Hall of Fame

The Art Institute of Colorado Hall of Fame was established to recognize and promote the achievements and contributions of outstanding graduates to their communities and their industries.

Jose Aguayo
Advertising Design 1964
B.A. 1983, M.A. 1990. Joined together to establish the design firm Unit 1, taught CIA Intermediate and Advance Design Classes. Later held position at Coors as Manager of Corporate Identity and Allied Business. Now head of Colorado Historical Society Design Department.

Neal Aspinall
Advertising Design, 1984
www.nealaspinall.com
Freelance illustrator with clients including Macy’s, Harley-Davidson, Corona, Target, Los Angeles Metro Transit Authority, Birkenstock, Coca Cola, and Coors. Awards include: Communication Arts Illustration Annual, Society of Illustrators, PRINT Regional Design Annual, GRAPHIS Magazine, and several ADDY Awards.

Phillip Atencio
Visual Communications, 1995
Art Director, Net Devil

An early generation video game artist who has combined vision and leadership at major studios including Electronic Arts, VR-1, and Net Devil. Phillip was involved in the first-generation of massively multiplayer online games, served as the Art Director for the Command & Conquer series by Electronic Arts and is currently working on an online game being produced in partnership with LEGO.

Kevin Bachman
Visual Communications 1989
After graduation, Kevin moved to Los Angeles and landed a position building movie posters at Seigner Advertising. In the pre-computer era of the industry, he used his skills in illustration, type design and production, and helped pioneer the introduction of Macintosh technology into the world of motion picture advertising. He went on to work for several top movie ad agencies, and was the first art director hired to work for Paramount Pictures¹ in-house advertising group. His award-winning posters have earned him recognition in The Hollywood Reporter and Variety. He also received the coveted Key Art Award for more than 18 movie campaigns, including Austin Powers and Southpark. His promotion to Creative Director at Pulse Advertising Agency in Los Angeles was a natural career progression.

Marc Barrios
Advertising Design 1965
Headed the Creative Services Department of the Adolph Coors Company from 1979 - 1988. Currently President of The Barrios Group, Inc., a marketing services company, specializing in design, production and distribution, of point of purchase materials. Received awards from Illustrator's Annual, CA Magazine, Packaging Council of America, New York Art Director's Club, Denver Advertising Federation, and Art Director's Club of Denver.

Alann Boatright
Advertising Design 1979
Graphic illustrator with Dwain Fletcher Company, a full service audio-visual company with offices at several military installations. Currently a Vice President and head of the Graphics department with Dwain Fletcher. Alann was the Department of Defense artist in 1984 and the Air Training Command artist in 1982, 1983, and 1984. audio-visual company with offices at several military installations. Currently a Vice President and head of the Graphics department with Dwain Fletcher. Alann was the Department of Defense artist in 1984 and the Air Training Command artist in 1982, 1983, and 1984.

Terrill Bohlar
Photography 1980
Freelance for Oklahoma Monthly Magazine; Drawing Board Greeting Card Company, Carlton Card Company, and now a Master Photographer for American Greeting Cards. Nominated for two "Louie" Awards.

Lamar Briggs
Advertising Design 1959
A featured guest artist profiled in numerous books and magazines, Lamar’s work in fine art is displayed as part of the international American Consulate program and seen in more than 120 collections across the country (including the Denver Art Museum). He has been listed in Who’s Who in American Art since 1962, and participated in invitational shows and one-man exhibitions for decades. Living in Palm Beach, Floria, Lamar says, “I am pleased to be involved in the charitable works of arts organizations” nationwide that include the Aspen Music Festival, medical center fundraising efforts and a number of Alzheimer’s associations. He has also donated to educational institutions, and charities that address AIDS and drug abuse. Early in his career, Lamar began signature abstract paintings inspired by nature, music and a positive attitude toward life. His sophisticated knowledge of printmaking allows him to incorporate chine colle, media monotypes on precious papers. His goal is to achieve works that appear simultaneously spontaneous and rhythmic.

Charles Danford
Advertising Design 1964
Began as Art Director for Denver's ABC affiliate. Currently co-founder, owner and president of Denver based Unit One, Inc. Received awards from International Association of Business Communication, Art Director Club of Denver, and Denver Advertising Board. Member of Art Director Club. Clients include Cherry Creek Schools, Hanifen Imhoff, Inc., and Coors.

