Where Are They Now?

Atlanta College of Art

Kamal Al'adil (B.F.A., advertising, 2002) lives in Atlanta, Ga and has been working in special education with EBD (emotional behavior disorder) students for over three years. He also manages his own business, Nu Legacy, that exists to make prescription drugs more affordable by offering a free discount program. In addition he is a professional artist that uses mixed media to present "Abstract Expressionism," a series of pictures or scenes that depicts the range human emotions. (updated 05/15/09)

Vanessa D.  Anthony (B.F.A., digital video/digital multimedia, 2002) has been involved in both television and independent film for over five years. It was not long after graduation until she discovered her passion for filmmaking. From 2001 to 2002 she interned at CNN, where she gained hands-on experience from working with professionals on and off the set. She shadowed producers who trained her to be punctual, creative, and skillful in project development. Following this, she landed the position as a log coordinator with TNT (Turner Network Television) in their television programming division. At the same time, she worked as a production assistant on the set of Turner Classic Movies. Such experience inspired her to write and produce her own TV show for cable television where she managed an entire crew and host. In November 2004, Vanessa moved to Tokyo, Japan where she taught English and produced short films. She also served as a voice talent for NHK Radio, "Kiso Eigo 2" for two consecutive years. Ms. Anthony is currently an on-camera talent for childrens educational programs and she is the founder and director of Movie Mad Entertainment. (updated 01/31/10)

Marisa (Avila) Sayler (B.F.A., painting, 2005) wrote, "After ACA, I attended Cal State Fullerton's M.F.A. program in drawing, painting and printmaking. After graduating in 2005, I have taught and exhibited in and around Los Angeles. www.marisasayler.com (updated 07/15/09)

Shanika Ballard (B.F.A., graphic design, 2005) lives in Tucker, Ga., and is a graphic artist with the CNN Center. She also started her own business of screenprinting textile.

Michelle Bando (B.F.A., advertising design, 2004) works at Mopdog Advertising and Design in Acworth, Ga. View her work at www.michellebando.com.

Ami Blackford (B.F.A., illustration, 2006) wrote and illustrated Quest for the Dragon Stone - A Duncan Family Adventure, which will be published by Red Cygnet Press. Visit www.redcygnetpress.com for more information.

John Burba (B.F.A., printmaking, 2006) lives in Smyrna, Ga., with his wife, Jessica. He is a jeweler with Shane Co., a retail jewelry store.

Katy Carlson (B.F.A., graphic design, 2002) lives in Atlanta, Ga., and is art director for Astral Brands (www.astralbrands.com). Visit her at www.katycarlson.com.

Hwaryang "Stasia" Chung (B.F.A., painting, 2003) lives and works in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. She is an artist, lecturer and director of the Educational Enhancement Department at Mongolia International University. She completed an M.F.A. at Pratt Institute in 2009. Prior to moving to Mongolia, she lived and worked as an artist in Brooklyn, New York. (updated 07/16/12)

Eileen Cohen (B.F.A., digital multimedia, 2005) lives in Atlanta, Ga., and is a driver for Project Open Hand, delivering meals to the infirm and aging.

Leyla Compani (B.F.A., communication design, 2002) lives in Atlanta, Georgia with her husband Hesham Starkey. The couple was married on May 12th. She wrote,"My Company, Mama Creative, Inc., now does the layout of The Piedmont Review, Charleston Review, and 30-A Review."

Kevin Cooper (B.F.A., animation, 2003) wrote, "I currently reside in a cozy little town called Tarpon Springs, Fla. with my lovely wife Jannie. I work as a quality checker at Bic Graphic, the largest supplier of promotional products. I still love cartoons and talk about it often on my blog, celtherapy.net." (updated 06/25/09)

Mary Corser (B.F.A., painting, 2004) lives in Atlanta, Ga., and is involved in production assistance for television, feature films, commercials, etc. He wrote, "At this point I am currently applying for the local 479 film union to join the Props department."

Antonio Garcia (B.F.A., advertising design, 2001) lives in Chicago, Ill, and is art director for Firebelly Design Co.  He writes, "Started Good Night TV clothing line in September 2005 with fellow ACA alum Charles Smith.

Kelly Gorman (B.F.A., painting, 2005) is currently living in the London, England, area where she works at University for the Creative Arts as a learning support assistant and has continued to exhibit art internationally. She is engaged to her fiance, Henry, and they plan to marry soon. Gorman earned her Master's Degree in Fine Art in 2008 from the University of Creative Arts. (updated 05/16/11)

Brandy Handelman (B.F.A., digital video, 2004) lives in Oakland, Calif., and is an intern at Radium (www.radium.com) a visual effects post house.

