Alumni Bios

Call it "Alumni News" or call it our "Brag Board," but it's here for you to send us information about what you are doing. You can include a link to your website and definitely include your email address.
____We request that you keep your information to a maximum of 300 words. Don't forget to include your name at graduation, your name now (if changed), and the year you graduated.
____Please be patient with us as it will take us a few days to post it. Email your info to: editor@artalumni.com. Be warned, overly long, rambling bios will be returned for you to edit.

1936 through 1939
Maque Arberman (Fall, 1939) "In those days, we all got a taste of every phase of commercial art (sculpture, cartooning, lettering, layout, illustration, puppetry, silk screen, photography, etc.). In other words, I actually don't recall anyone 'majoring' in a course. SIA was still in its experimental stage, and you ended up with your strongest talents. Mine was concepts and designing posters. In 1935 I failed every subject except English and art when I was a freshman at Hamilton High in Brooklyn. My science teacher took me aside and advised, 'Look, my boy, you're wasting your time in this school. You keep failing academics. But you are a talented artist. Ask your mother if she'll let you travel to NYC each day. You see, there's a new art school that just opened on 40th Street and Eighth Avenue. I'll recommend you, but you'll have to take a test.' So momma dragged me outa bed every early morning so's I could make that trek from Brooklyn to 40th Street in enough time. I did the long trip for three years until graduation in the fall of 1939. There was Miss Buck. who taught English and Mr. Magon, puppetry instructor. We did a show at Carnegie Hall with marionettes that we had constructed. I did all the voices while my classmates pulled the strings. It was 'The Adventures of Marco Polo.' Mr. Biegeleisen was my favorite teacher. He taught lettering, and the books he had written on that subject became my "bibles" later on in my career. I must tell you at this point that I was dubbed the 'school clown' during my stay at good ol' SIA! I did all the MC work at social affairs and dances and entertaining the classes during the pre-Xmas weeks. Mr. Gombarts, our principal, submitted me and my talent for mimicry to CBS-radio's Major Bowes Amateur Hour. Copped First Prize! (The famous Paul Winchell, the ventriloquist, who was in my class, won, too.) When I graduated, I gradually found my way into the entertainment field. I spent the next 30 years in showbiz as a night club comedian and played throughout the country, including a three-year stint in the Army Air Corps during WWII. In 1972 I hung up the microphone and quit the funny business. I was gettin' too old to prance around, so I became an art teacher in high school! At 50, I went to college for the first time! Dear Mr. Biegeleisen, my favorite art teacher, was chairman at A&D in 1972 and offered me my first teaching position with my temporary license. I taught at A&D for one semester. (I was a very funny teacher.) For the remainder of my teaching career, I spent 25 years at George W. Wingate High School in Brooklyn, where I was recognized as a 'virtuoso teacher' by my peers. (But I was still a funny teacher!) When the Board of Ed 'bought me out,' I grabbed the chance, and retired in 1997. (I've always advised my students to be prepared for two careers.) Truthfully, I never quit show business. As a teacher, I was doing five shows a day! SIA had Tony Bennett, Paul Winchell, Mel Haynes, Gene Allen (me), and three strippers that I know about. I'm sure there were others who became performers. After all, SIA was located in the heart of the theatrical section. Some of our education came from hangin' around the Paramount, the Strand, the Roxy, the Capitol theaters, etc. How can you not catch some of the germs? In 1997 I retired as a graphic arts teacher of George Wingate High School. At the age of 74, just for a lark, I wrote myself a stand-up comedy routine and entered a number of contests. (Wanted to see if 'this old boy' still had IT to perform.) I competed with young comedians and garnered first place in four contests at NY's Stand-up Comedy Club and Carolines Nite Club! How thrilling it was to hear from the alumni organization! I shall do my utmost to make it to the reunion. Now who's going to be around from the 1939 era, huh?  (Wonder what those strippers look like today? Can they still draw?" You can email Maque at maqgene@webtv.net

Joe Laura, Sr. (1939) "I was one of the early birds, getting into SIA from the early start. The building on 40th street was purchased by the board of education converted it into a school, mainly the School of Industrial Arts. Being one of the early student there was lots of work getting the school to look like a school instead of a dilapidated warehouse. I initiated getting free lunch for the students, plus other little essential things; however. I enjoyed my days at SIA. I made many friends, but that was back in 1939, we were on the edge of WW 2 and I enlisted in the US Navy. After serving my time over seas, I returned home safe (Thank God). I lost track of all my friends at SIA and didn't bother to continue my search until a few years ago, after a period of fifty years. I didn't have much of an art career, but instead I ventured into engineering, where I excelled into a beautiful career. I did however kept my finger in the paint bucket, a gift that our good Lord gave me. I managed to sell numerous paintings, in my spare time. I however had a sad feeling of having lost contact with my student friends. I just finished celebrating sixty years of marriage to a wonderful wife. I have two grown children, one boy and one girl, she being the oldest. She in turn presented me with five granddaughters, and they all gave me great-grandchildren, six in all.  My granddaughters are all school teachers in New Jersey, graduating with honor and doing very well. You can e-mail Joe at JLaura@gate.net

Martin Stevens (1939) I was one of the first students at SIA. I transfered from New Utrecht High School in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, in early January of 1937. My teacher, Mrs. Garafolo,at Seth Low Junior High suggested I attend SIA. She said I could have a career of creativity and joy, her exact words, which I will never forget. She was right. The SIA teachers I remember, were Mr. Biegeleisen and Mr. Bob Seaman. Mr Seaman also worked for the Daily News. On occasion, another student, whose name I don't recall, and I would help him do paste-ups at the News. We were paid 50 cents an hour.
I graduated in 1939, and was lucky to get a job as an assistant to the art director of a five man advertising agency. The art director, Bob Bellamy, became an early mentor. Among my duties was to make layouts, and deliver them to a client in Brooklyn. The pay was $15 a week. In 1940, I started working for a small agency, S.J.Surnamer, as Art Director. The pay, $25 a week. I produced direct mail pieces.

In 1941, I was inducted into the Army. After basic training, I was assigned to "Reproductions", a graphic art unit at Fort Custer, Michigan. One of my co-workers was Richard Taylor, who later became a teacher at Art and Design. We produced posters, booklets and other graphic material. Some years later I was assigned to The U.S. Army Recruiting and Publicity Bureau on Governors Island in New York. There, I met important art directors, writers and advertising people who worked at large ad agencies such as BBDO and Young and Rubicam. From them, I learned what I could possibly hope for as a career.
After my Army discharge, I had a several small agency jobs, while learning on the job. One job led to another, each better than the last.
In 1952, I was awarded the Art Directors Gold Medal for an ad I created for Burlington Mills. I designed the Art Directors Annual in 1953, which was chosen by the AIGA, as one of the 25 best designed books of the year.

A few years later, I was recruited by the Ogilvy Agency. There, I worked with one of the most important creative people in advertising history, David Ogilvy. With him and talented writers and producers, I created award winning advertising. In 1955, I joined BBDO as senior Art Director, later to become Vice President. I created advertising for Pepsi Cola, Du Pont and Air France. For Air France I created advertising that won many awards from Art Directors Clubs. One of the perks of that account was free travel the world over. My most important account was Revlon Cosmetics. BBDO assigned a number of good art directors on Revlon, but they could not satisfy this difficult account My work could. In 1960, I joined Revlon and created the Revlon Creative Workshop, an in-house full service agency. We created national print advertising and television for many Revlon Brands. I won over 70 awards from Art Director Clubs in New York, Chicago, London, and Tokyo, and three Clio's for TV. I was appointed Senior Vice President and World Wide Creative Director in 1975.In 1986, Revlon was sold and I left to start my own agency with a colleague, Sandy Buchsbaum. Stevens and Buchbaum had such accounts as Sharp Electronics, General Motors and Miracle-Gro. In 2002, we sold our agency to Mc Cann Erickson, I retired.

As I look back, I appreciate the education I received at SIA. For several years I taught at both NYU and Parsons with the same integrity I was taught at SIA.

