Alumni Updates

We post alumni updates as we receive them. Use our handy online form to send us your news! You can also find alumni news in our newsletter and in our news archive.

For updates received in previous years, check out the categories of class years in the left menu.

Catherine Williams '07 (Art History) Catherine writes: "After graduating in May 2007, I spent a year in Indonesia with a Fulbright teaching grant. I taught eight sections of intermediate level English as a Foreign Language to high schoolers at a public high school in Makassar, a major city on the island of Sulawesi in eastern Indonesia.Within a month of returning to the U.S., I moved to Seattle with James Ambrose (W&M '07, BBA). We have lived in Seattle since July 2008, where James works for Microsoft and where I've worked in college access and attended the University of Washington for a Master's in Social Work. Currently, at the UW School of Social Work, I'm a writing consultant for fellow MSW students. Also, I'm completing my practicum (clinical internship) at University of Washington Medical Center in bone marrow transplant and oncology social work, as I receive the Carol LaMare Scholarship for Oncology and End-of-Life Care. I will graduate in June 2013. While I don't get to use my art history background in a traditional sense, I do believe that the writing skills developed as an art history major at William and Mary have been invaluable...Also, the W&M presence in Seattle is tiny but fierce; we'd love to meet up with any alumni passing through the area!"(2013)

Danielle Carrabino '98 (Art History) Danielle writes: "I've worked at several art museums (the National Museum of Women in the Arts, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Fogg at the Harvard Art Museum). I also received my MA in Art History from Tufts University before continuing my graduate studies at the Courtauld Institute of Art in London. There, I received a second MA and finally, my PhD for my dissertation on Caravaggio in Sicily in July 2011. Since Fall 2010, I have been working as the Resident Art Historian and Student Services Coordinator for the University of Georgia's Studies Abroad Progam in Cortona, Italy. Three semesters per year, I teach a Renaissance course and a Baroque seminar and every Saturday, I lead guided tours through a different city in Italy among about 20. It is a very rewarding, if challenging position which brings together my passions for viewing art in situ, living in Italy, and teaching art history. In my free time, I working on some articles and thinking about turning my dissertation into a book. Before moving to Italy, I also received my certification in group fitness and I teach weekly exercise classes for my students. All in all, things are going well! I do hope to return to W&M for a visit someday as I have heard it has changed dramatically since I have left. I even had a student from W&M last summer so we were chatting about the college and living in Williamsburg. I still cherish my college years and all I learned through my amazing professors at W&M." (2012)

Becca Kallem '03 (Studio Art) Becca writes: "I am excited to have a two-person show at the Arlington Arts Center in Arlington, VA, where I've been a resident artist since this summer. Earlier this year, I had a great residency experience at the Virginia Center for Creative Arts. I also had my work selected to be on a postcard at the Smithsonian's Renwick Gallery! Fall finds me quite busy teaching art at an elementary school in Northern Virginia." (2012)

Carolyn Shinn Armbruster '11 (Art History) Carolyn writes: "I married Barret Armbruster (WM '10) in September. I completed my Master's in Museum Education and am now teaching school programs at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C. (2012)

Catherine (Betsy) Goin '64 (Studio) Betsy writes: "I was a flight attendant for United Airlines from 1964 to 2003. I retired then. Now I am an independent associate for USANA Health Sciences. I am also interested in showing and selling my paintings, and I am also interested in becoming a published writer." (2012)

Christine Henry '92 (Art History) Christine writes: "I am currently working on a PhD in Urban and Regional Planning and Design at the University of Maryland, with a concentration on Historic Preservation." (2012)

Christopher Reiger '99 (Studio) Christopher writes: " In 2011, in partnership with the artist and designer, Selene Foster, I co-founded and now direct BAASICS (Bay Area Art & Science Interdisciplinary Collaborative Sessions),
a series of San Francisco-based evening programs that bring together local visual artists, musicians, choreographers, scientists, and interdisciplinary thinkers to present engaging, multi-media lectures and performances that explore a given theme. BAASICS is, in many respects, a reincarnation of Synoddity, the William & Mary-based series that Michael McDevitt (1998, BS, Biology) and I co-founded and continued, under different leadership, for one or two years after our departure.

In the United States, the contemporary fine arts and sciences are generally set apart from popular discourse, and despite much talk of commonality between artists and scientists, there is little substantive dialogue between the disciplines. By bringing together working artists, scientists, and other creative individuals to present diverse ideas and projects, we aim to foment not only interdisciplinary exchange but a new genre of experimentation that will move beyond what one of these disciplines can achieve on its own. More importantly, because these lectures and performances are free and open to the public, we hope to make the fine arts and sciences less esoteric for a general audience, thereby inspiring guests to think about how art and science relate to one another and to society at large.