Jess DuBois
Illustration 1959
After graduation, Jess traveled the country to study with well-known artists such as Ray Vanilla, David Lafel and Daniel Greene. With a combination Cherokee and African-American ancestry, Jess is passionate about Indian art; he showcased it in his successful DuBois Gallery in Estes Park until he was forced to close after the town’s devastating 1982 flood. He moved back to his native Five Points neighborhood in Denver, where he cultivated the art of glass-blowing and sculpture work, and combines those skills with his current portrait work and additional artistic media. Jess was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 1988 Denver Black Arts Festival, lauded for his “ability to project the soul of his subjects onto canvas.” RTD commissioned him to cast a bronze statue of Dr. Justina Ford, dedicated in 1998, that is located at the 30th & Downing light rail station in Denver. In January, 2004, he was one of only three honored at the Mayor’s Awards for Excellence in the Arts. Jess teaches children’s art in a number of local settings, continues to take art classes himself, and says his goal in life is “to get better and better.”

Marc Dino Farnese
Advertising Design 1981
Co-founded Habitat, Inc. a softgoods imprinting company and clients now include Disney World, Yosemite National Park, The Mirage/Siegfried and Roy, Busch Entertainment. Habitat has won a National Wildlife Federation Award for its screen printing design that brings out the beauty of wildlife. Business is now expanding into Mexico, South America, Japan, Canada Europe and Australia.

Ed Flick
Industrial Design 1994 & 2001
After graduation, Ed began work as a designer, draftsman and modelmaker for Monigle Associates, then moved on to Samson Design Associates where he worked up to a Senior Industrial Design position. In his seven years with Samson Design, he executed the design process from concept to production, and aided in the development of products for 3M, Nike, Coleman, Fluke, Teledyne WaterPik and many more nationally-known companies. Currently, he leads a team of designers at the Nautilus Health and Fitness Group that develops products for Bowflex, Nautilus, Schwinn, Stairmaster and Treadclimber. Ed and his team work with a group of engineers to develop a full range of products including cycles, steppers, elliptical machines and treadmills, as well as single-station gyms and home gyms. Ed’s work has helped the Nautilus Health and Fitness Group understand the value of good design, and says he hopes to help them achieve the goal to be the global leader of health and wellness products.

Jim Flynn
Photography 1989
Jim was a photo assistant in fashion, editorial, advertising and corporate industries until 1993, before moving on to a position at Exposure Place rental studios in Boston. He developed a black-and-white, small-format shooting style that he utilizes in advertising for clients such as Fidelity Investments and AT&T, among many other well-known companies. He has won awards in Boston, and exhibited in "One Show" in New York City. His work has been featured in Communication Arts Photo Annual and Advertising Annual, Archive Magazine and Photo District News, as well as Case Gallery in New Hampshire. Jim is a member of the Creative Eye artist cooperative and The American Society of Media Photographers. As a member of ASMP's New England chapter (second-largest in the country), he served on the board of directors, and was elected president.

Rod Goebel (1946 - 1993)
Advertising Design, 1969
A post-impressionist / impressionist who made his mark in Taos, New Mexico, Rod Goebel has been called "The Leading Impressionist" by Arizona Art Talk. After graduating from the University of New Mexico, Goebel studied at the Colorado Institute of Art in 1968 - 1969. After graduation, he studied at the Ramon Froman School of Art, and was a charter member of the Taos Six Society of Artists, and in 1979 was elected to the National Academy of Western Art. Goebel's work is shown in The Museum of the Southwest, Texas; the Museum of Fine Arts, New Mexico; The National Cowboy Hall of Fame and the Western Heritage Center, Oklahoma and in the collections of the Museum of Northern Arizona, Wells Fargo Bank, New York and The Southland Corporation, Dallas.

Randall Guenther
Advertising Design 1982
With a background of clientele such as Pepsico, Total Petroleum, Pulte Homes, Hostess Cakes, Wonder Bread, Amoco, Sears and McDonald's. Special awards and accomplishments include: several Outstanding Merchandising Achievement Awards in Bronze and Gold; Best of Industry Gold; Point-of-Purchase National Sales Promotion of the Year, Point-of-Purchase Display of the Year, and Alfie Award - Denver Advertising Federation.