1940 through 1949

Norman Blumenthal (1943) was "Born and bred (I ate lots of it) in Williamsburg, Brooklyn (alas my humble abode cannot achieve National Landmark status, it was torn down and the Brooklyn, Queens Expressway goes right through what was my bedroom)." Norm was an art student at the High School of Music and Art from 1939 to 1940 when he transferred to the School of Industrial Art. While at SIA he was President of the Student Council, Captain of the Service Squad, President of the Dramatic Club, Emcee of all Assembly Hall programs, Producer of all department productions, and Manager of the Track Team. He entered the U.S. Navy and served as a signalman aboard the light cruiser Oklahoma City in the Pacific during World War II. Upon discharge, Norm entered the commercial art field and worked for several studios and ad agencies, ending up as assistant art director at Esquire Magazine. He switched fields to combine his art training and love of show business by becoming a graphic artist/production assistant on CBS-TV's children's show, "Winky Dink & You." Norm also became the operations manager on the TV game shows, "Dough-Re-Mi, "You're On Your Own," "Tic Tac Dough," and the ill-fated "Twenty One." Additionally, he developed and became producer of "Concentration," on NBC-TV from 1958 until 1974, for which he designed more than 6,000 puzzles used on the series as well as hundreds more used in the Milton Bradley home game editions.Norm is presently semi-retired and writing three books and magazine articles and doing crossword puzzles. You can e-mail him at NB16@aol.com

Annamay Olsen (1945) At my graduation, a gentleman named Vincent Copolla came over to me, having seen my fashion design sketch displayed on the auditorium wall, along with others, and asked if I'd bring my portfolio to his business office -- which was in the "garment district" in the West 40's. I'm sure I missed a wonderful opportunity by not following through with any more visits beyond just a few. I had been presented with the Design Medal -- on the stage, that yearI I brought my portfolio to Mr. Copolla's design business -- he was a prominent designer for Lord and Taylor and Bergdorf's on Fifth Avenue, specializing in coats and suits. He told me that any designs he bought from me, would not be changed in any way -- and he did buy eleven -- I think I was paid $3 per at that time -- but I did see several worked up in muslin on dressmaker dummies. He introduced me to his vast staff of seamstresses -- at their sewing machines. I believe that I was just too shy and inhibited, and "slunk" away from this great opportunity -- finding a job in a little art studio where I began doing fashion illustrations. I remained in the fashion illustration field for almost 40 years.

About a decade later, passing Lord & Taylor's windows, I saw a photograph of Mr. Copolla in each of the windows, in front of his designs on mannequins and a brief story under each photo, of how he was known for helping many young fashion designers get started in the field! Though, today, I rather wish I had recognized a wonderful opportunity when it was offered to me -- I'm grateful to have remained in the field of fashion -- and the field of art -- working with all kinds of creative people. During the 40's and 50's, Department Stores had art departments with copywriters, layout people, production department and models -- it was all so much fun -- a lot of freedom, so inspiring! I freelanced -- and worked during the 60's in the Northwest -- for some top stores and manufacturers. Thank you SIA for starting me in the professional field that suited my gifts and my nature! Later on I did a lot of portrait work and in "retirement" paint in acrylic and pastel. Contact me at annamayolsen@aol.com

Herbert Meisen (1949) Majored in leathercraft and worked in that field until 1954 when he joined the NYPD, where he served until he transferred to FDNY in 1958. He remained there until retiring as a Lieutenant in 1977. He served in the USNR and USCGR. Herb is married to Ann Loguercio (LIC-1951) and has three children and three grandchildren. "Hoping to see a lot of 49ers at the Gala Reunion." You can e-mail Herb at:  hjmsia49@optonline.net

Miriam Goodman Mondlin (1949) "I was a sculpture and ceramics major. My teacher was Albino Cavalito. I have a happy life. In these years, my care for the arts has grown and flourished. The year I graduated, I had the good fortune to meet the philosophy Aesthetic Realism, founded by Eli Siegel, and to study with him. This great education is based on the principle: "All beauty is a making one of opposites, and the making one of opposites is what we are going after in ourselves." I am proud to be a consultant on the faculty of the Aesthetic Realism Foundation, and study in professional classes taught by the class chairman, Ellen Reiss. This knowledge is so kind and needed by people. I am happy to tell you that you can find out more about me and how Aesthetic Realism, in its depth and scholarship, has understood me, and explains some of the most troubling things and best things about oneself one never knew could be -- by visiting my website: http://mmondlin.home.mindspring.com On it, you will see my article "How My Stuttering Ended." based on principles scientific and kind. Also, you can read my art talk titled "Can We Be Expansive and Contained Like Van Gogh's "Starry Night?" I am grateful to have such a useful life. The Aesthetic Realism Foundation is located at 141 Greene Street (off Houston) in SoHo. Art talks, such as the one I mentioned, titled "The Aesthetic Realism of Eli Siegel Shows How Art Answers the Questions of Your Life," take place every Saturday at 2:30 PM Click on http://www.AestheticRealism.org for information on art talks, presentations, seminars, and special events. I hope to hear from you!" E-mail Miriam at mmondlin@mindspring.com

1950 through 1959

Claudia Mairowitz Miller (January, 1951) Claudia was creative director for Metro Creative Graphics in New York. She has been a commercial artist's agent for the past fifteen years and represents artists from Oregon to Maine, New York to Florida, in all media ranging from fashion to realistic to whimsical to computer graphics."I've been living in Boca Raton, Florida, for the past seven years and do commissioned pieces for my own pleasure; I can't seem to get the pencil, paint, and glue out of my system." You can e-mail Claudia at artistsunltd@adelphia.net

Norma Schneider Smith (1951) After graduation Norma attended Hunter College. She taught school for thirty years, raised 3 children, has 6 grandchildren, is now retired from teaching and is writing (children's books, a text, and a novel), traveling, etc. She is married to Tom Smith with whom she lives on Long Island. "This whole reunion idea is terrific---it's not only a 65th for the school, but a 50th for my class, so I do hope I begin to see some familiar class of '51 names as well." E-mail Norma at norjamith@aol.com

John McCuen (1958) went from SIA to Norcross Greeting Cards on 34th Street where he worked as an Art Assistant. He then joined the Navy and served active duty for three and a half years in the Western Pacific and Asia aboard the aircraft carriers USS Hancock and USS Coral Sea. On the flight deck he served off the coast of Vietnam at the very beginning of the conflict and remembers with great reverence his shipmates who were lost at sea or died doing their duty. Returning to civilian life he became an Art Assistant at Travel/Holiday Magazine and later Mobile Home Journal Magazine. He moved up to Art Director at Sterling Magazines and went on to AD San Francisco Business Magazine in San Francisco and then back east again to AD Great Recipes of the World and later Great Foods Magazines. He moved on to Senior Designer at Star Magazine until moving to Florida in 2002. Ever grateful to our school, John worked as a designer full time from SIA all the way (41 years) to New York retirement without even a week between positions. During that time he returned to the Naval Reserve, traveled extensively throughout the US and Europe, and completed his twenty years' Navy service in 1995 while holding his civilian jobs at the same time. John also was elected and re-elected to his town Council in 1990 and served as a Councilman and Deputy Mayor of Fairview, New Jersey, until 1996. Two grown daughters, John and wife Maryann built a waterfront home in Cape Coral, Florida where they live year round since 2002. Wife Maryann is Assistant AD with Dell Magazines and works with their New York office from their Florida home in Cape Coral. John is now a photographer (www.misterpics.net) in the SW Florida area (see Alumni Gallery) working mainly in the exploding SW Florida real estate market. Comon' down! johnnavy@aol.com.

