Where Are They Now?

ACA Alumni - Where Are They Now?  1981-1990

 

Christalyn Aitken (B.F.A., painting, 1989) wrote, "I live in Columbia, S.C., with my husband, Jeff Aitken. I've been painting and drawing all these years, in between showing and homeschooling my five children. I've been a designer/framer on the side, also teaching art in a Montessori aftercare program. I recently went back to school to get a graduate degree in art therapy, which I hope will open up new avenues in my own art and professionally as a therapist." (updated 11/27/10)

Joseph Alcober (B.F.A., graphic design, 1987) lives in Decatur, Ga., and is senior art director with Hilltop Design Group (www.hilltopdesigngroup.com), an advertising design and branding company.

Mark A. Ballard ( B.F.A., graphic design, 1982) lives in Macon, Georgia with his wife, Debra. They are the company owners of The Ballard Group, an art and design company, working in a variety of areas including graphic, commissioned art work, floral design, and interiors. Mark also speaks at approximately 125 to 150 functions annually on various subjects, appears on television, and writes coulmns for newspapers and magazines. Visit www.markballard.com.

Terry (Barabino) Gardner (B.F.A., design and illustration, 1984) lives in Stockbridge, Ga., with her husband, James, and their two children, Casey and Thomas. She is owner of her own design studio, tbg Design (www.tbgdesign.com).

Lori Bradley (B.F.A., printmaking, 1983) lives in New Bedford, Mass., with her husband Mark Millstein (B.F.A., video/film, 1982), and is an adjunct professor of art education at the College of Visual and Performing Arts at the University of Massachusetts- Dartmouth. Bradley also earned an M.F.A. in printmaking from the Massachusetts College of Fine Art and an M.A. in art education from the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth. She exhibits locally and throughout the United States. View her work at www.loribradleyart.com.

Peggy Blei Hracho (B.F.A., sculpture, 1986) lives in Blandon, Pa., with her husband, Gene Hracho (B.F.A., sculpture, 1985), and their children, Emily and Anna. She is a gallery teacher for the Reading Public Museum and a stay-at-home mom. She was director of exhibitions at the Please Touch Museum for children from 1986 until 1991.

Greg Carter (B.F.A., art, 1986) lives in Statesboro, Ga., and is the owner of Carter Fine Arts.

Bill Curtis-Davidson (B.F.A., printmaking and drawing, 1990) lives in Dunwoody, Ga., and does solution design/development, business development and new technology research for IBM Corporation.

Jodianne Dybowski (B.F.A., photography, 1984) lives in Atlanta, Ga. with her husband, Chip Murrah and their daughter, Virginia.  She is president ofher own design firm, Fly Design, Inc., in Atlanta.

Drew Galloway (B.F.A., painting, 1989) wrote, "I live in Birmingham Ala. with my wife and son Jack ( 7). I have "gotten away with painting " for the past 13 years and I show with many galleries across the country including the Marcia Wood Gallery in Atlanta. (updated 12/17/09)

Steve Gormally(B.F.A., design, 1989) lives in Acworth, Ga., and is vice president executive creative director for Strottman International Inc., a kids and family marketing agency.

Aubrey Grier (B.F.A., advertising design, 1984) lives in Atlanta, Ga., and is a graphic artist with BellSouth.

Alicia Hill-Taylor (B.F.A., visual communications, 1989) lives in Gulf Breeze, Fla., with her husband, Jim, and children, Madison (December 1993) and Rachel (September 1996). She is an art educator with the Santa Rosa County School System. She wrote, "In addition to teaching children art, I still paint and work as a graphic designer in the summer. Currently I have been producing "Ivan Art" - art made from remnants left from Hurricane Ivan."

Gene Hracho (B.F.A., sculpture, 1985) lives in Blandon, Pa., with his wife, Peggy Blei Hracho (B.F.A., sculpture, 1986), and their children, Emily and Anna. He is director of manufacturing operations for Allen Organ Company. He wrote, "While not employed in the fine arts, I still make sculpture. I also earned Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering Technology in 1998 at Southern Polytechnic State University in Marietta, Ga."

