1 Art Exhibitions 2023
2 Faculty & Staff Gerry Katzban My name is Gerry Katzban, and I hold Masters degrees in Art and in Environmental Conservation Education from New York University. With over 30 years of professional experience in the design field I have worked on projects in graphics, motion graphics, video production, UI/UX design, and industrial design. I’m also a professional photographer. At the Center, I am privileged to teach courses in photography, digital imaging, video editing, and visual effects, where I inspire students to strive to expand their creativity, capabilities and professionalism. As a photographic artist, my work revolves around a wide variety themes, particularly inspired by nature, science and technology. Through careful observation, research, and a lot of experimentation I try to report on the beauty, design, or significance of what I see. As a designer, I make every effort to understand my client and their desired outcomes, and then work to achieve results that exceed their expectations. You can learn more about what I do and explore my portfolio @ www.gkdesign.us. I’ll be contributing to the faculty web page after the exhibition, enabling others to discover what I do. For the exhibition, I will be showcasing five photographic works, focusing on nature and urban themes. These range from close-ups to wide-angle views. In all cases there is a shift from simply documenting the scene to representing it with an artistic intent. This may be conversion to black & white (Maidenhair Ferns and Ice Bubbles) or applying a graphic treatment (Newburgh on the Hudson River and Winter Pond), or simply framing the subject in a way that presents a curious vision that may go unnoticed (Peekskill Reflections). I hope you enjoy the great diversity of work in this show and get to meet its creators! Peekskill Reflections Medium: Giclee Print Size: 5x7”
3 Art Exhibitions 2023 Vernal Ice Medium: Giclee Print Size: 4x5” Winter Pond Medium: Giclee Print Size: 7x9” Maidenhair Ferns Medium: Giclee Print Size: 10x15”
4 Faculty & Staff Michael Dwyer Michael Dwyer studied film at Bard College and SUNY Purchase. His day gig is as a graphic designer and video production, but his heart is tied to art with a mission and social cause. Dwyer has produced three short films, Watch (2003), Rising Tide (2006), and Mom and Pop (2007), which were shown at festivals around the globe, including at Slamdance. Rising Tide won a Silver Medal for short documentary at the 2005 Bilbao Film Festival. Two serendipitous chance meetings inspired Michael’s most recent project. While volunteering as a teaching artist at Fishkill Correctional Facility, Michael met a man serving 25 years in prison for a crime he did not commit. Then, on the opening night of the origami art installation “1000 Cranes,” which the inmates had created, Michael met Tomiko Morimoto West, a survivor of the atomic bomb at Hiroshima. Recognizing the common bond that these two people shared, that of surviving and transcending grave injustice, Michael knew immediately that he had to return to documentary filmmaking to tell their stories of healing and transformation. Michael lives in the Hudson Valley on Beagle Mountain. Watch 2003, 6 mins. Michael Dwyer and Robert Todd https://vimeo.com/29414939 A portrait of Konrad Brzezinski, Master Watchmaker, in Rye, NY.
5 Art Exhibitions 2023 Rising Tide 2004, 25 mins. Michael Dwyer and Robert Todd https://vimeo.com/28543381 Rye, NY-- Rising Tide recounts a local history through the voices of multiple generations while offering a captivating view into the unique workings of each person’s craft or business. The film chronicles the lives, the struggles, and the behind-the-counter activities of people who are involved in trades that are increasingly marginalized by the high cost of living, the arrival of large franchises in the community, and technological advances. Mom and Pop 2005, 50 mins. Michael Dwyer and Robert Todd This film is an extension of the themes found in Rising Tide but expanded to include five more businesses in Rye, so that a portrait of the entire town emerges.
