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The Alumni Spotlight shines a light on Academy Alumni all around the world. We also archive articles about Alumni published in the Academy's Bulletin. Know an alum we should focus on? Send us a suggestion! Want to write for AANYAA's Alumni Spotlight? We are also looking for more SPOTLIGHT editors.


Alumni Spotlight: TYLONN SAWYER
Being Black, male, queer, and from Detroit, a major city with a rich history and culture, creates a unique lens through which I view the world. My work is informed by history, race, politics, and pop culture. So highlighting the histories, contributions, and challenges of Black people within the context of this country is the foundation on which my is built.
3 min read


Alumni Spotlight: CAMILLA ANCILOTTO
Based in Rome, Camilla Ancilotto (MFA 1999) creates playful, interactive sculptures that invite people to touch, rotate, and explore them. Her work bridges painting and sculpture, encouraging direct engagement rather than passive viewing.
3 min read


Alumni Spotlight: ADAM LUPTON
In this intersection of printmaking and painting that I work in, there’s a constant searching and trial that happens in finding ...
2 min read


Alumni Spotlight: BENJAMIN STAKER
What role does experimentation play in your artistic development? I was once told I’m not happy unless I’m slightly uncomfortable, I...
3 min read


Alumni Spotlight: STEPHANIE DESHPANDE
Eric Price (2019) asked Stephanie Deshpande (1999) some questions to share with you... What role does experimentation play in your...
4 min read


Alumni Spotlight: ANDRAE GREEN
Eric Price (2019) asked Andrae Green (2008) some questions to share with you... What role does experimentation play in your artistic...
11 min read


Alumni Spotlight: BRENDAN SULLIVAN
Charis Carmichael Braun (2008) interviewed Brendan Sullivan (2018) to explore what Brendan sees: a glance at home plate, and then eyes...
6 min read


10 Questions for Alumni with Oluwatosin Adesanya-Olaleye, Joan Blair, Kathy
Published in the Academy's bulletin (first appearing July 12, 2023) , the Academy asks ten questions about what's going on in the minds and studios of their alumni. OLUWATOSIN ADESANYA-OLALEYE JOAN BLAIR KATHY BUIST CLASS OF 2020 2019 1996 In which city do you currently reside? Jersey City Pinehurst New York Who is your favorite artist at the moment? Valasquez Hockney, Pat Stier, Tracey Emen, de Kooning What was the last exhibition you saw? Wole Lagunju's solo at Mont
1 min read


Alumni Spotlight: SHARON THOMAS
Carlos Bautista (2018) interviewed Sharon Thomas (2004) to see what she's been up to since she graduated in 2004. What was there anything...
4 min read


10 Questions for Alumni with Michael Weiss, Patty Horing, James Razko, Robyn Gibson
Published in the Academy's bulletin (first appearing September 8, 2022) , the Academy asks ten questions about what's going on in the minds and studios of their alumni. MICHAEL WEISS PATTY HORING JAMES RAZKO ROBYN GIBSON CLASS OF 2020 2015 2015 2018 In which city do you currently reside? Frankfurt, Germany NYC Dubai, UAE Louisville, KY Who is your favorite artist at the moment? Otto Marseus van Schrieck Just one? Judith Linhares, Sally Saul, Lou Fratino, Luchita Hurtado Te
2 min read


10 Questions for Alumni with Alaina Plowdrey, Elena Rodz, Garrett Cook
Published in the Academy's bulletin (first appearing August 3, 2022 ) , the Academy asks ten questions about what's going on in the minds and studios of their alumni. ALAINA PLOWDREY ELENA RODZ GARRETT COOK CLASS OF 2011 2011 2014 In which city do you currently reside? Pensacola, FL Corpus Christi, TX Philadelphia, PA Who is your favorite artist at the moment? Njideka Akunyili Crosby All the Wyeths T. Allen Lawson What was the last exhibition you saw? "By Her Hand: Artemis
2 min read


Alumni Spotlight: MARK OPIRHORY
Charis Carmichael Braun (2008) interviewed Mark Opirhory (2009) to walk a little while with Mark through his world.
4 min read


Alumni Spotlight: ELENA RODZ
Charis Carmichael Braun (2008) interviewed Elena Rodz (2011) to talk about how she is curating her career.
2 min read


Alumni Spotlight: PATRIZIA VIGNOLA
Charis Carmichael Braun (2008) interviewed Patrizia Vignola (1993) to talk about personal and professional growth. What are you currently...
3 min read


Alumni Spotlight: ZACHARY LANK
Recently, Charis Carmichael Braun (2008) interviewed AANYAA's new (as of 2021) treasurer, Zachary Lank (2018) to ask him a few questions:
3 min read


Alumni Spotlight: JESSE STERN
Charis Carmichael Braun (2008) interviewed Jesse Stern (2012) to see what kind of details he's recently been focusing on. What was your...
3 min read


Alumni Spotlight: ACCESSO GALLERIA
And now for something a little different. For this edition, Tim Buckley (MFA 2014) chats with gallerist and collector Brad Brubaker
4 min read


Alumni Spotlight: NICK LEPARD
After graduating from the Academy I found myself wanting a project that would work some of the creative muscles painting did not, so I enrol
5 min read


Alumni Spotlight: TYLONN SAWYER
After graduation, I spent 8 years working in corporate America until circumstance allowed me to commit my life to being a full-time creative
3 min read


Alumni Spotlight: ALICIA BROWN
Alicia is the recipient of an Elizabeth Greenshields Grant (2019), The Jamaica Biennial Dawn Scott Memorial Award (2017), is currently part
3 min read


Alumni Spotlight: LAUREN AMALIA REDDING and BRETT HARVEY
You both earned an MFA in 2011. In 2018, you co-founded H&R Studio in Naples, Florida. Could you tell us about your current studio practices
4 min read


Alumni Spotlight: DORIS BUEHLER
I am moving away from the traditional forms that I have previously used and exploring a far more abstract state which I enjoy immensely. Thi
3 min read


Alumni Spotlight: JOAN BENEFIEL & JEREMY LEICHMAN
Jeremy Leichman and I met at the Academy and are both sculptors. We have our own sculpture studio business together, Figuration LLC.
2 min read


Alumni Spotlight: SHIN-YOUNG AN
I am working on my Limbs series of paintings mostly as a full time artist. The main theme of my recent work is exploring the unfortunate rea
2 min read


Alumni Spotlight: JULIO STANLY FLORES
I am working on a series of paintings that depict animals/humans and the potential for violence and destruction. The series at the moment is
2 min read


Alumni Spotlight: BRIAN FENCL
Originally published May 23, 2011 by CjCB on newyorkacademyofart.blogspot.com, the AANYAA is delighted to re-publish this spotlight on...
3 min read
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