The Art Institute has numerous highlights, but none shine brighter than the results of our alumni. Here are just a few:

Scholastic Awards, 2010, Art Institute students were awarded 19 Gold Key Awards, 11 Silver Key Awards, 3 American Visions Awards, 2 Gold Portfolios and 1 Silver Portfolio.

March, 2010, Art Institute students: Bayla Laks, Ksenia Konovalav, Matt Every, and Jaclyn Schauer among others had their art work selected to appear in the film “Remember Me“.

Jason Yarmosky, 2006, after receiving his BFA from School of Visual Arts in painting in 2010, Jason has met with tremendous success. His shows include a recent solo exhibition Elder Kinder at Like The Spice Gallery, Brooklyn, and group exhibitions at LZ, Louis Zuflacht Studios at NY Studio Gallery, New York; and Wynwood Gallery Arts District, Miami, FL among others. jasonyarmosky.com,

Chelsea Lewyta, 2005, graduated from Pratt Institute in with a BFA in Illustration. She was a winner of the Society of Illustrators Student Competition in 2008. She is exhibiting her work internationally in cities such as London, LA, New York, Sydney and Toronto. Chelsea’s work was published in Hunt & Gather: Discovering New Art in 2010. Commercially, her clients include Biolumina, Art & Anthropology, The New York Observer, Dress Up America, Real Magazine and Tiffany & Co. Visit

Sara Pfau, 2002, received a BFA from Pratt Institute in 2006 majoring in metals and jewelry. In 2010 she received a MFA in metals from SUNY New Paltz. She works for both Lesley Dill and Sara Rahbar, as a studio assistant while owning and operating her own jewelry business, specializing in one of a kind commissions and map inspired jewelry. sarapfau.com

Shannon Moore, 2005, attended Columbus College of Art & Design where she received her BFA in Illustration. She now works with Guidecraft creating and designer toys and play furniture for children.

Michelle Labriola, 2006, received a BFA from School of Visual Arts in photography and just completed production design on the independent film Shelter. Her most recent production design credits have been on the films Dot, Land of Nod, The Closed Door, and Ginger.

Rachel Matts, 2005, graduated from The Cooper Union where she attended on full scholarship. She has received the Ethel Cram Memorial Award for Excellence in Art and has worked as a graphic designer at Ogilvy & Mather, Number 17, and freelance. At Ogilvy, she designed for many national and international campaigns, including Minute Maid, Puerto Rico Tourism, Motorola, American Express, and Stolichnaya Vodka. Currently she is continuing her work as a freelance designer and working at School of Visual Arts as a Teacher’s Assistant in the Senior Thesis Class.

Ursula Minervini, 2001, studied printmaking at the Maryland Institute College of Art and graduated with a BFA in Fine Arts. She teaches printmaking and book arts and works as an edition printer. Currently living in Baltimore, she creates fine art prints, works as a sign painter, teaches, and operates Pellinore Press.

Breanna Nussbickle, 2005, graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology in 2009. In 2008, her lingerie garment won runner-up in IVISTA Lycra competition using their innovative trim. She received a grant from Cotton Inc. for “Best Use of Cotton in an Intimate Apparel Garment”. Her garments have been featured in Women’s Wear Daily and various fashion blogs. Breanna is currently working as Designer at Victoria’s Secret.

Natalie Koscal, 2006 will receive her Bachelor of Science at Cornell University May 2010 and plans to pursue a career in field research and conservation, potentially with a focus on the marine environment. However, she doesn’t neglect her art. She utilizes the skills of techniques, input and advice from Art Institute instructors in a multidisciplinary/multifaceted career. In  2009, as a Bartels Science Illustration Intern for Cornell’s Lab of Ornithology, she produced illustrations for their quarterly publication, Bird Scope, as well as for their program, the Elephant Listening Project.

Reid Sczerba, 2000, attended MICA on scholarship where he received a BFA in Illustration. He then received further scholarship to MICA’s Digital Arts Masters program and graduated with a MA in Digital Arts in 2005. Reid is the project lead/interface designer at Johns Hopkins University’s Center for Educational Resources and has presented an educational program that the CER developed, called the Interactive Map Tool. He continues to create and show his fine art in Baltimore.

Dana Borgenson, 2001, received a scholarship to attend Pratt Institute where she graduated with a degree in Industrial Design. Dana now works at Artistic Tile, a tile design company that won best project for the country from the Tile Setters Union in 2009.

Jon Arnots, 2002, after high school joined the military and was a member of the 105th Airlift Wing. During his time with the Air Guard, he attended the University at Albany studying foreign languages, cultures, and history. Jon was accepted in the Japan Exchange and Teaching Program and is now currently teaching in Unzen, Japan.

Michael Petruzzo, 2002, attended Maryland Institute College of Art on scholarship where he received his BFA in Sculpture. Mike now works for CBS on the set of The Good Wife as a set and scenery designer.

Caitlyn Philips, 2003, attended Pratt Institute on scholarship. After working in Pratt’s design department, Caitlyn landed a job at the International design firm McGarry Bowen. Now a principle designer there, she helped lead the firm to win “Design Firm of the Year”. She has worked on accounts including: Chase Manhattan & Kraft Foods.

Loryn Williams, 2005, attended Savannah College of Art and Design on scholarship where she majored in Theater Design. Upon graduation she was offered a job designing theater installations for The Julliard, Manhattan. In addition she has worked on such high end projects like the 2010 Macy’s Christmas windows.

Holly Rihn, 2001, attended Carnegie Mellon University’s Theater Design program on full scholarship. After graduation she moved to Juno, Alaska where she became the lead costume designer at the theater there. She now designs for theaters in Connecticut, Manhattan and Juno.

Melissa Spieler, straight from college Melissa did product design at Martha Stewart then product design for fashion brands such as Tracy Reese and Vera Wang and now is currently a product designer for Anthropologie.

Lorinda Loucks, 2006, Will graduate from James Madison University in 2010, is the illustrator of Fairy Troll.

Jessica Bottalico – Fine Artist, NY
Hannah Brenner-Leonard – Educator, NY
Christine Engelhardt – Designer, Denver
Whitney Flanigan – Artist and Educator, Baltimore
Chelsey Freeman – Fine Artist, Boston
Nate Gorgen – Fine Artist, Poughkeepsie
Matt Hartman – Illustrator, Manhattan
Ian Horn – Installation Artist with White Cell Productions
Stephanie Intelisano – Product Designer at L’Oreal
Rob LaColla – Educator, Brooklyn
Kathryn LaRanger – Fine Artist, Brooklyn
Jonathan Lumb – Furniture Maker, Woodstock
John Olson – Designer at Clutch Graphics, Columbus
Tyler Peck – Actor, Boston
Devan Pratt – MTV, Prod. Assoc. – MTV “The City”
Olivia Rapp – Industrial Designer with Touch Bionics in Newburgh, New York
Emily Ritz – Performing Fine Artist/Musician, San Francisco
Andrienne Roy – Publicist, Los Angeles
Stephen Spakerelli – Fine Artist, Beacon