6 Faculty & Staff Portrait of Otis Fuentes A.K.A “That Windows V.P. Dog,” Medium: B & W Photo Size: 24x36” Chris Carroll Chris X Carroll earned a Master’s Degree, with Distinction, in the Science of Teaching, with concentrations in Visual Art and Special Education from St. Thomas Aquinas College. Chris currently teaches Middle School History and coaches Crew at Dwight-Englewood School. Following decades of commercial photography, filmmaking, and writing, Carroll added teaching to his resume eight years ago and has not looked back. Chris teaches filmmaking during summers at the Center and nearly always manages to talk at least one student per session to make a movie of one of Shakespeare’s sonnets. It is hard to go wrong when you start with fourteen lines written by the greatest screenwriter humanity has yet produced. Chris’ students have produced movies of Sonnets, faux TV weather reports, and rock videos and manage to blow his mind every year. Their creativity, verve, and moxie never fail to inspire Chris, who sees the entire transaction as two-way street that lets him revel in his students antics while inspiring and channeling those antics into creative art. Carroll continues to mine several recurring themes in his work across varied media. He is particularly fascinated by using individual subjects and compositing techniques to create large scale photo murals, up to sixty feet long. The artist is currently writing his memoirs of the years 1985-1995, when he worked as a rock photographer creating portraits of the greatest performers of the era. These photos haven’t been seen in decades; the stories remain untold. Until now. Stay tuned… Chris X Carroll maintains several websites of his work, though the best way to stay in touch and see work both current and vintage is through social media. Carroll contributes different material and perspective to each of several platforms. No matter the media, Carroll may be found @ www.chrisxcarroll.com where he Follows, Likes, and Adds anyone who asks, so drop on by. Carroll has included a 24x36 printed image of his photograph: Portrait of Otis Fuentes. This work may well look familiar to you, as it appeared on over a billion computer desktops as a built-in wallpaper in Microsoft’s Windows XP operating system. This portrait was designated “friend.jpg” in XP, which helps Carroll remember that his memento snapshot of his erstwhile pooch could serve as a touchstone of solace to literally millions. Chris may be an old school Mac guy, but is nonetheless stoked to have old Otis there continuing his work as a beacon of joy and friendship to generations of Windows users.
7 Art Exhibitions 2023 Dorothy Posada Dorothy Posada is a Colombian American multi-media artist. Dorothy attended the ‘FAME’ school, presently known as LaGuardia High School for Music & Art and Performing Arts, a specialized high school. There she was able to get a wide range foundation in the arts including drawing, ceramics, oil painting, watercolors, and photography (dark room). She is an alumna of SUNY Westchester Community College, Visual Arts, A. A. S. (Graphic Design concentration) and Performing Arts (Dance concentration), A.A.S. Additionally, Posada holds a B.A. in Organizational Leadership and an M.B.A in Managerial Analytics. Dorothy has worked in diverse capacities such as graphic design, content creator, ballroom instructor, office manager, and account executive to name a few. She is presently the Assistant Director for the SUNY Westchester Peekskill Center and is also teaching a college success course, First Year Seminar, at the main campus in Valhalla. Sombrasmias is Dorothy’s artist name. Sombrasmias is a combination of two Spanish words; shadows and mine, translating loosely to ‘My Shadows’. The particular piece featured in this exhibit is called ‘Sombras Blancas’, a work of plaster on canvas manipulated to create a texture that emulates nature, producing light and dark, an homage to her ancestors and Mother Earth. ‘Sombras Blancas’ literally translates to white shadows, an oxymoron. Sombras Blancas (White Shadows) Medium: Plaster On Canvas Size: 18x40” (2)
