acquired from conducting the day-to-day operations of a top-tier commercial gallery, from developing contacts to planning and physically installing exhibitions to marketing artwork.

Petry notes that Goodson has taken these lessons off campus as well. “He has organized grad student visits to New York, where his network has provided studio visits and mentorships with a number of artists.”

At the same time, Goodson has challenged himself, branching outside of his existing network to connect the college with the finest international talents.

“Honestly, I’ve asked things of New York and Los Angeles and Hong Kong galleries since arriving here that have little if anything to do with previous connections through the New York art world,” he explains. “You ask things, respectfully and thoughtfully, and people say yes…sometimes.”

His efforts have yielded a diverse and unassailably impressive slate of exhibitions and lectures for 2013. Among the artists scheduled to make an appearance at CCAD, whether in person or through their work, are Sol LeWitt, Trenton Doyle Hancock, Nari Ward, Jim Hodges, Fred Tomaselli, and Gary Panter, along with author and cultural critic Greil Marcus (Lipstick Traces).

Such notable scores suggest an increasingly prominent role for CCAD in the art world, as well as for the city it calls home. The line-up is enough to whet the appetite of most contemporary art lovers, not just students and faculty, and holds the potential to make the college’s gallery exactly the kind of destination Goodson envisions.

“In my estimation, one reason to live in Columbus is the Wexner Center,” Goodson says. “I think that, given a little time and energy and growth, exhibitions at CCAD might be another reason.”

CCAD President’s Circle

The Circle’s work has three impact areas:

• Embedding the art and practice of business into CCAD’s curriculum
• Marrying art and design with technology
• Increasing retention through need-based financial aid for high-performing students

The group continues to recruit new members. Next up, it plans to hold a private event where supporters will meet a national art scene VIP and receive a sneak peek into new and exciting things happening on campus.

For more information, please contact Laurie Beth Sweeney, vice president for advancement, at lsweeney@ccad.edu or 614.222.3268.

Part of Andrew J. McCauley’s final thesis

On April 12, CCAD will open the exhibition Trace of a Moving Point, which is the culmination of two years of intense study for nine MFA candidates.

The exhibition in the Canzani Center Gallery will showcase the graduating MFA students’ innovative work, ranging from glass, installation, video, and photography to illustration, painting, and digital media.

The artists are Kristin Baird, Amy Cubberly-Yeager, Linda T. Diec, Laurie Ihlenfield, Mike Laughead, Andrew J. McCauley, Liz Morrison, Amy Lynn Schweizer, and Pamela I. Theodotou.

“My work revolves around the effects that diseases like multiple sclerosis have on the body and mind,” Andrew J. McCauley says in his artist statement.

McCauley’s multimedia paintings incorporate the human figure into a narrative landscape that acts as a metaphor for memory loss.

Photograph by Amy Schweizer

He creates his work by carving into the surface, adding a mixture of gasoline and paint pigments to the panels, and then igniting them. The stains left on the surface call to mind blood vessels and neurons underneath the skin.

Another MFA candidate, Amy Lynn Schweizer, also relates her work to illness. “Illness is a common thread that connects all people to one another. And as changes in health occur, one’s sense of self can change as well,” she says in her artist statement.

Schweizer photographs in black and white, capturing the subjects as they are moving, to create a ghostlike appearance.

Still from Pamela I. Theodotou’s “Pandora”

Pamela I. Theodotou’s final thesis also explores the world through a lens.

During her time at CCAD, Theodotou created three “cinemagraphic novels,” which combines words, images, video, and motion graphics. According to her artist statement, the final one, Pandora, looks at “confrontations created when beauty and the grotesque are brought into the philosophiocal dualities of truth and immortality.”

Theodotou was the writer, producer, cinematographer, artistic director, and production designer for the project. The second film in her series, Stark Justice, will appear in film festivals in Columbus, OH, and Los Angeles this year.

The cover of Mike Laughead’s graphic novel

While Theodotou uses moving pictures for her “novels,” Mike Laughead takes a more classic illustration approach with his thesis project. The Legend of Acornhead is a fantasy-genre graphic novel about a teenage girl leaving her religious commune to seek a husband.

Laughead collaborated with an inker and colorist to develop the story, for which he drew inspiration from his experiences as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and, in particular, his time as a missionary in Argentina. The graphic novel addresses themes of acceptance between people with different points of view, but with a sense of humor to appeal to a younger audience.

Amy Cubberly-Yeager’s multiple self-portraits

The idea of identity is explored in Amy Cubberly-Yeager’s final thesis. Her work explores portraiture and self-portraiture in materials such as oil, charcoal, wood, wool, coffee, and beans.

Cubberly-Yeager uses repeated self-portraits to reveal her true identity through repetition and redundancy. This process, according to her artist statement, is similar to when a word is repeated over and over again and begins to sound bizarre and lose its meaning.

Kristin Baird’s paintings deal with repetition—in her case, the patterns of “the urban core, be they structures that make up the urban environment, the footprint on which the city is built, or the human interactions and relationships occuring within the city,” as noted in her artist statement.

Detail of Kristin Baird’s “Tracing 1″

Her two- and three-dimensional works showcase layers of patterns and elements found in her urban surroundings and her movements within them.

Another MFA candidate that explores repetition and order is Laurie Ihlenfield. Her work considers the idea that order is consistently being challenged by nature and time and that man has no control over this.

“We find comfort in order, but our push toward order is constantly challenged by nature and time,” Ihlenfield said in her artist statement. “Nature is a force that can be altered, but not ignored.”

Detail shot of Laurie Ihlenfield’s work

Her large-scale embroidered drawings have a sense of grandeur, but at the same time are delicate and precise.

Her inspiration comes from the the cities, cultures, and landscapes she has viewed in her lifetime and her observation of how humans arrange and react those environments.

Linda T. Diec is similarly inspired by her culture and environment. A first-generation American born to Vietnamese refugees, she grew up in a home where her parents were pressured to stop speaking their native language. This led Diec to look at the meaning and origins of language and translate that investigation into her work.

Linda Diec in her studio

Diec’s final project, Halo, “illustrates the ego and futility of the human desire for perfection with poetic environments rich in cultural, spatial, and theoretical irony.” Her artist statement also describes her desire to create something extraordinary out of common materials.

Liz Morrison’s final thesis derives from something that is certainly not a common material— the night sky and the chaos and beauty in its constellations.

Her original poetry is presented visually as though it were a constellation—with clusters of words and connecting lines highlighted against deeply colored backgrounds.

Detail of one of Liz Morrison’s works

“The setting for the stories is a quiet, personal cosmos, an intimate experience of the infinite created through scale and construction,” she says in her statement. “Whereas the expansive night sky overhead is overpowering, these modestly sized pieces are approachable.”

Check out all nine candidates’ work in Trace of a Moving Point, April 12–May 3 in the Canzani Center Gallery. There will be an opening reception April 12, 6 p.m.

CCAD’s MFA in Visual Arts is a project-based, non-media-specific curriculum that focuses on individual artistic/design development and creative leadership. It brings together talented individuals from a variety of different media to build a community that fosters exploration, professionalism, and creative success.

Olivia Mitchell approached each piece like a painting. Photo by Kristen M. Foley

By Kristen M. Foley

Olivia Mitchell’s senior collection is influenced by emotion—from grief to love and everything in between. Yet, it’s not only about how she felt when she created each piece, but also the feeling you get when you see them. It’s an emotional journey that started with a somewhat impulsive trip to Europe.

“I had a tragic death in the family during my junior year when my father passed away,” said Olivia. “I just needed a break and I had this opportunity to go to Europe with a fellow student from CCAD who was presenting in Liverpool.”

She started researching her collection and watching for trends while in England. She later found herself in Paris where she purchased fabric for her collection and fell in love with the city’s architecture.

“I had already started out with an architectural theme that had been consistent throughout my work up until my senior year; therefore, I already knew that it was going to play a big part,” notes Olivia. “The whole romance of Europe and the French aesthetic also played a big role.”

Architectural themes play a big role in Olivia’s collection.

She admits that she used really unique pattern construction in her designs, which resulted in pieces that are a bit avant-garde and not “traditional ready-to-wear.” They are elegant and dramatic, which allows the wearer to stand out at a special event.

“I approached each piece kind of like a painting, and I imagine it as art more than as a commodity,” she says. “Just as a painter would look at their work and feel something from it, that’s how I engage with my design.”

Olivia always knew that her future would involve the art of fashion. It started when she was little girl sketching images from fashion magazines and evolved into a love of painting and fine art.

“One day it became obvious to me that I was an artist,” said Olivia. “As an artist, the love of architecture and structural drawings captured my heart. I pursued studies in Interior Design and Fine Arts before finally combining my strength of draftsmanship and fine-art expressionism into the study of fashion design.”

A detail shot of one of Olivia’s looks. Photo by Kristen M. Foley

Before CCAD, Olivia found hands-on experience as a tailor’s apprentice and then later as a fitting and alternating specialist for a large bridal company. Her time at CCAD provided her with the creative atmosphere she needed to learn and grow as an artist while focusing and developing specific skill sets in fashion design.

“Fashion Design allows me to enjoy the structure and physics of 3D design, while still being able to express myself as an artist,” she said. “Fashion Design was a natural fit for me and CCAD has been as well. The creative community at CCAD and Columbus is one of a kind and was a major draw to my coming to the school to study.”

Olivia’s avant-garde designs head down the runway May 10. See her looks while enjoying a spectacular fundraising event by purchasing tickets today.

Olivia Mitchell is a native of Columbus, OH, and a graduate of Reynoldsburg High School.

Still from the animated film “Lumin”

An advanced animation class at CCAD has just completed a project that is now being entered in national festivals. The Advanced Time-Based Projects class, taught by Associate Professor Tom Richner, created an animated short named Lumin.

Lumin tells the story of a young boy and his escape from dozens of monsters who pursue him for one thing, his light.

The 17 students in the class spent four months creating the film from start to finish, working on all aspects from script writing and sound development to animation and final editing.

“We [the Animation faculty] have been talking about working on complete films during the course of a class,” Richner said. “When we saw the talent that was in this past fall’s class we knew we had to make a film with this group.”

The class included Animation seniors Christopher Campbell, Tyler Crowley, David King, Arianni Kurniawati, Laura Maue, Bekah Nunn, Jonathan Pezzatta, and David T. Reed; Animation junior Kelly Cumpson; Cinematic Arts seniors Alan Becker, Patrick Kain, Lauren Thornberry, and Mariah Ward; Cinematic Arts juniors Grace Kim and Aaron Zawisa; and recent Animation graduate Victor Dearing (CCAD 2012) and Cinematic Arts graduate Alex Trimpe (CCAD 2012).

“I was really impressed about how all the students handled the whole semester,” Richner said. “There was never a point where we got behind schedule. They all bought into the project and took ownership and worked very hard.”

“A lot of these students have aspirations to go work in studios, big and small, and the nature of animated films is that you need a lot of bodies to get these projects done. Working in a studio environment means that they are going to be collaborating with people, so I think giving them that chance to do it here gives them the opportunity to fine tune those skills they’ll need in the real world.”

The class had to make some decisions in order to finish the project on time, such as creating it in black and white instead of color and keeping the length of the video managable.

“Even though we did do some things on the design end to make it easier, we didn’t cut any corners in terms of the story we wanted to tell; we did what we set out to do,” Richner said.

Character line-up from the animated film “Lumin”

To complete the project, the class used Toon Boom, animation software package.

“It is a great thing for students to be exposed to this software in school since a lot of studios are currently using it,” Richner said. “We’ve had it in our classrooms here CCAD for more than 10 years now, and we were some of the early adopters of it.”

Alumni have said that their experience with Toon Boom in CCAD classrooms was beneficial as they began their careers.

“We have heard from animation alumni who have been able to stand above their peers when they can express to directors that they know how to use the software,” Richner said.

The class’ work isn’t done yet. They have submitted the film to more than 30 festivals internationally and nationally and have already been accepted into festivals including  Chile Monos, Leeds Young Film Festival, Ohio Shorts, taafi Official Selection, and Sff International Film Festival.

The spring Advanced Time-Based Projects class has a new group of students; they’re developing an animated film called Aria, which they plan on entering into festivals and contests as well.

Lumin will be shown during CCAD’s animation screenings at the opening reception of the 134th Annual Student Exhibition on May 10.

Becker is from Dublin, OH, and graduated from Dublin Scioto High School; Campbell is from Worthington, OH; Crowley is from Milford, NH, and attended Milford High School; Cumpson is from Chesterland, OH, and attended West Geauga High School; Dearing is from Westerville, OH, and attended Saint Francis De Sales High School; Kain is from Kettering, OH, and attended Kettering Fairmont High School; Kim is from Surrey, British Columbia, Canada, and attended North Surrey Senior Secondary School; King is from Hamilton, OH, and graduated from Ross Senior High School; Kurniawati is from Salatiga, Indonesia, and graduated from Loyola Catholic Secondary School; Maue is from Bellbrook, OH, and attended Bellbrook High School; Nunn is from Wilmington, OH, and graduated from Wilmington High School; Pezzatta is from Columbus, OH, and graduated from Fort Hayes Metro Education Center; Reed is from Ashland, OH, and attended Ashland High School; Trimpe is from Cincinnati, and attended Elder High School; Thornberry is from Cambridge, OH, and attended Cambridge High School; Ward is from Cincinnati, and attended the School for Creative & Performing Arts; and Zawisa is from Columbus, OH, and attended Grandview Heights High School.

Update on April 25:  Lumin won a Telly Award in the “use of animation” category.

Left to right: Kathleen Kerr, Dwayne Todd, and Gregory Roberts, photo courtesy ACPA

CCAD’s Vice President for Student Affairs Dwayne Todd received the Presidential Citation Award at a recent American College Personnel Association (ACPA) conference.

This award, which is rarely given to members of the association, recognizes lifelong service and extraordinary contributions to the profession of student affairs and most particularly to ACPA.

“One of the hallmarks of a great institution is the quality of its people,” said CCAD President Dennison W. Griffith. “Those of us who work with Dwayne Todd know of his professionalism, compassion, and leadership skills.  How splendid, then, to see his national recognition from the ACPA.  It’s nice to see one of our most loved and respected administrators recognized on a national stage by more than 7,000 peers—we’re all very proud.”

The award was presented to Todd on March 5 during the 2013 ACPA 2013 Annual Convention in Las Vegas.

The association, which is headquartered in Washington, D.C., was founded in 1924 to lead the student affairs profession and the higher education community in providing outreach, advocacy, research, and professional development to foster college student learning.

The groups consists of nearly 7,500 members representing 1,200 private and public institutions from across the U.S. and around the world.

Todd has been with CCAD since 2001. In his current position, he oversees residence life; student activities and events; counseling, career, academic support, disability, and campus dining services; student conduct processes, orientation and new student programs, campus safety and security and student insurance programs. He also participates in institutional assessment and planning.

Kate Elaine Pohrt readies her look for the photo shoot. Photo by Katlin McNally

By Kristen M. Foley

If Kate Elaine Pohrt had it her way, after graduation she would be organizing and designing costumes for a huge movie production. It could be a futuristic or historical piece, anything that would tie together her love of costuming and the ever-changing fashion world.

“Growing up I had always enjoyed dressing up and making sure that even my companion stuffed animal was the best dressed. I would even go so far as to request that my mother take the time to sew something onto a garment last minute if I believed it would improve the look,” she remembers. “My parents nurtured my passion and encouraged me in every aspect that would improve my ability to fulfill my vision.”

Kate enrolled in sewing classes at a young age and continued to build upon her new-found talent as she got older. She then applied her skills to the art of costuming as part of her high school’s intensive theater program. Under the direction of her costume supervisor Kasia Mrożewska, she challenged herself not just in the art of design, but in the construction of the pieces. She also focused on the historical accuracy and poignancy of the designs for a each production.

Kate was inspired by art deco among other things. Photo by Kristen M. Foley

“[Kasia] had all of these avant-garde ideas and I wanted to take that and apply it to fashion,” said Kate. “I felt that coming to CCAD would expand my horizons far beyond theater tech school. As a designer I also believe it is important to have a well-rounded understanding of all aspects leading up to the design and final construction of a garment.”

As a senior poised for graduation, Kate truly believes that after all of the years of hard work and dedication CCAD has prepared her and her classmates for the ever-changing fashion world. The last step in the process being her senior collection.

Since there was no over-arching theme this year, Kate looked forward to the freedom to “do what she pleased” with her designs. She took inspiration from Fritz Lang’s 1927 film Metropolis and her affection for art deco and avant-garde elements are intertwined throughout her three final pieces.

“I’ve always appreciated the art deco style and I wanted to go to the more theatrical side without moving away from that ready-to-wear place,” she said. “I also brought in a lot of metallic to my collection.”

Kate looked forward to ‘doing what she pleased’ with the designs for her final collection. Photo by Kristen M. Foley

While “swatching” fabric, Kate discovered a metallic upholstery fabric that she instantly fell in love with. Due to its non-traditional nature, she originally thought the super-shiny fabric would be used as just an accent to her designs but soon found herself creating an entire garment out of it.

“People have responded to it really well and I really appreciate that,” said Kate. “I also found ways to incorporate it into my other pieces by creating cutouts and inlays in some of my other garments. It was something I haven’t done in the past.”

Will you be able to see one of Kate’s designs shine from the stage? Only if you order your tickets for the May 10 show now.