Kit Hevron Mahoney
Advertising Design 1978
Named “Artist to Watch” and recipient of numerous Best of the West accolades from "Southwest Art" magazine, Kit began her career working as a graphic designer and then a graphic design instructor at The Art Institute of Colorado. She first ventured into the entrepreneurial world through the greeting card industry, and was a partner and designer of several lines of greeting cards. For the last 20 years, she has emerged as a successful fine artist. Two years ago, she became a partner with two other artists in Brushstrokes Studio-Gallery in Denver’s Washington Park. Kit and her paintings have been featured in a variety of fine art publications, and over the years she has been part of invitational shows, exhibited in galleries nationwide and is a consistent award recipient. Kit also takes time to support fundraising efforts for a local PBS station, donating paintings to its silent auctions and she continues to stay in contact with former students.

Quang Ho
Advertising Design 1984
Clients have included The Colorado Symphony, Denver RTD, the Coors Corporation, JC Penney, and IBM. He has received awards from The Art Director's Clubs of Denver and Chicago and has been published in The Society of Illustrator's Annuals and Communication Arts Annuals. Quang is an honorary member of the Oil Painters of America.

Leanna Hoff Boers
Interior Design 1982
Co-founded Hoff/Miller at the Denver Design Center. Hoff/Miller is a wholesale showroom featuring 20 lines of furniture, major fabric lines, lighting, and a number of Colorado artists. Her clients are designers, hospitality specifiers, and architechts. The showroom has achieved national recognition.

Joan Hovey Favre
Interior Design 1979
Started career as residential Designer for Frank M. Bosworth Architechts. Went on to Senior Designer for Gina Ward Associates. Currently Senior Interior Designer for ARCOA Hospitality Service. Products included Playcar Resort, Mexico; McCormick Ranch, Arizona and Truman Annex Project, Florida.

Lance Jackson
Advertising Design 1975
Owner of Lance Jackson and Associates, a full service marketing and advertising firm, with offices in Denver, Dallas and San Francisco. Clients include Bennigans, Westin Hotels, Federal Express, Polaroid, Phillip Morris, the Denver Zoo, Loews Hotels and Denver International Airport. Winner of over 50 national and local awards, Lance also is a frequent lecturer at the University of Denver.

Carol Jeanotilla
Advertising Design 1987
A sculpture of paper, Carol has won numerous awards nationally and internationally. Her client list includes Kaiser Permanente, Houghton Mifflin, U. S. West, and The National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Carol's work has been featured in many books on Paper Sculpture.

Nancy Jellico
Advertising Design 1960
Fine artist awards - member; The Pastel Society of America and Southwest, National Society of Painters in Casein & Acrylic, and Knickerbocker Artists. Listed in Who's Who of in the West, Dictionary of International Biographies, The World Who's Who of Women and Portrait Artists. Published in Art of the West, Equine Images, Cowboy International. Midwest Art, Western Horseman, Southwest Art.

Andrew Jenkins
Advertising Design 1983
While at CIA, Andy won a Merit Scholarship award, an Outstanding Achievement Award for artwork accepted into the Society of Illustrators Annual Student Competition and an Award of Excellence from the Art Directors Club of Denver. During his last semester at CIA, he won a drawing contest wtih BMX Action Magazine, and was hired because of his thank you letter to the chief editor of a new publication, Freestyling bike magazine. He moved to Los Angeles, and assumed the position of Creative Director and managing editor. In 1990, Andy and his partners sold an idea to Lang Publications (creators of Sassy Magazine) and Dirt Magazine was born. Featured in Time and GQ, Dirt artwork was featured in the Society of Illustrators of Los Angeles show, and won an Award of Excellence in Communication Art Illustration Annual. Andy currently serves as Creative Director for Girl and Chocolate Skateboards, one of the largest companies in the booming skateboard industry. His freelance business includes work for Coors, Nike, Dynastar, Turner Broadcasting and PBS. He also runs a small press called Bend Press and a childrens book division called Lunchbox Publications.

Colleen Johnson
Interior Design 1981
Colleen served on the board of directors for the American Society of Interior Designers in Colorado, and for many years has been instrumental in developing ASID Career Days for interior design students across Colorado. She has also served as a Denver Parade of Homes judge, The Taste of Cherry Creek event designer, and advisory board member for The Denver Design Center. She has been a partner with In-Site Design Group (in Denver) for 10 years. The firm won 2001's "Home of the Year" award from Colorado Homes & Lifestyles Magazine, as well as ASID's prestigious Interior Design Award.