8 Faculty & Staff Deborah Krikun Deborah Krikun is a digital media artist who creates interactive digital media works utilizing emerging technologies. Concepts are inspired through collected observations, user experience data and storytelling tales to share. Deborah is a digital arts educator teaching over 25 years at SUNY Westchester Community College. An Associate Professor and Curriculum Chair of a new program titled Interactive Technologies which offers concentrations in Digital Marketing, Web Design UX/UI, Computer Animation and Game Design. She is currently exploring teaching methodologies that utilizes virtual reality gamification and artificial intelligence to enhance learning experiences. Vision Flight - (collaborator) Vision Flight is the solo project of Brooklyn-based musician Jared Elder. Deliberately subverting genre boundaries, his songs incorporate elements of electronic, rock, pop, folk, and experimental styles. Jared began playing violin at age five, followed by piano and guitar during high school, and an undergraduate degree in classical guitar performance. The next step was learning how to produce electronic music and combining it with classic songwriting. After six EPs, a full-length album, three music videos, and numerous singles and collaborations, Vision Flight continues to discover new forms of expression. Medium: Digital Print Size: 2x2” Flight of Hummingbird
9 Art Exhibitions 2023 Time Triptych Time Triptych is an audiovisual collaboration expressing conceptions of time, both on an individual level as artists and people, and in a broader global and cosmic sense. The paintings are 24” x 24” acrylic and mixed media on wood canvas. Composed as 30-second loops, the music allows you to move on to the next piece whenever you’re ready, or delve intothe layers and associations they may bring to mind. Distant Past expresses the powerful emotions that looking back can elicit, from cherished memories to buried traumas millennia of lifetimes, all now bygone eras. Present Moment conveys the sensation of connecting to mindful presence, though anxious thoughts may divide our focus. Distant Future depicts our spurious utopian fantasies, the jarring dystopian reality, and a lament for the end of nature. Scan with your phone camera to listen to music <QR Code> Headphones recommended! Medium: Mixed Media and Audio Size: 18x18”
10 Faculty & Staff Sherry Mayo My name is Sherry Mayo, and I hold a Master of Fine Arts from New York University and an Ed. D.C.T. in Art & Art Education from Teachers College Columbia University. With over twenty years of professional experience and work at SUNY Westchester Peekskill Center for the Digital Arts, I specialize in arts technology integration in education. At the Center, I am privileged to oversee programming and development and operations. I also teach in the Youth Arts Technology Program. In addition, I teach graduate MA and MAT students in Art Education at the School of Visual Arts, where I strive to inspire students with a passion for teaching and art making to experiment with technology. As an artist, my work revolves around both observed reality and memory of places and how they make you feel. I believe in working with personal symbology and layers of color and light as way to capture small moments in time to make meaning, and my creative process often involves both traditional and digital media. Through my art, I aim to create a visceral, unique, experience for the viewer. You can learn more about my journey and explore my portfolio @ www.sherrymayo.com. I am excited to contribute to the faculty web page after the exhibition, enabling others to discover my work and connect with my artistic vision. For the exhibition, I will be showcasing Once Upon a View. This piece is based on an actual experience I had in a patch of woods but is more about how I felt than what I observed or rather is a mixture of both. It is a vinyl decal that I created in Adobe Illustrator. Once Upon a View Medium: Vinyl Decal, Digital Painting Size: 27x37”
11 Art Exhibitions 2023 Jason Mitcham My name is Jason Mitcham, and I hold an MFA in Painting from the University of Florida. With over 18 years of professional experience, I specialize in painting, drawing, and stop-motion animation. At the Center, I am privileged to teach Digital Photography, where I strive to inspire students with a passion for how art becomes a dialogue that can affect culture and our own lives. As an artist, my work revolves around the landscape. It explores land use, mapping, layering of history and cycles of growth and decay. My creative process often involves animating my paintings to tell stories through stop-motion animation. Through my art, I aim to merge personal history with larger societal issues surrounding the landscape. You can learn more about my journey and explore my portfolio at jasonmitcham.com. I am excited to contribute to the faculty web page after the exhibition, enabling others to discover my work and connect with my artistic vision. For the exhibition, I will be showcasing Head Full of Doubt/Road Full of Promise. This piece is a stop-motion animation created by altering a single painting thousands of times. It premiered on NPR.com in 2010, and is in the permanent collection of the North Carolina Museum of Art. It was created as a music video for the Avett Brothers. Head Full of Dought / Road Full of Promise Medium: HD Digital Video with Sounds, Virable Jason Mitcham http://jasonmitcham.com https://vimeo.com/user6939819