John Walsh (1952) apprenticed in an art studio upon graduation from SIA in January of 1952. He then joined Cunningham & Walsh in NY as a sketch artist. In 1959 he joined N.W. Ayer in Philadelphia. For the next 32 years he held positions first as a TV art director then had various art director and management jobs in Philly, Chicago and finally returned to NYC. After attaining the position of a Managing Creative Director John retired in 1991.
He then freelanced as a designer/AD. John is now totally retired and living in West Chester, PA. He is married, and has 3 grown children. Email John at jonwal@netcarrier.com

Marilyn Riordan Zack (1953) Marilyn majored in illustration and had wanted to minor in sculpture but was told that she had to minor in advertising because, "Knowing advertising I was told (by wise SIA school counselors) helped to get the illustrator's foot into the pro's doors. They were right." Marilyn is the divorced mother of two grown children who is now a freelance illustrator. With the help of her son and daughter, Marilyn started a magazine called "The Waves of the Hamptons." It ran about twenty pages and had a circulation of ten thousand. "Artists do get burned out, and I subsequently retired from the pressures of deadline advertising and now live the elegant life of a Hamptons, Long Island, New York miniature wood-carving beachcomber." Email Marilyn at mzack@suffolk.lib.ny.us or visit her website at www.gooeyorbit.com

Wilma Hammerle (1955) was an Advertising Art major at SIA who went on to Queens College from which she graduated with a Home Economics major and an Education minor.  She applied her artistic and creative talents to the position of Consumer Home Economist, creating new products, recipes and styling food for publicity and advertising shoots at Best Foods and Corn Products, before marrying and raising three children, partly as a single Mom.  Wilma moved to Manhattan and graduated from FIT with a BFA in Fabric Styling in 1990, with departmental honors, and returned to school again, earning the MSW from NYU in 1994 and passing the boards for the CSW at graduation.  Now working in a publicly funded Outplacement agency as a Career Advisor, she uses her work experiences from past positions as an Assistant Branch Credit Sales Manager at Apple Bank, Technical Writer and Marketing Specialist at Underwriter's Laboratories, Creative Assistant at Du Pont, and owner and Creative Director of small businesses creating textile designs, designing and manufacturing craft bags, and decorative pillows, to support professionals and managers pursuing re-employment and career change. In her spare time, she writes poetry that has been well received at New York City readings and is looking forward to finding old friends and new friends through the SIA/AD web site and events, picking up her paint brushes again, and traveling to exotic places.

Harry Weisburd (1955) I attended school of Art and Design --- when it was called School of Industrial Art or SIA. I graduated in 1955, as a Fashion Illustrator--- and won a scholarship to Parsons School of Design. I graduated Parsons School of Design as a Fashion Illustrator. I worked as a Fashion Artist and Layout Artist at Saks 5th Avenue, New York., R.J. GOERKE Department Store in Elizabeth, New Jersey and the White House Department Store, San Francisco, California. I returned to school and received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and a Master of Fine Arts degree from the California College of Arts and Crafts, Oakland, California. I was a Professor of Art, teaching painting, drawing design and color theory including art appreciation at the University of Connecticut, Storrs Connecticut. I was also a Professor of Art, taught sculpture at Westfield State College, Westfield, Massachusetts. I have also taught Film-Making for Teenagers at the DeYound Art Museum San Francisco, California. I am listed in "WHO'S WHO IN THE WEST" 1997 AND 1998. I have exhibited my paintings and sculptures in Art Galleries, nationally including: New York, Boston, Los Angeles , San Francisco and Seattle. Washington., Also exhibited Internationally including: England, France and Beijing, China.
My Art has been published in PLAYGIRL magazine, GALLERY magazine (drawings published monthly for one year) YELLOW SILK, JOURNAL OF THE EROTIC ARTS. Award winning Literary Journal, published for 10 years, Berkeley ,Ca. I was the Featured Artist in the 5th Anniversary Issue.Feature Article, "Thoughts on Erotic Art", NY ARTS magazine, Sept- Oct-2008, issue, Page 129. email address: good610@cs.com

Barbara Nessim (1956) I Attended Art and Design then, The High School of Industrial Art, as a sophomore, from 1953 to 1956. The four periods of art and academic subjects, each, was a perfect mix. It taught me to love school and how to learn to love both the academics along with the art. We had “lunchtime dancing” and I learned how to dance. It was a period when Rhythm and Blues/Rock and Roll as well as Latin music was just becoming mainstream. We were a small student body half going to the Annex on 51st St. and the upper class attending 79th btwn 2/3, so everyone knew each other. Since we were all attending from the 5 Boroughs the mix of cultures was incredibly enriching. At SIA I have made friends for life. Every Christmas we have a party for the class of ’56 that is well attended. Below is what I have done since. I went on to earn my BFA at The Pratt Institute and graduated in 1960.

BIO:
Barbara Nessim is an internationally known artist, illustrator and educator whose paintings and drawings have been shown in numerous galleries and museum exhibitions worldwide. In July of 1992, Parsons School of Design appointed her Chair of the Illustration Department where she served until June 2004. She will continue on to teach at Parsons. Over the past forty years her illustrations have been published in and on the covers of many major publications such as Rolling Stone, Time and Newsweek. Her fine art as well as her illustration work has been the subject of many feature articles. Since 1980, she has been doing electronic art created on a computer and has lectured widely on the subject. She has served on many juries including New York Foundation for the Arts NYFA prize and Siggraph. She sits on the Board of Trustees for the Norman Rockwell Museum (1999 to 2006) and served on the Artists Advisory Board for NYFA from 1999 to 2004. Her interactive exhibition Random Accesses Memories first showed in Soho at Rempire Gallery in 1991 and was widely traveled. Her latest exhibition Black Truths/White Lies opened in October 2003 at bitforms gallery in Chelsea. Nessim is currently planning a 15-year retrospective to open in November 2006 in Tokyo, Japan.
Please visit her site to see her work http://www.barbaranessim.com or by email barbara@barbaranessim.com.

Frank Curcio (1956) - Worked in the art field for over 40 years, first as a board man, then as a designer, art director, and finally as a Vice-President of Creative and Production, in various publishing companys (Bill Communictions, Warren Gorham & Lamont, AICPA, Churchill Livingston. Am now retired. Met my wife, Josephine Moschella, at the School of Industrial Art in 1955. We married in 1959 and are now living in Whitestone New York and Fountain Hills, Arizona. Our e-mail address is JOFRACUR@AOL.COM. Since retiring I have learned to play the mandolin, taken up cooking (mostly italian family specialties), and writing. A major project I took on after retiring was the writing of a book. The book, a novel, is titled DO-OVER, My exposure to the printed word throughout my career, my vivid imagination, and some wonderful memories of my youth led me to write DO-OVER.

ABOUT THE BOOK
Throughout it's pages, DO-OVER, a coming of age love story,brings to mind the passion and tragedy of West Side Story, and the comedy of Grease. With it's unforgettable characters and "50's" dialogue, it alternately brings tears to your eyes and a smile to your face.The title, DO-OVER, comes from a "Brooklynese" term used by youngsters playing street games when asking for another chance or "do-over" if things don't turn out the way they had hoped.The story, set mostly in Brooklyn and Manhattan in the 40's and 50's, tells of the main character's (Frank Curseo) hilarious and sometimes heartbreaking first encounters with girls, love, and sex. His love/hate feelings about his Italian heritage and the macho standards his peers inflict upon him play an important part in the story, as does the various prejudices (some unconsciously inherited) he encounters. As time goes by, Frank's anxieties and emotional experiences during his early school years, in high school (at the SCHOOL OF INDUSTRIAL ART -- 1953 -1956), and then naval boot camp, add to the turmoil in his life. Sporadic violence and racial strife also become a part of the picture, as do strong friendships and fierce loyalties. All play a role in his emotional struggle to achieve maturity and find the one true love he so desperately needs. Eventually, Frank has to make a decision between loyalty and love. Despite a tremendous tragedy that occurs, which tests his loyalty to the fullest, love prevails. The book can be previewed (and bought) at the following website. http://www.1stbooks.com/bookview/8737