"BAASICS.1: A Live Animal" took place in July 2011; the focus of the program was humanity’s relationship to other species. "BAASICS.2: The Future" took place in June 2012, and participants considered technology and notions of “the future.” "BAASICS.3," as yet untitled, will explore a range of brain disorders (e.g., autism, schizophrenia, and depression).

BAASICS is currently applying for official non-profit status and planning "BAASICS.3."(2012)

More information can be found:
Website: http://www.baasics.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/baasics_sf
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/BAASICS/366198643391855

Susan Macon '87 (Art History) Susan writes: "We have a new paint color line called Bridget Beari Colors. www.bridgetbearicolors.com 200 custom colors. (2012)

David Lasky '90 (Studio) David writes: " I am co-author of a new full-color graphic novel, "Carter Family: Don't Forget This Song," a biography of the first family of country music." (2012)

Steve Douglas '78 (Art History) Steve writes: "I have been playing music in a number of bands since graduation, including the shock-rock band GWAR, of which I was a founding member. I am currently living in Australia where I play with the internationally touring ska/punk band The Resignators and the alt-country band Family Farm." (2012)
For more information about Steve's music, please visit:
www.theresignators.com
www.familyfarm.com.au

Christopher Edwards '07 (Studio) Christopher writes: "I recieved my MFA in painting from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 2011." (2012)

Jessica Patterson '05 (Art History) Jessica writes: "Jessica graduated from Sotheby's Institute of Art in London in 2006 with a MA in Art Business. After working in Special Events for the Smithsonian Institution and then in Sales and Marketing for a bridal and fashion designer, Jessica now works for Sotheby's Institute of Art in New York City as the Assistant Director of Enrollment and Alumni."  (2012)

Lisa Junkin '04 (Art History) Lisa writes: "I curated an historical exhibit called "Report to the Public: An Untold Story of the Conservative Vice Lords," which opened to the public on June 22, 2012 in Chicago, IL. This exhibit is about the history of a gang on Chicago's west side that incorporated as a not-for-profit organization in the 1960s and organized youth, protested unfair housing policies and working conditions, opened small businesses, and fought for peace and racial equality. This is an evolving, multi-site project that will remain on view through 2012. More information available at: cvl.hullhouse.uic.edu.  Also I was recently engaged to Arturo Lopez Jr., BA in architecture at University of Maryland, 2004." (2012)

Case Jernigan '08 (Art, Painting) Case writes: "I received my MFA from the New York Studio School this spring. Now I'm recruiting students for NYSS as well as painting in a shared warehouse studio space in Park Slope. I'm preparing for a solo show at Woodberry Forest School in Virginia this coming winter." (2012)

Greta Glaser '09 (Art History) Greta is featured in an article in Art Conservation at the University of Delaware entitled "Preserving History's Fragile Images." (2012)

Becca Kallen '03 (Art) Becca writes:  "I am working on paintings for a solo show at Artisphere in Northern Virginia next year. I am also very excited to be starting as a resident artist at the Arlington Arts Center. I currently teach art to children and adults at schools and community centers in the DC area. Fellow W&M alum Grace Bonney recently featured my work on her super-popular website, Desing*Sponge -- generating lots of interest and sales! Thanks, Grace!" (2012)

John Hawley '08 (Art History)  John writes:  "I am currently finishing my PhD in art history at the University of Virginia, writing my dissertation on the drawings of Cornelis Visscher. I have also begun to deal in old master and modern drawings, a selection of which can be found at www.hawley-field.com." (2012)

David Stevenson '89 (Studio)  David writes: "In January, 2012 I won a Creative Grant from the Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance to support my RAPTOR Rising bronze triptych project. I will mold and cast my original steel and resin Raptor in three different orientations, animating it like a 3-D flip book. My triptych will show that a well balanced (carved in-the-round) non-representational sculpture can emulate the human figure by moving comfortably through space without losing any defining physical characteristics. To raise the rest of the bronze casting funds for completing my project, I will host an exhibition/fundraiser in NYC over the summer. Visit  www.artinjection.com or email me at dave@artinjection.com for more info. I introduced the steel & resin Raptor alongside another new sculpture, Chimaera, at my annual exhibition at Les Artisans, St-Barthelemy, F.W.I. this past December. "

Catherine Cole '11 (Studio) Catherine won first place in the Second Annual Excellence in Printmaking, a jurried show at Washington Printmakers Galler in Silver Spring, Maryland.  (2012)

Brian Holcomb ’91 (Art History) Brian graduated from Michigan State University with a PhD in English in 2010. He is currently teaching Composition and Literature at MSU while looking for a tenure-track job. (2011)

Alyson Fletcher ’07 (Studio) After working in architecture in Boston, Alyson is doing a dual masters program in City & Regional Planning and Landscape Architecture at Cornell University. (2011)

Malina (Umberger) Busch ’03 (Studio) Malina has recently finished her MFA at the Slade School of Fine Art in London. You can view the paintings and drawings she made while in the program in on her website, http://www.malinabusch.com/ (2011)

Mary-Montague Sikes '71 (Studio) Mary writes: “Jungle Jeopardy, an adventure novel, is my latest book, released in August 2011. Inspired by my series of large acrylic paintings of the Maya ruins at Palenque and at Chichen Itza, this book uses the Maya ruins of Central America as a major component of the plot. I also have another novel, A Rainbow for Christmas, scheduled for release in November. An historical novel, A Rainbow for Christmas is a sweet romance set in 1869 on a wagon train heading from Independence, Missouri to Denver, Colorado. I also have three short hardcover non-fiction books from the "Snapshot in Time" series set for release in October at the Virginia Librarians Conference in Portsmouth.