12 Faculty & Staff Medium: Gouach On Paper Size: 16x22” Sensory Sun Laurel Shute My name is Laurel Shute, I hold a Master of Fine Arts in Painting from Long Island University and my Bachelor in Fine Arts is in painting, printmaking, and sculpture from Otis Art Institute, Los Angeles, CA and Virginia Commonwealth University. With over 38 years of professional experience as a Teaching Artist, my painting studio, initially located in Brooklyn, is currently in Hudson Valley. At the Center, I am privileged to teach Painting and Drawing, Mixed Media Printmaking, and Plein Air Painting where I strive to inspire students with a passion for the visual arts. As an artist, my work revolves around how color is essential in identifying and perceiving our relationship with nature. I believe that the visual properties of color, form, and motion in painting can reciprocate an empathetic response and mood. My creative process involves contemplating my perception of color in space while finding meaning within the nature of color in our Earth’s atmosphere. Through my art, I intuitively aim to hear what color is communicating to us about the Earth. You can learn more about my journey and explore my portfolio at laurelshute.com. I am excited to contribute to the faculty web page after the exhibition, enabling others to discover my work and connect with my artistic vision. For the exhibition, I will be showcasing “Sensory Sun,” “Inner Troposphere,” “Sky Entity,” and “Ri Dance”. These pieces are paintings on paper, using gouache, and with areas of metallic silver leaf. The symbolic titles of my works suggest moments of communion with nature, when we sense ourselves as one with our Earth environment.
13 Art Exhibitions 2023 Inner Troposphere Ri Dance Sky Entity Medium: Gouach On Paper Size: 15x29” Medium: Gouach On Paper Size: 15x22” Medium: Gouach On Paper Size: 15x20”
14 Faculty & Staff Victoria McMullen I am Victoria McMullen and I hold a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Art from Manhattanville College. I serve as one of SUNY Westchester Center for the Digital Arts’ full-time front office assistants. I am privileged to work in the front lines of the office, where I assist students of all ages and backgrounds. Whether they be fresh out of high school and aspiring to earn a degree, amember of the workforce looking to change careers, or an older adult just looking for something to do, I am there for them, happy to help! With my artistic background, I’m also a part of the center’s marketing team, drafting flyers and using my keen eyes to proof content and layout, so our marketing can be as visually appealing as it can be! After starting in my office assistant position, I had to be knowledgeable of the multitude of different workforce training courses that the center offered, all taught by my fellow colleagues and artists. I even had the opportunity to register and participate in the courses myself! I have taken Digital Animation with Procreate and the two Adobe Certified Professional Exam Preparation classes. I am proud to say that I am now an Adobe Certified Professional in both Photoshop and Illustrator. I have also earned non-credit certificates in User Experience (UX) Design and 3D Animation, which were certificate programs with an intensive course of study. I have always enjoyed the arts, so visual, music, and performing arts played a key role in the development of who I am today. A lot of the subject matter for my visual arts stem from real-life, as well as shows and games I love to this day. I took the opportunity of studio access during my time at Manhattanville to experiment with different artistic mediums, including collage, as seen through the piece I present in the Faculty & Staff Exhibition. Self Portrait is a collage using torn pieces of acrylic painted paper and is one of my absolut favorite pieces I’ve made. I’m honored to share this piece with others and to have been included in this exhibition alongside my incredible colleagues! Be sure to stop by the office sometime to say hello! Medium: Collage, Paper on Cardboard with Acrylic Paint Size: 39x30x.5” Self Portrait