Richard J. Finnell (1957) is a member of the Flushing Art League and the Alliance of Queens Artists. Richard graduated from the High School of Industrial Arts and for four years after graduation Class of 57 he worked for Electrical Consulting firms as a draftsman and designer. For the next 35 years he worked for major electrical contracting firms and eventually became a project engineer. In his work he incorporated numerous isometric and perspectives in field shop drawings to give a clearer understanding of what he what he was trying to accomplish. Some of his major projects included Madison Square Garden, AT & T Office Building, New York Hospital CV Star Pavilion, the Brooklyn Navy Yard Generator Plant plus numerous commercial and industrial projects. He was also a proud member of Local Union #3 - I.B.E.W. Oil painting has always been his hobby. Since his retirement in June 1997 he has been able to indulge in this pastime and started working in acrylics. Richards's favorite subjects are landscapes and seascapes and when he's not painting he enjoys reading artbooks and watching television art programs. Richard and his wife Mary Anne have just celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary and enjoy gardening and spending time with their two grandchildren. Michael, 17 and Linda, 15. Linda has recently taken in interest in painting and enjoys lessons from her grandfather. Richard's other hobbies include fishing and listening to jazz cd's. Richard became a proud member of the Flushing Art League of Queens in September 1998 and has won many ribbons and awards for his work, he is also one of the newest members of the Alliance of Queens Artists. Richard would like to acknowledge his daughter, Linda Hershfield, whose assistance made this website possible. You may contact Richard via email at: RJFinnell@hotmail.com If you want to visit Richard's Website go to: http://www.angelfire.com/art/RJFinnell/

Harold Ellis (1957) After leaving SIA, I was a silk screen film cutter in advertising but left that and worked at odd jobs for the next few years. Enrolled at Cooper Union to study architecture and worked as an Architect until retirement in 2005.

Janet McEneaney (1957) "I was a Theatre Arts major.  Now I am an attorney.  I work as an arbitrator and mediator of labor and employment disputes.  I teach at Cornell and NYU and also provide training in conflict resolution to employees of corporations.  I am active in a number of professional organizations and serve as Editor of the NYS Bar Association's Labor & Employment Law Journal.  I am also taking a Master of Laws degree from the University of Leicester (UK) in Employment Law of the European Union.  I live in Bayside with my husband Patrick, and have a daughter, Laura, who is 28, lives in Illinois and is studying fashion design and pattern drafting; and a son, Liam, who is 24 and a comedy writer and stand-up comedian in New York City.  I am very much looking forward to the reunion." You can e-mail Janet at McEneaneyJ@aol.com

John McCuen (1958) went from SIA to Norcross Greeting Cards on 34th Street where he worked as an Art Assistant. He then joined the Navy and served active duty for three and a half years in the Western Pacific and Asia aboard the aircraft carriers USS Hancock and USS Coral Sea. On the flight deck he served off the coast of Vietnam at the very beginning of the conflict and remembers with great reverence his shipmates who were lost at sea or died doing their duty. Returning to civilian life he became an Art Assistant at Travel/Holiday Magazine and later Mobile Home Journal Magazine. He moved up to Art Director at Sterling Magazines and went on to AD San Francisco Business Magazine in San Francisco and then back east again to AD Great Recipes of the World and later Great Foods Magazines. He moved on to Senior Designer at Star Magazine until his retirement in 2000. Ever grateful to our school, John worked as an artist full time from SIA all the way (41 years) to retirement without even a week between positions. During that time he returned to the Naval Reserve, traveled extensively throughout the US and Europe, and completed his twenty years' Navy service in 1995 while holding his civilian jobs at the same time. John also was elected to his town Council in 1990 and served as a Councilman and Deputy Mayor of Fairview, New Jersey, until 1996. Married twice with two grown daughters, John and wife Maryann are building a waterfront home in Cape Coral, Florida where they plan to settle down and call it a wrap. . . maybe. johnnavy@aol.com

Steve Korba (1958) is presently writing research reports for the telecommunications industry. If anyone would be interested in participating in one of these research projects in the future, let him know. Skills in preparing charts and illustrative diagrams, writing, and interviewing, are all helpful. Steve can be reached at: stevcor@aol.com.

Richard "Dick" Lopez (1959) I received an M.F.A. degree in photography from the School of Visual Arts. I'm a fine arts photographer, graphic designer, teacher and business consultant based in New York. I'm also the founding director of the Long Island Center of Photography. Formerly, I was the president and managing director of Lopez Salpeter and Associates, where I had the opportunity of working Bob Salpeter and other distinguished graphic designers, as well as architects, industrial designers, photographers, and writers. My work is exhibited widely and recognized by the American Institute of Graphic Arts, the Federal Design Council, Graphis, Print, Art Direction, Center for Photography at Woodstock, Creative Art Workshop at New Haven, etc.

Anthony "Tony" Teta (1959) is an accomplished wood carver who apprenticed with Master wood carver Marcos Baiter. Tony worked for the South Street Seaport Museum through the eighties and early nineties demonstrating the tools and styles of many ship carvers who worked in lower Manhattan during the nineteenth century. In addition to creating original works, he completed many restorations of historical carvings in the museum's collection as well as those in private collections. Tony is also owner and operator of United Shipping & Packaging of New Hyde Park (516-248-1060), which specializes in packing, crating, and shipping artwork, paintings, and sculpture, and offers all other types of shipping as well.

1960 through 1969

Jay Gerber (1960) is semi-retired from the field of financial planning and is his own client now. "I decided to leave advertising after a few years and went back to school to study marketing and fell in love with entrepreneurship. My acquired knowledge from SIA proved invaluable in the years that followed. Now I am spending much of my time with our six-year-old daughter, managing our investment portfolio and have a hand with other interests." You can e-mail Jay at JayGerber@aol.com

Donna Kerness Walence (1960) majored in advertising art. She had wanted to major in window display so that she could tie it into Theatre one day, but she was told that in those days woman weren't allowed to do windows in the evenings and that it was not necessarily an appropriate women's profession. Although her parents objected bitterly to her attending SIA, she saw it as a wonderful opportunity to begin "the era of my life-long rebellion against the Brooklynese values and flee into the exciting real world of Manhattan. I immediately immersed myself into the wonderful world of Arts, the Art of Dance, Poetry, Music, Drawing etc. I majored in Advertising Art; however, whenever we had to illustrate a pair of shoes for a newspaper ad, my shoes always looked worn and had character but didn't look sellable or new. I realized then and there that I was not an artist who had a commodity. Anyway dance was my passion. After I graduated I had a summer scholarship at Colorado College, studying dance with Hanya Holm (choreographer of the original King and I). For several years after I graduated I only had one job relating to "Art." Believe it or not it was for Western Electric, doing mechanical and drafting. Now I know why, when I showed my portfolio to the counselor before graduation, she asked me if I could type. I continued to study Modern Dance with the Alwin Nikolais dance company at the Henry Street Playhouse on the lower east side of Manhattan. I had a son, Christopher Michael. and a daughter, Tiana Hopeton. We moved to Texas where I met Louie, my second husband. He was a vendor at fairs and military bases selling gold dipped leaves and shells. Eventually, the business evolved into Native American Indian art and artifacts, jewelry etc. And here we are today, with a store called the Reservation at the Rivercenter Mall in San Antonio. I also have a serious addiction to my grandson Seth and granddaughter Clara who keep me aerobically fit and mentally prolific." E-mail Donna at LouisMW@aol.com

Bob Schumacher (1960), who majored in architecture and industrial design at SIA, and graduated college as a Ford Scholar in psychology and graduate school in human factors engineering, is co-founder of Visionary Medical Products Corporation, a medical device design and development firm, that has invented and licensed many medical devices, including those associated with blood glucose testing and insulin injection for people with diabetes to leading medical and pharmaceutical companies. He is also co-founder of PenJet® Corporation which is commercializing its revolutionary needleless, painless disposable jet injectors. Bob also owns the website design company HandMadeSites.com, which produces and hosts this website as a gift to all SIA and A&D alumni. Bob and his wife, Diane, and their 17-year old daughter live in Beverly Hills, CA. His email is bob@handmadesites.com

Ellen Werblow (1962) Advertising art was my major, with a minor in silk screen . I worked in silk screen for two years. For the next eightteeen years, I entered into graphic art field and worked at many publishing printing firms. For the last 17 years, I have been with the New York State Housing Agency, but not within the art field any longer. I am now retired. I was one of the three hearing impaired students at Art and Design. My new email address is ellenjoan66@Earthlink.net.

