Creative Futures: Career Stories

Kyle Klein, BFA '09, shares how his SMFA education taught him how to create his artistic process, which later enabled him in his photography career.

JooLee Kang, MFA '11, shares how the roots of her work started with her fascination with flora and fauna as a child.

Marlon Forrester, BFA '08 reflects on how SMFA allowed him to fully immerse himself in a complete art environment.

Azita Moradkhani, MFA '15, recalls how a studio visit during her MFA program propelled her forward in her work.

Rob Stull talks about his career in the comics industry, being selected as artist in residence at the MFA, and reflects on the enduring influence of Hip Hop culture on his art.

Shane Lavalette, photographer, independent publisher, and co-founder of Assembly, talks about his career, artwork, and upcoming projects.

Liz Cohen is an artist and educator whose work draws on specialized bodies of knowledge to address themes of immigration, identity, and cultures of resistance.

Thom Solo reflects on his path from sculpture student to founder of his own couture shoe design company.  

Tori Baisden, Design Director at Utendahl Creative, talks about design as world-building.

As an artist and organizer, Ernesto ‘Eroc’ Arroyo-Montano uses healing justice, education, and art to address issues of systemic inequality.

Ani Avanian, Product Design Manager at Facebook, talks practical skills for excelling in the design world.