Kate Elaine Pohrt is a native of Ann Arbor, MI, and a graduate of Ann Arbor Pioneer High School.

Artist Mel Chin to deliver CCAD commencement address on May 11

Columbus College of Art & Design welcomes artist and sculptor Mel Chin to deliver the commencement address on May 11 at the Ohio Theatre to more than 200 CCAD graduating seniors and master of fine arts graduates.

Chin is a visual artist inspired by political, cultural, and social circumstances. He is known for his broad range of approaches, including works that require multidisciplinary, collaborative teamwork and works that conjoin cross-cultural aesthetics with complex ideas.

“Mel Chin’s choice to incorporate advocacy, activism, and social responsibility into his artwork is a key message for our graduates to hear as they begin to chart their professional careers,” said Dennison W. Griffith, president of CCAD. “Commencement is a celebration and an opportunity for CCAD to share one more lesson with the students who have spent the last several years developing their creative talents on our campus and are now ready to become leaders in the art and design fields.”

Chin insinuates art into unlikely places, investigating how it can provoke greater social awareness and responsibility. Chin created and developed Revival Field, a project that has been a pioneer in the field of “green remediation,” the use of plants to remove toxic heavy metals from the soil. In KNOWMAD, Chin worked with software engineers to create a video game based on rug patterns of nomadic people facing cultural disappearance.

He also promotes works of art that benefit the environment, as in the recent Operation Paydirt/Fundred Dollar Bill Project, an attempt to make New Orleans a lead-safe city.

Chin’s work was documented in the popular PBS program Art of the 21st Century. He has received numerous awards and grants from organizations such as the National Endowment for the Arts, the New York State Council for the Arts, Art Matters, Creative Capital, and the Penny McCall, Pollock/Krasner, Joan Mitchell, Rockefeller, and Louis Comfort Tiffany Foundations.

CCAD is celebrating its 134th Commencement Ceremony at the Ohio Theatre, on May 11, 2013.

Rachel Chertoff’s collection concept is “Human Desire.” Photo by Kristen M. Foley

By Kristen M. Foley

You often hear stories from artists about how they were able to channel a certain personal experience or passion into their work. Rachel Chertoff takes raw emotion and channels it into wearable art.

“I am able to come up with my concepts when I am kind of miserable, as weird as that sounds. It helps me get whatever is bouncing around in my brain onto paper and then to move on and forward with that concept,” she explains. “At the end of the day I know I will have my creativity and that’s what I rely on, especially through those rough times we go through in life.”

She describes her collection, “Human Desire,” as having everything to do with the beauty she sees in the way humans desire, whether it’s one another, materialistic things, or ideas. She also notes that there is beauty in the low points of our lives.

“I kind of was lost this past summer because I was just getting out of a long relationship with someone who helped get me where I am today as a designer,” said Rachel. “So I was trying find myself and figuring out what I wanted with my life and what I wanted my next step to be.”

Her experience and emotions fueled her creativity as she developed her collection, but her themes are also reflected in tangible ways.

Rachel’s collection features several hand-knit, hand-crocheted pieces. Photo by Lacey Luce

“I went to this idea of showing parts of the body that I think are beautiful and what other people desire to see,” said Rachel. “The designs are also functional pieces for the carefree person who is taking things one step at a time.”

Rachel incorporated her love of knitting and crocheting, or as she calls it her “grandma habit,” into her collection, but on an elevated and youthful level.

“I hand-crocheted and knitted big pieces. It’s one of the most time consuming things I have done, but it’s worth it in the end,” Rachel said. “Using those skills helps convey my concept because this collection is like showing the public a very special secret piece of me that I wouldn’t normally share. I am excited to be conveying this piece of me to the public.”

Expressing her personality through fashion has always been important to Rachel; however, it wasn’t always easy to do, especially since she relied on the hand me downs of her sister and sister’s friends.

Rachel makes adjustments during the photo shoot. Photo by Katlin McNally

“I am a girl of 5’1″ stature and clothing that I would want to wear was always difficult to come across,” she said. “But it was always a way for me to express how I was doing in my life.”

After years of hard work at CCAD, Rachel can express herself through designs of her own making. Her CCAD journey began when she visited the college on the advice of her guidance counselor.

“I came and received a tour and then I was told about the College PreView program, which I then attended, and I just fell in love with the school,” she said.

Now as graduation nears, Rachel reflects on her time and offers those just starting their college experience a little advice.

“Don’t get discouraged. Things get tough and it’s a difficult journey but you can’t forget the good times you have along the way and focus on the bad,” she advises. “You will have great friends who last a lifetime and the goofy memories that you’ll keep.”

To see Rachel’s six-look collection on the runway May 10, you’ll need to get your tickets ASAP.

Rachel Chertoff is a native of Buffalo, NY, and a graduate of Williamsville East High School.

Peter Wachtel’s Grill Wrangler

Industrial Design alumnus Peter Wachtel (CCAD 1990) had his invention the Grill Wrangler (formerly known as the Stake) featured on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno.

Leno had Quirky.com founder Ben Kaufman as a guest on March 20. Kaufman brought several inventions, one of them being Wachtel’s Grill Wrangler, which is available on the site. While looking at the Grill Wrangler, Leno remarked, “That is really cool; I would buy that.”

Quirky.com is a website that helps inventors finance and produce their products.

The Grill Wrangler unites three common grilling tools (spatula, tongs, and a fork), so all necessary tools can easily be taken anywhere.

Peter Wachtel’s Grill Wrangler

Wachtel originally submitted his idea to Quirky in 2010. The product is now being sold through venues such as Target, Fab, and ThinkGeek and will soon be available at Williams-Sonoma stores nationwide.

Wachtel is the owner and president of Kid Toyology, which designs and develops items for the toy and entertainment industries. He is a native of Amherst, NY, and attended Sweet Home Senior High.

Melissa Vogely Woods’ “Grey”

Adjunct faculty Melissa Vogely Woods is the recipient of the Ohio Arts Council’s Individual Excellence Award.

The Individual Excellence Awards program recognizes outstanding accomplishments by artists in a variety of disciplines. The award has a competitive application process focusing solely on evidence and merit of past artistic work and an open panel review conducted by nationally recognized professionals in each discipline.

The award includes a $5,000 grant that can be used for a variety of expenses related to the growth and development of the artist and his or her work.

Inka Essenhigh’s painting “Moon and Tide”

Fine Arts alumna Inka Essenhigh (CCAD 1991) had two paintings reproduced in Artist Daily, an online forum for the art community.

Essenhigh’s paintings Moon and Tide and Minor Sea Gods of Maine accompanied a March 12 blog post that discussed the need for artists to be brave and fight to show their work to people and galleries. The article was written by the editor of Artist Daily, Courtney Jordan.

Essenhigh lives and works in New York City. She is from Columbus and attended Upper Arlington High School.

Antoiné Slater looks over her sketchbook. Photo by Katlin McNally

By Kristen M. Foley

For as long as she can remember, Antoiné Slater was drawn to anything that was creative, allowed her to apply herself artistically, and was hands on.

A love of braiding hair inspired Antoiné to earn her cosmetology license during her last two years of high school, but she soon learned it was not the lifelong career for her.

“I was able to be creative in this area and I knew I wanted to do something with my hands,” said Antoiné. “However, after I graduated I didn’t want to do hair anymore. It was something I enjoyed, but I didn’t want to do it as a job.”

Her mom encouraged her to do some research and think hard about what she really wanted to study. It didn’t take Antoiné long to determine that fashion, something she’s always loved in one way or another, was the direction she wanted to pursue. Four years later, she’s ready to showcase her love of fashion with three of her final designs in the CCAD Senior Fashion Show.

Antoiné’s collection is inspired by a quote: “Sometimes the king is a woman,” by De La Vega, an American born artist of Puerto Rican decent who is best known for his street art and murals.

Fabric used in Antoiné Slater’s collection. Photo by Katlin McNally

Antoiné created designs that she felt reflected the strength of women. In her artist statement she predicted that her line would attract a woman who is “outspoken, open minded, always willing to try new things, never afraid to speak her mind, or stand out in a crowd.” Gold used throughout her designs along with bold and bright African prints adds to the sense of royalty.

“I feel like it all ties together, too,” reflects Antoine. “My culture and how I feel strongly about expressing myself and being comfortable with myself. It all connects.”

Antoiné recently discovered that a strong fashion sense runs in her family, and this discovery is reflected her collection. While reconnecting with her paternal grandmother last summer, Antoiné learned that she was not alone in her passion for fashion.

Antoiné Slater looks over her sketchbook. Photo by Katlin McNally

“She has everything you could imagine in clothes, jewelry, bags, and shoes from back then. She was a fashionista,” Antoiné said about her grandmother. “I learned that she is exactly where I get my instinct from, and I did not know that until this past summer. We bonded over that.”

Not only will her fashionista grandmother be in attendance at this May’s Senior Fashion Show, but all of the gold jewelry Antoiné is using in her collection comes from her grandmother. It’s another way Antoiné feels she was able to tie everything together and truly elevate the look for the runway.

“It all connects,” said Antoiné. “The opportunities I experienced with this collection always came at just the right time.”

As graduation draws closer she is already focusing on the new connections and opportunities that lay ahead, including a job.

“My dream job would be working with a fashion forward creative design team, traveling all over the world for inspiration and spotting trends,” she says. “I want to be that person who connects it all together.”

Make sure you make a connection of your own and order tickets today to see Antoiné’s collection on May 10.

Antoiné Slater is a native of Dayton, OH, and a graduate of Wayne High School.

Landsbergen’s presentation will review regional, national, and international sources of climate change and provide methodologies for matching research needs to the design process. She will provide case studies that demonstrate how makers of visual culture can move climate change communications forward through cooperation with scientists.

The day-long workshop is sponsored by the Center for Sustainable Design Studies at Pratt and will host more than 20 speakers on topics ranging from ecology and biomimicry to packaging design and life-cycle analysis.

Kassie Haji checks a jacket from her men’s wear look. Photo by Kristen M. Foley

By Kristen M. Foley

When it is time to design, sew, and finalize a Senior Fashion Show collection, every minute counts. Just ask Kassie Haji, who spent every free moment she had on her collection, including the hours she spent commuting to and from school on the city bus (a 90-plus-minute ride each way).

“Some of my classmates have told me they couldn’t believe I was still at school. They would have dropped out by now if they had a commute that was that long,” says Haji. “It [college] was what I really wanted, and it takes dedication. I don’t usually complain about it, but that’s been one of my biggest challenges.”

While the travel time made meeting her models difficult and sometimes made for long days, Kassie pushed forward and worked hard and fast on her collection.

“I would do hand sewing on the bus and some sketches,” she notes. “The problem with the bus is that it shakes so much or that people would stand there over me while I worked. I don’t know how I was able to do it, but I did it.”

Five of Kassie’s finished pieces will make a commute of their own as they travel down the runway in May. The collection comprises women’s and men’s wear and combines the essence of classic romance with modern silhouettes. She is particularly passionate about the men’s wear in her collection.

Hand-sewn button holes are just one of the fine details in Kassie’s collection. Photo by Kristen M. Foley

“I feel like men’s fashions are always pushed back and they need to be given the opportunity to show their style in everyday life, just like women do,” said Kassie.  “I’m intrigued by the way a male silhouette looks when they are really dressed well. They are very beautiful to me. I also find it very challenging at the same time, and I love to be challenged.”

A native of Northern Iraq, Kassie and her family came to the U.S. when she was just three years old. They lived in several states, including Texas and Rhode Island before moving to Ohio. She is extremely proud of her heritage so she surprised a lot of people when she chose not to include that as a focus of her collection.

“I wanted to design according to what the public or the customer is looking for rather than just pulling from my culture,” said Kassie. “I also didn’t want people to think I might not be able to design for other customers besides what I’m used to.”

Kassie added that she doesn’t ever want to be a static designer. She wants to continually reinvent her designs and cover all facets of the fashion world.

“I want to have my own brand, and style, but I am versatile,” she says proudly. “I love designing for all kinds of costumers.”

Kassie adjusts a look during the photo shoot. Photo by Katlin McNally

The result is intricate details with a tailored look that is flattering and comfortable.

Another challenge that Kassie faced this year was not having access to a good sewing machine outside of the CCAD labs. She met that challenge by doing more hand sewing. Surprisingly, hand-making button holes ended up being a plus for her collection.

“Honestly, I didn’t know how to make the machine button holes so I told myself I needed to reinvent the button hole in a way that would work without looking bad,” she says. “I was able to apply the technique to the jacket and button up shirts and make them look very sophisticated. I was very proud of it, but it was a lot of work.”

You’ll have a chance to see Kassie’s designs up-close and personal as they take the stage on May 10. Order your tickets now, prices go up March 29.

Kassie Haji was born in Northern Iraq and is a resident of Columbus, OH. She graduated from Feinstein High School in Rhode Island.

The book was 10 years in the making and explores her reasoning in defining Harpo Marx, a member of cinema’s famous Marx Brothers, as a trickster.

A trickster figure is a literary term to describe a character that plays tricks or otherwise disobeys normal behavior and includes well-known characters such as the Joker from the Batman comics and the Brer Rabbit.

Ngockhanh Ngo’s collection is inspired by American work wear. Photo by Kristen M. Foley

By Kristen M. Foley

After moving from South Vietnam to the United States when he was just four years old, Ngockhanh Ngo’s family established a home not far from CCAD’s iconic ART sign. Although he had always dreamed of attending an art school as a child, he never knew that sign would ultimately signal a future in art and fashion.

“My parents never wanted me to pursue art at all. They wanted me to go the safer route of becoming a nurse, lawyer, or a doctor,” reflects Ngockhanh. “Coming from a third-world country, artists are usually starving. It took me some time to realize I needed to do what I’m gifted to do and enjoy.”

This year, Ngockhanh channeled his gift into a men’s wear collection entitled “Working Men,” and in his mind each piece has a story to tell.

“I wanted to create work-wear inspired pieces,” he said. “With a little bit of vintage and modern edge to it that is reflective of my own street-edgy style.”

For his four-piece collection, Ngockhanh designed, constructed, distressed, dyed, and sometimes even destroyed various denim pieces that include men’s jeans, jackets, jumpsuits, and overalls. He also took the time to add in unique details such as patchwork, buttons, and even hidden details in the lining of a jacket that only the wearer can see. To him, this was a way to make it a complete and styled collection.

Design details in Ngockhanh’s collection include things only the wearer will see. Photo by Kristen M. Foley

His attention to all the details doesn’t stop with his own designs either. He spent hours online looking for the perfect shoes that would work with his theme without taking away from it. It’s important to him that everything is styled and complete.

“I feel that when you are able to create your own line and pull from your own inspiration it will inspire everything down to the shoes,” said Ngockhanh. “The day before the jury show I even cut two of my models’ hair. I wanted them to have a clean cut. I already told them that before the Fashion Show I want to meet up with them to cut their hair again.”

Known by his classmates as “The Machine,” Ngockhanh admits that he works well under pressure. When he found out one of his models was moving away and wouldn’t be able to take part in the jury show he not only had to find a replacement model, but recreate some of his pieces to fit the new person in less than a week.

Ngockhanh readies a look for the photo shoot. Photo by Katlin McNally

“I made the jeans, distressed the jeans, and then finished them the day before the jury show with final details,” says Ngockhanh. “If you have the skills to whip it out and get it done, then do it, but I never want to overwhelm myself. I submitted only four looks so I could put everything into them.”

With the fashion show and graduation just a few months away, Ngockhanh has some thoughts about his future ambitions.

“I would like to see my self working in the denim or outerwear department for Levi’s or Ralph Lauren, two companies I favor,” he said. “I want get the most experience I can soak up in five years and then figure out what’s next for fives years after that.”

Ngockhanh Ngo is originally from South Vietnam and a resident of Columbus, OH. He graduated from Beechcroft High School.

See Ngockhanh’s creations and more at this year’s Senior Fashion Show on May 10. Get your tickets soon. Prices go up next week (March 29).

The exhibition features varied contemporary interpretations of traditional Scandinavian weaving techniques.

The Textile Center is a national center for fiber art that hosts exhibitions, educations programs, and textile art resources.

Meadows is a native of Rosemount, MN, and attended Rosemount High School.

Boryana Rusenova Ina’s “Standardized Living”

Fine Arts alumna and adjunct faculty Boryana Rusenova Ina (CCAD 2006) will be featured in a spring volume of Studio Visit, which is a publication that introduces artists and their work to a national audience of art world professionals.

Studio Visit features approximately 150 artists per issue and each artist is selected by a professional curator. Ina will receive a full-color page that includes an image, contact information, and a brief artist’s statement. She was selected by Dina Deitsch, curator of contemporary art at DeCordova Sculpture Park and Museum in Boston.

The magazine is distributed to about 2,000 curators and galleries throughout the country, as well as a growing base of collectors and enthusiasts.

Ina is a native of Plovdiv, Bulgaria, and attended Lathrop R-li High School.

Katharine Hire’s collection has gold elements threaded through each look. Photo by Kristen M. Foley

By Kristen M. Foley

It’s fitting that Katharine “Katie” Hire’s collection is entitled “Golden Passion.” The name not only reflects gold utilized throughout her designs, but also her dedication and devotion to something bigger.

“The golden thread is what ties the garments together and the passion is for me,” said Katie “That’s where my heart and my love is.”