Scott Jordan
Interior Design 1985
Owner, Jordan Design Studio, Ltd (Denver)
After graduation Scott joined Denver design firm Associates III, where he was involved in numerous high-end residential and commercial projects throughout a 15-year relationship there. His design projects have been featured in Country Living and Colorado Homes & Lifestyles magazines. He also received two first-place awards in ASID competition for Residential, Single-Space and Hospitality Over 10,000 Square Feet.
In 2000, he founded his own firm, primarily focusing on residential design. His team’s philosophy: To build strong client relationships, while providing innovative interior design with exceptional service and close attention to detail. Some of his projects include residences in Aspen, Steamboat Springs and Beaver Creek, as well as Texas, California, Florida and Kansas.

Ramon Kelly
Advertising Design 1963
Member of American Watercolor Society, The Allied Artist of America, Pastel Society of America, National Academy of Western Art, and Knickerbocker Artists. 1985 Master Pastelist and 1986 awarded Pastel Hall of Fame by Pastel Society of America. Listed in Who's Who in American Art, Who's Who in the West, and Who's Who in Art and Antiques - London, England. His art is included in the collection at Seattle Frye Museum of Native American Cultures.

Klea Kencke Jones
Interior Design 1979
In 1983 joined Designworks as a Junior Designer. In 1985 promoted to Senior Designer and in 1987 to Project Manager. In 1994 co-founded Hamilton Jones Design Group. Klea is the recipient of numerous Silver, Gold, and Grand MAME awards for her design and merchandising expertise.

Lynn Kircher
Advertising Design 1970
Worked in the capacities of production artist, art director, gallery manager and graphic consultant. Has been teaching since 1974; becoming a full time CIA instructor in 1978, since then has devoted time to numerous educational and artistic organizations and committees. He has received several prestigious sculptural commissions, and his tireless efforts has helped have helped build San Luis Valley into a notable art community.

Ian Kleinman
Culinary Arts 1997
A finalist for Colorado’s ACF Chef of the Year in 2004, Ian developed an interest in cooking at a young age in conjunction with his family’s restaurant, the Golden Pan, in Breckenridge. While other kids were raised on macaroni-and-cheese, his childhood cuisine consisted of frog legs and escargot. As a teenager, he worked the line and moved through the kitchens of local well-known venues such as the Augusta at the Westin Hotel and the Rattlesnake Grill. After he graduated from The Art Institute of Colorado, Ian worked at Rialto Café before moving on to a chef position at Hilltop Bistro. During his tenure, the restaurant was rated in the Top 5 by newspapers and magazines, and Denver Post critic Bill St. John said Ian brought “flair and flavor to the Hilltop.” He then went on to make a name for himself at Indigo restaurant in Cherry Creek, before being named executive chef at Emogene. Ian has been a participant in the respected James Beard Foundation in New York—he is the youngest chef in Colorado to cook there three times. He also volunteers his time for numerous benefits, including school events, the March of Dimes and Share Our Strength.

Julie Kramer Cole
Advertising Design 1963
A leading freelance fashion illustrator, 1967 - 1980, she is now focused as a fine artist featuring three different limited edition series. She has been published by Leanin' Tree, Gold Medals from American Indian and Cowboy Association, San Dimas, CA and Western Heritage Show, Denver; AICA Festival Choice Award and listed in Who's Who in American Art.

David LaFleur
Visual Communications 1981
David's images have been used for applications on everything from posters, billboards and packaging to menus, CD covers and apparel. He designed a variety of stamps for the U.S. Postal Service, including the first self-adhesive "Flag Over Porch"‹the most widely used stamp in postal history. He has won awards from the American Institute of Graphic Artists and the Society of Illustrators, as well as a number of Addies. He was also honored as one of 24 illustrators chosen to participate in the "new members" show at the Society of Illustrators Museum in New York. Commissions include a series of books for Hyperion/Disney Publishing, and murals for the Children's Museum of the East End (Long Island, NY), as well as the Miami Children's Museum.

