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alumni student profiles student gallery
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internships awards accreditation learn more at kcai.edu
create your space.
03 welcome to kcai learn more at kcai.edu
04 welcome to kcai learn more at kcai.edu Nick Cave Paul Briggs Paul Roberto Lugo Jaimie Warren alumni
EXPERTISE. SUCCESS.
KCAI graduates are the agents of change. They provide leadership, ideas and innovation. They create, believe and challenge the status quo, while contributing to their communities and advancing art and design. They work collaboratively and use the knowledge and skills gained here to solve the problems in an ever-evolving world. Our alumni prove that a B.F.A. degree from KCAI opens doors and sets one apart in the art and design professional community. For every graduate of KCAI, there is a fascinating story to tell, and in a few years, we want to tell yours.
08 alumni learn more at kcai.edu
nick cave KCAI class of ’82 fiber Studio artist and chair, fashion department, School of the Art Institute of Chicago Originally from Missouri
“My professors challenged me, which allowed me to build trust in myself and to have a point of view — to have the confidence and the belief that I could turn this into a serious career. The school was a pivotal moment in my career.”
In addition to teaching at the college level, Nick Cave is Nick realized he wanted to be an artist when he was in a performer and fashion designer. He creates Soundsuits, high school in Columbia, Mo. Nick’s brother was already which are elaborately designed assemblages of unexpected a student at KCAI, so Nick applied and was accepted. materials that emit sound as the person wearing them moves. Once enrolled, Nick also explored the dance program at His work has been featured in Vogue magazine and shown the University of Missouri-Kansas City. in art museums across the United States. “At KCAI, I learned the importance of being able to allow “The Soundsuit is a combination of a number of things,” Nick myself to explore the possibilities and to know that if I were said. “I’m looking at historical dress, costume, ceremonial, to fall I would still have the support of my professors,” he performance, carnival and celebration pieces from around said. “My professors challenged me, which allowed me to the world.” He made his first Soundsuit out of twigs and build trust in myself and to have a point of view — to have the continues to find himself connecting back to the whole idea confidence and the belief that I could turn this into a serious of recycling. career. The school was a pivotal moment in my career.” 11 alumni / nick cave learn more at kcai.edu
roberto lugo KCAI class of ’12 ceramics Studio artist and faculty member, Marlboro College in Vermont Originally from Pennsylvania
“I am from the ghetto; self-referentially I am a ghetto potter. The word ‘ghetto’ can be seen as a negative, but I equate it with the word ‘resourceful.’”
Born and raised in Philadelphia, the son of Puerto Rican Puerto Rican American history. With my education in immigrants, Roberto Lugo (’12 ceramics) is a studio artist critical theory, art education, art history and studio art, I studying toward a Ph.D. in philosophy at Pennsylvania State have developed a studio practice that fluidly communicates University, where he also completed his M.F.A. degree in with diverse audiences.” ceramics. He describes himself as “a potter, activist, culture- maker, rapper, poet and educator.” In 2015, Roberto was “I bring art to those that don’t believe they need to see it and named an emerging artist by the National Council on engage in deeper ways of knowing, learning and thinking.” Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA). Roberto participated in numerous exhibitions in 2015, “I am from the ghetto; self-referentially I am a ghetto potter,” including Art Basel, Ferrin Contemporary, Miami; African he says. “The word ‘ghetto’ can be seen as a negative, but I American Museum, Philadelphia; University of Wisconsin, equate it with the word ‘resourceful.’” Whitewater; Borderlands, Alexandria Arts Center, Wash- ington; Roberto Lugo and Matt Tomesko, The Painted Bride, “My life’s story takes shape in the form of teapots, poetry, Philadelphia; solo exhibition curated by Kelicia Pitts, The murals, rap, artist talks and sheer acts of activism,” he said. Artists’ House, Philadelphia; and The Theoretical Show, “My experiences as a poor, brown kid from the ghetto are Elizabeth Foundation for the Arts Project Space, New York. my 22 years of research, which inform my version of 13 alumni / roberto lugo learn more at kcai.edu
jaimie warren KCAI class of ’02 printmaking Photographer and performance artist Originally from Wisconsin
“A career in the arts can be one of the most rewarding and exciting fields you could ever imagine. Exhibiting my work nationally and internationally is probably the most satisfying thing for me.”
