PrattMWP Alumni Newsletter Summer 2019

Summer 2019/Issue Seven

ALUMNI NEWS

Commencement Class of 2019

LARGEST CLASS CELEBRATES COMMENCEMENT 2019 In May, PrattMWP College of Art and Design celebrated the largest class in its history, with 106 students receiving their PrattMWP certificates during the 18th Commencement Ceremony.

Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute Board of Trustees Chairperson Vige Barrie began the ceremony and PrattMWP alum Brittany Miller presented a moving address about her post-college life and the inspiration that art holds for her students.

PrattMWP Sophomore Natalie van Oyen delivered an impassioned speech that touched upon the experiences that helped her and her peers grow during their time here and the bright futures they continue to work towards. Interim Dean Ken Marchione and Past Dean Donna Moran concluded with speeches honoring the students for their hard work and wished them success as they move forward in life.

Awards reflecting excellence in academic majors or as campus leaders were presented to 19 graduates. The Easton Pribble Memorial Award, which honors students who excel in multiple disciplines was given to sophomores Carolina de Pontes (Fine Arts, Sculpture) and Maddison Manente (Communications Design, Illustration).

PrattMWP Alum Brittany Miller

Sophomore Exhibition

Maddison Manente receiving Pribble Award

Carolina de Pontes, sculpture, 2019

Maddison Manente, pastel illustration, 2019

Carolina de Pontes receiving Pribble Award

Save the Dates!

Family and Alumni Weekend: October 4-6, 2019 For more information: https://www.mwpai.edu/alumni-weekend

FACULTY Q&A: CHRISTOPHER CIRILLO ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF LIGHT, COLOR, DESIGN, AND DRAWING Christopher Cirillo is an active studio artist in Central New York who focuses on painting and drawing. He regularly exhibits his work and has shown in a variety of galleries and art centers in New York State and throughout the Midwest. In addition to PrattMWP classes, he has also taught at Mohawk Valley Community College, Empire State College, and Kirkland Art Center.

He received a Master of Fine Arts in visual arts from the Art Institute of Boston at Lesley University, and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in painting and drawing from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. He is an

Christopher Cirillo, Where did I put her letter..., 4’ x 5”, acrylic on canvas

alumnus of PrattMWP, class of 1999.

Tell us about your personal artwork.

My personal work has varied a great deal through the years. I have explored many styles, subjects and mediums, but I tend to lean toward subjects that carry meaning to me. I think of it as my way of interpreting the world, and the works are more often than not dipped in a subtle, but important symbolism.

I like my work to retain a mysterious quality and I have always preferred work that makes you think for yourself instead of work that provides a single answer.

How does your work impact the way you teach?

The greatest impact my work has on the way I instruct my classes just comes down to experience. Because I have experimented with so many different intents and styles over the years, I feel like I can communicate how to use many different styles to one’s advantage when trying to visually Christopher Cirillo, Portrait of Rachel, 2’ x 3’, oil on canvas

communicate. This allows more freedom for my students to explore a wide range of visual language, encouraging them to explore their vision in a more tailored way, based on their intent, not just a single style. I try to give the

students the tools they need to be independent problem solvers.

What is your favorite part about working at PrattMWP? I very much enjoy the fact that we have students from all around the world and they are all so unique and talented. I learn a lot from them.

What do you hope of PrattMWP Alumni?

As an organized group, I hope that PrattMWP alumni inform everyone of their accomplishments, as well as bring awareness to any projects the school has for future development.

Christopher Cirillo, Jade, 4’ x 4�, acrylic on canvas

Do you have news about yourself that you want to share with fellow alumni?

Send your alumni news to studentlife@mwpai.edu

ALUMNA PROFILE: NICOLE BASILONE Nicole Basilone grew up in New Jersey and, after completing studies at PrattMWP in 2009, she graduated from Maryland Institute College of Art and Design with a bachelor of fine arts in painting and a minor in art history in 2011. She has had artist residencies at Château Orquevaux, France (2018) and The Vermont Studio Center (2012). Her work has been exhibited in showcases in Detroit, Chicago, Oakland, Philadelphia, New York City, and Baltimore. In 2018, she landed her first solo exhibition at Mimi and Hill design studios in Westfield, New Jersey.

She currently resides in New Jersey and works in a home studio. She is an active member of New York City Crit Club and is perparing for a three-person exhibition opening in October.

How was PrattMWP influential for you in your growth as an artist?

There was a good balance of exploration and assignments so that we had enough of an idea to get started, but we were not limited in the execution. The school is much smaller than other institutions, so we all got more attention and became a closer community of artists. It also still provided everything a larger school could: a diverse foundation schedule, artist talks, and

Nicole Basilon, BalsoneI. Secret, , 2018 18” x 24” , acrylic on canvas

great studio space.

What has been your greatest achievement since leaving PrattMWP? Attending a residency program at Château Orquevaux in April of 2018. It is a small program about 3.5 hours outside of Paris in the French countryside. The town is small and quaint, but for those two weeks I was able to experience that lifestyle as an artist full-time.

What ideas are you exploring with your artwork now?

My current body of work focuses on the stark contrasts of ecosystems. Portals within the paintings interact with other environments that are unlike the ones in the majority of the composition. The portals act as access points to provoke the juxtaposition of memory, space, Nicole Basilon, BalsoneII. Smoky mountains, 32” x 42”, pencil, acrylic and oil

and climate change.

What is the role of artists today? How will artists influence the future of the art world

and generations to come?

Artists historically have been political, theoretical, and emotional. We are living in a society that is so fast that it’s important to have moments of reflection and critique. Artists are able to provide content that inspires new ideas, and brings unknown issues into the mainstream.

As artists, we are always connected to our culture and our identity.

Why is it important for you to stay in contact with your tribe of PrattMWP alumni? How have you been in contact with your fellow alumni?

A lot of my communication is through phone and email. I have been doing skype or facetime studio visits with some artist friends who are not close by. The friends I made at PrattMWP are friends I will have for life. It has been almost 10 years of solid friendship, and it has been exciting to see them all grow.

Website: https://nicolebasilone.com

Nicole Basilon, BalsoneIII. Lost, 2018, 48 ”x 66”, acrylic on canvas

CELEBRATE OUR PAST, BUILD THE FUTURE GIVE TO THE CENTENNIAL CAMPAIGN Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute was founded in 1919. To celebrate, MWPAI has launched a Centennial Campaign.

The Community Foundation of Herkimer & Oneida Counties is supporting the Institute’s efforts with a challenge grant that matches 50% of the amounts received.

Join your friends and support your alma mater!

The funds raised will help to create a greener, more beautiful campus. Improved lighting, better wayfinding, signage, and wonderful landscaping via a new campus master plan will inspire our community to become more involved with the arts, and create inviting spaces for students, visitors, and neighbors.

Through thoughtful planning and design, MWPAI will strengther connections with people, communities, and art, making the neighborhood more beautiful, and the city more dynamic.

You can help: click here https://www.mwpai.org/centennial-campaign or call 315-797-0000, ext. 2297.

Update your Alumni information: https://www.mwpai.edu/alumni-information

Join the Alumni Group on LinkedIn: https://www.mwpai.edu/linkedin