Michael J. Perlman (1962) earned his BA and MA at Arizona State University and an MA and Ph.D from the University of California, Berkeley. He is a founding member and President of Ace International Domaine, an investment-banking firm, and Group Domaine Scientifics, which directly invests and incubates ahead-of-the-curve technology. "I look forward to hearing from classmates from Dr. Muller's architecture class." You can e-mail him at mjperlman@aceinterntldomaine.com

Linda Calandra (1963) was a fashion design major and regents scholarship winner who went on to FIT. She worked as a design assistant and then fashion sketcher in the lingerie division at Formfit Rogers for Emilio Pucci over the next five years. She married in 1968 and left the fashion industry when sons Michael '69 and Rick Tombari '71 arrived. Linda, by then a single mother, relocated to Rockland County in 1976 and found a new career as an executive assistant. She returned to New York City in the early 80's. As an executive assistant over the years, Linda held some interesting jobs working for senior executives at Sport Magazine, Atlantic Records, HBO, and Showtime Networks. In 1993 she moved to New Jersey and married Bob Porter, record producer and radio host at WBGO 88.3FM. Currently known as Linda Calandra-Porter, she has been the executive assistant to the president at Sundance Channel for more than seven years and is affectionately referred to as "The Queen" or the "woman who runs the show." Linda continues to sketch, create caricatures, or scripts in calligraphy whenever the occasions arise. She also has designed the Channel's holiday greeting cards. Linda's love for art continues along with her enthusiasm for family gatherings, travel, entertaining and Jazz, R&B, and Blues.You can email her at: Linda.CalandraPorter@sundancechannel.com.

Herminio "Herman" Velez (1963) Briefly put, my art background has been the one thing that had elevated my personal employment position during two important time periods in my life. While in the Air Force I was reassigned as an illustrator. This was after Viet Nam and three years of service. Personnel staff would not originally reassign me, due to a "Critical AFSC" (Job Classification). But soon, high ranking recipients of some of my work overruled them, and the rest was elementary but gratifying. Secondly, after 13 years in the NYPD, the Personnel Section contacted me and asked if I would be interested in applying for a Cartography Unit position. I had, in 13 years, been a part a lot of serious experiences in the Washington Heights Commands. I, of course, accepted the invite. I was one of ten applicants and the only one chosen. The Cartography Unit then grew in size and in the variety of work produced. After a year there I was able to become a Helicopter Pilot. Piloting was one of my all-time ambitions. Though still paying some dues, my art background has indeed helped me get out of some pretty tough assignments and into a better life, both in 1968 and 1986. Thanks, A&D! Contact me at: e.eternals@verizon.net

Ray Quinones (1964) majored in Architecture. After graduating, he worked for a Civil Engineering firm in downtown Brooklyn while attending Institute of Design and Construction at nights. Within a year he was drafted into the US Army and served in Vietnam. Upon his return he joined a Structural Engineering Firm on 42nd Street and Second Avenue and worked on major building structures both within and outside of New York City. "In 1973, I joined one of the largest Bridge Engineering firms and have been working on bridges, both in the USA and throughout the world, ever since. I've gotten away from Art as we know Art, but I long for the day that I can spend my time drawing and painting." Since1964 Ray has lived in Brooklyn; the Bronx; Englishtown, New Jersey; Los Angeles, California; Puerto Rico; Sacramento, California; Miami, Florida; Boston, Massachusetts; and is now settled in Tampa, Florida, where he plans to remain. "I have changed since my high school days, a little heavier (145 lbs vs 205). Still 6 feet tall and some what better looking (thank God). I can't believe how I looked then." You can email Ray at Ray_Quinones@urscorp.com

Peter Heller (1964) went on to graduate from NYU in 1968 and is the news operations producer for ABC's "Good Morning America" and "World News This Morning." He has won two Emmy awards and authored two critically-acclaimed books: "In This Corner: 40 World Champions Tell Their Stories" (Simon and Schuster), and "Bad Intentions: The Mike Tyson Story" (NAL Books). You can e-mail Peter at pheller249@cs.com

John La Coste (1964) I graduated from the High School of Art and Desgin in 1964 with a major in Illustration, and Advertising art. I spent 1964-1968 in the USAF, and served in Vietnam in 1965 in Saigon. I worked as a Medical Journalist, and later as one of the Artists in the USAF Museum of Aeronautical Medicine in Brooks AFB, San Antonio, Texas, where I still have three paintings on display. From 1969-1976 I worked as a manager with Sears, and during this time I attended at night Herbert H. Lehman college, and finished my first two years. I went to College full-time on scholarship from 1977-1978 at SUNY Oneonta, and received by BA. in World Literature in 1978. Since then I have attended 3 different colleges in graduate studies, and have taken over 10 distant learning courses through other institutions. In 2004 I received my MA in American Studies, with a minor in Genealogy, and my PHD in General Studies with emphasis on American Art History, and Colonial American History, with Political Science, both degrees were conferred upon my by Suffield University. From 1979-1983 I worked as a Director of sales planning for Western Union. From 1983-2004 I worked as an Interior designer, and Furniture salesman for Seamans, Levitz, Haverty's, and Rhodes Furniture companies, both in NY, and Florida. This year I was offered a Librarian position with the Lee County government, and soon will be working with giving lectures, and assisting in the collections of the Genealogy department with this system. In 1980-1981 I attended painting studios in SUNY Purchase, in Oil painting classes. From 1967-1968 I took oil painting classes at La Valita Art Colony in San Antonio, Texas. From 1973-1976 I attended life drawing classes, and painting classes at Art Students League in NYC.. I presently attend Studio Painting classes in Acrylics at the Lee County Alliance of the Arts, and as a member, I set up gallery presentations here in Fort Myers. I love to paint Landscapes, and seascapes, and have developed a unique realism style in these painting, especially using vivid colors. In 1979 I started a second career in Genealogy, and since then have written, and published 5 books on family history. I have also written a very comprehensive genealogy of the Vanderbilt family. I am presently a member of the Augustan Society, the Order of William the Conquerer, The New York Genealogical and biographical Society, the Descendants of the Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem, the Octavian Society, and the International Chivralic Institute, and have written numerous articles on early American migration patterns, and Social history, and ancestry. I married, but have since been divorced, and have been living in Fort Myers, Florida since 1993. I plan on teaching Acrylic, and Oil painting classes when I retire here, and have already secured a lecturer post with Gulf Coast University here in town when I retire, in American Studies. I am also very active as an environmentalist. I want to say hello to my dear HS friends, especially Mikki Aiken, Nestor Charneco, Kurt Anderson, Steve Odell, Mark Weatherhead, and Rene Cooper. Good luck to the future graduates, I can safely say, that my experience in this great HS changed my life for the better. Contact me at: jlacoste@gte.net.

Carlette Anderson (formerly Carletta Feaster, 1964) "I majored in costume design and I was the senior class president in 1964. I left New York to attend college at Jacksonville University in Florida and became a Physical Education teacher. I married in 1970 and lived in Germany and El Salvador before moving to San Diego, California, in 1980. Have four children and five grandchildren. In 1988 I founded a company called Save-A-Heart which teaches CPR and first aid certification classes. Last year these courses were put online at www.cprpros.com. You can email me at foxeeladie@aol.com.

Anthony Leonardi (1965) after graduation, he attended NYC Community College and Western Michigan University, earning a BS in Printing Management. He married Barbara Boer, who also graduated from Art and Design (1965). They subsequently divorced four years later. He worked in Publishing for the first eleven years of his career, with companies such as Scholastic Magazines and Grolier. He left the publishing to work in the Direct Marketing industry.

He moved from Connecticut to North Carolina in 1979, working for Sara Lee Corporation in start up ventures. Anthony remarried in 1981. Anthony worked for Sara Lee for 18 years during which time he was transferred to Chicago, Kansas City and Rochester, New York. The business also gave him a chance to travel extensively. He ended his career at Sara as president of their catalog business to joined Petsmart as president of their catalog division.

