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Cover art by Daniel Fishel BFA '09 (Illustration)
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John Brickley BFA '15 (Illustration)
Dear Friends,
I live more than 2,300 miles from Philadelphia, but I have never felt closer to the city and the University of the Arts. I believe that our alma mater is at the center of the arts universe. We are a dynamic community that transcends boundaries and time zones.
As a member of the Alumni Council, I was pleased to welcome UArts' new president, David Yager, on the West Coast for an alumni reception in February. More than 50 alumni ranging from 1976 to 2015 from multiple artistic disciplines gathered to share memories of UArts and cheer on our new leader. It is clear that President Yager appreciates and champions the caliber of our alumni, the quality of our faculty and the potential of the talented students who are attracted to our school. He is intent on raising the University's national and international reputation, along with the support to continue to excel and innovate. And with our help, I am confident that he will succeed.
There are so many ways we can participate in the life of the University: networking with alumni, attending events at UArts, contributing to scholarships and promoting our school. Please join me in staying connected and involved.
Mary Norris Dembo BFA '85 (Graphic Design)
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A spotlight on alumni using their creative passion in pursuit of alternative careers: Paul Felder BFA '08 (Acting)
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Photo by Chris Razoyk for
UFC Magazine
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He's been Carter in "Fat Pig," for which he won Best Supporting Actor in a Play in the 2012 BroadwayWorld Awards, but since 2011, millions of fans around the world have known UArts alumnus Paul Felder BFA '08 (Acting) as the Irish Dragon, an Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) fighter. Felder moved from the stage in Philadelphia to the world arena when he found himself racing between rehearsals and training in the "cage." He realized that a career in mixed martial arts could bring both together. "Fighting is like acting," he says. "It's theater. You have to be able to handle whatever happens. When the lights go up, somebody has to want to watch you."
The Irish Dragon is as fierce in his appreciation for his UArts education as he is in the ring. "UArts made me more of a man and more of a human being than I could have become at any other school. Young people need a place to develop emotionally and to pursue their passions. UArts is that place."
One day Paul hopes to return to the stage, but for now, he is busy preparing for his next UFC fight, caring for his 10-month old daughter and getting together with former UArts classmates.
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UARTS HONORS PROGRAM
"My dream is to be a great film director. Not Hollywood blockbusters. I want to make movies that give voice to people who have important stories to share with the world," says Honors Program student Stephanie Valdivia '18 (Film + Video), a video production intern at the American Red Cross and a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. UArts has exceeded her expectations, she says, creating an artistic home for her where
she is developing the skills to capture the stories she is compelled to tell.
Honors Program Director Michele Kishita BFA '97 (Painting + Drawing), MFA '10 (Painting) says an exceptional drive to excel coupled with demonstrated ability are the criteria for participation in the UArts Honors Program. Students in the program take honors classes and write an original research thesis, in addition to their required senior capstone project. Community service is also a required program component. "These students can shape the world," says Kishita. "We want to support their great potential and give them the tools to succeed."  
Left: Nia-Samara Benjamin BFA '16 (Acting); right: Matthew Emig BFA '16 (Dance)
New initiatives are in place for the coming year, including the creation of a "living learning community," an Honors Scholars floor in one of the UArts residence halls, a summer research forum to be held in collaboration with library staff and a special honors student orientation program. Kishita, who lived for several years in Japan and traveled abroad with UArts students this year, is working on plans for a special Honors Program global study program. Closer to home, she is exploring opportunities for a "peer mentoring program" that will connect upperclass honors scholars with incoming honors students. "Honors Program students are both natural collaborators and ambitious leaders," she says. "With the necessary resources, the opportunities for the Honors Program are endless." Valdivia agrees: "I chose UArts because it is a place filled with possibilities."