That love started when she was pursuing another dream: becoming a professional ballerina. She took a position in a small ballet company in Colorado as a dancer, but soon fell in love with the process of creating costumes for the company’s productions.

Katharine Hire checks her garment at the photo shoot. Photo by Katlin McNally

“I just started draping things on forms while looking at other garments and mimicking them with different fabrics,” remembers Katie.  “I would also cut very quickly into final fabric. It would turn out OK for a costume, but looking back it wasn’t up to par.”

Even with that seed of fashion planted inside her, it would be a few years before she would allow it to grow and flourish. After attending the University of Akron for a year then moving to Columbus with the notion of studying dental hygiene at Ohio State University, Katie decided to apply to CCAD on a whim.

Whim or not, it was an obvious choice for her, but not exactly for the obvious reasons. It would certainly help her further her understanding of pattern making, construction, and design; and CCAD’s location meant she would also be closer to family and friends. There was,  however, another motive to Katie’s creative choice.

“I’m dyslexic and book things aren’t for me. If I had gone into dental hygiene I would have been so miserable. Hands on is really good for me.” she admits. “Of course, it’s been a hard road, but CCAD has really challenged me and showed me that I can accomplish a lot of really great things and that I’m good at something. I feel like I’m still learning, but that my perspective is valid as a designer.”

Katie’s “Golden Passion” collection reflects another one of her life experiences.

“I used all African fabrics with suede, leather, and gold detailing, …” Photo by Kristen M. Foley

“I went to Africa a few years ago on a medical mission trip and just got really inspired by the people, the culture, and the fabric there,” said Katie. “I used all African fabrics [in the collection] with suede, leather, and gold detailing; but I also tried to transfer it to modern day with classic silhouettes and dresses—things that I tend to gravitate to more.”

That trip not only inspired her senior collection, but also a dream to use fashion for social good. Katie has a vision for a design company that employs women in Africa and purchases African-made textiles—providing women, like those she met on her trip, with a source of income.

“What can we do? We are women of fashion. How can we give back?,” she reflects. “It’s a big, big dream, of course, but it goes back to my inspiration—freedom for women. I want to design and create women’s clothing that is empowering and flattering at any age and size. I would like to also work to give women dignified jobs in another country and use fashion as a vehicle to accomplish this goal. I would also like to leave everything I am involved in a little better than how I found it.”

Katie’s golden designs will hit the runway on May 10. Take a moment to click on this link and order your tickets before prices go up March 29.

Katharine Hire is a native of Mansfield, OH, and a graduate of Mansfield Christian High School.

Photo by Duncan Snyder

For Duncan Snyder, CCAD alumnus and chair of Photography, a sabbatical wasn’t just a time to work on his personal craft, it was a time to force him out of his comfort zone—and his recent residency in Italy did just that.

The 1988 alumnus attended a new four-week, single-artist residency at San Giovanni Valdarno in Tuscany, Italy, in conjunction with SACI in Florence.

“Attending this residency was one of the most challenging things I have done,” Snyder said. “But with being the first person to do this residency and the location being remote—I had a lot of flexibility in my schedule. I spent a majority of my time taking photographs. I shot about 6,000 photographs during my time there.”

When Snyder first found about the opportunity to work in Italy he started doing language tutorials. However, upon arrival he quickly learned that there was a big difference between learning brief phrases and trying to talk to a native Italian speaker.

Photo by Duncan Snyder

“The language barrier was particularly challenging at the beginning,” Snyder said. “Being in a small town, I would go for days without speaking to anyone, and that was very apparent the first couple days when I had no access to the Internet or a phone.”

Snyder would break up his days by shooting in the mornings and then grabbing a cappuccino at a local shop. After going back to his studio to upload photos he would do some more shooting in the evening hours.

Snyder’s studio, located in the same building where painter Giovanni Mannozzi was born, was a half-hour train ride from Florence. The studio building was also home to the the town’s contemporary art collection.

Snyder spent a lot of time adjusting to the living abroad experience: fixing the water heater, figuring out which is laundry soap at the market, and realizing stores close during the afternoons and are also closed on Mondays.

“It made you really plan out your day,” Snyder said. “There was one grocery store, and it was closed on Sundays and Mondays, so you had to think okay it is getting to be the weekend, so I need to get groceries before the week, and I need to plan out my meals.”

Stair compilation by Duncan Snyder

Snyder finds that when teaching, being an administrator, and trying to balance a family life it becomes very difficult to set aside time for his own artwork. Residencies for him have become a luxurious time to do that.

“One thing that is powerful about residencies is it takes an artist out of their comfort zone and routine,” Snyder said, “When you are able to walk away from everything and focus directly on the work you are producing it is extremely helpful.”

Photo by Duncan Snyder

Snyder also brings his residency experiences back to the classroom, sharing with students that there is a wealth of opportunities for them if they take that step out of their comfort zone—a decision he says every student will have to and should make at one point in their career.

This is Snyder’s second residency; his first was in Ireland. He hopes to return to Italy, although he notes his daughters will most likely insist he take them along next time.

Snyder plans on traveling to Paris for his next residency with a goal to capture the culture and landscape.

“One important take-away from each and every residency or travel abroad experience is the people,” Snyder said.

He hopes to exhibit his work regionally, and he has been invited by SACI to have a show there in the future.

Duncan is from Columbus, and attended Upper Arlington High School.

Examples of the work Jessica Porter has done

In any design field, artists have to balance their own brand or their company’s brand with the trends that come and go. We had a chance to chat with three alumnae working at Victoria’s Secret about their own efforts to find this balance in their work.

The alumnae work on marketing projects from new gift card designs to environmental graphics that appear in stores nationwide.

Advertising & Graphic Design alumna Jessica Porter (CCAD 2011) is a contracted photo retoucher for the company. She does image correction on  models and products for the in-store displays, working on elements such as skin cleanup, product swap, and background extensions.

“Each new floor set is exciting to me,” Porter said. “As the seasons change, so do the stores. One month I’m retouching beautiful girls in swimsuits and the next I am working on girls in adorable Pink Valentine’s Day products.

“The retouching industry is definitely on the rise. As for Victoria’s Secret, we tend to keep the models looking as naturalistic as possible—and good retouching means you can’t tell it has been retouched.”

Porter, along with other photo retouchers, has often had to deal with the criticism that digitally manipulating a woman’s image can lead to unrealistic photos and perceptions about beauty.

“I am here to sell a product, not a woman or a body” Porter said. “We [photo retouchers] don’t remove flaws—and let’s face it, some of these supermodels don’t have any—but we do remove all the distractions from a photo. If something draws your eye away from the product, I am not doing my job properly.”

Fine Arts alumna Anna Porreca (CCAD 2006) works as a graphic designer for Victoria’s Secret Pink, a segmented brand aimed at a younger demographic.

Example of Anna Porreca’s graphic work

“I’ve been given the opportunity to work on so many fun projects in the past year that I’ve been with Pink,” Porreca said. “It is really rewarding to see how the graphic concept and design work that my team does affects and gets implemented into so many of the other areas of the Pink brand.”

An example of this is the script typography that Porreca developed for hoodies, which was then used to create LED signage that will be displayed in stores nationwide.

“The most fun is when our ideas lead us to an opportunity to work on projects that are less common for my job description, like thinking three-dimensionally and designing new and humorous shapes for iPhone cases,” Porreca said.

This type of work requires daily research. The designers’ days are spent not only working on products and store models, but also sifting through competitor websites, social media platforms, and anything that yields clues to what fads and trends customers are currently into.

Advertising & Graphic Design alumna Krysti Kalkman (CCAD 2010) is a graphic designer for Victoria’s Secret who works closely with the strategic marketing team from conceptualizing design to executing it.

“Social media is definitely affecting every single big brand,” Kalkman said. “I am always asking myself when designing in-store marketing signage or pieces for PR events if there is an opportunity to bring that into the design. Our customers eat that up, and it helps to get our message out.”

Glyphs of supermodel signatures that Krysti Kalkman developed

Trends in typography or pop culture verbiage may be big, and the designers need to gather all those trends into one place and figure out what can and should be worked into the design and brand.

“Basically we take note of all the inspiring stuff we see and hear and create concept boards that will drive our graphic approach that season,” Porreca said. “Sometimes ideas are saved for the next season, and other times they are completely dropped from development. We take what we know about our customer and anything fresh that we see in the world and blend the two.”

Although these alumnae soak up pop culture daily and have busy schedules, they all have similar CCAD experiences and lessons that helped them develop their fine-tuned skills.

“My foundation year classes and professors, especially Tam Peterson and Stuart McKissick, were tough, smart, and pushed my understanding of color and two-dimensional design, as well as re-enforced a strong work ethic,” Porreca said. “I have so much respect for them.”

For Kalkman, a memory from her senior year sticks with her, and it came in the form of a note from her professor Heather Miller.

“It said ‘remember to always keep inspired,’ and that really stuck with me,” she said. “When I’m not with it on a project it’s because I’m not inspired anymore. I think that’s something that is really important. For a designer to conceive vision, you must collect inspiration from others to help drive you.”

For Porter her most important lesson was time management.

“Time management is one of the most important skills you can have as a professional,” Porter said. “When I know I am going to have a lot of work for a very quick deadline I factor in my hours. Staying at work past midnight does happen, programs crash, files go corrupt. You always have to have a backup plan and work diligently.”

Kalkman is from Canton, OH, and attended Jackson High School; Porreca is from Grove City, OH, and attended Grove City High School; Porter is from Heath, OH, and attended Newark High School.

Professors working in the new Fab Lab

The CCAD campus has undergone some serious changes that I bet some of you would find very interesting if you came back for a visit (hint: we would love for you to come back and visit).

One of the big additions that we’re particularly excited about is the new 3D printing lab, dubbed “The Fab Lab,” which is now officially up and running in Kinney Hall.

The Fab Lab was funded by Nancy and Tad Jeffrey and includes equipment like a Shopbot 3-axis CNC router, a 4-axis CNC Milling Machine, a Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM), a laser cutter, a format printer, and a vacuum former.

“Students are getting to learn how to use this equipment in the safe confines of the college so when they get out into the real world they will have a competitive edge,” said Tom Gattis, dean of the School of Design Arts.

Not only Industrial Design students, but all majors have started working with the equipment in the lab and are excited about the possibilities. CCAD has begun to bring in technicians versed in the technology to show students the application of these tools in the real world.

“Some of our students may not end up with a design firm that has this equipment in house, but they may be working with a service bureau that they get pieces and parts from, so having the ability to communicate with those technicians is huge,” Gattis said. “They may design something and realize that the technician will need to modify this or flip that part. That give and take is part of the design process. Learning communication and compromising skills as a student is invaluable.”

The lab may be a dream come true to students and faculty, but Gattis isn’t done just yet.

“In five years I just want to see more,” Gattis said. “I would like to see a farm of this equipment, so to speak. My greatest hope and fear, quite frankly, is that come fall semester we are saying, ‘Ahhh, we are overwhelmed.’ This equipment will have a great benefit to the students, all students, no matter what their major is.”

But enough from us; check out the photos below of the new Fab Lab!

Add the following dates to your calendar.

Spring is finally here! If you are starting to venture around town or planning a trip back to Columbus we have some great upcoming events that would bring some extra color to the sunny days ahead.

Exhibitions:

• WALL, open until April 4
• Fred Tomaselli’s New York Times, open until April 8
• MFA Thesis Exhibition, April 12–May 3
• SHOW: The 134^th Annual Student Exhibition, May 10–June 28

Visiting Artists & Scholars Series:

• Fred Tomaselli, painter, April 4
  • Prior to Tomaselli’s presentation there will be a campus tour open to all alumni. The tour will begin at 5:30 p.m. and leave from the Canzani Center’s atrium. We will explore some of the new additions on CCAD’s campus including the new MFA spaces being built in DSB’s atrium and the Fab Lab—if you have any additional questions contact Molly Gilbride.
• Greil Marcus, music critic, April 11
• Gwenaelle and Marc Gobé, May 2 and 3—these events are free, but RSVPs are encouraged as space is limited.

CCAD Events:

• CCAD Juried Art Fair, April 13
• The 2013 Senior Fashion Show, May 10

To keep up to date on all CCAD events, check our continually changing online calendar here.

Classnotes, March 2013

We do our best to get most of the news you submit to us onto the CCAD News Blog, but because there are more than 10,000 of you making news all over the world, not everything can make it into the blog. We’re glad to have another venue where we can share everything with you—this newsletter’s classnotes.

You can submit classnotes via the easy-to-use form on the alumni landing page. We only post career-related successes, awards, exhibitions, and publications, but we’d also love to know when you move, get married, or have children—just use that same form.

Now, without further ado, your classnotes from December, January, and February!

Tim Rietenbach ’77, Joel Gundlach ’86, David Burghy ’89, and Danielle Julian Norton ’99 showed their work in a CCAD faculty exhibition at Columbus’ Cultural Arts Center. Read more here.

Jamie Berger ’78 curated PUSH Print, a book on contemporary printmaking published by Lark Crafts. Read more here.

Paul Emory ’78, Ellen O’Connell Bazzoli ’83, Alex Conrad MFA ’12, Nicole Crock MFA ’12, and Virginia Kistler MFA ’12 showed their work in the Ohio Art League Curated Exhibition, presented at the Ohio Arts Council’s Riffe Gallery. Read more here.

Richard Cowdrey ’81 illustrated the re-released children’s book The Legend of the Candy Cane. Read more here.

Joel Gundlach ’86 designed new starting blocks for New Albany High School’s natatorium. Read more here.

Ed Valentine ’91 and Michael Stillion ’02 had exhibitions at Linda Warren Projects in Chicago. Read more here.

Julie Abijanac ’92 had her piece Disease Mapping selected for the Fiberart International 2013 exhibition. Read more here.

Anthony Weiler ’94, Annie Weihrauch ’03, Hazel Tarr ’07, and Maggy O’Reilly VanOrder ’09 are participants in CCAD’s MindMarket Incubator. Read more here.

Benjamin Lane ’96 is now a story artist at Disney Feature Animation Studio in Burbank, CA.

Daniel King ’00 was featured in Temporary Art Review discussing his artistic career and inspiration. Read more here.

Anne Holman ’02 had a busy winter full of exhibitions and art sales. Read more here.

Mariana Smith ’02 showed work in exhibitions from the East Coast to the West Coast. Read more here.  She also had her piece Untitled (After Tarkousky Stalker) in the 34th Bradley International Print and Drawing Exhibition, hosted by Bradley University, Peoria, IL. Read more here.

Brian Williams ’03 had an illustration featured in ARTnews. Read more here.

Lea Gray ’04 and Eric Jefferson ’04 were featured in Alive!, a weekly magazine that covers events and culture in Columbus, OH. Read more on Gray here and Jefferson here.

Sean Conner ’05, Nate Reese ’05, Chris Meister ’06, Andrew Mark ’07, Scott Ulliman ’10, and Chavilah Bennett ’12 took home Columbus Society of Communicating Arts (CSCA) Creative Best Awards for their work with S77, a motion graphics company in Columbus, OH. Read more here.

Joaquin Baldwin ’06 was a juror for the 40^th Annual Annie Awards. Read more here.

Andrew Ina ’06 received a Greater Columbus Arts Council (GCAC) Individual Art Fellowship in Media Arts this year. Read more here.

Boryana Rusenova Ina ’06 was in two group exhibitions in Michigan. Read more here.

Brent Payne ’06 was included in two juried exhibitions in Ohio. Read more here. He was also had work in an exhibition hosted by Del Mar College in Corpus Christi, TX. Read more here.

Michelle Dick ’08 is now working as an interior designer with Organized Home Remodeling, in Columbus, OH.

Brian Uhl ’08 had a solo exhibition at Static Age Gallery in Cincinnati. Read more here.

Steve Hubbard ’10 worked on animations for the movie Life of Pi. Read more here.

John Malta ’10 had his third illustration published in The New York Times. Read more here.

Kerry Kunze ’11 showed work in a group exhibition at Mount Vernon University. Read more here.

Alex Conrad MFA ’12, Nicole Crock MFA ’12, Leah Fisher ’12, and Crystal Tursich MFA ’12 had work included in the 13^th annual ImageOhio exhibition organized by Roy G Biv Gallery. Read more here.

Amanda Rouse MFA ’12 had a busy exhibition schedule including three juried and two group exhibitions. Read more here.

Image from Danielle Julian Norton’s work on “Suite42Projects: Heart Abortion Series”

Fine Arts alumna and Assistant Professor Danielle Julian Norton had work featured in Art13 London, a fair in West London dedicated to international contemporary art.

The fair showcased 129 galleries from 30 countries during the weekend event taking place Feb. 28–March 3.

Norton is represented by CYNTHIA-REEVES, a New York-based gallery. The gallery brought work to the fair from Suite42Projects: Heart Abortion Series, a collaboration between Norton and artist Tarrah Krajnak, as well as work from 10 other artists represented by the gallery.

The collaboration between Norton and Krajnak produced performance-based works that explored invented characters mined from the history of performance art and popular films.

Norton is a native of Columbus, OH, and attended Bishop Ready High School.

Tina’s collection, “Modern Vintage Abroad,” is inspired by her family and heritage. Photo by Katlin McNally

By Kristen M. Foley

Tina Hughes’ passion for fashion started with a house. MTV’s House of Style to be exact. She recalls watching Cindy Crawford interview designers during an episode featuring fashion week and knowing exactly at that moment that fashion was what she wanted to pursue.