15 Art Exhibitions 2023 Aaron Porter My name is Aaron Porter, and I hold an MFA in Painting from the University of Miami with over 30 years of professional experience and work at graphic art, illustration, and informational graphics. At the Center, I am privileged to teach Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator and Digital Painting at the Youth Arts Technology Program where I strive to inspire students to have fun with their art and take chances. I also teach Digital Imaging in the Interactive Technologies A.A.S. program. As an artist, much of my work these days revolves around the use of technology. You might say that I am taking a break from the pure creative aspects of art and seeing what I can do with digital art. Presently, I am doing lots of exploration with portraits in digital art with software like Photoshop and Krita. Often, I will watch streamed movies and shows on my computer and take screen shots of interesting faces. And I have been drawing lots of faces the past couple of years search for that organic feeling in a digital world. You can learn more about my journey and explore my portfolio @www.aeporter.com. I am excited to contribute to the Faculty web page after the exhibition, enabling others to discover my work and connect with my artistic vision. For the exhibition, I will be showcasing “The Dancer”. This piece is a printed digital portrait study that I did of a model. I photographed her and worked from the photo. My exploration was achieving an organic look with digital brushes. The work was painted in Photoshop. Dancer (Cara) Medium: Digital Photographic Print Size: 11x17”
16 Faculty & Staff Joseph Thomas With over two decades in CG, I’ma versatile CG Generalist, character & creature artist and digital sculptor. I’ve created captivating visuals for film and episodic content. As a CG Generalist and Lead, I bring imagination to life in 3D with a strong business sense. For 13 years I’ve taught 3D animation in higher education. Notably, I am the instructor for the year-long 3D Animation Certificate program at the Center for Digital Arts. In this influential role I oversee a comprehensive curriculum that delves into all aspects of 3D animation and VFX. It’s a platform for nurturing the next generation of talent in this dynamic field, where I share my expertise and passion for the craft. I’ve also had the privilege of collaborating with industry leaders like Blue Sky Studios, Preymaker, Ghost VFX and Fancy VFX, delivering content to clients such as Netflix, Prime, US Cellular, Volvo, Starbucks, and IBM. I’m an artist, a CG pro, and an educator. Additionally, my work was featured in the faculty exhibition, where I proudly showcased four 3D characters inspired by the 80’s classic “Killer Klowns From Outer Space.” You can explore more of my creations @ www.joecthomas.com Medium: 3D Print On Canvas (4) Size: 13x32” (4) Chubby Shorty Popcorn Spikey
17 Art Exhibitions 2023 Medium: A short video Clip from the video game Skull and Bonds, released earlier 2023. Skull and Bones John Contreras My name is John Contreras and I have a Masters Degree in Game Design from New York Institute of Technology. With over 15 yrs. of professional experience and currently working at UBI Soft, I specialize in Game Development. At the Center, I am privileged to teach Game Design, where I strive to inspire students with a passion for living out their dreams to become a game designer. As an artist, my work revolves around overseeing other designers work before final approval. I believe in being organized and straight forward to the point, and my creative process often involves a tremendous amount of time to proofread. Through my art, I aim to produce a perfect game without any errors. You can learn more about my journey and explore my portfolio @ www.johnonlinetutoring.net. I am excited to contribute to the faculty web page after the exhibition, enabling others to discover my work and connect with my artistic vision. Piece of Coding from Rayman 2
18 Faculty & Staff Mike Ryan Mike Ryan is a visual artist, designer, and educator from Westchester, New York. He has over fifteen years of higher education experience and teaches a wide range of Art and Design subjects including Graphic Design, Drawing, Digital Illustration, 2D Animation, Photography, Art History, and much more. He holds a Master of Fine Arts in Graphic Design from The Savannah College of Art and Design, a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Computer Arts and Design from Mercy College, as well as industry certification in Graphic Design and Illustration. As an artist, Mike’s work revolves around nostalgia, pop culture, portraiture, and nature. He draws inspiration from a wide variety of subject matter and his mixed media artistic approach includes both traditional and digital techniques. Mike’s professional work includes