Go, MECA illo Class of 2015!

Maine College of Art is in celebration mode as seniors prepare for tomorrow’s commencement at the State Theater. We’ve been putting our illustration majors through their paces over the last month. Along with portfolio reviews, each student is required to write a thesis paper, make an oral presentation in Osher Hall, and install a visual display of work.

During his talk, Paul Gray said he left behind his horrible angsty drawings from high school to concentrate on illustrations that bring happiness.

This bear and fox are featured in his thesis display emphasizing moral values via Aesop’s fables.

For the final class in April, students in IL 423 sailed over to Peaks Island, getting the scenic view on the ride to my house.

An honor to raise a glass with this crew!

Liam Murphy is displaying his New Yorker cover illustrations.

Sarah Oppelt published a book of her myths and short stories, titled Eobi.

Taylor Grant wrote and illustrated a 24-page comic, Loser Quest, and created miniature copies for her sculpted characters to read.

Anabelle Souza created silkscreened merchandise that touches on sex education, including a zine series called Misconceptions.

Illustration Department Co-Chair Scott Nash made use of the hot line.

Cecil Cates installed his work in the window at Longfellow Books, a visual telling of his forbears called Oaken Opus.

During MECAmorphosis on First Friday, I caught a few proud students with their work. Kara Munro created a series of illustrations for temporary tattoos.

Katie Ackley, who won a MECA Professional Development & Entrepreneurship Grant, poses with her Inky Blue merchandise.

Alexandra Knight wrote and illustrated a children’s book, Evermore.

Is it any surprise that several students chose the book form? Emma McCabe illustrated 3 Aesop’s fables in pen and ink, accompanied by her own haiku, and housed in an elegant handmade box. She intends to change the world, one story at a time.

Adra McBride illustrated formative stories from her childhood in striking ink line.

Alexandra Lavergne and Chris Jones published books as well.

Chelsea Anthony illustrated artifacts found at Fort Halifax in Winslow, Maine, in a project that explored her interest in archeology.

Molly Blythe-Olson filled sketchbooks documenting her travels.

Desiree Weigand installed Horror Sweet Horror as homage to her love of the horror film genre.

We gathered this week in Illustration Co-Chair Mary Anne Lloyd’s back yard. Here Illustration faculty Rob Sullivan gets things started.

Former Illustration Department Chair Alex Rheault is proud to have mentored Adra McBride.

Thanks to fire maestro Russell French for keeping us warm!

And for this photo of the Class of 2015 with their faculty.

Scott Nash offered final words of advice: stay in touch!

The future means keeping those creative fires burning.

Yesterday, staff and faculty gathered for MECA’s Awards and Recognition event. Wow, 10 plus years for this rogue bunch! Proud to call Scott Nash, Mary Anne Lloyd, and Alex Rheault my colleagues (below), along with Daniel Minter, Michael Connor,  Steve Costanza, and Rob Sullivan.

Here’s to you, graduates!