“I always gravitated toward that and knew that’s what I wanted to do, I just didn’t know what direction,” reflects Tina. “Some people know right out of high school and grow into it. I feel blessed in a way that I went through everything I did because I’m even more passionate about it than I was back then.”

“Everything” included being accepted into the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City where she studied buying and merchandising and received her associate degree. From there she went on to upper division (to complete a bachelor’s degree) and changed her major to fabric styling and textile design; however, her life took a different path, which included moving to Columbus with her husband and raising her two daughters, Emma, 12, and Layna, 6. She continued to design and sew outfits for her children and realized that fashion was still something she wanted to pursue.

“I think of these stories in my head and that’s what I enjoyed the most as I developed these five looks.” Photo by Katlin McNally.

“It was always in the back of my head that I wanted to finish my degree for myself, even just to set an example for my kids that I finished what I started,” notes Tina. “They are a little bit older now, so they can see how hard I worked to get this degree.”

Balancing two children as well as school work has been a challenge, but also inspiring. She recalls lots of late nights followed by early mornings, but is beyond elated that she is that much closer to the fashion show and graduation. She survived the long days with the support of her entire family. Their surprise notes and gifts were enough to keep her motivated and to work extra hard to achieve her goal of completing not only her education, but her collection.

“I’m just so proud to have completed it,” she muses. “I set a plan for myself and I am proud that I was able to execute it. I feel so excited about it.”

“I also have a great strength for adding details and finishing touches to the garment to give it a one-of-kind feeling.” Photo by Kristen Foley

Tina draws inspiration from her family and her Italian and Greek heritage. This core inspiration combined with her own personal eclectic style is clearly present in her collection, which is appropriately titled “Modern Vintage Abroad.” She loves that she is able to mix and match pieces, but still create a cohesive look with a story behind it.

“I think of these stories in my head and that’s what I enjoyed the most as I developed these five looks,” notes Tina.  “I really think about who this girl is, what she is going to wear when she shops, goes to the museum, or on a date. I tried to intersperse that throughout my five looks, but I could have done 10. You always wish you could do more once you see how it evolves.”

Tina’s looks are also tied together through her use of bold fabrics and vintage details. Whether it’s using old timepieces as buttons or utilizing a variety of textured fabrics like brocade, silk and denim; each piece is unique but tells a collective story.

“I love putting together fabrics and color palettes,” she says.

You will be able to see Tina’s collection on May 10, but you’ll need a ticket, and you’ll want to get it now before prices go up March 29.

Tina Hughes is a native of Cleveland, OH, and a graduate of Eastlake North High School.

Photo of Manjari Sharma’s feature in Yoga Jounal

Media Studies alumna Manjari Sharma’s project Darshan was recently featured in the Yoga Journal.

The national journal featured the 2004 grad’s photograph Lakshmi with a write-up that will also be included in the journal’s iPad app.

The image is part of Darshan, an ongoing series that Sharma has been working on since 2011. Her goal is to photographically recreate nine gods and goddesses of Hindu mythology. Each photograph in the Darshan series requires the help of nearly three dozen people to create the set, costumes, jewelry, props, makeup, and more. The Lakshmi image alone took more than three weeks to put together and cost nearly $5,000.

Sharma’s work on this project was also recently featured on the cover of Forbes India. Read more here.

Sharma is a native of Mumbai, India, and attended Gyan Kendra High School.

The 2013 Art of Illustration poster, created by Illustration senior Taylor Hicks

The Art of Illustration show is a student-run and -organized exhibition that is now in its 16th year. The juried show features illustrations from all majors and alumni who participated when they were students are now coming back to act as jurors.

This year the five Illustration student organizers included sophomore Haleigh Richards and seniors Lexie Holliday, Josh Parkinson, Wes Talbott, and chair Andrew Thompson. The students chose five judges to look over 291 submissions for the show that runs March 16–30. The judges included four CCAD alumni: Scott Hull (Advertising & Graphic Design 1977), Steve Prescott (Illustration 1995), Jason Jourdan (Illustration 1998), and Graham Erwin (Illustration 2011). The fifth judge was artist representative Frank Sturges.

The judges gathered on campus and spent the day going through submissions, offering thorough critiques and advice on every piece, whether accepted or not. Ultimately 40 submissions were accepted into the show.

“The show is and has always been entirely organized and run by the students,” said Stewart McKissick, Illustration professor and alumnus. “They selected and contacted the judges, organized where and when the judging would take place, and researched and collected donations for the opening reception at the gallery, as well as prizes for entry winners.”

This is the third year for the show to be held at Rivet Gallery, a gallery located in Columbus’ art district, the Short North.

“Rivet has been very generous to us, allowing students to sell their work from the show with no commission fee to the gallery,” McKissick said.

Having the exhibition at an off-campus external location for the last three years has allowed it to function as a professional, juried show.

Erwin, who does preproduction work and design for a custom screen printing shop and freelance illustration for a wide range of clients, has witnessed the show expand as a student and now as an alumnus.

“I first submitted work for AOI as a sophomore,” Erwin said. “Although my piece wasn’t chosen that year, it definitely lit a fire for the years to come, and I began approaching every piece as if it could be a submission for one competition or another. I continued to submit work my junior and senior years, where I had pieces accepted and awarded.

“The Art of Illustration show was an important part of my illustration training,” Erwin said. “It was my first experience where my work was looked at by professionals with a critical eye. I think it is important for the show to now be held at Rivet, where students can see their work in a real-world gallery setting.”

The show allows students the ability to access professionals to evaluate their work and have critiques by people other than their peers and professors.

“This process shows students the importance of submitting and getting their art into the real world,” Hull said. “And also accepting the rejection that may come along with this.”

Hull, founder of Scott Hull Associates and illustration representative, has worked as a juror twice now for the show and views helping out students at CCAD as highly rewarding.

“Helping young talent navigate their creative dream is a passion of mine,” Hull said. “I think it is a good practice to have alumni come back as jurors for this particular show, since they are able to understand the CCAD culture a little better and they want to offer any and all help to the students.”

Originally, the show was solely coordinated by Illustration students, and they were the ones submitting work, but as the show has grown so has participation from throughout the college.

“What’s exciting to see is the ever-increasing interest and participation now by the majority of our majors,” McKissick said. “It is an excellent leadership opportunity for the students who work on the committee, and it is a chance to have students learn about aspects of the art world beyond just the making of it.”

The show’s award ceremony was held during its opening reception March 16, 7–10 p.m. Selected work will be honored with first, second, and third place, and each judge selected a work to be awarded Judge’s Choice. The show will be up through March 30.

“I can honestly say that every year is another great memory for us,” McKissick said. “And we’re always very proud of what the students accomplish.”

Erwin is from Columbus and attended Whetstone High School; Hull is from Danville, OH, and attended Danville High School; Jourdan is from Mansfield, OH, and attended Mansfield Senior High School; McKissick is from Franklin, PA, and attended Franklin High School; Prescott is from Gates Mills, OH, and attended Mayfield High School.

“Forth Wall, Starring Barbara Bloemink” by Danielle Julian Norton

CCAD faculty and alumni will exhibit their work at Wehrle Gallery at Ohio Dominican University, March 17–April 12.

This is: on the subject of art was curated by Fine Arts alumna and Assistant Professor Julie Abijanac (CCAD 1992) and features work from 11 CCAD-affiliated artists including Assistant Professor Shannon Benine; visiting faculty Matthew Flegle; adjunct faculty Nicole Gibbs; Director of Exhibitions Michael Goodson; Fine Arts alumna and Assistant Professor Danielle Julian Norton (CCAD 1999); Assistant Professor Kelly Malec-Kosak; adjunct faculty Andrea Myers; Fine Arts alumna and adjunct faculty Susan Li O’Connor (CCAD 1996); Fine Arts alumnus and Associate Professor Tim Rietenbach (CCAD 1977); Fine Arts alumna and adjunct faculty Mariana Smith (CCAD 2002); and adjunct faculty Melissa Vogley-Woods.

“Janette Knowles, the gallery director, asked if I would be interested in curating a show, and I nervously said sure, but I instantly knew I wanted to put a show together focused on the subject of art,” Abijanac said. “My goal was to bring together a strong group of artists who have very strong ideas about their subject matter as well as their approach in visually communicating that information. Along with this, I wanted to have an art historian to align and connect this idea historically, which is done in the foreword for the show.”

The foreword was written by Assistant Professor Carla Cesare, who describes the relationship between the artists, their message and medium, and reality.

There is an opening reception March 17, 1–3 p.m.

Shanon Benine’s “Central Light (No. 2)”

Assistant Professor Shannon Benine has a busy exhibition schedule in March, including two group shows that opened March 4.

The group exhibition Archetype Drift, curated by Jason Lazarus, is on display at Johalla Projects in Chicago, March 4–23. The show addresses new ways of photographic making, editing, and presentation and is concurrent with the Society of Photographic Education’s (SPE) national conference and Chicago’s Filter Photo Festival.

The second exhibition, Beyond Vision: Messages from the Holographic Universe, is at Salisbury University in Salisbury, MD, March 4–April 6.

It explores the extra-physical phenomena of our universe through a variety of mediums including painting, video, photography, and sculpture.

Dax makes adjustments before the photo shoot. Photo by Katlin McNally

By Kristen M. Foley

Each CCAD student has a story to tell with their art, it’s just up to them which medium they want to use to convey its chapters. For Dax Thomas Kauser, his story is uniquely woven through a very personal fashion collection that reflects on his past, including his time as a Marine deployed overseas.

“It’s really a build up of my life from adolescence to where I’m at now,” said Dax. “My collection is everything I want to say as I reveal myself to the industry and future customers. This is my story and I am ready to share it.”

Before attending CCAD, Dax jests that he “dabbled in schools and collected colleges,” and he admits that he believes his arrival at CCAD resulted from an impulse.

“Once back in Columbus, me and my friends would go to all the festivals and hustle tee shirts that we would screen print,” said Dax.  “After a while creative boredom set in so I applied to CCAD on a whim and was accepted with a great scholarship.”

A detail of fabric used in Dax’s collection. Photo by Kristen M. Foley

“During my first semester I wasn’t sure what to choose as a major, but as soon as I walked into the fashion department I knew that this is where I belonged,” remembers Dax.  “When I informed all my friends that I was going into fashion, I was surprised that none of them were shocked. That’s the great thing about CCAD, the ability to try new avenues. Who knows, you might just discover a dormant passion.”

That passion evolved into six designs that Dax fittingly entitled the “Nomad Collection.” It’s a wearable story of the twists and turns his life has taken over the years as well as his travels throughout the world.

Dax wrote in his artist’s statement: “The Nomad Collection is a story of my travels, hardships, loss, and the beauty of balance. Inspired by the wonders of the Arab world and its mesmerizing culture to the outlandish fashions of Japan.”

Dax’s “Nomad Collection,” is a reflection of his past. Photo by Kristen M. Foley

As he started his collection, his first step was reflecting on all of those past experiences and then finding a way to incorporate them intricately and literally into his designs. Many of the silk-screened fabrics in his collection were created using abstracts of the photographs he captured during his deployments. These unique pieces showcase the various cultures he was exposed to and learned to love.

“Out of the four years that I was in the Marine Corps, almost three were deployed in some kind of hostile environment,” adds Dax. “From there it really affected who I am and helped me decide what I wanted to do. Life is short. Do what you love.”

Dax will continue to do what he loves after graduation when he heads to New York City to pursue internships and continue to grow and learn his craft.

“I want to experience a little more and ensure I fit with the company first,” he says. “I’d rather go in with an internship and get a feel for them and them for me and go from there. That way it’s a little more open.”

You’ll get a chance to experience Dax’s amazing runway story at the CCAD Senior Fashion Show on May 10, but only if you buy your tickets now (ticket prices go up at the end of March and the show sells out each year).

Check out Dax’s website at www.thecreativecult.com.

Dax Kauser is a native of Columbus, OH, and a graduate of Groveport Madison High School.

Juliette Montague and Greg Stange’s “Scuba Diver”

Fine Arts alumna Juliette Montague (CCAD 1985) and her husband Greg Stange will exhibit work at Hayley Gallery in New Albany, OH.

The show All Mixed Up, which will run through the month of March, features work by Montague and her husband along with pieces that they collaborated on. The couple are the owners of StagMont Design, for which they use common household objects (think cans, kitchen utensils, scrap fabric, etc.) to create mixed-media sculptures—all with a humorous undertone.

The exhibition has an artists’ reception March 16, 5–9 p.m.

Read an article on the exhibition in This Week News, the New Albany, OH, community newspaper.

Montague is a native of Worthington, OH, and attended Grove City High School.

Andy Hayes’ poster for CSCA

Advertising & Graphic Design alumnus Andy Hayes (CCAD 2001) created an event poster for the Columbus Society of Communicating Arts (CSCA.)

The poster was for their guest speaker Erik Johnson, who came in early January of this year.

Hayes is the owner of Hucklebuck Design Studio and has worked with clients including American Eagle Outfitters, Express, GSW Worldwide, Herman Miller, and Longaberger. He is also an associate creative director at Ologie, a Columbus agency.

Hayes is represented by Scott Hull Associates, a company that represents illustrators, founded by Advertising & Graphic Design alumnus Scott Hull (CCAD 1977).

He is a native of Springfield, OH, and attended Northwestern High School.

Sarah checks a garment before a photo shoot.

By Kristen M. Foley

One of the reigning themes among the senior designers this year does not have to do with their inspiration, the fabric they used, the revolutionary technique they uncovered, or even the designs they created. The theme for all seemed to include a strong tutorial in time management, something they will take with them long after they leave CCAD.

“The most difficult challenge I’ve encountered while working on this collection has been balancing my other classes. Ideally I would love to be able to dedicate this year solely to creating one fantastic collection, treating it like a job and working consistent hours on it alone everyday,” said Sarah Frederick. “Unfortunately between other school courses, jobs, and life in general, that hasn’t exactly been possible. It’s a daily battle to determine what needs to be made a priority and what needs to be sacrificed temporarily. I’d like to give everything I’m working on my full dedication.”

With five pieces headed to the runway in May’s Senior Fashion Show, Sarah’s final collection–filled with free-flowing, feminine, and Western-inspired pieces–certainly showcases the hours of hard work and dedication she put into her collection.

Accessories are carefully selected for each look.

As noted in past blogs, the students were not given a theme to follow this year and were instructed to find inspiration within. Sarah spent her summer break last year thinking about what designs she would feel most like herself in if she were to wear them.

“I am definitely a slow thinker. I like to mentally mull over inspiration, eventually sifting through enough ideas to dream up something I feel is truly worth creating,” she muses. “But when the concept stage feels thought through enough to begin doing the physical work, I can’t wait to begin the measuring and draping to find what shapes will make flattering silhouettes on the human body. Finally, actually constructing the garment feels the most rewarding, especially when you are able to sew something that looks like the idea you had in your head.”

During that initial thought process, Sarah thought hard about what she would want to wear as well as what would be feminine, comfortable, and confident.

“I try to think about how clothing affects how a person feels and how they interact with others,” she notes. “Designs that enhance your body instead of taking away from it or covering it or exposing it.”

Checking the details.

Sarah took aspects from Western culture and combined them with more modern and practical personal touches like little pockets or suede details. She also created a natural feel to the clothing through design, soft fabric choices, and various fabric-working techniques.

“One of the one most experimental techniques that I used in one of my dresses was embroidery and cutwork,” she reflects. “I layered two fabrics together and embroidered a pattern that I designed in Illustrator. You pin it to the fabric and then embroider over top of it and then cut off the top layer of fabric so you can see the dimensions in the layers.”

You can see Sarah’s detailed designs on May 10, but only if you have a ticket. Get yours now as prices go up at the end of March.

Sarah Frederick is a native of Swanton, MD, and a graduate of Southern Garrett High School.

Photos by Katlin McNally.

Celebrate Local’s gallery wall

Celebrate Local, a shop in Easton Town Center in Columbus, OH, has recently installed a gallery wall that features artwork from local artists, so it’s no surprise that some CCAD alumni lent a hand to get it started.

Fine Arts alumnus Adam Brouillette (CCAD 2002) helped organize the gallery in the store, which is currently displaying the work of 24 artists.

“Celebrate Local requested work that deals with artists’ representations of ‘being local’ or ‘localism,’” Brouillette said. “Each artist’s take varies in subject and style.”

Illustration by Thom Glick for the Celebrate Local gallery

The work is available for purchase and will continually rotate as pieces sell. Current CCAD artists with work up include Illustration alumnus and Assistant Director of Admissions Thom Glick (CCAD 2004), Fine Arts alumnus and adjunct faculty Andrew Ina (CCAD 2006), Fine Arts alumnus Christopher Tennant (CCAD 2006), Fine Arts alumna Jamie Sommer (CCAD 2007), and Illustration alumna Jen Wrubles (CCAD 2010).

“Artists are part of the economy,” Brouillette said. “They buy supplies to produce and produce things that are desired commodities. Not only that, but the desire for unique objects in a world driven by individualism has made artist-made objects very desirable. The willingness of a space like Easton to not only support local commerce, but local creativity is commendable.”

Celebrate Local showcases Ohio-produced handmade and artisanal goods from more than 200 small businesses.

