Alumni

LETTERS AND NEWS from the SUNY Oneonta Art Alumni:

Luke Dogherty, Class of 2011

After completing my Bachelors of Arts at Oneonta, with intense mentoring, guidance and support from the instructors in the Art department, I have received a full scholarship and teaching assistant position within the MFA program at the University of Buffalo. I will be starting in the Fall of 2011.

I owe real thanks to many of the professors I worked with. They helped me prepare my portfolio, read and reread artists statements, and offered me independent studies to further particular interests of mine. The program at UB is an exciting blend of cross disciplinary studies and they call it a degree in Visual Studies. It looks as though I will be teaching figure drawing in the fall, as well as beginning work on my first of four intensive semesters of theoretical and practical art studies.

Daryl Cooper, class of 2008 email

I am currently the Gallery/ Exhibitions Coordinator at ArtsWestchester, the largest non-profit arts organization in New York State. I coordinate all aspects of the art exhibitions in our gallery space in downtown White Plains, NY as well as our gallery in Mt. Vernon, NY. My job requires me to complete loan agreements and condition reports on all of the artwork received and sold, as well as to install and de-install all of the shows. Recently, I made my curatorial debut with our current show, PATTERNS, an exhibition of contemporary quilts.

While my job may prove challenging and somewhat stressful at times, I am so thankful that I get to wake up and do what I love every day. I am constantly around artists and creative thinkers, which not only makes me enjoy my job, but it also inspires me to keep working on my own art. SUNY Oneonta’s Art Department, definitely prepared me to work in this field! I couldn’t see myself doing anything else!

Illustrators of the Future Honor

Robert Hall (class of 2006) was a finalist in the "Illustrators of the Future", sponsored by Gallaxy Press contest. He was flown to California for the ceremony which you can watch here. During the week-long event, he had the opportunity to meet and participate in workshops with other famous illustrators. His work is featured in "Writers for the Future, Vol. 24"

Rebecca Gurian [ Class of 2001 ] shares her post-graduation experience:

"I am currently living in Brooklyn and working in the photo district in Manhattan. I work as a digital imaging specialist at one of New York's top photography distributors, Fotocare.

I give tech support and training to pro photographers on the latest photographic software and hardware. My main areas of focus are on medium to large format digital camera backs, large format printers and scanners, and color management. Some of my top clients include the MET, MOMA, Jcrew, Tommy Hillfiger, and Annie Liebowitz.

One of the highlights of my job is getting to do beta testing on new software and cameras before they are released. Right now I am doing testing and giving feedback on Leaf digital backs and software. I take part in weekly conference calls with the software engineers [] give my clients feedback.

I love my job and am very thankful to the SUNY art department faculty for inspiring me to be creative and stick with a field I love." Exhibition at the New York State Museum in Albany

Two of our Alumni, Scott Hall and Sarah Woodward have been chosen to show their artwork in the Best of Show Student Exhibit at the Exhibition Hall, New York State Museum in Albany, NY from May 13th to August 6th, 2006

Simon Horowitz [ Class of 2005 ] email

Simon is currently working for Iomedia in Manhattan. Iomedia offers a range of digital visualization services, and Simon works in the construction site phasing division using Softimage XSI to create 3D visualization projects.

Blaire Surgent [ Class of 2004 ] email

Blair is now teaching design/woodworking and doubles as a wrestling coach at Gilman School (www.gilman.edu), located in Baltimore MD.

"I get asked allot, why do you want to teach? My answer is that in college I had some cool professors and I want to be like them."

Justin Ward [ Class of 2005 ]

Justin currently works at Dia art foundation. He had his first solo exhibition of metal sculptures at the Karpeles Manuscript Museum in Newburgh, New York in August 2005.

Chad Calhoun [ Class of 2003 ] email

"Currently, I'm working in Albany for a multimedia company called Overit Media. I mostly handle web design and development, however we do a lot of custom applications, presentations and print work. To see some of the work we do, check out overit.com. I really enjoy my job because of the freedom in creativity (and in the work environment). Oneonta has helped a lot to get me pointed in the right direction. I appreciate all the help."

Peter Davidson [ Class of 1991 ]

Peter Davidson is offering some great classes on Andros Island, Bahamas.

Peter started a non-profit called The Maritime Arts and Inspiration Center. MAIC is solar and wind powered sustainable living facility right on the beach. We are teaching interdisciplinary courses in traditional Bahamian arts to college level students and adults. Woodcarving, Fiber Arts, and Wooden Boat building are being offered this year during breaks. Please check out www.maritimearts.com for more information.
I had a great time in Oneonta. Even though it was way too cold.

Cynthia Lin [ Class of 2003 ]

Cynthia works at Departure in the Albany International Airport. Part of the airport's Art & Culture program, the Departure museum shop showcases artwork and crafts from local artists and area museums such as the Albany Institute of History & Art, the Tang Teaching Museum, MassMOCA, and the Adirondack Museum. Her main duties at the shop include managing consignment inventory from over 150 vendors and interacting with museums and artists. She enjoys the diversity of her job and the chance to use the skills and knowledge she has acquired over the years and during her time at Oneonta.

In her spare time, Cynthia continues to develop web sites. Her largest sites at this time are Tomination and SignalRoom.net; both promotional sites for musicians. Tomination has been recognized by musician Tom McRae, while SignalRoom.net is in partnership with SignalRoom.com, the official Signal Room site.
Cynthia currently lives in Albany, NY, but is looking for a way to
smuggle herself out and back to New Zealand.

Eve Macur [ Class of 2008 ] email

Eve works as a Graphic Artist in Brewster NY.

She sent us this email in December 2008: "I just wanted to update the SUCO art department with what I've been doing since I graduated in May 2008! I am now employed at Quester Assessments Inc. as a Graphic Artist. Questar is an educational publishing company. We create graduation qualifying exams (GQEs) for most of the mid-west in every grade level and several special needs exams. We build the tests from an item bank that was created by the Department of Education for that particular state and our own in house group, as well as establish the layout for scannable documents (aka bubble answer sheets) and other test necessary materials.

My co-workers are wonderful, it's a small group where I work so you get to know everyone. It can be a bit chaotic at times as most tests need to be administered on a specific day, but I can handle it thanks to what I've learned at SUCO!  I'm based in Brewster NY about an hour away from my house, I'm getting used to the commute. Hope all is well in Oneonta! I'll come visit soon!"

William Mitchell [ Class of 1980 ] email

William works as a printmaker in New Hampshire.
" In 1996, the Bank of New Hampshire commissioned his purple mountain "View From Indian Head" for use on its debit card." [sic] He also teaches adult and children's classes in printmaking, painting and cartooning. "I am interested in helping people explore and enjoy their creative potential," he explains.

His New Hampshire Printmaking Project is an ongoing effort to introduce young people to several printmaking techniques. He uses their feelings and ideas about New Hampshire as a departure point in developing their imagery." You can see his work at mitchellserigraphprints.com