Retiring in 2001, Anthony and his wife Bertie moved to their farm in North Carolina, living on 48 acres in the heart of North Carolina’s wine country where they are restoring an 1887 farm in an historic community located in the Yadkin River Valley.

Anthony can be contacted at leonardi@surry.net

Sally Massa-Stringer (1965) began her career in Theatre in New York City and in 1970 moved to Los Angeles where she made the transition to Film. She started as a script supervisor and after 10 years opened her own post production facility producing industrials, shorts and commercials. She also spent many enjoyable hours making up showcase reels for cameramen and actors. In 1987 she became a production manager member of the Directors Guild of America and in 1993 became actively involved in the Womens Steering Committee, accepting a co-chair position in 1994. Sally's more recent projects have included Supervising the DGA/WGA Women Filmmakers Program where she developed the inspiration to produce and directed a documentary all about the making of the first DGA/WGA short film, "No Dogs Allowed". This documentary was titled "Take One". She was chosen as one of the sixteen directors for the 1996 "Santa Monica - A Community That Cares", a joint project between the Directors Guild and Santa Monica CityTV. This project received public recognition, and afforded Sally her first Emmy Nomination in its catagory. Following that, she directed a Public Service Announcment for Haven House under the auspices of the PSA Committee of Women in Film. One project seemed to lead to another and Sally went on to Produce and Direct an educational production for Phase III of "The Children of the Dream" program for the Anti-Defamation League in Los Angeles called "Stop the Hate". Sally lives with her very supportive husband, cameraman R. Michael Stringer. Her most recent films are "Heartless" and "The Adventures of Ragtime" which she Line Produced. Stop by her Website:
http://members.aol.com/SalGal123/index.shtml

S.J. (Sandy) Mendelson (1965) went on to Pratt Institute and earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree. After getting married, she taught art for about five years but realized acting was her real dream. In 1976, she moved from New York to Los Angeles. She not only performed in cabarets and film and on TV and radio, she also had a wonderful career doing voice overs. Sandy gave up performing in order to raise her son and decided to pursue a career in lighting instead. She now owns a lighting company called "Sandy, The Lighting Girl" and is doing cabaret in Los Angeles just for the fun of it. You can reach Sandy at SANDYLTNGGIRL@aol.com

Gail German (1965), now Gail Ribas is teaching watercolor on Mount Desert Island, Maine. I moved here in 2000 after "retiring" from a long career as a graphic designer.
____I am the founder and Director of the Acadia Workshop Center which opens the spring of 2004. More info about the Center can be found at www.acadiaworkshopcenter.com
I also founded and run a Plein Air group: http://portfauxliogallery.homestead.com/homepage.html
Please email me at portfauxlio@acadia.net

Daria Dykyj (1965) went on to earn her B.A. at Hunter College, majoring in anthropology and art history. After backtracking art history as far as cave art, curiosity took her into graduate school to explore where the cave people came from, and she graduated CUNY with a doctorate in physical anthropolgy. During graduate school Daria performed research at the American Museum of Natural History in New York and the Smithsonian in DC and went on archaeological and palenontological digs in the US and Europe. Since then she has taught anthropology in several colleges in New York City but mainly teaches human anatomy and conducts research in human joint structure at a medical school. Email Daria at: dod14121@cs.com

Richard "Rick" Barry (1965) "I graduated A&D as an Advertising Art & Illustration major in 1965. The previous year was the last year presided over by founder John B. Kenny. In our senior year, the new principal (Mr. Raphael?) decided that our Senior Fair was no longer to take place in Central Park, as it had for many years. So I and a group of lunchmates decided to boycott the cafeteria in protest. Somehow it caught on, and dozens of students honored the boycott, until one day it was announced that the Senior Fair would be held in Central Park! And it was a great Senior fair. I even received a little award for my zoo sketches, which was a real thrill for me. Wonder whether the Central Park venue continued after that year? After graduation, I landed a summer job as an apprentice at AKM Studios, a wonderful, old fashioned art studio (shortly before "art studios" all became "design studios" and "commercial artists" became "graphic designers"). In the fall, I attended Pratt Institute on a scholarship, and dropped out a few weeks later when I decided I was learning a lot more at AKM. Thus began my art and design career. I became engaged to my A&D sweetheart, Carol Engelson, when we were only 18. Since my peers were being drafted and sent to Vietnam (in some cases, returning in a bag), I joined the Air Force Reserves, which managed to keep me out of full-time service for only a couple of years. In the meantime, Carol and I married, and in January of 1968, were blessed with a son, David. Within two weeks' time, The Pueblo Spy Ship crisis enabled Lyndon Johnson to activated the military reserves in order to fill the decimated ranks. So with a newborn son, I was activated into the full-time Air Force. My son had his first birthday and took his first steps in Charleston, South Carolina, where I was stationed at the USAF Military Airlift Command. It was an extremely trying experience for all of us. Over the subsequent years, I held a number of positions as a designer, art director, senior art director and creative director for several design studios and Madison Avenue ad agencies. I was fortunate enough to be honored with a couple of awards along the way. Early on, I began freelancing in my spare time to make extra money, and when one of my ad agency employers went under, I continued as a self-employed designer-illustrator. I've remained self-employed for the remainder of my professional career. In the late 70s, I became heavily involved with the Graphic Artists Guild, and served as President of the Graphic Artists Guild of New York in the early 80s. I was a very earlier adopter of computer graphics for art and design, and as a result, in the late 80s I began to teach and lecture about computer arts as a part-time interest. In 1988, I was asked to take a part-time position in the new Dept. of Computer Graphics and Interactive Media at Pratt Institute, and I've been teaching there ever since. In 1995, I became Acting Chair of the CGIM dept., and was appointed permanent Chair the following year. In January of 2001, I relinquished my position to return to the faculty as a full-time Associate Professor at Pratt. The irony of my dropping out of this very same school in the fall of 1965 after attending for a few weeks is not lost on me nor my colleagues." E-mail RIck at rikbarry@earthlink.net or visit him at http://pratt.edu/~rbarry

John Dell'Isola (1966) Landed a paste-up & mechanical job at an offset lithography company right after graduation. Was drafted in to the army in 1969 and served in a training aids graphic shop and as a company draftsman overseas. Upon discharge attended NYC Technical College and received an associate's degree in commercial art. Worked at Ziff Davis Publishing Company as a staff artist, art director and production manager from 1973-1984. Moved to Murdoch Magazines as a production director in 1984. The company was sold to the Cahner's group, and I worked as an advertising services director until 1994. I was a printing sales rep for a large commercial printing company until 1996. Presently working as a production quality-control director for a midtown graphic design studio, designing for Topps baseball card company, licensing, advertising, publishing and packaging clients. We have a complete scanning and prepress department able to produce anything in print. Email to: johndell@madadesign.com

Stephanie Bell Hill (1967) Illustration and Advertising is a Business Consultant for the Hewlett-Packard, Graphics Arts Business. I attended Cornell after graduation and was there through the turbulent 60’s. I never forgot A&D and NYC, even as I raised two wonderful sons, moved to Colorado and then back to the east coast in 2004. I am very interested in teaching young artists how to combine art and business and look forward to returning to teaching one day. I served as a mentor to art students at Bushwick High School (now closed), Brooklyn, NY since my return to this area. I earned my B.F.A degree from Cornell University and an M.B.A degree from the University of Colorado at Denver. I am a certified Project Management Professional (PMP), Project Management Institute.
While living in NYC, I held in a variety of management positions within the New York City Transit Authority, before achieving the position as Director, Graphics.
I spent more than twenty years in the Graphics Arts Industry as an art director, graphics department manager, trainer and college instructor in graphic design and technology and production, sales and marketing. Prior to joining HP, I worked for 6 years with IBM Printing Systems in Boulder, Colorado.
I also worked for Quark, Inc., where I was responsible for the development of the QuarkAlliance program, a service that provided training and technical support to professional designers, commercial printers and trainers.