Brouillette is from Avon Lake, OH, and attended Avon Lake High School; Glick is from West Milton, OH, and attended Milton Union High School; Ina is from Strongsville, OH, and attended Strongsville Senior High School; Sommer is from Martins Ferry, OH, and attended Martins Ferry High School; Tennant is from Mount Vernon, OH, and attended Fort Hayes Metro Education Center; Wrubles is from Williamstown, WV, and attended Williamstown High School.

The 2013 designer group shot.

11 a.m.

It’s fashion photo shoot day, and I’m sitting and waiting. That happens a lot on fashion shoot day, especially if you are a blogger. If I were a make up artist or hair stylist, I’d be busy. If I were a model I’d be trying to sit very still while people transformed me. If I were a designer I’d be getting my garments ready for the shoot—steaming, pressing, etc. And if I were the photographer I’d bee setting up stations, testing lighting, and readying my equipment. But, I’m none of those things. All I had to do was find a corner with an outlet that was out of everyone’s way.

There are two stations where they are shooting for the lookbook, both in sewing labs in Design Studios on Broad.

Unfortunately the only place I can be out of the way of the first session is a place where I can’t actually see anything. This is turning out to be a good thing. I have a roving photographer (the lovely and talented Ms. Katlin McNally) out there getting pics of the fashion photographer, Nick Fancher, and his gang at work. Katlin will be my eyes (and yours, check out the gallery below). What I can do, and have never been able to do in past photo shoots, is hear the photographer and that’s actually more interesting. He provides a constant stream of direction. Chin up, arms this way, turn your elbows out, square the feet, turn your body, feet apart a little more, relax your mouth, setc.

Of course now that I’ve heard all this direction, I really want to SEE what the heck is happening. Fortunately for the next session I can find a new corner and observe.

3:30 p.m.

Everyone has finished up their late lunch, freshened up hair and makeup, and shooting has resumed. I have now been able to wander a bit and observe the shooting a little more closely. A few observations: The looks are seriously tight, well finished, and full of unexpected details. I had seen most of these looks in photos taken during the jurying, but they were even more impressive in person. There are more male looks than I recall seeing in past shows. There are more pants, shorts, and long sleeves (all of which are particularly difficult to make well). I’m seeing a lot of handmade patterns and hand-died fabrics (our dying lab is pretty sweet). There is more diversity in the style of clothing—which is perhaps a result of not having an over arching theme.

I could go on, but really you just need to get a ticket and experience the wow for yourself. The show is May 10. See you there.

Before I sign off I just need to give a big thanks to our photographer Nick Fancher, The Ologie team including Casey Carmell and Andy Hayes, the wonderful hairstylist from Jolie Laide, and of course the fabulous Tim Maurer and his team from Mukha Custom Cosmetics who once again worked makeup magic.

How fun is the CCAD Senior Fashion Show event? take a look at last year’s event.

February 28^th was a long arduous day for CCAD designers, as they presented their final collections to a jury of seven industry professionals.

The job of those professionals was to evaluate the designs and choose the best looks for the runway show. The jurying was blind in that they did not know which designers were attached to which looks when they did their review—their choices were based on the strength of the design and construction alone. The end result: after reviewing more than 100 designs, 68 have been chosen for the May 10 show.

Below is our list of participating designers, including where they hail from. Sunday we’ll be covering the fashion photo shoot, and next week you can start getting to know these designers a little better as our fashion blogger Kristen Foley sits down with each one to talk design, inspiration, and the future. The jury has done their work, but the only way you get to see what they’ve selected for the runway is to get your tickets now. The May 10 fundraising event is shaping up to be spectacular.

1. Jess Betz, from Toledo, OH, graduate of St. Ursula Academy
2. Olivia Brezinski, from Perrysburg, OH, graduate of Perrysburg High School
3. Rachel Chertoff, from Buffalo, NY, graduate of Williamsville East High School
4. Nicole Chhuom, from Columbus, OH, graduate of West High School
5. Jazzmin Evans, from Columbus, OH, graduate of Independence High School
6. Sarah Frederick, from Swanton, MD, graduate of Southern Garrett High School
7. Jennica  Gray, from Columbus, OH, graduate of St. Francis DeSales High School
8. Kassie Haji, from Columbus, OH (previously from Providence, RI) , graduate of Feinstein High School in RI
9. Katlin Hatfield, from Adamsville, OH, graduate of Tri-Valley High School
10. Katharine Hire, from Mansfield, OH, graduate of Mansfield Christian School
11. Tina Hughes, from Cleveland, OH, graduate of Eastlake North High School
12. Phoebe Isaac, from Lexington, OH, graduate of Lexington High School
13. Danielle Nicole Jones, from Westerville, OH, graduate of Westerville South High School
14. Dax Thomas Kauser, from Columbus, OH, graduate of Groveport Madison High School
15. Leah Sloane Kennedy, from Ypsilanti, MI, graduate of Ypsilanti High School
16. Olivia Mitchell, from Columbus, OH, graduate of Reynoldsburg High School
17. Ngockhanh Ngo, from Columbus, OH, graduate of Beechcroft High School
18. Karla Norquist, from Eagan, MN, graduate of Northridge High School,
19. Kate Elaine Pohrt, from Ann Arbor, MI, graduate of Ann Arbor Pioneer High School
20. Krista Guanlao Sison, from Parma Heights, OH, graduate of Valley Forge High School
21. Antoine Slater, from Dayton, OH, graduate of Wayne High School

Derick Whitson’s photograph, part of the “Family Portrait” series

Junior Photography major Derick Whitson was selected as a finalist for Photographer’s Forum magazine’s Best of Photography 2012.

The hardcover book was released in December 2012 and features all winners, honorable mentions, and finalists for the magazine’s 32^nd Annual Spring Photography Contest for high school and college students.

Whitson’s image is part of his Family Portrait series, which explores memories of his childhood in Mansfield, OH.

“I was really excited about being chosen as a finalist,” Whitson said. “I knew finalists were published, and when I got the book in the mail it was so surreal.”

This year’s judges were Ann Cutting, Art Center College of Design; Gene Strickland, Columbus State Community College; and Sherri Taylor, Syracuse University.

Whitson is a native of Mansfield, OH, and attended Mansfield Christian School.

Her reading is part of the bookstore’s monthly first Thursday initiative of events featuring local musicians and Ohio poets. Fix’s presentation will begin at 7 p.m., followed by an open mic session.

Beehive Books is located at 25 North Sandusky St., Delaware, OH.

Clinton Reno’s “Long Live Rock”

CCAD alumni are a big part of a group exhibition at Rivet Gallery in the Short North, Columbus’ arts district, through March 10.

Ohio, You RAWK! features the work of 18 artists and six are CCAD Illustration alumni: Graham Erwin (CCAD 2011), Jason Goad (CCAD 1996), Mike Martin (CCAD 1985), Ryan Mowry (CCAD 2004), Clinton Reno (CCAD 1995), and Miles Tsang (CCAD 2012).

The show features gig posters and rock inspired poster art.

Erwin is a native of Columbus and attended Whetstone High School; Goad is from Dayton, and attended Centerville High School; Mowry is from Columbus, and attended Worthington Christian High School; Reno is from Xenia, and attended Dayton Christian High School; and Tsang is originally from Ajax, Ontario, Canada and moved back following graduation from CCAD.

Students work in CCAD’s College PreView program

As we eagerly wait for the temperatures to rise in Columbus, we can’t help but get excited about our upcoming summer programs, which cater to all ages and cover many visual arts interests.

For more than a decade, Creative Summer Workshops have been a popular destination at CCAD, serving everyone from age 6 to 90. The one- to two-week workshops run half days, Monday through Friday, and both morning and afternoon classes are available.

For parents, these workshops provide a perfect day camp for their creatively inclined children. Class subjects range from classic drawing to digital art to comic book drawing and photography. The workshops are arranged by grade level so students can learn and play alongside their peers.

For adults, the workshops can be a wonderful staycation adventure—imagine taking glassblowing every morning for your vacation. New this year is an exciting two-week workshop titled Cast to the Future. Participants in this workshop will work in CCAD’s new Fab Lab with CCAD’s dean of design arts and chairs of Animation and Dimensional Studies. Students will generate a piece of jewelry from a virtual 3D object, learn the basics of 3D polygonal modeling, print their model on a state-of-the-art 3D printer, and harness the power of a 3000-year old technology to cast the print in bronze, silver, or gold.

CCAD’s popular College PreView returns, offering high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors a three-week college experience. During the program, students are able to live in our residence halls, take classes with our faculty, meet professional artists, exhibit their work, and explore Columbus and its art scene. New this year, the program is offering an additional option to take a guided trip to New York City.

This summer also launches CCAD’s Discovery Club. The weeklong residential art camp allows students an experience similar to College PreView, but designed for grades 7–10.

Summer is also a good time to take one of CCAD’s degree courses. The term is more condensed in the summer, and with lighter summer BFA enrollment there is a greater likelihood of non-degree-seeking students getting into classes.

“We often see art educators take advantage of CCAD’s degree courses during the summer,” said Cat Sheridan, director of Continuing & Professional Studies. “During the summer, educators may have more flexible schedules, so it is easier to take advantage of these classes. They are able to use our facilities, learn from our faculty, and develop both professionally and personally.”

To view a complete list of workshops offered to children and adults, click here. To learn more about College PreView and Discovery Club, click here.

Group at ADDY awards, from left to right: Vice President for Academic Affairs Kevin Conlon, James Lutz, Lillie Templeton, and Alex Laniosz.

The ADDYs, organized by the American Advertising Federation, are the advertising industry’s largest, most competitive competition, and during the recent 2012 ADDY award ceremony in Columbus, OH, CCAD talent was well represented.

Seven Advertising & Graphic Design seniors won awards. Lillie Templeton received a Best of Show and a Gold award for her integrated campaign Ball Jars—Off the Shelf; Ali Prater received two Gold for her Epson Ink Cartridge packaging and her Teavana catalog; Zayne Parmiter won a Silver for his Flour Child packaging; Robert Trautman won a Silver for his Lark & Key Branding stationary; Taylor Vogel won a Silver for his Ikea app; Alex Laniosz won a Silver for the Balls’ jars ad, and Jessica Alley won a Silver for her integrated campaign for the United States Postal Service.

Ologie, founded by alumna Bev Bethge, won a total of 24 awards: one Judge’s Choice, seven Gold, and 16 Silver. A number of these awards were for community work, including work completed with CCAD on admissions collateral and the Senior Fashion Show lookbook.

Advertising & Graphic Design alumnus Greg Beck (CCAD 2009) was part of the team at Longstride, a local motion graphics company that grabbed a Gold award in the category of Public Service, Audio/Visual for its Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio campaign.

The ADDYs receive more than 50,000 entries nationwide through local ADDY competitions. Leading work is rewarded with Gold and Silver awards, and top honors are Judge’s Choice and Best of Show. Gold winners qualify for the AAF Fifth District ADDY competition, where entries from Ohio, Kentucky, and West Virginia compete.

The Columbus chapter of the American Advertising Federation (AFF) represents more than 100 member companies. AAF works to enhance the professional development of its members, while increasing recognition for the advertising industry and giving back to the local community.

Alley is from Baltimore, OH, and attended Bloom-Carroll High School; Laniosz is from Willowbrook, IL, and attended Hinsdale South High School; Parmiter is from Marietta, OH, and attended Marietta Senior High School; Prater is from Hilliard, OH, and attended Hilliard Darby High School; Templeton is from of Wadesboro, NC; Trautman is from Niles, OH; and Vogel is from Mason, OH, and attended William Mason High School.

Wahls answers student questions.

Zach Wahls shared his very personal story of becoming an advocate for marriage equality with CCAD students during a visit to campus March 1. In his presentation, he discussed his new-found celebrity and becoming one of the key voices on the often controversial topic, “What Makes a Family.”

Zach was just 19-years-old, a University of Iowa engineering student, when he gave a heartfelt testimony in front of the Iowa House Judiciary Committee.  He’s the son of two lesbian mothers and Iowa was about to vote on House Joint Resolution Six, banning gay marriage.

In the end, Iowa became one of the nine states to grant marriage equality rights, along with the District of Columbia.

CCAD’s student programming board organized Zach’s visit to campus, and led the Q & A discussion that followed his presentation. The presentation also was part of the monthly Fusion events sponsored by Stonewall in Columbus. Fusion is a monthly social for LGBT college students that rotates among the various college campuses in Columbus

See the now famous video of his testimony, which has been seen over 17 million times on YouTube.

Check out Zach’s appearance on the Ellen show.

Follow the CCAD’s student programming board on facebook, for updates on upcoming events during fall and spring semesters.

“Lettuces and Lambquarters” by alumna Sarah Fairchild

A group exhibition at Lindsay Gallery, opening March 1, features artwork from CCAD alumni and staff.

Four Ways of Looking, curated by Columbus artist Linda Gall, features Gall’s work alongside CCAD Editorial Director Laura Bidwa and Fine Arts alumnae Sarah Fairchild (CCAD 1994) and Laura Sanders (CCAD 1988).

The exhibition considers the threads that bind the paintings of four seemingly disparate artists who explore environmental concerns through their work in highly individual ways.

The exhibition will run through March 31 with an opening reception March 1, 6–9 p.m.

Jurors look over a garment

By Kristen Foley

Facing a jury could perhaps be one of most daunting tasks any individual could ever experience, and the outcome, in this case, means earning a spot in the 2013 CCAD Senior Fashion Show.

This is THE moment when a year’s worth of a student’s design work is reviewed and critiqued by an elite group of professionals from the fashion industry. Their ruling will decide what pieces (or even entire collections) will grace the runway this year, and there’s no guarantee that every designer will make the cut. It’s a nerve-racking, nail-biting experience, even for me and all I have to do is sit here and enjoy the amazing works of wearable art.

This year’s jury of fashion professionals included alumna Katie Brennan (CCAD 2003), design director at Abercrombie & Fitch; Connie Ballenger, owner of Leal Boutique; Elizabeth Bean Smith, owner, Wardrobe Therapy; Kristy Eckert, editor for Capital Style; alumna Jennifer Porreca-Faux (CCAD 2002), design director at Tween Brands; Monique Morin, design director at Limited Brands; and Sara Zimmerman, art director and Express stylist.

Suzanne Cotton, chair of the fashion design department, kicked off the event by advising the jury that they really needed to consider what was the crème de la crème out of the 120 designs they would view. Is the piece a good design? Is it made well? Finally, will it look good on the runway?

Due to the large amount of pieces to consider for this year’s show, jury members had a little over a minute to view each garment and make their final decisions. The limited time didn’t stop them from asking the models to turn or step closer, and often they would reach out to touch and feel the fabric’s texture. Their questions were direct and pointed. They knew exactly what information they needed to gather in the short time they had to view each piece.

As noted in a previous post, this year brought an exciting change in that there was no overarching theme for the designers to use as a starting point. The students were challenged to find their muse and inspiration within themselves and then transfer that to their collections. It proved to be an exhilarating challenge, as the collections are unique and very personal. Glimmers of deep copper, rich knits, futuristic designs, tie-dye, fiberglass, sheer fabrics, and bright blues were just some of the design details this class put forth. There was even some canine couture this year!

It will take a few days to review and collect all of the jury’s comments before the final selections are announced, so be sure to check back here for the details. And keep following us as I’ll be profiling each individual designer and the inspiration behind their collections.

If you want to ensure you have a seat to see the chosen pieces, buy your tickets online now. They are selling quickly and prices go up soon. Based on the collections shown today, it’s a night you won’t want to miss.

CCAD students look over design options

The 2013 Arnold Sports Festival is celebrating its 25^th anniversary in Columbus this weekend and it turned to students at Columbus College of Art & Design to design merchandise for the event.

Eight students participated in the 72-hour charrette through the CCAD MindMarket’s DesignLab.

Participating students included: Advertising & Graphic Design juniors Evan Symonds, Ian Li Cissel Tan, and Jonathan Yukek; seniors Ezra Hone, Nicole Londeree, and Trevor Payne; Illustration junior Alexis Schuknecht; and senior Dylan Shuman.

“We all worked in the same room within the MindMarket,” Schuknecht said. “It was nice since we were able to bounce ideas off each other and hang our designs up around the room and get feedback as we worked. It truly mimicked a professional, real-world challenge.”

After finishing the designs students presented to Tom Sabatino, a representative from the Arnold Festival, CCAD MindMarket Director Cynthia Gravino, and instructor Jim Johnson.

Awards were originally given to Payne for first place, Schuknecht for second, and Hone and Tan tied for third place.

The four award-winning designs will be developed to go on T-shirts to sell at the expo and possibly be placed on other merchandise including stickers and posters.

Sabatino enjoyed the designs so much he decided he reward the students’ work by offering additional prizes for the design that receives the most orders from vendors and the design that sells the most overall during the festival.

“This is the fourth year we have worked with CCAD to design merchandise and the competitiveness of the students is what really impresses me every year,” Sabatino said. “We hope to continue to grow this relationship and work with the MindMarket again in the future.”

The students will also get a chance to meet with Arnold Schwarzenegger during a legends breakfast this weekend and will receive a letter of recommendation for their design work to put in their portfolios.

The CCAD MindMarket offers several creative services formats through the DesignLab, from charrettes, which are intense 54-to-72 hour design challenges, to class projects lasting 16 weeks, to partnerships, which can be longer and recruit the broadest variety of CCAD students, faculty, and staff.