Scott Lambert
Advertising Design 1983
Began work in Phoenix as a designer for Rainwater Design and Art Director for Merrill Lynch Regional Design Office, Senior Art Director for Thelen Advertising, and Senior Designer for Campbell & Fisher Design. Currently Senior Designer/Director for the Jeffries Association. Responsible for all design, art/photo direction, production, support staff, and client contact. Travel approximately 25,000 miles per year on photo direction assignments covering the globe from Alaska to the North Sea.

Gertenbach Lynn
Advertising Design 1960
A fashion illustrator with accomplishments in many commercial fields; story illustration, brochures, logo design and package designs. Her art has been collected by Hughes Aircraft Corporation, Victoria Principle, John Cassavetes, Seales & Croft, Jon Peters, Michael York, Burt Reynolds, and Marvin Davis. Exhibited: Geneva, Switzerland; Bombay, India; Lima, Peru; Pasadena Art Museum, Regency Club (California) and Fenn Gallery (New Mexico). Published in multiple digests, artist and art publications.

Harry Mattson
Advertising Design 1957
Began as Advertising Director for Denver Post Empire Magazine. Later was Creative Director for Nader Advertising and Head Designer for Burt Roy Studios in Chicago. Established his own company in Houston which was the primary design source for Exxon. In 1987 founded Mattson Ad of Denver. Clients include Oven Corning, Penzoil, John Hancock, and Parker Pen.

Tim Meehan
Advertising Design, 1979
President, 21st Century Graphics
http://www.X2001.com
In the mid 1980s, Tim Meehan was one of the first generation of designers to embrace the potential that Apple’s Macintosh computer held for the design profession. This began an affiliation with Apple that includes national speaking and training engagements and serving on the Apple Consultants Network. Graphic and illustration clients include McGraw/Hill, Red Bull, Apple Inc., and Mobil Coal Producing Inc.

Tawna Miller
Advertising Design, 1984
After graduation, Tawna worked as an Account Manager and Creative Director for Mitchell Communications, managing projects for agency clientele including Descente, Donnay Racquets, Easton Sports, Head Sports, Technica and Volant Skis. Her involvement with sports has continued into her current position, where Tawna serves as the Art Director/Graphics Manager for the United States Olympic Committee. In this position since 1990, Tawna is responsible for creative direction and conceptualization for all print media and promotional material for all United States Olympic Committee projects.

Mark Mock
Advertising Design, 1969
President, Mark Mock Design
markmock.com
Specializing in corporate identity and strategic marketing, Mark Mock Design is in its 27th year of operation and has won over 100 design awards at the national, regional, and local level. Clients include Denver International Airport, Molson/Coors, United Airlines, Celestial Seasonings, Reebok, and Time Warner Communications.

Craig Nadeau
FM 1986
After graduation from the Fashion Marketing program at CIA, Craig entered a management training program with Fashion Bar, serving as a manager with Hannah. After six months, he was offered an opportunity as a buyer with a store called Dakota, and he worked as the General Manager for two stores. He eventually moved up to the corporate office in Austin, Texas. His next postion was as a buyer with the Christian Dior company, and he moved to Los Angeles in the spring of 1988. He moved on to a position as an Assistant Merchandise Manager with B.U.M. Equipment, eventually assuming control of some of the company graphic design, logos, etc. In 1990, he went to work in the California Mart, serving an account base that included Nordstrom and many others. In 1994, he opened with a partner, Craig and Hallie Showroom, selling to over 700 active specialty stores, including Nordstrom and Macy's/Bullock, repping lines of casual activewear.

Desmond O'Hagan
Advertising Design 1982
Acclaimed in numerous national magazines, Desmond O"Hagan is one of the country's premier artists. A full member of the Pastel Society of America, Desmond's work is shown around the country as well as in Japan, China and France. He is a member of Who's Who in American Art and has been featured in Southwest Art Magazine, American Artist Magazine and Artists and Illustrators in London.

Raymond Orosz
Advertising Design 1958
Designer, illustrator, Assistant Director and Director of Design for Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, Worldwide pictures. Instructor in Advertising Illustration and Design at Hennepin Technical College. Awards: Scholarships from the Denver Art Museum, Famous Artist Scholarship awarded by the Art Director's Club; Latham Foundation International Poster Contest, Champion Papers, and Christian Booksellers.

