Alumni Updates
There's been a lot of buzz around about the GM's new electric car, the Chevy Volt, and in particular about Bob Boniface (ID-TR '93), the lead designer on the vehicle. In October, Boniface was profiled in the New York Times. You can also check out an interesting story and video at http://blog.cleveland.com/pdextra/2008/10/meet_members_of_the_chevy_volt.html
Congratulations to Crystal Windham (ID-TR '94), who was recently named as General Motors Corporation's first African-American female director of North American passenger car design. Crystal, who has been with GM for more than 14 years, was a lead designer on the Chevy Malibu. In her new position, she will oversee interior design of GM's global midsize, compact and small cars.
After living in Santa Fe, New Mexico and Denver, Colorado for ten years, Tony Moore (GC '89) has returned to Michigan. Tony is an award winning art director and design professional with more than 20 years of experience. His business, Tony Moore Designs, serves market sectors including corporate, advanced education, service and non-profit organizations.
Michael Edward Smith (FA '06) experienced quite a year in 2008. In May, he received his MFA from Yale University. Several months later, in September, Michael married Petrova Giberson, a fellow 2008 MFA, Yale University graduate. Additionally, Michael was part of a group exhibition "VIEW: FOURTEEN/HOOKING UP" at the Mary Boone Gallery in New York City during September and October. The show was curated by Klaus Kertess.
Jewelry designer Link Wachler (CR '73) presented John Grogan, author of Marley and Me, with a commemorative plaque and bracelet at the Fifth Annual Wags to Whiskers fundraiser in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The event was a benefit for Home for Life, a Minneapolis0based animal sanctuary. The plaque and bracelet are part of Wachler Ultimate Expression's LifeLinks jewelry line and were designed by Link. LifeLinks is a motivational line of interchangeable jewelry that was created by Link and his brother, Glenn. For more information, visit www.ultexp.com.
The prestigious Automotive Fine Arts Society (AutoArtGallery.com) recognized Billy Couch's (ID '86) great skill and passion for automotive art by showcasing the artist and his work at the group's annual Pebble Beach gathering. To read about Billy and his passion for cars, visit http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081015/OPINION03/810150310
Two CCS alums jumped into the political arena this election season by using their artistic skills to help spread the word of Barack Obama. Tristan Eaton (FA '98) was hired to create posters for the "Vote for Change" campaign and it blossomed from there. Read an interview with the artist on the Obama Art Report blog:
http://www.obamaartreport.com/2008/11/10-questions-with-tristan-eaton.html . Similarly, Stephen Kade (IL '07) was hired by the Michigan Campaign for Change to paint an 8' x 21' mural of Barack Obama at the corner of Grand River Ave. and Greenfield Road in metro Detroit. Check out additional photos and other info on Steve's blog: http://www.stephenkadeillustration.blogspot.com/
Israel Nordin (CR '99) was profiled in a recent article about the Detroit Design Center, an organization he and his brother founded. The duo creates unique, custom works of art for a number of commercial and residential clients in the metro Detroit area. Read all about the business here: http://metromodemedia.com/features/DetroitDesignCenter0093.aspx
Jennifer Studaker (GD '06) has taken a new position in Boston with First Act, a company that creates high-quality musical products "designed to stimulate, entertain, and inspire." We'd like to send special thanks to Jenn for her assistance in spreading the word about the recent alumni get-together in Boston.
Joe Lastomirsky (FA '76) was recently commissioned to install two concrete tables outdoors at Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon. Additionally, three of his works have been accepted for the book 500 Tables, which will be released in spring 2009 by Lark Books.
Duane Lawrence (ID '04) was profiled in an article on lohud.com, discussing the process of designing a shoe. Duane is the creative force behind the EB1, the signature basketball shoe of NBA star Elton Brand. To read the full article, follow this link. http://www.lohud.com/article/2008811110377