traditional & digital illustration and graphic design. His work has been published by Dark Horse, featured on official merchandise by Mattel (Masters of the Universe), shared by Nickelodeon (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles), shared via social media by celebrities from BravoTV (Vanderpump Rules), ABC (General Hospital & The Bachelor), and featured by multiple art supply companies. For this exhibit, Mike is showcasing three pieces titled “Cardinal,” “Rooster,” and “Whale.” These illustrations have been created using a mixed media approach which incorporates ink, graphite, and markers as well as digital tools such as Procreate and Photoshop. All three of these pieces focus on one of Mike’s favorite themes: nature. Learn more about Mike by exploring his portfolio at mike-ryan-art.com and follow him on Instagram: @mikeryanart where he routinely shares new work. Cardinal Medium: Mixed Media Size: 12x17”
19 Art Exhibitions 2023 Whale Medium: Mixed Media Size: 12x15” Rooster Medium: Mixed Media Size: 12x15”
20 Faculty & Staff David Abrevaya My name is David Abrevaya, and my artistic journey began at Westchester Community College, where I discovered my true calling as an artist. Armed with a strong foundation, I pursued my passion further by earning a B.F.A. at the School of Visual Arts. During this period, I was fortunate to collaborate with industry giants like Yahoo and Google as a storyboard artist. This invaluable experience allowed me to develop the necessary skills and expertise vital to thrive in the industry. My art has been prominently displayed in prestigious galleries across New York and Westchester. The Mehu Gallery, the Society of Illustrators, and the Poe Park Gallery have all showcased my work. Some may recognize my work from the “Wall of Legends”, a 540ft giant mural banner in Mt. Vernon, NY, where I worked in partnership with City Hall to honor and inspire the city’s community. At present, I am a full-time illustrator at SalesOne, where my team and I have the privilege to collaborate with renowned brands like Marvel, Lucasfilm, Nickelodeon, Warner Bros., and many more. This partnership continually broadens artistic horizons and allows me to work alongside iconic names in the entertainment industry. Additionally, I find joy in sharing my knowledge and passion as an arts instructor, guiding aspiring students at both the Rye Arts Center and The Center for The Digital Arts of SUNY Westchester nestled in the vibrant heart of Peekskill, New York. To explore more of my work and stay updated on the latest developments in my artistic journey, please visit Davidabrevaya.com or follow my Instagram: @ david_abrevaya. Medium: Mix Media Size: 24x16” Spiderman
21 Art Exhibitions 2023 Medium: Mix Media Size: 24x16” Wonder Woman Medium: Mix Media Size: 24x16” Dark Phoenix Medium: Mix Media Size: 24x16” Final Fantasy VII Medium: Mix Media Size: 24x16” Godzilla VS. King Ghidorah
22 Faculty & Staff Procreate Medium: Print: Heavy Card Stock - Hemp Size: 10x10” Three Kids Forty-Spotted Pardalote Procreate Medium: Print: Heavy Card Stock - Hemp Size: 10x10” Emmanuel Jaquez R. My name is Emmanuel Jaquez R., and I hold a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Animation from the School of Visual Arts (SVA). With over 15 years of professional experience working as a freelance artist and now for SUNY Westchester Peekskill vas a Senior Technical Assistant and Digital Arts Instructor, I specialize in Digital Art and 2D animation. At the Center, I am privileged to teach traditional animation with modern technology to inspire students with a passion for expressing their ideas in a creative way. My artwork revolves around Digital Illustration, Comic Style, and Animation. I believe art is a form of human expression of emotion and ideas and my creative process often involves Photoshop, After Effects, Premiere Pro, and now Procreate. These programs allowme to fully immerse into my creativity allowing me to bring my imagination to life. Through my art, I aim to encourage others to embrace their artistic creativity. You can learn more about my journey and explore my portfolio through my social media: youtube.com/@ejrart, Instagram: @ ejrart and TikTok: @ ejrart. I am excited to contribute to the faculty web page after the exhibition, enabling others to discover my work and connect with my artistic vision.
23 Art Exhibitions 2023 Pear Strawberry Procreate Medium: Print: Heavy Card Stock - Hemp Size: 8x8” Procreate Medium: Print: Heavy Card Stock - Hemp Size: 8x8” Monkey Procreate Medium: Print: Heavy Card Stoc - Hemp Size: 12x18”
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