Rod Pacheco
Industrial Design 1994
Rod’s award-winning career includes design direction at two of the most successful custom exhibit firms in Colorado: Proctor Productions and PG Exhibits. As Architectural Design Director at Proctor for more than eight years, he worked on conceptualization, layout and engineering of exhibits, as well as corporate and retail environments. He also provided creative direction for 3D designers, as well as facilitated communication between clients and account executives. His move to PG Exhibits has afforded Rod the opportunity to fine-tune and further develop the firm’s position as a leader in custom exhibit design. Rod’s client list includes Gates Rubber, Qwest, McData, Space Imaging, Western Union and Copper Mountain Ski Resort. His work has been showcased in "Advertising and Marketing Review," as well as "Exhibitor" magazine. His education came full circle when he was hired to design The Art Institutes’ corporate exhibit in 1998. Rod has mentored Art Institute of Colorado students as interns, and serves on the school’s Industrial Design Professional Advisory Committee. He also finds time to volunteer for the Inner City Health Center’s annual bike rodeo, repairing donated bikes to deserving children.

Daniel Price
AD 1984
Dan began his art career with Continental Communications, designing brochures for Weisner Publishing, a company that produced five four-color magazines monthly. From Weisner, Dan moved on to Continental Communications Group, one of the largest financial newsletter publishers in the United States. As Art Director, Dan was involved with design, type specification, layout, graphics and hiring. Dan took a position with the Denver Nuggets and advanced to the position of Creative Director for Ascent Entertainment, owners of both the Nuggets and the NHL franchise, The Colorado Avalanche. Dans award winning department was responsible for the complete operation of an advertising agency, including hiring writers, photographers and staff members; layout, desktop publishing, print buying and all marketing activities for all marketing materials for both sport teams. Dan designed the logo for the Denver Nuggets, and supervised the development of the logo and marketing materials for the Colorado Avalanche. Dan left the Nuggets to form his own company, Adrenaline Design, specializing in sports related graphic design, advertising and marketing.

Roger Rios
AD 1980
Roger has spent virtually all of his career with Design Dynamics/Exhibits, beginning his career as a junior designer developing conceptual ideas for small projects, building scale models and rendering. He worked his way up the design ladder, to the senior position he holds now, Design Director. In addition to developing concepts for his own accounts, he supervises the activities of other designers in his department. Design Dynamics/Exhibits markets to high tech companies such as Megahertz/U.S. Robotics, Iomega, Novell, AT&T, and Integral Peripherals. In addition to his duties at Design Dynamics/Exhibits, Roger is also going to be continuing his education, pursuing a Master's Degree. His many awards include Gold Key awards, Awards for Excellence from the Business/Professional Advertising Association, and his work has been featured in several magazines and books.

Dale Rosenbach
Advertising Design 1971
In his many years at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Dale has won more than 50 awards and honors from education, advertising and marketing groups—including CSU's Distinguished Service Award for "Outstanding Administrative Leadership." He is currently Art Director for the university's Publications & Printing Services. Dale established a successful, ongoing graphic design internship program, and has participated as a lecturer and mentor throughout northern Colorado. He served as conference chair, president and board member for the University & College Designers Association, and has formed numerous positive relationships with venues and vendors in Colorado.

James L. Selak
Advertising 1967
James gained valuable experience nationally and internationally in the first 18 years of his advertising career working in key marketing design positions at companies such as Xerox Corporation in New York, prestigious California design firm Saul Bass & Associates, and the National Football League (NFL) Creative Services division. He also spent time as an instructor at The Art Institute of Colorado, guiding students on to their own successful careers. For the past 17 years, he has managed his own design firm, partnering with Fortune 500 companies such as Xerox, Kodak, Bausch & Lomb, Bok Industries, Kinko’s and Unisys. James’ work has been consistently recognized for outstanding merit at a regional, national and international level, with more than 30 awards for graphic design and art direction to his credit. He has also been published in numerous industry reference guides. For years, James has given his time to philanthropic efforts with Volunteers of America, Regional Habitat for Humanity and the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra.

Larry Smitherman
Advertising Design 1959
Career highlights include poster design for Lamar Briggs, Romaire Bearden, and Earl Lindeman; publication design for Four Winds and Southwestern Art; catalogue design for Lamar Briggs and Harry Jackson; book designs for the Dallas Museum of Art, Texas Monthly Press, Jenkins Publishing, Jenkins Garrett Press and Presidential Press. Honors include DESI award, a national Gold Addy Award, and over 100 regional and local Addys.