“Choose the hardest, most challenging teachers you can Philadelphia and San Antonio, to name just a few. have,” is advice to college students from Jaimie Warren, a photographer and performance artist who lives in Kansas In 2014, she received the Baum Award for an Emerging City and Brooklyn, but whose career has taken her all over American Photographer and has had a solo artist monograph the world. “Just ask around on campus; you’ll find out who published by Aperture. Her work has been featured in they are.” numerous publications including The New York Times, the Huffington Post, New York Magazine, Paper and Dazed & Among her many accomplishments, Jaimie is co-creator/ Confused. Jaimie was recently a featured artist on ART21, a co-director of the faux public access television show “Whoop documentary series on art and life in New York. Dee Doo,” a traveling, artist-led project that creates ambitious installations and live performances internationally, generally “A career in the arts can be one of the most rewarding and through universities, festivals, arts organizations and museums. exciting fields you could ever imagine,” she says. “Exhibiting “Whoop Dee Doo” has created commissioned projects and my work nationally and internationally is probably the most events in Chicago, New York, Sweden, Montreal, Miami, satisfying thing for me.” 15 alumni / jaimie warren learn more at kcai.edu
paul briggs KCAI class of ’96 illustration Story supervisor, Walt Disney Animation Originally from Texas
Paul’s tips for future animators: Understand the basic fundamentals. Use your time at school to master these. Tell me a story; show me character; make me care and empathize.
When he was a senior at KCAI, Paul Briggs learned from to work. According to him, “Being able to flip through his department chair that Disney was accepting portfolios original ‘Pinocchio’ animation is a definite employment for an internship. Paul followed up, got the job and started bonus. What’s more impressive are the amazing artists, animating on “Mulan.” Except for stints at Warner Bros. storytellers and filmmakers I work with every day. I’m in awe and Nickelodeon, he has been with Disney ever since. at the talent and level of craftsmanship in the studio.”
Most recently he was co-head of story for “Big Hero 6” Asked how KCAI prepared him for his career at Disney, and before that, story supervisor on “Frozen.” Being head Paul said he gained a strong foundation in art and benefited of story means managing a team of story artists working from a support system of other students. He said college is together to get the director’s vision up onto the screen. a time when students can try new things, experience failure and learn from it. Paul describes Disney Animation as an incredible place
16 alumni / paul briggs 02. ask questions 01. start here 03. challenge yourself at KCAI you discover
05. not what to make approach education differently
04. 06. discover new create your answers future learn more at kcai.edu
student profiles
DEVELOP. IDEAS.
Students at Kansas City Art Institute are passionately committed to their creative practices and to the development of their work. Our student population represents over 35 states, as well as other countries. Whether you are a first-time freshman or a transfer student with previous college experience, KCAI will challenge you to redefine yourself as an artist, while simultaneously supporting and pushing the ideas behind what you make. As an artist, designer, writer, historian or hybrid scholar, you need to be in an environment that will nurture your artistic endeavors — a place that will prepare you to impact the current visual and cultural landscapes and contribute to the future, global communities of art and design. The artwork on the following pages was produced by students who chose KCAI. 20 student profiles learn more at kcai.edu
“We were told that foundation would be a life-altering program, and I thought they were exaggerating. They weren’t. The experience in foundation nourishes us completely. We must go forward and apply all that we have learned to the workings of our lives.”
nicholas olivares / foundation / texas
What you like best about living in Kansas City: Strangely, it feels love everyone who works there. In a way, it feels like all of your extended like home. That’s probably my favorite thing. It feels as though at any family has come over to our house to cook. It’s the warmest kitchen in town. moment, if I wanted to, I could walk out the door to my friend’s house and feel every color of his ceiling. It’s a feeling attained, most likely, by Favorite creative tool: I like to keep people around. They surround me the family that has built itself around me. I now have brothers and sisters, with information. Often times I feel like a vessel that must be filled. I have all of whom live in this little, secret place with me. Kansas City. really only arrived at this location in life with the people that have poured themselves into me. I take their stories, their lives, their knowledge and Favorite restaurant: The Student Living Center cafeteria. My friends and synthesize it all. I admire each part fully, until the sediments of them all 22 I sit down every day and have a Thanksgiving dinner. We have come to bind themselves together into a single unit. student profiles / nicholas olivares learn more at kcai.edu
“Coming to KCAI, I expected to learn, and KCAI gave me more than that. It gave me the opportunity to connect with peers and professors, build a network of professionals in my field, broaden my knowledge on art making and innovative thinking, hold on to a high level of work ethic and expectation of oneself and to go beyond.”