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SAVE THE DATES
140th Anniversary
Creative Black Tie Gala
Sunday, October 16, 2016
Inauguration of President David Yager
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Yellow11 is a creative music ensemble founded by UArts alumnus Jake Kaplan BM '16 (Music Performance). Yellow11 is described as "a small big band, which plays innovative music that is written and arranged by the members themselves. The group is dedicated to pushing the boundaries within jazz and the Philadelphia music community, while still maintaining familiar traditions." The band includes many alumni and current students [Chris Welte BM '14 (Music Performance), Evan Kilgore BM '15 (Music Performance), Zack Lutz BM '16 (Music Performance), Jimmy Boyle BM '16 (Music Performance), Matt Salazar '17 (Music Performance), Nick Lombardelli BM '15 (Music Performance), Sam Gellerstein BM '16 (Music Performance), John Udinsky, Jr. BM '14 (Music Performance), Reed Bodenstein BM '16 (Music Performance), Jake Kaplan BM '16 (Music Performance) and Conner Saltzer BM '16 (Music Performance)] and is releasing their first full-length album, Familiar Traditions, this summer.
Myra Mimlitsch-Gray BFA '84 (Crafts) received a 2016 American Craft Council Award, presented biennially to honor artists who have demonstrated outstanding artistic achievement, leadership and service in the field of craft. The award includes induction into the Council's College of Fellows.
VISUAL LITERACY EXCELLENCE
Deborah Willis BFA '75 (Photography) was honored at Art Sanctuary's Celebration of Black Arts Legacy Awards Ceremony and Show on May 20 at Philadelphia's New Freedom Theatre. Willis received the Award for Excellence in Visual Literacy. The Legacy Awards, a highlight of the creative community space's month-long Celebration of Black Arts Festival, recognize phenomenal contributors to black literature, art and community.
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INTERSECTIONS
A dialogue between two alumni, one established, one emerging,
whose work is making an impact on the arts around the world.
A FONT OF KNOWLEDGE
CHRISTINE FISCHER
BFA '84 (Graphic Design)
MFA '90 Yale University
Ordained Minister
Design Manager, Vanguard UArts GD50 Committee Chair
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NIJEL TAYLOR
BFA '14 (Graphic Design)
Class of 2014 Valedictory Speaker
Designer, Lippencott
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Design tools and technologies have changed a lot over the last 30 years. Some things never change: the centrality of design in our lives and the University's leadership in the field. Here's what two talented UArts alumni have to say about their education and their work.
CHRISTINE: Designers need to approach a problem with an open mind and understand how to take a great idea and turn it into something that can have impact. I learned to do that as a student at UArts and it has shaped my career.
NIJEL: At UArts, I learned patience for the creative process, which has been extremely important to me in my job. When I sit with a problem, empathize and relate to it personally, I can approach it with a clearer lens.
CHRISTINE: I was planning to be a Painting major. Then I went to the Graphic Design department and saw a display of posters students had designed and was utterly blown away by the idea of typography as an art. I knew instantly: I have to be one of the people who does this!
NIJEL: In high school, I had the great fortune to study with Dane Tilghman, one of the premier painters of the African-American experience. However, I decided to pursue graphic design as a career. I chose UArts because of the sense of community and because they invested in my future through scholarships. I was profoundly lucky that UArts has one of the longest surviving, most influential design programs in the country.
CHRISTINE: Design is at the heart of American business. It's about giving form to meaning and bringing value to clients and customers.
NIJEL: Design is the gateway to all creative fields, and it's a tool not only for delivering a quality product, but for effecting change.
CHRISTINE: Mentoring is important to me, sharing ideas and a vision for how design can help solve problems. I have mentored many students and am currently mentoring 10-12 young colleagues at my firm.
NIJEL: I had many experiences at UArts beyond the classroom and the studio that influenced the creative professional that I am today, such as leadership roles as an RA and as a peer mentor. I learned to slow down and listen for all the details.
Top: Story art by Nijel Taylor BFA '14 (Graphic Design).
SAVE THE DATE
The Graphic Design program will commemorate its 50th anniversary with a symposium and celebration titled "We Are Here" on September 24, 2016.
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Please send all comments, kudos and criticism to alumni@uarts.edu. Visit schoolstore.uarts.edu and use coupon code NEWSLETTER for a 10% discount on all UArts merchandise (excluding textbooks). |
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