Hone is a native of Columbus, OH and attended Groveport Madison High School; Howard is from Mount Vernon, OH and attended Mount Vernon High School; Londeree is from Columbus, OH and attended Worthington Kilbourne High School; Payne is from Cincinnati and attended Princeton High School; Schuknecht is a native of Saginaw, MI and attended Heritage High School; Symonds is from Lima, Ohio and attended Shawnee Senior High School; Tan is from Singapore; and Yukek is from Cleveland and attended Valley Forge High School.

Still from “Life of Pi,” courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation

The Visual Effects Society announced winners the 11th Annual VES Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, earlier this month, and Media Studies alumnus Steve Hubbard (CCAD 2010) was among those who received recognition.

Hubbard worked as an animator for the movie Life of Pi. The movie won in four categories, with Hubbard taking a visual effects credit for the win in the category of Outstanding Visual Effects in a Visual Effects-Driven Feature Motion Picture.

The VES Awards recognizes outstanding visual effects in 24 categories of film, animation, television, commercials, and video games.

Jessica Seyfang and Nicholas Most’s design for the competition

The Planning and Visual Education Partnership (PAVE) held their annual 3D Design Challenge for Students, and two CCAD seniors in Interior Design were among the 12 finalists.

Jessica Seyfang and Nicholas Most worked as a team for this year’s competition, which was sponsored and presented by Van Stry Design. The challenge prompted students to design and create a 3D model or rendering of a store fixture that communicates an existing brand of headphone.

The 209 entries from 12 countries were graded by a panel of judges, and the top 12 designs were selected to move on in the challenge. Prototypes of these designs will be produced by Van Stry Design and will be displayed at GlobalShop 2013 in Chicago, April 16-18. Winners will be announced at an award ceremony on April 16 and will receive cash prizes.

The competition, which is now in its fourth year, offers students a chance to see their designs come to life and gain exposure at GlobalShop, a major industry trade show.

Founded in 1992, PAVE’s goal is to encourage students to study in the field of retail design and planning and visual merchandising. It holds competitions, projects, seminars, workshops, grants, and scholarships to involve companies and students.

Brickner is an art teacher and organic community garden coordinator at Saint Martin de Porres High School in Cleveland.

“E4S champions carry the special distinction of being nominated by their peers for the work they do as implementers as well as for the inspiration they provide for others,” said E4S Interim Executive Director Michael Dungan at the event recognizing the nominees. “We welcome this year’s group to our growing roster of individuals who are embedding sustainability principles in their organization’s operations, product design, company culture, and client services.”

Founded in 2000, E4S is a business network focused on sustainability and entrepreneurship. Brickner was among seven individuals nominated and recognized.

Hazel Varanese’s “Wolf”

The Society of Illustrators will be seeing a lot of CCAD this spring. The acclaimed professional society has accepted three illustration seniors into the 2013 Society of Illustrators Scholarship Competition and is honoring professor C.F. Payne with a Distinguished Educators in the Arts award.

Accepted into the scholarship competition: Art of Robots by Taylor Hicks, Bad News and The Conqueror by Matthew Houston, and Wolf by Hazel Varanese.

The four illustrations were chosen by jurors from more than 5,000 entries. The final exhibition will feature the work of more than 200 students from universities nationwide in the Museum of American Illustration at the Society of Illustrators, May 15–June 5 in New York City.

The Society’s endowment, contributions from private and corporate donors, and proceeds from an annual auction of member-donated artworks will fund approximately 25 scholarships during an opening reception on May 17.

During the reception, Payne will also receive his Distinguished Educators in the Arts award. The  award is presented to educators who have made a strong impact on illustration as both a teacher and an artist. Payne is one of two honorees this year.

Payne’s artwork has graced the covers of Time Magazine, Readers Digest, Sports Illustrated, The New York Times Book Review, and The New York Times Sunday Magazine. In addition he has illustrated numerous children’s books, including most recently Mousetronaut, written by astronaut Mark Kelly.

Since the competition’s founding in 1981, the Society of Illustrators has awarded more than $1,500,000 to deserving students.

The exhibition, PATTERN, will feature 20 prints with an overall theme of patterns. There will be an opening reception Friday, March 1, 6–8 p.m.

Knee is represented by Sharon Weiss Gallery.

Gordon Lee’s “Winking Starmite”

Fine Arts Professor Gordon Lee has a solo exhibition at Clark Gallery in Boston, MA, March 5–April 6.

Lee’s paintings are about the remnants of human struggles in the urban world. He grew up in a refugee slum of the then-British colony of Hong Kong in the 1950s. He viewed the concrete buildings that surrounded him as barriers, both physical and mental, and he continues to pull inspiration from this idea today.

There will be a reception March 9, 4–6 p.m.

Her prize included a cash award and the publication of her book in early 2014. Elixir Press specializes in publishing poetry and literary fiction. It has two poetry contests for full-length books every year and a fiction contest for a full-length book every two years.

Kartsonis’ chapbook Aloha Vaudeville Doll will be published by Dancing Girl Press in summer 2013.

Postcard for the 2013 Senior Fashion Show, created by Ologie

It’s probably no surprise that Fashion Design students at Columbus College of Art & Design work night and day for a chance to see their garments go down the runway during that special night in May. What you may not know is that there is another team working night and day on the show—the design team at Ologie, the firm that is again tackling the creative challenge of branding an amazing event experience for the college and those lucky ticket holders who come to our show.

Casey Carmell, a designer at Ologie explained that this year’s visual identity for the show is focused on the designer’s process.

“We’re interested in where they find their inspiration, seeing their fashion illustrations, their ideas in their sketchbooks, and understanding the tools and materials they use,” said Carmell.

This is the fifth year that Ologie, has helped CCAD develop the marketing materials for the show, but this year they are diving even deeper and looking at the full customer experience, from the invite to the big tent.

A major visual component of the show (other than, of course, the fabulous student designs coming down the runway) is the lookbook. This signature piece is not a simple program but a photo-rich book that is placed in portfolios and shared with prospective students considering CCAD’s Fashion Design program.

Like any top-tier fashion magazine, photography is the key element. This year Ologie has brought in photographer Nick Fancher, who has already begun shooting select garments for early print ads. For the lookbook, Ologie  has a very clear vision for the daylong photo shoot in March (which naturally you can read about on this blog, March 10).

“From a visual standpoint, the photography will show glimpses of the designers in the studio at CCAD—fitting their models, photographs of their sketchbooks and inspiration boards,” Carmell said. “We’ve also brought in the materials they use to create their pieces as graphic elements, like the good guide and graph paper they use, the shapes of garment blocks, and different types of stitching. That’s all part of the visual language for this year.

“The whole design process has been exciting for me,” Carmell said. “It has been fun talking with the students and understanding their process. Working with this year’s photographer Nick Fancher has been great. And of course the team at CCAD has been great to work with—I can’t wait for the photo shoot to see all the hard work of these designers come to life—it is going to be awesome.”

Leading the charge and sharing her expertise throughout the process has been Ologie founder and CCAD alumna Bev Bethge. Bethge and her team have been supporting CCAD’s marketing and branding efforts for many years, including developing the college’s brand guidelines. Most recently the agency launched a new suite of recruitment materials for CCAD.

Tickets for the 2013 Senior Fashion Show are on sale, buy them now, the advance purchase special ends March 28, and don’t forget this event is a fundraiser for student scholarships.

Dawson Kellogg working on a piece

Associate Professor Dawson Kellogg designed and created the 2013 Columbus Award for the Columbus Chamber of Commerce.

This year marks the eighth that Kellogg has worked with the chamber on this project.

“I created a flat vase form with a rich, dense application of color,” Kellogg said. “The blending technique that I used always creates an abstract swirl of colors that might resemble something like raspberry ice cream.  It is almost impossible to make two look exactly alike and so I like that each one is unique.”

Dawson Kellogg’s award designed for

The award is given each year by the chair of the Columbus Chamber to an individual who has enjoyed business success and provided outstanding community leadership. This year the award went to John P. McConnell, the chair and chief executive officer of Worthington Industries and majority owner of the Columbus Blue Jackets National Hockey League team.

In additions to the Columbus Award, each spring Kellogg creates four to five retiree gifts for the chamber. He also makes gifts for United Way of Central Columbus and is commissioned to create 18-25 gifts for Franklin University’s Leadership Symposium. He also recently made 27 awards for the Ohio Governor’s Youth Art Exhibition, now in its 43rd year.

The group meets on the fourth Sunday of every month to host a featured poet and an open mic session.

Fix’s manuscript Frankenstein’s Flowers has been accepted for publication in 2014 by WordTech Communications under their CW Books imprint.

Her poems Sweet and Our Norwegian were published in the Red Branch Journal during fall 2012.

Ed Valentine’s “Untitled Portrait with Blue Drip and Painted Hat”

Associate professor and Fine Arts alumnus Ed Valentine (CCAD 1991) and adjunct faculty and Fine Arts alumnus Michael Stillion (CCAD 2002) have exhibitions at Linda Warren Projects through April 5 in Chicago.

Valentine’s exhibition Somebody’s Beauty will be up in Gallery Y, with Stillion’s exhibition B.Z.&C.: Bent, Zigzag and Crooked in Gallery X.

Both artists focus on portraiture—although their styles are drastically different.

Michael Stillion’s “Feather In a Cap”

Valentine’s portraits combine realistic painting with dripping lines, flat shapes, and patches that serve to spark the imagination and lead to a more complex manner of interpretation.

Stillion’s exhibition title references the historical Bellaire, Zanesville, and Cincinnati Railroad. In his portraits, Stillion embraces the meaning of items like scarves, gloves, socks, and jackets, which he uses to form his subjects.

The exhibition Griffith, Kunze, Polansky will feature paintings of Conneaut Lake Park, work portraying 2 Corinthians 5:4, and photographs that piece together relationships.

There will be a reception Friday, March 1, 6–9 p.m.

C.F. Payne’s illustration of Barack Obama

CCAD Distinguished Professor of Illustration C.F. Payne has work included in an exhibition at the University of Hartford’s Joseloff Gallery through Feb. 24 in West Hartford, CT.

The exhibition, McCarty & Payne, features the illustrations of Payne and fellow illustrator Peter McCarty, who are the 2012-2013 Georgette and Richard Koopman Distinguished Chairs in the illustration department at the Hartford Art School.

The show includes 48 of Payne’s illustrations. Payne’s artwork has been on the cover of Time Magazine, Readers Digest, Sports Illustrated, The New York Times Book Review, and Sunday Magazine. In addition he has illustrated numerous children’s books including most recently, Mousetronaut written by astronaut Mark Kelly.

There will be a public lecture on Feb. 8, 3–4:30 p.m., at the college, followed by a reception in the gallery from 5–7 p.m.

Students work on project for InPower through the CCAD MindMarket

It has only been about four months since the CCAD MindMarket officially launched and it is already flying strong.

The MindMarket opened in fall with ThoughtLab speaker Roger Martin and this spring will host internationally renowned retail design and branding expert Marc Gobé and his daughter, Gwenaelle Gobé.

Businesses have already tapped into CCAD talent through the MindMarket’s DesignLab. Companies range from a local electronics company InPower, Inc. to a charrette that just concluded with the Arnold Classic.

The MindMarket’s Incubator program currently has four participants taking advantage of the mentorship, business coaching, and professional services. While the Incubator tenants share a connection to CCAD, as they are alumni, their reasons for coming back vary.

Advertising & Graphic Design alumna Annie Weihrauch (CCAD 2003) started her first business in 2007, Modern Material. She eventually transitioned that graphic design-oriented company to include her love of fashion and accessories and renamed the company Rock & Royalty.

Students working in the CCAD MindMarket, photo courtesy Danielle Ford (2013)

Over the past several years, Weihrauch has been making and selling her jewelry and embellished apparel through her website and through local Columbus events. She is learning more about garment construction and buisness so she can create her own clothing line.

“I absolutely loved my time at CCAD,” Weihrauch said. “When I learned about CCAD’s MindMarket I realized it was exactly what I needed to move forward. There are a lot of other business programs out there, but they aren’t geared toward the creative mind. I am looking forward to the connections and programs provided by CCAD, while working with people who understand the importance of creative integrity.”

Weihrauch’s process at the MindMarket is just beginning. She plans on accessing mentoring, legal advice, business guidance, and using the fresh talent of CCAD students and facilities.

The legal counsel will assist her with tradmark issues she has encountered, and business mentors will help strengthen her business plan.

Illustration alumnus Anthony Weiler (CCAD 1994) started a freelance design career a few years ago, and by the end of his time in the incubator he hopes to launch a firm with a full-time design team.

Weiler’s company is IncredABLE Design. One of his current clients is Ohio State University’s IT Department

Weiler was introduced to CCAD’s MindMarket through an existing business mentor who highly recommended the incubator.

“Upon meeting with [CCAD MindMarket director] Cynthia Gravino I knew that this was going to be perfect for me and my company,” Weiler said. “I wanted a place where I can try new things out, not be afraid to make mistakes, and have access to the coaching that I needed and the facilities CCAD has to offer.”

“I am excited to see all the changes at the college since I graduated. CCAD and Columbus have a lot of energy, and are headed in the right directions with strong business focuses,” Weiler said.

Media Studies alumna Hazel Tarr (CCAD 2007) is the only current resident member of the Incubator. Her current company, Tarrka Studios, is an animation/motion picture/documentary studio.

Students working in the CCAD MindMarket, photo courtesy Danielle Ford (2013)

Tarrka Studios is dedicated to creating and producing original movies and programming that speak to the community and social consciousness as it relates to the well-being of children and pets.

“I wanted to transition my solo documentary studio to include animation,” Tarr said. “This program afforded me the opportunity to realize my dream. Having major costs such as building, equipment, and supplies and people like the interns through CCAD covered, makes the CCAD MindMarket Incubator program invaluable to anyone with a start-up or transitioning business.”

Tarr will use the business mentors available to help strengthen her business plan, and she will take advantage of the legal counsel available.

“Physically being located in my tenant space has also allowed Tarrka Studios to be introduced to various individuals within the Columbus community, thus garnering exposure for the studio and the various projects in production,” Tarr said.

Illustration alumna Maggy O’Reilly VanOrder (CCAD 2009) started O’Reilly Ink in 2007 by selling prints and drawings through Etsy, an online artisan shop.

VanOrder originally heard of the MindMarket Incubator when it was in its beta phase, through the CCAD Alumni Newsletter.

“I was going on one year of being unemployed and it seemed like a direct sign and too good to be true,” VanOrder said.

VanOrder didn’t participate in the beta program, but she kept informed as the year went on and is just now beginning to use and learn more about the services provided.

“This past December I realized I had really let go of my art and nearly lost the passion for it that I once had,” VanOrder said. “I didn’t work on selling with Etsy or seeking out freelance work, though I was now working full time again. I remembered the MindMarket and contacted Cynthia, and wouldn’t you know, they were looking for new interested people. It was perfect timing.

“I still feel like it’s a program that is just too perfect to pass up,” VanOrder said. “I definitely need a boost and someone to really push me. I also need access to someone with business sense and the resources that I wouldn’t have otherwise. I’m hoping to take my business to the level it needs to be at and eventually turn it into a full-time endeavor. I want it to be my passion and my life. By the end of my time with the CCAD MindMarket, I hope to be well my way to that self-made status, one of many founded here in Columbus, Ohio.”

Work by 25 artists from 16 states and two countries was selected for the exhibition from 649 submissions (from 256 artists from 43 states and 16 countries).

The exhibition looks at work that conveys the meaning of realism, which the gallery describes as “work which provides an illusionistic or highly descriptive representation of some visible subject. Whether that be by painting, drawing, sculpture, or other media, it is nevertheless closely aligned to what the eye sees.”

Mariana Smith’s “Untitled (After Tarkousky Stalker)”

Adjunct faculty and Fine Arts alumna Mariana Smith (CCAD 2002) has her piece Untitled (After Tarkousky Stalker) in the 34th Bradley International Print and Drawing Exhibition, hosted by Bradley University, Peoria, IL, March 9–April 20.

The exhibition features work from 108 artists from across the globe. This year’s juror was Stephen Goddard, senior curator and curator of prints and drawings at the Spencer Museum of Art, University of Kansas.

Gallery spaces involved in the show include Heuser Art Center, Prairie Center of the Arts, the Contemporary Art Center of Peoria, and the Peoria Art Guild.

Leah Fisher’s “Parsons Avenue, 04/01/12″

Four CCAD alumni have their work included in the 13^th annual ImageOhio exhibition organized by Roy G Biv Gallery and on view at The Shot Tower Gallery at Fort Hayes Metropolitan Educational Center, Jan. 18–Feb. 15.

The exhibition is juried by Bill Horrigan, curator at large for the Wexner Center for the Arts. Work includes photographs, projections, and video.

Although there is no official theme, much of the work focuses on observations of the changing world.

There are 27 artists in the exhibition; CCAD alumni include 2012 MFA alumni Alex Conrad, Nicole Crock, and Crystal Tursich, as well as Photography alumna and library archivist Leah Fisher (CCAD 2012).

Ologie created a suite of materials that show that a CCAD degree is anything but impractical.

It’s been a whirlwind six months for CCAD’s admission staff. They welcomed an energetic new director, launched an aggressive series of additional events, and unveiled an exciting suite of fresh recruitment materials—the result:  A notable uptick in applications submitted well before the Feb. 15 priority deadline.

