Alumni Updates

Jason White (ID ’99) was awarded first mention in the Ninth Andreu World International Design Competition. White’s design, the Caballo Lounge Chair, was one of more than 350 entries submitted from all over the world. In all, five awards were presented by this year’s jury. The winning designs were on display at the Andreu World showroom in Valencia, Spain, through the end of December 2009. For more information on this competition, visit: http://competition.andreuworld.com/

Joel Stolinsky (GC ’78) was recently appointed Creative Director at PlattForm Advertising in Kansas.  Joel will help guide PlattForm’s overall creative vision while providing leadership, inspiration and instruction. He brings more than 15 years of experience in general brand, promotional and business-to-business market advertising to the position. He has developed and directed campaigns for clients such as Honda, American Airlines, Harrah’s Entertainment, Star Wars, and Cingular Wireless, and has earned numerous awards for TV, print and outdoor advertisement design.

Check out the work of artist and illustrator Kevin VanHooser (IL ’03) on his newly re-vamped website  www.kvanhooser.com.

James Kaye (CR ’02) appears with his brother, David, and father, John, on the Discovery Channel show “Motor City Motors.”  The series follows the family each week as they assemble a team of Detroit builders and specialists to create and build one-of-a-kind cars and motorcycles.  They battle against the clock in each episode, working to build the vehicle within a five-day limit.  Check out the video here:  http://dsc.discovery.com/videos/motor-city-motors-whats-hot/

Darcel Deneau (FA ’02) and Taurus Burns (FA ’02) were featured in the January 2010 issue of Hour Detroit magazine as part of a piece called 'Detroit on Canvas.'  The article highlighted local artists from past and current centuries who have been inspired by Detroit to create painted images of the city.

Congratulations to Laurie Tennent (PH ’83) on the opening of her new studio space in Birmingham’s Rail District.  In its spacious new location, Laurie Tennent Photography will continue to serve as one of the area’s premiere wedding and lifestyle photography businesses.  She recently appeared on the Fox 2 Morning Show, offering tips on the perfect way to capture a wedding.  Watch the video here  http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/dpp/mornings/tips-and-ideas-for-the-perfect-wedding-photos

Alumnus John Long was one of the spotlight artists in a recent Gulfshore Life magazine feature about artists who are considered rising stars in southwest Florida.  Read more here http://www.gulfshorelife.com/Articles/Gulfshore-Life/2010/01/Rising-Stars.asp

Samantha Bankle Schefman (CR ’09) has been hired by the legendary costume jewelry company Miriam Haskell.  Samantha is the youngest designer at the company, which is famous for its unique, high quality vintage pieces that are internationally renowned in many museums and art collections.  Samantha’s first major assignment is to create singer Gwen Stafani's Harajuku Lovers line.  The Tokyo-inspired collection will be available at Macy’s beginning this month.

Nicole Sanders (GC ’98) has joined the staff of Central Michigan Community Hospital in Mt. Pleasant as a marketing and community relations specialist. Nicole has worked for Wakely Associates A/E and Morning Star Publications and produced her own publication, Mid Michigan Families Magazine. She also serves as a board member for Art Reach of Mid Michigan.

JeffCars.com, a car-buying advocacy website for women and minorities, recently profiled Crystal Windham (ID-TR ’94), director of North American passenger car design.  Click here to read more http://jeffcars.blogspot.com/2010/02/crystal-windham-setting-design-trends.html

Congratulations to Rachel (Cortner) and Sam Conant (both IL ’05) who are expecting their first child in April.  The couple recently returned to Michigan from Chicago. Sam has joined the staff of Doner Advertising as an Interactive Art Director in their digital group, working on clients such as Minute Maid and Mazda among others.  Rachel continues to do pattern and product design for a variety of clients, including Claire's, Airwalk and Sperry.

Mark Sengbusch (FA ’02) has published his first book, “Super Functional,” a 100-page, full-color publication comprised of 100 images of 100 paintings made in Brooklyn in 2009.  Mark has been working on the project for more than six months and is very excited about the results.

Lee Gaddies (GC ’98) is heavily featured in the PBS documentary film, “Blueprint America: Beyond the Motor City.”  Lee is a teacher, small business owner, community activist and futurist who is very involved in laying down the foundation for re-building the next Detroit.  The film focuses on mass transit and its importance in the economic stability of the region.  Visit this link to see a preview of the video http://www.pbs.org/wnet/blueprintamerica/reports/beyond-the-motor-city/video-preview/861/

CCS is proud to acknowledge several alumni featured in Real Detroit Weekly’s ‘Real Best of Detroit 2010’ issue.  Taurus Burns (FA ’02) was voted best local artist.  Also, 323East Gallery in Royal Oak, run by Dan Armand (IL ’05) and April Segedi (FA ’07), was voted best place to buy art.

Several faculty, students and alumni from the CCS Illustration Department have been selected as finalists in the Poster Contest sponsored by the Detroit Institute of Art & Let’s Save Michigan.  Don Kilpatrick III, faculty; Matt LeBarre, faculty; Tony Devito, senior student; Joel Grothaus, senior student; Molly Jacques, senior student; Mike Burdick ('09); Nikki DeSautelle ('09); Maria Filar ('09) were among the 60 finalists named from 300 entries submitted for the open call.  To vote for your favorite poster, go to http://www.letssavemichigan.com/vote

Trey Vann (ID-PR ‘08) has joined the Cirlot Agency as an Art Director. Vann recently worked for Converse as an Advanced Footwear Designer in North Andover, Massachusetts. The Cirlot Agency is a Jackson, Mississippi-based, full-service corporate communications firm providing strategic branding, marketing, public relations and advertising solutions.

Kudos to Jocelyn Rainey (FA ’96) who was selected by Wayne County Community College District as a 2010 NISOD Excellence Award recipient.  The National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD), a consortium of over 700 community colleges and universities worldwide, has a 31-year history of recognizing faculty, staff, and administrators for outstanding contributions to teaching, leadership, and learning.

Chuck Lukacs (GC ’93) has a new book of my Illustrations and tutorials coming out from IMPACT Books called “Fantasy Genesis,” a creativity game for fantasy artists. Check out Chuck’s web page for more info http://www.chucklukacs.com/.