I maintain two studio/gallery spaces at Petersburg Regional Arts Center, 132 North Sycamore St., Petersburg. I also have paintings on display at Prince George Art & Frame on Jamestown Road in Williamsburg.“ 2011

For more information about Mary’s work, please visit:
http://marymontaguesikes.blogspot.com
www.marymontaguesikes.com
http://tinyurl.com/3b7nxpx - Mary's Amazon book page link

Michelle Erickson (Studio) Michelle wrote to tell us that she is having an exhibit in the foyer of the Dewitt Wallace Gallery, which runs through October 17th. Also showing at the Dewitt Wallace Museum are recreations from the recently excavated coffee house and a fantastic exhibition of Moravian ceramics entitled 'Art in Clay.'  Michelle has 3 technology screens within the exhibition showing her work in the rediscovery of various ceramic techniques used by the 18th century north carolina potters.

Carol Brown '75  (Studio with Honors) Carol wrote to tell us that she is currently the of Vice President at Kumeu Arts Centre Inc. She has also been an arts teacher Massey High School in Auckland, New Zealand since 1997. She also told us that she obtained her Master of Visual Arts in printmaking, 2006 from Monansh University in Australia. (2011)

Laurel Aston '72  (Studio / Education) Laurel writes "Hi Wm & Mary friends, I will be visiting the east coast this fall 2011, but will not make it to Homecoming... contact me if you wish to join me either around D.C., Bethesda, Richmond, C'ville, or Wmsburg for a visit! A wave from the west coast to all! Laurel" (2011)

Megan McLaughlin '04  (Art History) Megan McLaughlin is currently working as the historic preservation planner for the City of Miami, focusing on preserving the City's built heritage, as well as managing archeological and environmental resources in the City. After focusing on the history of architecture and urban planning at William and Mary, Megan received her Master of Architecture degree from the University of Miami and worked as an urban designer and planner for Dover, Kohl & Partners for four years. She married her UM School of Architecture classmate Juan Mullerat, who recently opened his own design firm, Plus Urbia. Megan and Juan are currently sleep deprived and happy after the birth of their first child, Margarita Virginia, on August 30th. (2011)

J.T. (Jonathan) Carter '11 (Studio Art) J.T. writes that he is "currently working full time with ANHAM USA, Inc. a Government Contracting Company in the Contract and Billing Department and Equinox Fitness as a Front Desk Associate." (2011)

Katie Dixon '09 (Art History) Katie writes "Since graduating in May 2009 I have unfortunately used my Art History degree in limited settings. Fortunately, I now work as Communications Assistant at the non-partisan political non-profit Sunlight Foundation where I get to not only read news all day, but I am lucky enough to use my visual background in video production and photography. I live and work in Washington DC and love it dearly, and am continuing my education with art classes at the Smithsonian." (2011)

William (Bart) Shepherd '92 (Art History) writes "I am living with my wife (Kathy Bello, W&M 1989) and our 2 young daughters in San Francisco, CA. I am the Curator of the Steinhart Aquarium at the California Academy of Sciences. We have been in our new Renzo Piano designed building for just over 2 years now. I oversee the care of more than 30,000 organisms representing about 900 species. Although I made the switch to science, one of my favorite aspects of the job is that I get to combine my undergrad degree in art and art history with my graduate degree in biology - especially with new exhibit design and development. I try and go SCUBA diving in our 200,000 gallon coral reef exhibit every once in a while, and I have travelled on several Academy research expeditions to the Philippines. www.calacademy.org (2011)

Grace Bonney  '03 writes  moved to Brooklyn, NY following graduation where she founded the design website Design*Sponge. Design*Sponge is a daily website dedicated to home and product design and reaches an audience of over 70,000 readers per day. Grace's first book, Design*Sponge at Home, (A collection of home tours, DIY projects and furniture makeover techniques) will be published next Fall 2011 by Artisan Books. (2010)

Erin Murray '06 (B.A. Studio Art) in 2009, Murray received her MFA in Painting from the University of New Hampshire. She currently works as an adjunct faculty member at UNH and will also be teaching drawing and painting at Sanctuary Arts in Maine in the spring. She is exhibiting her paintings locally and nationally. She lives and works in Portsmouth, NH. (2010)