“It’s exciting,” said Densil Porteous, director of admissions, about the rise in applicants. “We tried some new things, and people really responded to them. That is always gratifying.”

Porteous joined CCAD in August and hit the ground running. An early initiative of the office, which Porteous embraced, was the development of a series of new on-campus events called CCAD Discovery Days.

“We had a good problem. Routinely we were seeing that our on-campus admissions events were coming in well over capacity,” said Porteous. “We realized that a large number of prospective students wanted opportunities to engage with the college and so we developed an additional series of events that also included opportunities to discover our city, Columbus, as well as our campus.”

Not only were the new events a huge success but the existing events continue to register to capacity.

Another addition to the admissions tool kit was a new suite of recruitment materials.

“One of our challenges was overcoming the myth of the starving artist,” explained Robin Hepler, CCAD’s director of Marketing & Communications. “The tricky part is showing how an art and design college is a good investment without diluting the creative part of what we do. We need to speak to the practical and the artistic sides of students and parents.”

To help CCAD with this challenge the college engaged Ologie , a nationally recognized branding company owned and operated by alumna Bev Bethge.

In a recent posting Ologie described their approach: “In response, Ologie developed an integrated campaign with several pieces: an eye-catching poster for generating leads, a kit for introducing CCAD to art teachers and guidance counselors, and an oversized viewbook for following up with prospects. The viewbook included a glossary with some 60 potential careers for graduates, making it clear that a CCAD degree is anything but impractical.”

“Ologie gave us several new tools to use,” said Hepler. “One of the things I love most is how they play with our name—taking us beyond Columbus College of Art & Design in a way that is playful and a little quirky.”

Whether prospects responded to the new events or the idea of being part of “Columbus College of Loving What You Do” they responded.

“Not only have we seen more applications, we’ve been really impressed by the quality of work in the portfolios we’ve been reviewing,” said Porteous. “I think the next few weeks are going to be especially exciting as we come up on our Feb. 15 priority deadline. Students who apply by this date will get priority consideration not only for admission, but also for scholarships. It’s going to be a very busy two weeks.”

Learn more about applying to CCAD here. The college is hosting its next CCAD Discovery Days event on Saturday, April 13 (which is also the date for the CCAD Art Fair).

Check out the 2012 show!

The fashion show tickets are here!

The fashion show tickets are here!

Ok, I got that out of my system (and I swear I wasn’t just jumping around my office shouting that. Really). But seriously, tickets are now on sale for CCAD’s May 10 fashion EVENT. That’s right, I said event, because it is so much more than a show (haven’t been? Check out the video).

The three most important things you need to know right-this-second are:

1. We are once again offering a special advance-purchase price. Buy now, and not only do you save a few bucks but you ensure that you actually get a ticket—we keep selling out and we’ve run out of places to add seats (believe me we’ve tried).
2. Limited Brands Foundation has once again stepped up as our title sponsor. This generous sponsorship is further evidence of the foundation’s commitment to and investment in our creative community.
3. This event raises funds for scholarships—every attendee and sponsor is investing in a CCAD student’s education while having an amazing night on our campus.

Each year we strive to top the year before. This year we have a larger senior class. With so much talent to tap into we are planning to extend the show; however, with so many designers, each allowed to present for consideration up to six garments, there is going to be even more fierce competition to impress the jury and get those looks on the runway.

We’ve brought back fashion blogger Kristen Foley, and she recently shared another exciting twist to this year’s runway show.  Each designer will be truly presenting their own collection. That is, there is no overarching theme. The work we see this year will be a pure reflection of the designer’s inspiration. Soon, Kristen will be sitting down with each designer so we can learn a little bit more about what they have planned for this May.

Each year we are thrilled and humbled by the support we get from our business partners through sponsorships. Their generosity ensures we produce a great event and still raise those critical scholarship dollars.

If you happen to be checking out this post after the publish date there is a very good chance more partners have joined us, so please take a second to visit the event page for a full list of supporters—and show that you appreciate their support of local causes, by supporting them.

Without further ado, a big thanks to: Runway Sponsor, EXPRESS;  Fashion Lookbook Sponsor, Abercrombie & Fitch; Easton Fashion Award Sponsor, Easton Town Center;  VIP Cocktail Reception Sponsors, Nationwide & Justice; Couture Sponsors, Diamond Cellar, Huntington Bank, Lane Bryant, Macy’s, Porter Wright Morris & Arthur LLP, RG Barry/Dearfoams, and THE LIMITED; In-Kind Sponsors, Cameron Mitchell Catering, Heidelberg Distributing Company, Live! Technologies, LLC, Mukha Custom Cosmetics, Mumm Napa, and Ologie; In-Kind Supporters, Middle West Spirits; and Media Sponsor, CD102.5.

While you are heading to our event page to get your tickets, also be sure to check out our ever-growing host committee chaired by the fabulous Peg Mativi and Donald Dick.

Brent Payne’s “Pepper, Tuesday Morning, 8:33″

Adjunct faculty and Fine Arts alumnus Brent Payne (CCAD 2006) will have a drawing in the 47^th Annual National Drawing & Small Sculpture Show hosted by Del Mar College in Corpus Christi, TX, Feb. 22–May 3.

His drawing Pepper, Tuesday Morning, 8:33 will be in the juried exhibition that features work from contemporary artists across the country. The exhibition will include drawings and other works on paper, such as prints in traditional media or watercolors, along with sculptures of any media.

Payne is also showing his work in two other juried exhibitions in Oxford and Dayton, Ohio.

Cover of “PUSH Print”

Alumnus Jamie Berger (CCAD 1978) curated PUSH Print, a book on contemporary printmaking published by Lark Crafts.

The book showcases more than 30 contemporary printmaker with techniques ranging from screen printing to woodcuts.

“It was a great opportunity to explore printmaking outside my everyday little world of letterpress graphics,” Berger said. “I hope the book will pique curiosity and spark inspiration by illustrating the scope and power of printmaking today.”

Berger is the co-founder of Cranky Pressman, a commercial letterpress printer located in Salem, OH.

Ellen O’Connell Bazzoli’s “Spring 1104″

CCAD alumni and faculty will show their work in the Ohio Art League Curated Exhibition, presented by the Ohio Arts Council at the Riffe Gallery, Jan. 31–April 14.

The Ohio Art League Curated Exhibition contains work from 18 artists chosen by curator Dennis Harrington, director of the Weston Art Gallery in Cincinnati, OH. The work in the exhibition features seasoned and emerging artists, and explores a dialogue of visual connections created by assembling a group of eclectic and inspired works in one place.

CCAD artists include associate alumna Ellen O’Connell Bazzoli (CCAD 1983), MFA alumni Alex Conrad and Nicole Crock (CCAD 2012), Assistant Professor Steven Elbert, associate alumnus Paul Emory (CCAD 1978), adjunct faculty and MFA alumna Virginia Kistler (CCAD 2012), and coordinator of printmaking Kathy McGhee.

There will be an opening reception Jan. 31, 5–7 p.m., and a tour with the curator Feb. 1, noon–1 p.m.

The Ohio Arts Council is a state agency that funds and supports quality arts experiences to strengthen Ohio communities culturally, educationally and economically.

Suzanne Cotton during a garment presentation, photo courtesy Luke Kramer

By Kristen M. Foley

There is a chill in the air and the promise of more snow before the first buds of a new season make their grand appearance. Yet, visions of spring and the fashion event it brings have long been on the minds of CCAD’s senior Fashion Design majors who will create the looks for the 2013 CCAD Fashion Show, which will hit the runway on May 10.

In just a few short weeks the students will face the jury, where they will present up to six looks from their collection to be considered for the runway event. Students need to present their best and most complete work to be considered, and the professional jury will not only choose what goes in the show, but will also provide invaluable, constructive critiques. With 27 students in this year’s class, Suzanne Cotton, chair of the fashion design department, expects this to be a much tougher selection process.

“There is a limit in how long the show can be,” notes Cotton. “This year it’s going to be the crème de la crème that ultimately get picked for the May 10 event.”

This year brings an exciting change for the students. In years past, students were given a theme at the end of their junior year that they would use to inspire and drive their final senior collection. Previous themes have included the circus, paintings and sculptures of famous artists, and leaders in fashion design. This year, there is no overarching theme for the designers to use as a starting point. The students were challenged to find their muse and inspiration within themselves and then transfer that to their collections.

“It’s something we’ve been thinking about for a while,” said Cotton. “Each designer has their own individual personality and this show is really about showcasing their work. We’re giving the students the opportunity, really from conception all the way through to design and construction, to really show a truer feeling of what their work is all about.”

Suzanne Cotton during a garment presentation, photo courtesy Luke Kramer

Although the students were initially ecstatic about embarking on their senior journey without a pre-determined theme to guide them, they soon found unique challenges in creating a cohesive collection without an assigned starting point.

“When someone gives you your starting point, it really takes the pressure off,” explained Cotton. “Thinking anything can be your starting point is kind of overwhelming. They had to look inside of themselves and that can intimidating. These kids have worked for four years and this is the big finish and they want to do something spectacular.”

The result of this new direction is a group of diverse collections that are more personally tied to the individual designers.

“The exciting part is getting to hear the personal stories behind their collections,” said Cotton. “We have one student who has done work in science and physics and that came out in her collection. Another student is working with Plexiglas and yet another who has looked at her traditional clothes tied to her heritage and how she could update them to be on trend today.”

Cotton also believes this process has allowed the students to grow even more as designers and utilize what they’ve learned in their years at CCAD.

“They began to understand that the great idea might not always be the first one they think of. It may be the fifth or sixth that really turns into something amazing,” said Cotton. “It’s a process that will help them as they move into the career world.”

There is a lot more to share about the 2013 CCAD Fashion Show, including the jurying process, the photo shoot for the show’s lookbook, and one-on-one interviews with each participating designer—so stay tuned.

Tickets for the 2013 Senior Fashion Show event go on sale February 1, and don’t forget this spectacular event is a fundraiser to support the next creative class with scholarships and more.

Anita Dawson’s “Olive Branches and Lemons”

CCAD painting professor Anita Dawson has a solo exhibition at Washington and Lee University in Lexington, VA, Jan. 28–May 30.

The exhibition, Emblematic Objects, will feature Dawson’s still-life paintings.

“I love still life and I love objects,” Dawson said in the event description. “My studio shelves are crowded with  taxidermy birds and fishes, early 20th century toys, plastic frogs, Chinese bowls, and interesting rocks that were found while traveling on research trips to Italy, at estate sales, or in the street.”

Trenton Doyle Hancock, photo courtesy Bill Surface

CCAD’s Visiting Artists & Scholars Series will bring in speakers ranging from poets and music critics to sculptors and painters for its spring season.

“Our Visiting Artist & Scholars series has continued to grow,” said Kevin Conlon, CCAD’s vice president for academic affairs. “Having well-known speakers come to our campus and speak on their career and/or in conjunction with exhibitions allows us to engage the community with our programming and events and also with the Columbus arts scene.”

The first artist talk will come from John B. Carls, Jan. 30, 7 p.m. Carls is an award-winning film producer whose credits include the Oscar winning Rango, which won for best animated feature film and Where the Wild Things Are, which was nominated for a Golden Globe. Carls was the executive producer on The Little Bear Movie and Open Season, which he also co-wrote.

Following Carls’ talk will be Trenton Doyle Hancock, Feb. 21 at 6:30 p.m. Hancock will be showing his work in CCAD’s project space, Room. Hancock is internationally known for his narrative of the battle between good and evil—executed across a wide variety of media that includes painting, collage, sculpture, print, and the performing arts.

Shortly following Hancock, CCAD will host poet Sharon Olds, Feb. 28 at 6:30 p.m. Olds is the author of eight volumes of poetry. Her most recent collection, Stag’s Leap, was published this fall and earned her the T.S. Eliot Prize. She is the first American woman to be awarded, and her work is described by judges as “a tremendous book of grace and gallantry, which crowns the career of a world-class poet.”

Greil Marcus, photo courtesy Thierry Arditti

Following Olds, on March 14 at 6:30 p.m., is sculptor Nari Ward. Ward creates dramatic sculptural installations from material found in his urban neighborhood in New York. His work is included in the exhibition WALL, which will be in the Canzani Center Gallery, Feb. 21–April 4.

Painter Fred Tomaselli will speak on April 4 at 6:30 p.m. Tomaselli first became known for highly decorative, intensively worked paintings that evoked escapism through both their imagery and their materials.

Tomaselli’s exhibition New York Times can be seen in Room, March 18–April 8, and his artist talk will be followed by a reception and an opportunity to view his work.

Sharon Olds, photo courtesy Brett Hall Jones

Greil Marcus will join CCAD April 11. Marcus has been America’s foremost expert on pop music for more than three decades. He is an iconic columnist and the author of classic books such as Mystery Train and Lipstick Traces.

The season will wrap up May 2 and 3 with an exciting duo, the internationally renowned retail design and branding expert Marc Gobé and his daughter, Gwenaelle Gobé. Their visit is part of the CCAD MindMarket’s ThoughtLab and presented with support from the Easton Foundation. More information coming soon.

Presentations are held in the Canzani Center Auditorium and most are free unless otherwise noted.

CCAD’s Visiting Artist & Scholars Series is sponsored by the Skestos Endowment Fund for Visiting Artists & Lectures, Renaissance Columbus Downtown Hotel, the Ohio Arts Council, and the Greater Columbus Arts Council.

Check out CCAD’s Visiting Artists & Scholars web calendar for full event details.

Students work on project for InPower through the CCAD MindMarket

Students are tackling a big project with local advanced electronics company InPower through CCAD’s MindMarket.

“InPower reached out to CCAD after learning about some of the program offerings CCAD has for Industrial Design,” said Cynthia Gravino, CCAD MindMarket director.  “We had several meetings and determined a CCAD DesignLab partnership would best serve their needs and would provide a great hands-on opportunity for our students in a client-based project setting.”

Tom Gattis, dean of the School of Design Arts and chair of Industrial Design, stepped in to lead the student class.

“InPower originally came to us hoping to redesign the packaging for an existing product and look for some new market opportunities,” Gattis said. “We attacked it from a different point of view and realized we can do a lot more than just redesign a package.”

For the first semester (fall 2012) students conducted a comprehensive market, product, and competitive landscape analysis.

“We spent nearly the whole semester researching things like who the customers are, what motivated them to purchase, examining how the company was attacking the market and finding alternatives,” Gattis said. “The students did a tremendous amount of work and exceeded the client’s expectations.”

During the spring semester (2013) Gattis is leading the students in the physical redesign of the packaging based on the internal and external factors revealed by their research. They will explore design factors such as mood, color, typography, and texture to create the best branding and packaging for the company.

The partnership with InPower will extend throughout the next academic year, with the company tapping into CCAD talent to help discover new avenues for its products and its brand.

“One of the most interesting aspects of this partnership is that InPower is an engineering-based organization,” Gravino said. “This type of company is outside of the other industries we usually have a chance to work with and provided an opportunity to expand the types of companies we serve.”

The partnership allows students to experience a real-world situation with a client and product that are local and will use their ideas.

“This is as close as we can simulate to the real world; the only difference is we are doing it within the safe confines of the college,” Gattis said. “[Students] have expert guidance from faculty along the way, and they can take a lot of risk without the fear of getting fired or demoted. They are allowed within that context to try a lot of things and really explore concepts that in a corporate setting would be a bit too risky.”

The CCAD MindMarket offers several creative services formats through the DesignLab, from charrettes, which are intense 54-to-72 hour design challenges, to class projects lasting 16 weeks, to partnerships, which can be longer and recruit the broadest variety of CCAD students, faculty, and staff.

Shoppers at CCAD Winter Art Sale

Twice a year, CCAD invites the community to check out and purchase work from CCAD talent (students, alumni, faculty, and staff). For the April 13 event, the sale will move from a first-come, first-served sign-up process to a juried, art fair format.

“Having our art fair be juried allows us to model after fairs that students will see in their professional careers,” said Dwayne Todd, vice president for student affairs.

In prior years sign-ups were first-come, first-served with spots for the December sale filled in less than three minutes (yeah, it was THAT fast). The winter sale drew more than 1,000 shoppers and raised more than $6,000 toward CCAD’s general scholarship fund

“Changing to this format will allow more students, alumni, faculty, and staff an opportunity to apply,” said Janie Robinson, career services associate. “It also ensures we don’t miss out on showcasing a fantastic artist because they missed the very small sign-up window.”

Submissions from possible vendors will be accepted online through ZAPP (the same service used by GCAC’s popular Columbus Arts Festival). All submissions will then be judged by three jurors, Ken Emerick, Anne Holman, and Laura Kuenzil.

Emerick is the director for individual artist grants and percent for art program at the Ohio Arts Council (OAC). He manages the OAC Individual Excellence Awards, administering the Ohio Percent for Art Public Art program, and coordinating a number of national and international artist residency programs.

Shoppers at CCAD Winter Art Sale

He has been a juror for numerous awards and exhibitions for various Ohio arts organizations, colleges, and universities.

“Work selected should have a combination of some of the following qualities,” Emerick said. “Technical proficiency or craftsmanship, creative and inventive use of the medium, innovation in style and concept, and a reflection of the artist’s unique personal approach and vision as evidenced in the artwork submitted.”