angelina yang / ceramics / north carolina
Something you always carry: My sister’s NJROTC dog tags. When Advice for art students: Being an artist is not easy. You have to I left for high school at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts work hard to be successful. You have to keep an open mind and be in Winston-Salem, it was my first time living away from home, and she gave positive. The worst thing you can do is limit yourself. it to me as a comforting, sentimental going-away gift. My sister is very important to me and having her dog tags with me gives me a reminder of All-time favorite creative tool: A pen. 24 why I am where I am today. student profiles / angelina yang learn more at kcai.edu
“I applied to several schools, not really expecting to be able to afford an art school. KCAI made a lot of effort to help me financially. I also liked KCAI because it was a smaller school, which I felt would help make my education feel more personalized to what I wanted to do. It turned out that Kansas City is a great place to study design.”
edwing mendez / graphic design / florida
Who or what inspires you: Culture has been a huge part of my for Culture, Arts and Language (LOCAL), which has opened up projects inspiration. Miami and, surprisingly, Kansas City are both incredibly with a ton of Latino organizations around KC. cultural cities, and diversity is important to me. Sometimes people don’t realize how important diversity is to promote innovation. Incredible things Something you always carry: My MacBook is basically an extension happen when different cultures can interact in an open way. of my body. I rarely leave it at home.
Opportunities you’ve participated in beyond KCAI: I’m currently Describe a recent triumph: Making my parents proud during my an intern at a local advertising agency, Barkley, which has been such a senior show. They have sacrificed a lot and worked hard so that I could 26 cool place to work. I am also the president of KCAI’s Latino Organization pursue my dream. student profiles / edwing mendez learn more at kcai.edu
“Not only has my major expanded my traditional knowledge of painting, but it has also allowed me to establish my own definition of painting. The painting program is very open, and process is at the center of everything I do. The studio community has had the biggest impact on my work, other than independent research. You have this amazing circle of people to engage with at any time.”
mary reeves / painting and art history / iowa
What set KCAI apart in your college decision: The campus vibe, Favorite thrift store: I always find really good stuff at Red Racks and the people, the majors offered and the scholarship I received. the Goodwill Outlet.
How the foundation experience has affected your work: Favorite material: Right now I’m obsessed with using plastic and yarn. Foundation mostly instilled a high work ethic in me. Otherwise I use paint and a lot of found materials, because it’s always exciting for objects to find you. 28 Favorite artist: Yayoi Kusama or Tracey Emin. student profiles / mary reeves 13 100% majors and two of faculty practice certificate programs in their field learn more at kcai.edu
student gallery
SPACE. CREATE.
KCAI is a community of powerful makers. Regardless of the major you choose, you will be inspired to dream conceptually and to generate new ideas. You will be challenged to make the work that you have not yet even imagined. Students at KCAI are developing the visual and critical skills that allow them to experiment both conceptually and materially. Risk-taking is emphasized in a rigorous studio environment. Experimentation is valued, and a perceived failure may in fact be progress. Professional artists dedicated to the educational process serve as your mentors, providing valuable critique throughout the creative process. In the end, the work reveals the story of KCAI.
32 student gallery learn more at kcai.edu
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01. KATHRYN KRUG / Oklahoma
02. SAMANTHA FERRER / Florida
03. CHRISTIAN MITCHELL / Missouri
04. PAIGE GORDON / Oklahoma
35 student gallery / foundation 03. JOE ESSI / Nebraska 03.
04. KARLA HERNANDEZ / Texas
05. JASMINE DORAU / Nebraska
06. JOSEPH BACON / Missouri
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01. MARIAH RANDELL / Missouri
02. SCARLETT MILLER / Missouri
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01. EVAN BECH / Wisconsin
02. HANNAH CARR / Oklahoma MOLLY GARRETT / Wisconsin EMILY KENYON / Florida
03. TEAL SATHER / Minnesota
04. JOE ESSI / Nebraska
38 student gallery / animation learn more at kcai.edu 01. 03.
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02. 01. AMY ERICKSON / Oklahoma
02. CHASE TRAVAILLE / Arkansas
03. PATRICIA BORDALLO DIBILDOX / Mexico FLORENTINO DIAZ / Nebraska
04. HIROMI KANADA / Japan 40 student gallery / art history learn more at kcai.edu 03.
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01. AUSTIN BRADSHAW / Kansas
02. ISSAC LOGSDON / Kentucky
03. JOEY WATSON / Arizona
04. 02. HUNTER PACE / Missouri
43 student gallery / ceramics learn more at kcai.edu
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01. FLORENTINO DIAZ / Nebraska
02. 03. STUDENT COLLABORATION
03. MARY LIM / Illinois
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45 student gallery / creative writing learn more at kcai.edu 01.