Victoria Hanlon (B.F.A., painting, 2006) lives in Atlanta, Ga, with her husband and four children. She wrote, "I'm setting up a studio in my home and will be painting."

Kellyn James (B.F.A., digital art, 2006) lives in Atlanta, Ga., with her fiancé, Mark Willey (B.F.A., digital art, 2006). She is interested in pursuing photography, graphic design or digital art when she enters graduate school in 2008.

Robert "Scott" Lawrence (B.F.A., painting, 2003) lives in Brooklyn, N.Y., and is a designer with CMMI  (www.cmmi-redlines.com), an architecture and interior design firm.

Gordana Markovic (B.F.A., painting, 2001) lives in Lawrenceville, Ga., with her children, Katarina (November 1993) and Luka (March 2002) and does credit collection for Comucredit.

Shannon (McEvoy) Betsill (B.F.A., photography, 2003) lives in Stone Mountain, Ga., and was married on June 24, 2006 to D.J. Betsill of Atlanta.  

Chantelle Minarcine (B.F.A., sculpture, 2001) is a sculptor who lives in Doraville, Ga.
 
Jason Morris (B.F.A., animation, 2004) lives in Kennesaw, Ga., and is an image processor for visual Applications Inc. He writes, "I have also been working with a fellow graduate from ACA on various video, Web and DVD projects since the summer of 2004, for multiple clients located here in the Atlanta area. We are currently heading up production of a commercial spot for cable release and other various editing projects, contracted through a Florida-based company."

Kevin Nightingale (B.F.A., advertising design, 2003) lives in Savannah, Ga., and is marketing manager, purchaser and estimator for Genesis Construction. He is also interested in freelance creative work.
Sasha-Ingenue Patton (B.F.A., photography, 2003) wrote, "I'm an elementary school art teacher, teaching nearly 600 K-5 graders. I'm a road biker (cyclist) and have started riding/racing in public and amateur bicycle rides and races up to 100 miles in a day. Loving life in Albuquerque, New Mexico; I'm a yoga stretching, bicycle riding, trail hiking, snowboard cruising fool!" (updated 08/11/11)

Suzen Pope (B.F.A., painting, 2001) lives in London, England. She wrote "Art has no path, you have to find it!" (updated 09/14/08)

Jennifer "Jenni" Porter-Welch (B.F.A., photography, 2002) wrote, "I got married in 2003 and have four fantastic children. They have taken over my life and left me a lot less time to be an artist. But, being a mother is a movement all on it's own. I will not trade it for anything.  I know when the children are grown and the house is empty the art world will always be there." (updated 04/01/10)

Nicole Price (B.F.A., advertising design, 2003) lives in Baltimore, Md., and is an account executive for Eisner Communications (www.e-c.com), a full-service advertising agency.

Mechal Roe-Barber (B.F.A., digital art, 2005) lives in Decatur, Ga., with her husband, LaMar Barbar (B.F.A., painting, 2004). She is a creative artist with Carter's (www.carters.com), where she is responsible for the older girl's playclothes division.

Carolyn (Rose) Milner (B.F.A., painting and drawing, 2001; M.F.A., painting and drawing, 2006) wrote, "I am now a professor at Art Institute of Atlanta, teaching foundation studies, fashion, illustration, and fashion history.  I also work at Ben Franklin Academy, a school for high schoolers who need a little extra nurturing in their focus.  I have just had a solo show at ArtSpace International called 'Smoking Women' with favorable results.  I am also a photographer for an internet magazine called DeConform.  Who says you can't get work in the arts?  My degrees have served me well."

Zac Shuster (B.F.A., video/film, 2004) lives in Dunwoody, Georgia with his partner Kristen. Zac works in video/motion graphics with Groundsrush Media (www.groundsrushmedia.com), a creative firm based in Atlanta that offers everything from Web sites and print ads to radio and television commercials.

Kyrin Slaybaugh (B.F.A., painting, 2002) lives in Atlanta, Ga., and wrote, "My work involves challenging the parameters of traditional sculpture and painting by juxtaposing traditional sewing techniques and materials with high art sensibilities. I confront the viewer with what is characteristically thought of as 'women's work.' The objects I create blur the lines between sculpture and painting, challenging the viewer to rethink sculpture versus painting and craft versus fine art."