Holman is an adjunct faculty member at CCAD and a Fine Arts alumna (CCAD 2002). She is the owner and creator of Anne Holman Jewelry. She has been featured in fashion columns and magazines nationally and internationally and exhibits her work throughout the U.S.

Kuenzil is the owner of Rivet Gallery located in the short North, Columbus’ arts district. Rivet is a designer toy and art gallery, presenting original work from underground artists, with a new show opening the first Saturday of every month.

Submissions will be accepted for the fair Jan. 25–Feb. 25 with final decisions on who will be participating in the sale by March 15.

The first CCAD juried art fair is Saturday, April 13—enter at 9 a.m. for first-choice admission ($50) and 10 a.m. for general admission ($5).

“The Legend of the Candy Cane” cover, illustrated by Richard Cowdrey

Alumnus Richard Cowdrey (CCAD 1981) illustrated the re-released children’s book The Legend of the Candy Cane.

Written by Lori Walburg, the book was originally released 15 years ago and talks about the Christian symbolism behind the popular candy cane. Its publisher, Zonderkidz, decided to re-release it with updated illustrations by Cowdrey.

“The setting is more turn of the century, and the colors are bright and engaging,” said Walburg in an online article. “In addition, most of the illustrations feature a cat, a dog, and a mouse; so many small children will enjoy finding their furry friends in each spread.”

Cowdrey is known for his children’s book illustrations, including the New York Times #1 bestseller Bad Dog, Marley! He has worked with top publishers including Scholastic, Harper Collins, McGraw Hill, Penguin, and more.

“Untitled” from Daniel King’s GROUNDED series

Media Studies alumnus Daniel King (CCAD 2000) was featured in Temporary Art Review discussing his artistic career and inspiration.

In the article, King talks about balancing his schedule among graduate school (Ohio University), family life, and his engagement in the art community.

“As an undergraduate I realized the possibilities of working with a community of artists,” King said. “The shared energies and skills of a group make for a rich experience.

King stayed in touch with the art community by working with the Columbus International Film and Video Festival and the Journal of Short Film.

To read the full article, click here.

Front of Brian Uhl’s exhibition postcard

Illustration alumnus Brian Uhl (CCAD 2008) has a solo exhibition The Tower at Static Age Gallery in Cincinnati, Jan. 25–March 29.

The exhibition will feature 18 of Uhl’s most recent illustrations along with a few multimedia prints and T-shirt designs.

Uhl works with pen, ink, and markers, illustrating primarily in black and white. He has been influenced by punk, metal, and other subcultures.

“The work will be from commission work I’ve done for bands and businesses over the past year, as well as some large-scale personal pieces,” Uhl said. “The personal works will be displayed both in their original format and as multimedia prints that I will make in collaboration with Southpaw Prints, the screen printing shop in Static Age Gallery.”

Uhl is also working on a quarterly comic for a new magazine, Decompression, based in the United Kingdom. The magazine will report on current industrial, punk, and metal music.

“I’m really excited about this since he’s letting me just do whatever I want, which means I can get as weird as I want to,” Uhl said.

Static Age Gallery is located at 1334 Main Street in Cincinnati. The exhibition will open on Jan. 25 during Cincinnati’s monthly Last Friday event, which features open galleries and shops in the Over-the-Rhine historic neighborhood.

Nari Ward’s “We the People.” Photo credit: Will Brown

Looking to add some color to Ohio’s long, grey winter months? Well, look no further then CCAD’s packed exhibitions line-up.

The seven exhibitions planned for this winter and spring will spur conversations ranging from the limits limits of a gallery wall, perceptions of reality, and the battle between good and evil.

“We have been expanding the reach of the gallery and increasing the variety of artists and topics we explore,” said Michael Goodson, director of exhibitions at CCAD. “Additionally, we expanded our hours for the Canzani Center Gallery and Room to provide more options for the community to view the exhibits and to join the conversation at no cost.”

The new year got a quick start with Sam Martineau’s Fair Touching, which is on view in Room, CCAD’s new project space. Martineau’s exhibition will run through Feb.1.

The Scholastic Art Awards 2013 Central Ohio Regional Competition opens January 18 and will be on view through Feb. 2 in the Canzani Center Gallery.

This is CCAD’s 26^th year hosting the Scholastic Awards exhibition, which features a  juried selection of work from students grades seven through 12.

“Guilty” by Fred Tomaselli

“CCAD’s investment in the local community is critical as we aim to support the development and enrichment of the creative community in which we reside,” said Densil R. R. Porteous II, CCAD’s director of admissions. “This event presents a great opportunity to recognize and nurture the creative talents of students in our area and to further encourage students to pursue their creativity.”

Room will next host the work of Trenton Doyle Hancock, who is internationally known for his evolving, absurdist narrative of the battle between good and evil. His work will be up Feb. 4–March 14.

WALL will be in the Canzani Center Gallery Feb. 21–April 4 and will show work from 11 artists. On Feb. 21 there will be a sneak preview, an artist talk by Trenton Doyle Hancock, and a reception.

WALL will push the limits of the gallery’s walls, perhaps even encouraging visitors to view the artists as unruly tenants who leave indelible marks on the space that acts as their host. Artists include A. Balasubramaniam, Sarah Cain, Sean Foley, Jim Hodges, Sol LeWitt, Karin Sander, Jennifer Steinkamp, Mary Temple, and Nari Ward.

Painter Fred Tomaselli’s New York Times will take over Room, March 18–April 8, with a sneak preview, artist talk, and reception on April 4.

Tomaselli’s exhibition shows a series of vividly altered front pages of the New York Times.

The MFA Thesis Exhibition, April 12–May 3, will feature the culminating achievements of CCAD’s 2013 class of MFA candidates. Work ranges from glass, installation, video, and photography to illustration, painting, and digital media.

A second student exhibition will follow right on its heels— CCAD’s 134^th Annual Student Exhibition will run May 10–June 28.

This exhibition is one of the college’s longest-running traditions and will draw work from all nine undergraduate programs.

CCAD also has a summer exhibition in the wings featuring artist Leonardo Drew, which is schedule to open Aug. 29.

Exhibitions at CCAD are presented with the support of the Ohio Arts Council, the Greater Columbus Arts Council, and CD102.5. All exhibitions are free and open to the public.

Regular gallery hours are Tuesday through Friday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday and Sunday noon to 5 p.m. and closed on Mondays. Parking is free in CCAD lots.

The 2013 Oscar nominations have been announced. Photo courtesy of oscar.go.com

The awards season is upon us, and the Oscar nominees have been announced. With so many of our alumni working in the film and animation industry, it’s no surprise that some of the nominated films include CCAD talent in their credits.

Media Studies alumnus Steve Hubbard (CCAD 2010) worked on the animation for Life of Pi, which was nominated in eight categories, including Best Picture and Visual Effects.

“I worked on about 20 shots throughout the film,” Hubbard said. “I worked on fur and muscle simulations for Richard Parker [the tiger], the hyena, and the zebra. I also worked on the tarp interactions with the animals and Pi, the ropes on the boat, and some movements on fish as well.”

Illustration alumnus Alex Alvarado (CCAD 2011), Media Studies alumnus Joaquin Baldwin (CCAD 2006), and Media Studies alumnus Darren Simpson (CCAD 2011) worked on Walt Disney’s Wreck-It Ralph, which was nominated in the Animated Feature Film category.

Baldwin was also selected as a juror for the 40^th Annual Annie Awards, which will take place Feb. 2 at UCLA’s Royal Hall in Los Angeles.

And finally, Illustration alumnus Ben Lane (CCAD 1996) worked on The Longest Daycare, which is nominated for Short Film (Animated).

Update: On Sunday, Feb. 24 Life of Pi, which alumnus Steve Hubbard worked on, took home four Oscars, including Best Visual Effects.

“Family” by Abigail Niehaus, Hilliard Darby High School

CCAD will host work, for the 26th time, from local young artists, grades seven through 12, in the 2013 Central Ohio Regional Scholastic Art Awards exhibition, Jan. 18–Feb. 2.

“CCAD’s investment in the local community is critical as we aim to support the development and enrichment of the creative community in which we reside,” said Densil R.R. Porteous II, CCAD’s director of admissions. “This event presents a great opportunity to recognize and nurture the creative talents of students in our area and to further encourage students to pursue their creativity—for they are our creative future.”

There were 1,400 individual works and portfolios submitted by 415 artists for judging and 104 were selected for the exhibition, including paintings, photographs, ceramics, graphic design projects, drawings, sculptures, and multimedia works.

“In My Bedroom” byJacob Mason-Macklin, Fort Hayes High School

A total of 231 individual pieces and 26 art and photography portfolios were chosen for recognition in the competition, with Gold and Silver Key awards and honorary salutes. Fifty students received a Gold Key award and will be allowed to send their work to New York for national judging. Seniors are eligible for scholarships at participating art and design colleges and universities throughout the country.

The National Scholastic Art & Writing Awards date back to 1923 and are the oldest and largest student art awards recognition program in the U.S.—and the largest source of scholarships for young artists and writers. The awards have a roster of past winners including Andy Warhol, Sylvia Plath, Truman Capote, Richard Avedon, Robert Redford, Joyce Carol Oates, and many more.

There will be an awards ceremony Jan. 27 for the students and their families. Visit CCAD’s event page for more exhibition details including a list of student winners.

Close-up shot of Tim Rietenbach’s work that will be in “FUNCTION.” Photograph by Luke Kramer.

Seven CCAD faculty members will come together and show their work at Columbus’ Cultural Arts Center in a group exhibition, FUNCTION, Jan. 9–Feb. 8, with an opening reception Friday, Jan. 11, 6–8 p.m.

“The exhibition looks at the idea of function,” said Michael Goodson, CCAD’s exhibitions director. “We have faculty that have a design background and faculty that have a fine arts background in this show, and they are coming together to look at functionality and dis-functionality for items designed to function and those based on the idea of function.”

Goodson helped organize the exhibition and will show his work along with Associate Professor and Industrial Design alumnus Davis Burghy (CCAD 1989), Foundation Studies and Fine Arts instructor Matthew Flegle, Dean of the School of Design Arts and Industrial Design chair Tom Gattis, Professor and Industrial Design alumnus Joel Gundlach (CCAD 1986), Assistant Professor and Fine Arts alumna Danielle Julian Norton (CCAD 1999), and Associate Professor and Fine Arts alumnus Tim Rietenbach (CCAD 1977).

Work will range from Burghy’s deconstructed stair banisters to Flegle’s illustrations of colliding objects. For more information and gallery hours, visit the Cultural Arts Center’s website.

Sculpture from Char Norman’s “Forest Remnants” exhibition

CCAD’s Dean of Faculty Char Norman is showing her work in two solo exhibitions in central Ohio this winter.

Forest Remnants will be at the Dublin Arts Council, in Dublin, OH, Jan. 8–Feb. 22. The exhibition features a new body of work created in response to the destruction of forests through infestations and violent storms.

Norman’s work will also be shown in Conversations with the Past at Ohio Dominican Wehrle Gallery, Columbus, OH, Jan. 27–March 10. The exhibition will feature photos printed on handmade paper of sculptures Norman completed during trips to Florence and Rome.

Detail of Boryana Rusenova Ina’s “Privatization 1″

Fine Arts alumna and adjunct faculty Boryana Rusenova Ina (CCAD 2006) will have work in two upcoming group exhibitions in Michigan.

The first, Interspecies at the Gallery Project in Ann Arbor, MI, focuses on the complex and changing relationships between humans and animals and is open Jan. 3–Feb. 11.

The second, M.A.P.: Movement and Position, showcases different types of physical and social geography. The show is at Whitdel Art Center in Detroit, MI, Jan. 18–Feb. 9 and will feature work by regional and international artists working in a variety of mediums.

Ina’s current work explores the notions of home from cultural, geographic, and emotional standpoints.

Neil Riley’s painting “Pontrieux”

Associate Professor Neil Riley has a solo exhibition, Nuances of Light: Recent Interiors and Landscapes, Dec. 14–Jan. 11 at Keny Galleries in Columbus, OH.

Riley has been represented by Keny Galleries since 2004. To view the work that will be shown, click here.

Laura Alexander’s work at Homeport Gallery, photo courtesy Homeport

Saturday Morning Art Classes instructor Laura Alexander has a solo exhibition, Emergence, at Homeport Gallery in Columbus, OH, through Feb. 27.

The exhibition shows more than 20 of Alexander’s hand-cut paper sculptures. Her work is created to play with light and shadows.

Homeport Gallery is a venture by Homeport, an affordable housing agency, to foster community development through art. It is located at 779 East Long Street, Columbus, OH.

College PreView students work on paintings

By Kristen M. Foley

CCAD’s resident College PreView program provides 10^th-, 11^th- and 12^th-grade students an immersive three-week, college-life experience. This year the college is going even farther with this popular program.

College PreView is expanding to offer an option for middle school students who want to investigate life at an art college, and is adding an optional New York excursion week to its high school program.

College PreView was created to provide students an on-campus, intensive core art curriculum, while still allowing them to focus on an elective area of their choice, just as they would if they were attending college to earn their degree. While here the students are afforded the opportunity to interact with professional artists and faculty, exhibit their own artwork, and explore Columbus and its local arts scene. It’s a collection of college-life experiences that can enrich a student’s future art education.

This year CCAD wanted to open up that experience to students in seventh-, eighth-, and ninth grade by offering CCAD Discovery Club. Discovery Club is an in-residence experience, has core classes and focused electives that relate to the college’s major areas of study, and includes local excursions to round out the college life experience. CCAD Discovery Club is designed with a younger audience in mind, and is one week long rather than three.

“We know that the students who come will be transformed and will understand better what they would like their path to be,” said Cat Sheridan, director of Continuing & Professional Studies. “These younger students can also discover what it is they want to do and we can help them to dip their fingers in all the pots and figure which one is best for them.”

In addition to broadening the audience for a College PreView experience, CCAD is taking it farther—to New York City

Junior and senior high-school students can participate in an optional five-day trip to one of the nation’s art centers.

“We wanted to provide these students with an even deeper experience,” said Sheridan. “We want to help them understand what CCAD grads are doing in the art industry and allow them to take a look at the different art contexts they can jump into when they earn an art degree.”

Students receive three college credits for participating in the traditional College PreView program and the additional travel week for juniors and seniors will earn them an additional credit as well as an enriching art experience.

Sheridan expects students from all over the country to participate in both programs and spaces will fill up fast.

The College PreView program runs July 7 – 27 with the additional optional travel week that runs July 28-Aug. 3. Students can start the application process now and some scholarships are available. Learn more here.

Discovery Club’s weeklong residential art camp is offered three times over the summer so students can choose the week that best fits their schedule. Session one: July 7 to 13, session two: July 14 to 20, or session three: July 21 to 27. Registration starts March 1, learn more here.

For more information on both programs, click here.

Still from Joaquin Baldwin’s animated film “Sebastian’s Voodoo”

Media Studies alumnus Joaquin Baldwin (CCAD 2006) had the privilege of being selected as a juror for the 40^th Annual Annie Awards, taking place Feb. 2 at UCLA’s Royal Hall in Los Angeles, CA.

The Annie Awards have been honoring excellence in the field of animation for 40 years. There are 30 categories of awards, including best animated feature, television production(s), television commercial, video game, and student film, as well as the achievement and honorary awards.

“They picked me to judge for the Best Student Short category because I had won the Emile Cohl Award at the ASIFA-Hollywood Student Animation Festival in 2008, which was sort of the precursor to this new category at the Annie Awards,” Baldwin said.

Every category has a set of jurors to select nominees because there are so many applicants per category. After the jurors select the top nominees, all ASIFA members vote for the winner.

Baldwin works as a CG layout artist for Walt Disney Studios in Los Angeles, CA. His projects there included Wreck-It Ralph, Tangled Ever After, and Prep & Landing: Naughty vs. Nice.

“The most fun part of the award ceremony will be that this time I know a lot of the nominees, since they also work at Disney,” Baldwin said. “So I’ll be biased and rooting for them of course.”

After completing work for Wreck-It Ralph, Baldwin jumped right into work for Frozen, a Disney animated adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s fairytale The Snow Queen. The movie is set to be released in November 2013 and will feature the voices of Kristen Bell and Idina Menzel.

Baldwin is represented by the Creative Artists Agency and has received more than 120 international awards for his independent animated shorts Sebastian’s Voodoo and Papiroflexia.

“This is a great opportunity for beginning filmmakers to see their work on the ‘big screen’ with an audience made up of other filmmakers, artists, and enthusiasts,” said Philip R. Garrett, visiting faculty in Cinematic Arts, who showed his short experimental/quasi-documentary The Astronomer at the event.

CMIAR is a quarterly screening that includes works from local artists. This December marked the 13^th event.

Videos by CCAD students featured in CMIAR included:

• Great Destroyer by Advertising & Graphic Design and Cinematic Arts sophomore Hunter Preston
• Violent Bliss by Cinematic Arts sophomore Tom Lepley
• I love BMX by Cinematic Arts sophomore Brant Moore
• Video 1 Project by Cinematic Arts sophomore Yazmin Ruiz
• Tattoo Taboo and Self Portrait Stop Animation by Cinematic Arts junior Amanda Hess
• Paralyzed by Photography sophomore Karl Allsop
• See Birds and Imperfect from Photography sophomore Sarah Brevick
• One Day by graduate student Yang Wu