01. XIAOLEI MCKEAN / Missouri
02. ANNA VAN GHEEM / Wisconsin
03. HANNAH CARR / Oklahoma
04. NATALIE SPICKER / Kentucky
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47 student gallery / fiber learn more at kcai.edu
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01. BRANDON SEGELKE / Missouri
02. JOHANNA BROOKS / Missouri
03. LACEY HAWKINSON / Kansas
48 student gallery / filmmaking learn more at kcai.edu
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02. 01. BRIANNA DALLAS / Missouri MONICA ROESNER / Colorado
02. KRISTEN ASHTON / Kansas
03. LAUREN TAYLOR / Missouri
04. TORI WHEELER / Iowa
05. ALYX JACOBS / Nebraska
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51 student gallery / graphic design learn more at kcai.edu 02.
01. KAROLINA AKIMOV / Georgia
02. LAUREN SEIDER / Missouri
03. 01. CODI MEIER / Missouri 03.
04. KELSEY BORCH / Missouri
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53 student gallery / illustration learn more at kcai.edu
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01. CORY FERREIRA / Georgia
02. DÓNAL GORDON / Iowa DREW OTTO / Kansas RYAN SMITH / Kansas
03. JOSEPH BACON / Missouri 02.
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54 student gallery / interactive arts learn more at kcai.edu
01. KATLIN SPAIN / Kansas
03. 02. KIT LANDWEHR / Missouri
03. MARY REEVES / Iowa
04. BEN GOULD / California
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57 student gallery / painting learn more at kcai.edu
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02. 01. SILVIA ABISAAB / Oklahoma BRANDON KINTZER / Iowa
02. PATRICIA BORDALLO DIBILDOX / Mexico
03. ALAINA ABPLANALP / Wisconsin
04. IMANI NIXON / Florida
58 student gallery / photography learn more at kcai.edu
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02. 02. PEYTON PITTS / Oklahoma
03. MICHAEL ROSE / Missouri
04. 05. QUINN KAVANAUGH / South Dakota
05. DAIANA ONETO / Florida 61 student gallery / printmaking learn more at kcai.edu 02.
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01. BEN DAVIS / Indiana
02. NOAH GEIGER / South Dakota
03. HENNESSEY LUTHER / Florida
04. BRANDON KINTZER / Iowa
05. SIARA BERRY / Wisconsin
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01. 63 student gallery / sculpture learn more at kcai.edu
“The Durwood Internship program at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art was incredible because everyone at the museum truly appreciated the commitment KCAI students had to offer. Most importantly, the staff treated me like a member of their team. During my time as a Durwood intern, I was not merely an observer but I was actively engaged in the museum’s daily functions. Without this opportunity I would not have been enlightened to the diverse fields that art museums have to offer.”
JANELLE KETCHER / IOWA
64 internships learn more at kcai.edu
66 academic opportunities learn more at kcai.edu
recent awards
The Windgate Fellowship Award program, administered by the Center animation graduate, was selected for this award and is now in graduate for Craft, Creativity and Design in Asheville, N.C., was established to school at UCLA. encourage and advance the development of serious, innovative artists in the United States whose work is in some way related to, or informed by, Patricia Bordallo Dibildox, a 2015 photography and art history graduate, the process, material or idea of craft. Each year, more than 120 colleges was awarded an internship at the Peggy Guggenheim Museum in and universities are invited to nominate students for this prestigious honor. Venice, Italy in 2015. The $15,000 fellowships are awarded annually to 10 senior students nationwide. In 2015, two KCAI students, Max Adrian Belanger (senior, Meghan Brauner, a photography and art history double major, was fiber and creative writing) and Siara Berry (senior, sculpture and creative accepted into the prestigious Yale Norfolk summer program, a six-week writing), were awarded Windgate Fellowships. KCAI seniors also won in session for academic credit located on the Stoeckel estate in Connecticut. 2014, 2013, 2011 and 2006. Selected colleges, universities and professional art schools across the country and abroad are invited to nominate two candidates who are Tessa Canon, a 2015 graphic design graduate, was awarded the Frank currently enrolled as juniors in their programs. Through the generosity of the Lloyd Wright Foundation Graphic Design Fellowship. This unique and Ellen Battell Stoeckel Trust, the full expenses of tuition, room and board are nationally competitive opportunity for recent B.F.A. or M.F.A. graphic covered by a fellowship grant to each student approved for admission. design graduates compensates recipients for their work at the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, located at Taliesin West in the desert foothills In 2014, Issac Logsdon was selected for the Andrew W. Mellon Under- awards of the McDowell Mountains outside of Scottsdale, Arizona. graduate Curatorial Fellowship Program, which provides specialized training in the curatorial field for students across the U.S. from diverse The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage selected Lauren Mabry, a 2007 backgrounds. The fellowship seeks to make a critical impact on American ceramics graduate, to receive a 2015 Pew Fellowship, which includes a art museums by developing gifted curators who are committed to $75,000 award. The Pew Center’s grants support the cultural organizations engaging with the full spectrum of museum audiences. Issac is a fellow and artists of the Philadelphia region. Her work has been featured in at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. KCAI art history majors, Nicholas solo and group exhibitions at The Clay Studio, Philadelphia; National Olivares and Isabel Vargas, were also recently awarded fellowships Council on Education for Ceramic Art, Milwaukee; Harvard University; for 2015. Society for Contemporary Craft, Pittsburgh; and The Bemis Center for Contemporary Art, Omaha, Nebraska, among others. She holds an Two seniors from the ceramics department were awarded the 2014 M.F.A. in ceramics from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. Currently National Council on Education for the Ceramics Arts (NCECA) Regina a resident at The Clay Studio, where she also serves on the Board of Brown Undergraduate Fellowships. NCECA awards six fellowships Directors, Mabry will be a resident artist this fall at The Pottery Work- annually, three to undergraduates and three to graduate students. shop in Jingdezhen, China. For the first time, two students from one undergraduate program received fellowships — KCAI seniors Melanie Sherman and Joey Watson. Again The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation offers the leading graduate scholarship in 2015, two KCAI students were awarded fellowships — Nathan Neufeld in the nation for the visual arts, performing arts and creative writing. Their and Chase Travaille. Eight students in the KCAI ceramics department Graduate Arts Award provides up to $50,000 per year for up to three have been awarded Regina Brown Fellowships in the last six years and years for exceptional students with financial need to study at an accredited having two winners in one school year is unprecedented. Also, since graduate institution in the U.S. or abroad. In 2013, The Jack Kent Cooke 2009, at least one KCAI ceramics graduate has been featured in the Foundation named 20 students with exceptionally high artistic and creative Ceramics Monthly magazine’s annual undergraduate showcase. abilities the recipients of its Graduate Arts Award. Nicholas Missel, a 2012 graduate of KCAI’s sculpture program, was one of those honored with this For several years, the graphic design department has had students prestigious award. In 2014, the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Graduate Arts featured in Graphic Design USA’s (GDUSA), an information source for Award elicited 320 applications and portfolios from students in 41 states graphic design professionals, list of “Students to Watch,” including Mary and the District of Columbia. The 20 finalists represented just 7 percent Lim in 2015, Monica Roesner in 2014 and Sam Mak in 2012. The KCAI of the total applicant pool. They were selected by a 38-member panel graphic design department was recently included in GDUSA’s article of experienced artists and arts educators in the fields of music, dance, “Highest Honors: 2015 Top Design Schools” (August 3, 2015). theater, creative writing, visual arts and film. Natalie Krause, a 2014 KCAI 69 Yulie Urano (’11 fiber) awards learn more at kcai.edu CR EA your future. TE 71 kansas city art institute accreditation
The Kansas City Art Institute is accredited by The Higher Learning It is the policy of KCAI to provide equal employment and learning Commission and the National Association of Schools of Art and Design. opportunities to all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, age, parental status, The Higher Learning Commission veteran status, disability or any other basis as required by federal, state 230 S. LaSalle St., Suite 7-500 or local law. Chicago, IL 60604 800.621.7440 Although certain facilities are not fully accessible to persons with www.hlcommission.org disabilities, KCAI employs all means necessary to ensure that qualified [email protected] students with disabilities will gain access to all resources necessary for a full education. KCAI may meet this standard by relocating classes National Association of Schools of Art and Design and services, redesigning equipment, assigning aides, altering existing 11250 Roger Bacon Dr., Suite 21 facilities and constructing new accessible facilities, among other options. Reston, VA 20190-5248 KCAI is not required to make structural changes in existing facilities where 703.437.0700 other methods are sufficient to comply with accessibility standards. nasad.arts-accredit.org [email protected] All photography except student work or unless otherwise noted is by Tal Wilson (’81photography), or E.G. Schempf (’72 photography). We KCAI is an equal opportunity institution. have made every effort to appropriately credit artists and photographers. Special thanks to faculty, staff and students of KCAI.
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