Jessica Snodgrass (B.F.A., sculpture, 2004) after graduating from ACA, she moved to St. Louis, Missouri where she lived for about a year and continued sculpting at the Craft Alliance working in both ceramic sculpture and jewelry castings. In 2006, missing the wide open spaces of green she returned home to Kentucky. Jessica has just moved into her first home in Bowling Green, Kentucky where her creativity can be seen from floor to ceiling. She has been working for VSA arts of Kentucky for about a year now as their in-house graphic designer and administrative assistant. When she's away from the computer, Jessica continues to work diligently in her garage/studio doing ceramic sculpture and has recently started painting in acrylics again. Visit www.vsartsky.com.

Kevin Swango (B.F.A., graphic design, 2003) lives in Douglasville, Georgia with his wife Anna and is working as a graphic design specialist for Southwire in Carrollton, Georgia. (updated 07/28/10)

Christopher "Chris" Toon (B.F.A., animation, 2005) lives in Virginia Beach, VA and is a graphics specialist for General Dynamics, a government contractor. He creates training material graphics for U.S. military pilots and engineers.

Kevin Trantham (B.F.A., graphic design, 2005) lives in Avondale Estates, Ga., with his wife, Katrine. He is a freelance designer. View his work at http://homepage.mac.com/kissdesign/Menu7.html

Aisha Trott (B.F.A., graphic design, 2002) wrote, "I am currently pregnant, due in December 2009." (updated 08/19/09)

Michelle (van Tonder) Parker (B.F.A., advertising design, 2003) lives in Dallas, Georgia with her husband, Stewart, and is working as an Art Director for B2Creative in Atlanta.

Marianna (Vugman) Davidson (B.F.A., illustration, 2006) wrote, "I now teach art at an Elementary school. I have been teaching for 2 years now. I still live in Jacksonville, FL."

Heather Weaver (B.F.A., digital multimedia, 2001) wrote, "I am currently expecting my first child in January 2011. I am currently working as a freelance designer/artist at home. I am also planning on attending SCAD Atlanta next year and possibly pursuing my M.F.A. or a certificate program." (updated 09/13/10)

Marcy (Weedon) Miller (B.F.A., graphic design, 2003) lives in Lenexa, Kansas. Miller is a designer for Hallmark Cards Inc. (updated 11/26/10)

Heather Stevens Weese (B.F.A.,painting, 2002) lives in Covington, Ga. with her husband Jeff (B.F.A., photography, 1997) and their two sons, Hayden and Reid.  She is the executive director of Artists in Residence International (AIRI) (www.a-i-r-i.org) and is also a self-employed artist.  AIRI is an Atlanta-based non-profit artsorganization focused on an international exhibition and residency exchange program.  Since graduating, Weese has exhibited paintings throughout the Atlanta area and internationally.

Darren Weik (B.F.A., painting, 2004) is partner/designer at DesignToads in Atlanta, Georgia. He wrote, "After working freelance on several web design projects I joined up with ACA alum Adam Wellborn (B.F.A., illustration, 2004) and another partner to create DesignToads in Summer 2010. We have since continued to grow rapidly in the internet marketing field." (updated 12/08/11)

Adam Wellborn (B.F.A., illustration, 2004) is creative director at DesignToads in Atlanta, Georgia. He wrote, "In 2008, after working as assistant art director at a local company, I began freelancing in web work. In 2010, fellow ACA alum Darren Weik (B.F.A., painting, 2004), myself and another partner founded DesignToads where we perform internet marketing strategy for many types of businesses. We help small to mid-size companies with a focus on business development by creating a strong web presence and internet branding campaigns.

I balance a life of design and painting. I have been showing work around Atlanta for about three years now. Some of my work can be seen on adamwellborn.com . Kai Lin Art has been exhibiting my work for the last two years. I am working on a completely new series of paintings right now, and hope to update my site soon. I'm basically an artist, all day, everyday. Good or bad. I can't quit." (updated 12/08/11)

Lori Willard (B.F.A., advertising, 2004) lives in Atlanta, Ga., and is business development manager for AtlantaHomeView.com.

Lyra (Williams) Stephens (B.F.A., painting, 2001) lives in Montgomery, Ala., with her husband, Wesley, and their son, Sewell.

Robert Winchester (B.F.A., advertising, 2002) wrote, "I've been busy since graduating from ACA (remember that place?). In 2003, I started a company based out of Marietta, Georgia, The Inhouse, specializing in vehicle wraps and large format printing. Loyal clients and word of mouth is key to survival. I'm still painting and have started doing shows in 2010. As of recently, I am celebrating my 10 year anniversary with my wife and we have a handsome son, Maddox. (updated 05/17/11)

Jay Yoo (B.F.A., digital multimedia, 2003) lives in Atlanta, GA and is a designer for Think Monster, Inc. "Guys, keep in touch!"