Goose Sorensen
Culinary Arts 1996
Owner/Executive Chef of Solera (Denver)
Goose decided to enroll in the Culinary program at The Art Institute of Colorado after serving as his fraternity’s chef at the University of Wyoming; his first entry-level job after graduation was at popular Mel’s Restaurant in Cherry Creek. He went on to become executive chef at The Saratoga Inn in Wyoming, guiding fly-fishing tours by day and preparing gourmet dinners by night for high-profile guests such as Clint Eastwood. After a short sabbatical to Belize, Goose returned to Denver to work at Mel’s, this time as executive chef. He then traveled to New York where he was a chef at Manhattan’s Aquavit restaurant.
After the events of September 11, 2001, Goose once again returned to Denver and opened Solera, a contemporary fine-dining restaurant, where he is owner and executive chef. Solera was named 2002’s Best New Restaurant by 5280 Magazine, and has been featured in Wine Spectator and Wine & Spirits. A recent New York Times review said, "Mr. Sorensen is skilled at composition, especially in his main courses, reaching around the globe to construct plates full of light accents and contrasting flavors, but without the hypercreativity that so often weighs down such efforts." Goose uses his culinary talents participating in local charitable fundraising activities, and has hired a number of Art Institute graduates.

Devorah Sperber
Advertising Design 1981
Studied under master stone carver Bob Lockhart and eight of her bronze sculpture pieces are part of Anne Frank in the World: 1929-1945 traveling exhibition. Numerous group shows and exhibitions across the United States. Scholarship to Arrowmont School of Art, Gatlinburg, TN; numerous visitations as guest lecturer to colleges and universities discussing the ramifications of all types of discrimination; many featured stories in print and on television.

Peter Steinhauer
Photography 1993
Owner, Steinhauer Photography (Washington, D.C.)
Peter began living and photographing in Vietnam in 1993, opening an advertising studio in Saigon three years later to work commercially for multi-national agencies and clients; he has continued to pursue his personal work as well. Book projects include Vietnam: Portraits and Landscapes and Peter Steinhauer: The Enduring Spirit of Vietnam, a book of four portfolios made from 1996 to 2003. In 1999, he was commissioned to photograph portraits of Vietnamese lacquer painters for a book and two-year traveling exhibition entitled Vietnamese Lacquer Painting: A New Age. Peter’s work is also a part of Passage to Vietnam and America 24/7. His photos have been seen in TIME Magazine, Newsweek, Communication Arts and numerous other publications, as well as exhibited internationally.
Currently, Peter is working to establish Vietnam’s first "photography center" specifically to educate and to preserve traditional processes of photographic print-making; additionally, he is establishing photographic tours through Vietnam and Southeast Asia, and has devoted time working one-to-one with Vietnamese youth. He was initiated into the elite Explorers Club in New York City, received 1994’s Alumni of Excellence award from The Art Institute of Colorado, as well as numerous other honors. His work can be viewed at: www.steinhauerphotography.com

Ted Stoik
Advertising Design 1979
Ted Stoik is a 1979 graduate of The Art Institute of Colorado. He worked as a designer at a number of prominent Chicago graphic design firms, including John Greiner Associates and Cato Johnson Design, before joining Robert Vogele as a founding partner of VSA Partners in 1983. Ted left VSA in January 1996 to form Dovetail Communications, where he emphasizes development of message and voice--copywriting and collaborating with a range of clients, design firms and designers to create effective communications. Ted's work has been recognized by many organizations and competitions, including Communication Arts, British Art Direction, AR 100, Mead Annual Report Show, AIGA, ARC, New York and Los Angeles Art Directors Clubs, among others.

Tetsuya Tanaka
Photography 1980
After graduation moved to Miami as Graphic Designer for Benihana incorporating his design training from Japan with his photography training from CIA. Advertising head Art Director for Benihana in charge of all print ad work, packaging, posters and marketing for the United States and Japan.

Robert Taylor
Advertising Design
Owner/founder Robert W. Taylor Design, Inc. of Boulder. Corporate communications design, annual reports, and packaging design. Major clients include American Television and Communication Corporation, Boyers Coffee, Vail Valley and Lowrey Meat Specialties.

