Alumni News

College of Visual and Performing Arts alumni are recognized artists, performers, educators, and practitioners. Exhibitions and performances occur at venues around the world. Cutting-edge teaching practices enrich student lives. Innovative small businesses have expanded into worldwide operations.

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Faculty | Students | Alumni

Melissa Anthony (BA '10) provides daily music instruction in a safe and nurturing to under-served and special needs youth in her role as beginning strings specialist with El Sistema Lehigh Valley.

Austin Carlson (BFA '12) accepted his dream job: designer at Lego.

Kevin Coyle (BFA & BS '02) is a lead image finaling artist at DreamWorks. Recent projects include Kung Fu Panda, Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted, and Rise of the Guardians.

Josh Dannin (BFA '11), Xavier Jimenez (BFA '07), and Erika Stanley (BFA '06) were guest speakers at the 2012 BAD: Big Art Day.

Melissa Gallagher (MEd '79), art department chair at Carlisle High School, was named Outstanding Educator of the Year by the Pennsylvania Art Education Association. Gallagher serves as a PAEA board member and co-chair of the 2012 PAEA Annual Conference.

Lindsay Ketterer Gates (BFA '96) has artwork on display at the Djibouti Embassy and Bandar Seri Begawan through the U.S. Department of State Art in Embassies Program.

Concetta Mattioni (BFA '88), art teacher at Penncrest High School, was named Outstanding Secondary Art Educator by the Pennsylvania Art Education Association.

Ross Moody (BFA '10) founded 55 Hi's, an online greeting card, print, and stationary company. He was also an invited speaker at Return of the CD Grads.

Kermit Oswald (BFA '81) and Lisa Oswald (BFA '82), owners of Sorrelli antique inspired heirloom jewelry, were recognized for their entrepreneurial practices with the 2012 Sharadin Distinguished Alumni Award. In addition to their flagship store in Kutztown, Sorrelli stores are located throughout the United States, Hong Kong, and British West Indies.

Jackie Thomas (MEd '71) received the Outstanding Retired Art Educator award from the Pennsylvania Art Education Association. Throughout her long career, Thomas served as an art teacher, department chair, principal, acting superintendent, and assistant superintendent.

Kristen Tuerk (BS '84, BFA '94, MEd '09), art teacher at Kutztown Middle School, was recognized as Outstanding Middle Level Art Educator by the Pennsylvania Art Education Association. Tuerk organizes numerous events where middle school students, college students and community members interact, including Festival of the Arts and Paint the Town Gold.