Hiroshi Ishizaka (B.F.A., painting, 1982) is a high school art teacher in at Nagano City High School in Nagano, Japan, specializing in pastel. She won the fist place at the 2008 Southeastern Pastel Society International Open Exhibit. (updated 12/30/11)

Stacey (Kines) Janes ( B.F.A.,1990) wrote " I live in Seattle, Washington with my husband, Thomas, and my daughter,Taylor. I am creative services manager with CelebrateExpress.com E-mail me at: skjdesignhouse@comcast.net."

Kazumi "Kako" Kawata (B.F.A., graphic design, 1985) wrote, "I worked for two companies, a world-wide advertising agency and a small family-operated design studio. I learned how to produce graphic design materials and a operate business. Started my own Kawata Design in the 80's, serving clients in both, the U.S. and Japan in English and Japanese from concept to finish products. In 1998, I became a mother of my sweet girl, Allison.  I resigned as full-time graphic designer to do freelance up to date. Now, she is 11 years old, and I am ready to go back to work as a full-time as graphic designer. This time, I am looking for an employer, not as my own business. (updated 03/06/09)

Mark Leeke (B.F.A., video and film, 1988) lives in Forestville, Maryland and works at DCTV.

Marguerite (King) Means (1986) lives in Decatur, Ga., with her husband, Robert. She is an art consultant for the Deljou Art Group.

Chris McGehee (B.F.A., 1984) is self-employed and lives in Atlanta, Ga. He had a cartoon published in the Atlanta Journal Constitution in July 2006.

Kathleen "Kass" McGowan (B.F.A., painting, 1989) wrote, "You can find me most often in my studio making art; plus I am now on the Board of Directors of the Maryland Federation of Art (MFA) in Annapolis, in existence since 1963 and going strong. (updated 09/13/08)

Thomas Minton (B.F.A., painting and printmaking, 1986) lives in Marietta, Ga., and is an art director and set designer for the motion picture industry. He also continues to paint in his studio and in various locations through Plein-Air Painters of America.

Jeff Musick (B.F.A., graphic design, 1990) lives in Duluth, GA.

Deborah Pegues (B.F.A., painting and printmaking, 1983) is retired and lives in Atlanta, Ga.

Lydia (Puckett) Majette (B.F.A., printmaking, 1981) lives in El Cajon, Calif., with her husband, Armando. They have two sons, James and Marc. She is owner and principal designer of Raz + Majette Designs, an interior design firm.

Chris Rose (B.F.A., graphic design, 1984) wrote, "I came to Alaska in 1986 as a result of my work. Over the years, I've lived in various Alaskan communities such as Kodiak, Sitka, Juneau and now reside in Ketchikan with my wife, Patricia, a graphic designer. I am ompletely captivated by the natural beauty of Alaska with its boundless images of inspiration. My passion for the arts continues with an occasional pastel painting and teaching. (updated 12/19/07)

Richard Russell (B.F.A., photography, 1990) lives in Atlanta with his partner, Jack Harris, and is currently manager of creative services at Constella Group SRA, a public health consulting firm. He recently had a one-person show at Garage Projects in the Castleberry Hill Arts District. To view his work, visit www.myrichardsart.com. (posted 07/18/08)

Peggy Schmid (B.F.A., sculpture, 1990) lives in Cunning, Ga., with her partner, Laverda, and daughter, Skylar (July 2005). She is a sculptural wood turner and owner of Schmid Godfrey Ltd., www.schmidgodfrey.com.

Silja (Talikka) Lahtinen (B.F.A., painting, 1983) lives in Marietta, Ga., with her husband, Pentti. She is vice president of Pentec International Inc.  

Renee (Martin) Valletutti (B.F.A., graphic design, 1990) lives on Merritt Island in Florida with her husband, Michael, and their three boys: Anthony, Adam, and Noah. She is self-employed as an independant consultant, web designer.

Barbara Wiehler (B.F.A., photography, 1986) lives in Atlanta, Ga., with her husband, Robert. She is director of words and ideas for Rand Inc.