George Christian Staudt (1967) I majored in cartooning with Mr. Allen and Mr. Nagele. Went on the School of Visual Arts for one year, but I had picked up guitar during high school and decided that music was my first love. (Also began using my middle name, Chris.) Pursued a music career in NYC, mostly doing off-off Broadway and local top 40 bands, writing music and learning to play lots of other instruments.
In the 70s, started working with Slim Goodbody (he wears a body suit with organs and bones on it and sings about health and nutrition), with whom I recorded and arranged for records and TV, and scored for symphony orchestra.
Married in 1981, had Jeremy in 1983 and Bryan in 1987. Moved to Virginia that same year. As music wasn't panning out, worked in data entry then desktop publishing, combining my interest in writing with the art and layout background.
Contracted with the Postal Service at Headquarters for close to 10 years, then moved to the United States Mint in 2001, where I write and do graphics and occasionally music for their extensive children's Web site at www.usmint.gov/kids. Hobbies lately include home video editing and I just got Anime Studio software for Father's Day! Full circle, eh? I'd love to hear from any of you--email me at: staudtgc@hotmail.com!

Andrew G. Marino (1967) I Grew up in Brooklyn, one of eight children. Jumped for joy when i was accepted into A&D. I LOVED A&D, 100 % attendance for 3 years. I Played 1st alto sax in the A&D dance band. (Loved Billy Shine). I Sang in the Folk Club and all around school, (hallways, cafeteria). Had 3 siblings who followed my path to A &D ... George, Kathy ad Stella. I Graduated School of Visual Arts, NYC (BFA). Worked mostly in Advertising, Textile designer and Graphic designer. Did 6 years in U.S. Army reserves. (86 ft and 110 ft. Tug boat pilot). Over the past 40 years, played sax in many a rock and roll and R & B bands in the New York area. I've been blessed (from my 1st marriage) with two wonderful children Dom and Gina. I'm Now happily married to Dianne Drummey Marino. I am currently the owner of Marinodesign LLC, my graphic design/marketing company http://marinodesign.com. I'm still thank God, surfing, oil painting, playing horn & composing music.
Greetings to all. Please feel free to email me: a.sax.marino@gmail.com, andrewmarino@nyc.rr.com.

Jean Mack Michael (1967) "I went from A&D to Hunter College where I studied to become a teacher. I became a teacher of the blind in the NYC schools, then returned to graduate school to get a Ph.D. in English literature. Some of my paintings hang in the office of Educational Vision Services where I am currently the coordinator of the Materials Center. My job is to order and send out materials to blind and low-vision children throughout the five boroughs. I adopted a beautiful little boy from Siberia two years ago. I am not a great painter, but I am leading a rich life. Having suffered a stroke at the age of twenty-eight, I embarked upon a spiritual journey to gain my life back. I have written a memoir about my life from the perspective of neurological impairment. Throughout my career as a teacher I encouraged many youngsters to try out for A&D because it was a pivotal place for me in my emotional and artistic development. I will never forget the opportunity I was given there to sing an anti-war song in the Spring Festival of 1967. There is no school like it."You can e-mail Jean Michael at: Jean_Michael@fc1.nycenet.edu

Rob Sturtz (1967) After graduating, I won a full scholarship to SVA. Soon after graduating I married, and I'm still married to Claudia, the love of my life. I have 3 kids. My son, Aaron, is a teacher/sculpter who is married and has 1 child. My daughter, Shana, is a nurse, and my youngest daughter, Nina, hopes to make it on Broadway someday. I live in White Plains, New York, and have been a freelance graphic designer for more than 20 years. As a freelancer, I handle a wide range of design projects for both web and print. I design on a regular basis web sites, Flash animations, logo designs, newsletters, brochures, sales promotion material, direct mail, advertisting, packaging and packaging bursts for many of my Fortune 100 clients. I feel very fortunate to have graduated from Art & Design. . . I'm sure my life would have been very different if A&D didn't offer me the opportunity to grow as an artist. My favorite bumper sticker is "If your children are artists, you have only yourself to blame" I still play my accordion every day. Check out some of my design work at http://www.digital-artist.com.

Michel Perec (1967) "I arrived to New York City's Lower East Side in 1961 from Alsace Lorraine, France. The art teacher at Junior high School 71 urged me to prepare a portfolio & take the admissions exam at A & D. The rest is history. I was fascinated by building structures and decided to focus in the architectural Arts with Dr. Erwin T. Muller. To this day, I utilize his perspective method when sketching or preparing renderings. The school had a profound influence in my life. I enrolled at the CUNY, Brooklyn Community College in 1967 where I studied construction technology for a year. In the late 60’s, many young men were drafted & sent to fight in Vietnam. I decided to join & served in the U. S. Navy from 1968 through 1970. I was stationed with the Air Anti-Submarine Squadron 21 at the Naval Air Base in San Diego, California. I participated in a tour of duty on the aircraft carrier, USS Kearsage, CVS-33 in the Gulf of Tonkin, Vietnam, returned to New York City in August 1970 & completed my associate degree. I continued my education at the CUNY, School of Architecture & received a Bachelors of Architecture in 1978. In the process of completing an education, I married Evelyn, who has been my life partner for the past 34 years and instrumental to my success. We have two children. Our daughter Michele is 32 years old & married John Zaremba in the Spring of 2005. We are grandparents to Tyler John who is 4 months old. Our 19 years old son Daniel has completed his first year at Monmouth University in West Long Branch, N. J.
I have been commuting for the past 20 years to Lower Manhattan where I work for city government. I am registered as a N.Y. architect and the Director of Design, Construction & Inspection for the Administration for Children’s Services agency." You can e-mail me at Mperec27@aol.com

Roberta S. Rosenthal Brownstone (1967) majored in Advertising Art & Fashion Illustration. She is currently living in Bloomingburg, NY. Roberta graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology with a degree in textile design. While a staff designer/illustrator for Macy's she also attended classes at the Art Students League and Parsons School of Design. For the next 7 years she was a staff artist for art studios and manufactures of textiles. In 1977 Roberta started her own art studio in mid-Manhattan, RSR Designs, doing Botanical Art, Illustration and Design. Markets included textiles, publishing, advertising, giftware, stationary and packaging. In 1978 she married Mark Brownstone, a video artist and editor.

From 1980 to 1983 she was the Executive Director of Good Works a job referral service of the Graphic Artists Guild. Roberta says of that time "What a wonderful experience it was to get work for artists and promote the beginning of the computer graphics era. At the same time I studied Japanese and Chinese brush painting with master artists for four years." In 1985 she studied botanical art at the New York Botanical Garden and has been teaching in their Botanical Art Certificate Program since 1986.

In 1999 Roberta purchased her first computer, an iMac, and learned how to use it by writing a novel!

She exhibits her art on the east coast, is a member of the Society of Illustrators, American Society of Botanical Illustrators and the Guild of Natural Science Illustrators. She says "In my down time I volunteer my services to community and spiritual endeavors. My experiences as a student at A & D have served me well over the years and I'm constantly learning from my students. No children, three cats. Please visit my website http://www.robertarosenthal.com".

Pat Figueroa (1968) Remember me? I majored in Illustration & Advertising Art and graduated A&D in 1968. Oh, maybe you remember the guy in the wheelchair, shooting down the hall. Or that fantastic artist, among fantastic artists. I have many fond memories of my years as a student at Art and Design. I had many friends, because everyone was so good to each other, and especially to me. But the young women at A&D were just, well, great to admire.

Some of my favorite teachers were: Max Ginsburg, Mr. Taylor, who was there for one year (I think, taught Illustration) Mr. Gonzales, Mr. Kenton, Mr. Hollingsworth, Miss Burris, and of course old, Mr. Dyson, self proclaimed the Mini-skirt Sheriff, Mrs. Veronica Kelly, and Mrs. Liz Klein, who talked me into going to college... and the list can go on and on! After A&D I went to Parsons. Many of my A&D buddies migrated there to: Steve Shub, Sal Abbatte, .Geraldine V.Thordson, Arlene Gross, and I think, Ann Biedell, and many others.

I dropped out of Parsons, but went to Visual Arts at night. My first job was designing, labels, woven insignias, and logos for the clothing industry.