Val Thornton
Advertising Design 1959
As the owner of Val Thornton Design Concepts, Val is involved with his offices in California, Seattle and Las Vegas. His work has included the interiors of aircraft for Frank Sinatra and Pia Zadora, the interiors of The Sheraton Grande in Tokyo, Prince Khalid's Palace in Saudi Arabia, Ceasar's Palace Forum Shops in Las Vegas, cruise ship design work for Royal Carribian, Sundance Cruise Linesand others.He is currently designing the casino, disco, pools and spa areas for the Grande Princess "Love Boat" that will sail in 1997 as the largest passenger ship ever built.

Michelle Torrez
Visual Communications 1986
After graduation, Michelle moved to Dallas where she worked as art director at an advertising agency, and her sculptural jewelry was exhibited at the Dallas Museum of Art Gallery. Returning to Colorado, she continued her advertising career until 1994 when she formed a company called Studio M, creating murals in private residences and business throughout the state. She has since established herself as renowned in fine art, and her work has been featured in numerous publications that include Southwest Art, Colorado Expressions and Frontier Magazine. In 2003, she was selected by the U.S. Ambassador to Bulgaria to participate in the “Art in Embassies” program, and her paintings are displayed at the U.S. Embassy there. She was selected as one of only 12 artists featured in the 2004 “Art in Embassies” calendar, and was invited to the White House for a ceremony hosted by Laura Bush and the Department of State. Michelle has exhibited in the Invitational Coors Western Art Exhibit, as well as the Governor’s Invitational Art Show held in May. Additionally, she consistently donates to a number of charitable art auctions, including The Art Institute of Colorado’s “Grape Escape,” Colorado Ballet, Denver Rescue Mission, Colorado Symphony Guild and Project Angel Heart.

Don Trippy
Advertising Design 1959
Became government illustrator for For Carson, promoted to position with the Aerospace Defense Command. In 1974 worked for graphics department of Nellis Air Force Base and is currently Chief of Graphics. Accomplishments: President-Board of Directors, Las Vegas Art Museum; President, Desert Sculptor's Association; President, Southern Nevada Creative Arts Center; Project Director, Air Force Fighter Pilot's Sculpture at Nellis Air Force Base.

Kevin Van Fleet
Advertising Design 1961
Started as an Art Director, working in radio/television with clients of Mutual of Omaha and Wild Kingdom, progressing on as a director of broadcast, partner and executive producer of Hollywood's DXTR. Further clientele has been Shell, Braniff, Greyhound, Pittsburgh Paint, Dupont, Tandy, Zales and Budweiser. Received CLIO Award, Dallas Society of Visual Communications; Gold Top Award; Gold and Silver Award - International Film and TV Festival of New York.

Veloy Vigil
Advertising Design 1959
For fifteen years pursued an career in commercial art all the while growing and developing into a mature fire artist. Early work was accepted by the National Academy of Design and was honored with the Avery Memorial Award for the Heard Museum. Recipient of the Winslow Homer Award and the National Watercolor Society Annual Award. Has been published in American Artist, Artists of the Rockies and exhibitions have included American Embassy in Switzerland and Smithsonian Institute.

Larry Westby
Advertising Design 1967
Served in Korea and Vietnam as a Combat Artist and Photographer. Currently Creative Director of MC Communications whose specialty is high tech. Has won over 200 local, regional and national awards including the CLIO for television, national ADDYs and Dallas TOPS; designed advertising and promotional materials for National Heart Association, United Way, Junior Achievement, National Child Safety Council, and Missing Children Foundation.

Duane Wiens
Advertising Design 1964
Owner/President of Matrix International, Inc. Corporate identity, sign systems, annual reports, exhibits and displays. Clients include Colorado National Bank, Coors, Gates, Vail/Lionhead. Awards and recognitions from Denver Advertising Federation, Public Relations Society of America, New Club of Los Angeles.

Jon Zahourek
Advertising Design 1960
Director of the Zahourek Institute for Innovative Studies in Anatomy, and the President of Zahourek Systems, Inc., Creates models, publications and videos combining a study of anatomy with education processes. Founder and past president of the Society of Artists and Anatomists, he has taught at Parsons School of Design in New York and the Art Student's League of New York. His many national awards include 5 gold medals from the Art Directors Club of Denver.