After three years of that I went on to Brooklyn College and majored in Sociology, minored in Art. I painted and sold my paintings to make extra money. After Brooklyn College I went to work for the Social Security Administration, but left to get my Masters at New York University. I got married in 1975. Worked part-time with a former NASA engineer who became a father figure, Dr. Vladimir Tica. I patented several inventions with him.

In 1978, I was hired to run a not for profit organization to serve people with disabilities, and became a disability advocate. I got a lot of local press, and national press, especially when I organized a 12 hour take over of the MTA. Headquarters. I became so infamous; the Major of NYC disliked me strongly.

I finished NYU in 1983 with a Masters in Planning and Public Administration. Soon politics called and I was working in the Executive Branch of State government. I made a home in the belly of the beast for nearly twenty years, when medical reasons forced me to retired.

Now, I am retired and have taken up writing. Just had my first children’s book published, Melissa and the Magic Pen (Fall 2004). It is not Shakespeare, but a good story.

I live in upstate New York with my daughter 15, and wife of 29 years, Denise. Love to hear from anyone from the Class of 1968, or from the School. E-mail address: mailto:patfigny@aol.com.

David Tommasino (1968) "Hello Fellow Alumni, it's David Tommasino. Remember me? I majored in Illustration & Advertising Art and graduated A&D in 1968. I have many fond memories of my years as a student there. Some of my favorite teachers were: Max Ginsburg (whom I worked with through out the years. Even though I was the Art Director commissioning Max... he was still the Teacher, and I always appreciated his input.. Hi Max!), Mr. Gonzales (I still do 3-D paper-cut illustrations!! and was glad to see you doing paper sculpture on Mr. Rogers Neighborhood), Mr Gaydos, Mr. Kenton, Mr. Shine ( played saxophone in the concert & jazz band at A&D ... and still take the old sax out of the box to play a tune every now and then!), Mr. Hollingsworth, Miss Burris... and the list can go on and on! After A&D I went to Parsons. Many of my A&D buddies followed along. I worked my way through the ranks of the Publishing field and spent 15 happy and successful years as the Executive Art Director at Scholastic Inc. Your kids probably read some of the series that I designed... The Baby-sitters Club; Goosebumps; Two of a kind with Mary-Kate and Ashley... and tons of other fun titles. A major downsizing at Scholastic has had me freelancing for the past three years, but I am eager to pursue a job in a company setting once again. It hasn't been all work and no play.. I have a 25 year old daughter who graduated from FIT. Don't forget to bring pictures of the kids and grandchildren on October 4th, I'll have mine. That's enough for now; I look forward to meeting with all of my fellow A&Ders at the Reunion! You can email me at: tommasino@erols.com

Miguel A. Perez (1968) Package Design New York artist, Michael Perez, is one of the hottest Modern Pop artists today. On the cutting edge, his art is extremely dynamic, distinguished by the use of distinctive unique woman's faces, flowers and figures comprised of contrasting colors and shapes.
____During high school and while attending Parsons School of Design and Pratt Institute Michael successfully sold his paintings on the streets of Greenwich Village. After college, he worked in the advertising industry, but continued to pursue his true passion, painting. In the mid-1990s he moved his art studio to Southampton and opened his own gallery to showcase his art. With success in the Hamptons, Michael opened a second gallery in 2002 at 11 Harrison Street in TriBeCa, New York City. Having his own galleries affords him the opportunity to personally meet and interact with his clients and admirers.
____Michael has been interviewed by nationally known magazines such as Art World News, Art Business News, and Hispanic Business Magazine. He has appeared on NBC's "Weekend Today Show", the largest national Spanish TV network, Univision, and News 12 stations throughout the tri-state area.Numerous national and local newspapers have written about him, including Newsday, The New York Times, TriBeCa Tribune, Downtown Express, and Southampton Press. Bloomberg Radio and WWRU Radio have also interviewed Michael.
____Michael's art has been part of the set displays for television shows including "Sabrina, The Teenage Witch", "Friends", Melrose Place, and the feature Film "Fifteen Minutes". Most recently he has had one-man shows at the Viacom Corporate Offices & MTV Studios in NYC. Michael is also in the process of designing and painting a life-size fiberglass cow for the Official Cow Parade of Harrisburg, PA in Spring 2004. Michael Perez artwork can be seen throughout the United States, Canada, Australia, Israel and Europe. Visit his website:
www.MichaelPerezGallery.com, email: MPerezArt@aol.com

Louis Marek (1969) I graduated A&D in 1969. Miss Tauerman, my advertising teacher got me an afternoon job at the new agency of Scali, McCabe Sloves, in my Senior year. Sam Scali became my mentor and I worked there for over a year. He encouraged me to go to Pratt. I did. I was in the Ad business for twenty years and worked in New York City at Wells Rich Greene, I moved to Denver and worked for Tracy Locke Advertising as Senior Art Director on the Frontier Airlines account. I opened my own shop in Denver. I moved to Los Angeles and worked for Bozell and finally for Cohen Johnson ( Howie Cohen and Mark Johnson were also Wells Rich Greene alumni's and Howie is in the Copywriters Hall of Fame. I became a commercial film director for a time in L.A. before I started Mural Mural On The Wall. I left there to start my own business of murals and fine art/decorative art commissions and have been doing this for the last eight years. http://www.muralmuralonthewall.com/. I have four kids, my wife is a nurse/author in Marina Del Rey.email me at: lou@muralmuralonthewall.com

Fred Greenspan (1969) was a photography major at Art & Design. He continued his studies at SUNY Farmingdale where he pursued an A.A.S. Degree in Photographic Technology. He then attended Bard College earning a B.A. in Film and Anthropology. From 1975 to 1980 Fred worked towards an M.A. in Cultural Anthropology at Temple University in Philadelphia concentrating on "Visual Anthropology" (the use of cameras/film/video in studying human culture).

In 1980 Fred returned to New York State and became a Museum Educator for Sleepy Hollow Restorations. There he was introduced to the art of puppetry when he assisted in the creation of a new puppetry program. By the mid-1980's he was Assistant Site Manager at Sunnyside, Home of Washington Irving. Fred left the museum world in 1986 to pursue, as he says, "A career in the 'real world', taking a job with a small computer firm. In 1989 the museum started inviting me back to perform puppet shows for special events.

Soon other museums began asking me to do programs for them. In 1992 I left the 'real world' and began a 'full-time' career as a traditional puppeteer." Fred continues to pursue photography and is Co-President of the Valley Artists Association. His photographs appear in their group shows at Crystal Bay in Peekskill.

Fred is married to Sondra, who is an award winning graphic designer specializing in food, beverage, and corporate convention material. They have a ten year old daughter, Natania. Fred and his family reside in Ossining, N.Y. His website is http://home.earthlink.net/~greenspan// He can be contacted at: greenspan@earthlink.net

Bob "Duke" Dlugokenski (1969) was a Photography major whose favorite Photo teachers were Joyce Blake and Al Lederman. After high school, Bob was sent to Viet Nam, where he served until being medivacuated back to the states. Shortly after returning, he met his wife, Dorothy, to whom he was married for twenty-seven years until her death on September 3, 2000. Duke has a 22-year-old daughter, Jeanine, and plans to continue with his college education after she finishes hers. Bob works as a New York State Senior Court Officer in the Queens Supreme Court (Criminal Term). He expects to retire in 2005 with 30 years in the system. "As for my major, well, I tinkered with it a bit, but I guess I wasn't as competitive as the others, so I kept it as a hobby as well as some sketching and painting now and then. You can e-mail Duke at ouitrey@aol.com

Gail Debel Allouf (1969) attended Parson's on scholarship where she studied both fashion illustration and illustration. She got married in 1970 and had her first son, Matthew, in 1975, and her second son, Jesse in 1980. Her first job was creating art and doing separations for a screen print studio. She then took a part-time job doing art for baby apparel, a fork in her career path that led her down many exotic roads, including to Taiwan, Schzenzen, Hong Kong, and Mexico. She has since worked for Rashti and Rashti, KMart, the Children's Television Workshop, Martha Stewart, and JCPenney. Gail is now setting up a freelance business and hopes to return to her illustration roots. You can e-mail her at GAllouf@home.com