AIDS Walk, May 15

Each year, Student Services takes the lead as AiNYC participates in the AIDS walk. This year, our involvement was facilitated by Counselor Laurie Vesalo. ADA Byron Gittens and Fashion Design student Travis Oestreich joined her.

Alumni Panel

Alumni Coordinator Marifrances Boccia invited an enthusiastic panel of graduates to talk to current students. They stressed the importance of networking while in school, and offered tips for becoming successful in their fields. Alum Participants:

Roman Jaquez – Web Design & Interactive Media 2004
Joey Kilrain – Graphic Design – Ai Philly 1997
Brenda Lloyd – Web Design & Interactive Media 2007
Willie Hall – Fashion 2006
Vivienne Pash – Fashion 2007

Stunning Trash Chic Exhibit in the Gallery!

Vikki Nulman, Amanda Lovell and Larissa Losilevich helped students create an outstanding gallery show.

For the Trash Chic competition and exhibition, entrants didn’t have to be able to sew – but they did have to be able to think outside the box. This competition inspired utmost creativity in the most ecologically friendly way.

The assignment was to create a garment out of anything but fabric. It had to be a size 6, wearable, and sustainable–not disposable–a garment that could last. Entrants could glue, sew, weave, crochet or knit their garments, as long as the medium used was not fabric.

Re-using items that are intended for other purposes is the key; saving the environment is the additional benefit in this ultimate eco-friendly competition. The materials are often items that would be thrown away, but these creative students have been able to see things with fresh eyes. According to Wikipedia, “Upcycling is the process of converting waste materials or useless products into new materials or products of better quality or a higher environmental value.”


The first prize in the competition, a size 6 dress form, was won by Fashion Design student and ADA Cheryl Sigretto; second prize by US Marine veteran Ricky Jimenez; third prize by US Navy veteran Che’ Elliott Jones, both winning Yuki sewing machines. (The Art Institute of New York City is proud to be a “Military Friendly school”). Fourth prize, a gift card, was won by Emily Schwank.

The local newspaper (Tribeca Trib) editor and reporter were at the Opening Reception for an hour and a half! Many other media representatives have been invited, and hopefully will come during the show's run, up until the end of May.

Tribeca Film Festival - it's a Wrap!

The Art Institute and The Tribeca Film Festival

For the last seven years, The Art Institute of New York City has been actively involved in this world-class festival. Our students filmed the procedings, while Tribeca Kids Access, a group of elementary and middle school students from the neighborhood conducted the interviews.

Under the experienced leadership of Project Manager/alumnus Len Carter, who taught a production seminar in advance of the festival for the students, and with the invaluable support of Digital Filmmaking Department Chair Eve Okupniak, a team of 21 students filmed virtually all events taking place during the festival week (April 21 – May 2).

During this time, they also had the highly educational experience of editing the footage under a tight deadline to fullfil the “client’s” requirements.

The crew, dressed in black tee shirts with Ai logos, sported (large) press credentials, and thus had access to the assigned red carpet events. They filmed premiers, seminars and the Family Festival Street Fair, providing the edited footage to Tribeca officials as quickly as possible. This sometimes entailed editing late into the night, and on two weekends at both ends of the festival.
As in previous years, the Tribeca team provided media outlets such as WNBC with both print and video content to use in their coverage of the festival.

Participants gained valuable experience, not in just the real world, but in the world of international entertainment; the footage will be invaluable for their reels. Most students cite the opportunity to work with the festival as a highlight of their program. A special promotional DVD was created for Admissions use. This connection makes the school unique in the Art Institutes system.

According to Peter Downing, Creative Director & Producer of the Festival, "We would never have had such great coverage of those opportunities if it weren't for the camera crews and the personnel from The Art Institute of New York City. I think the students from The Art Institute did an extraordinary job... It was terrific to have a professional come back in and lead that team and make things run so incredibly smoothly..."

In addition to Peter Downing’s praise, many students credit Project Manager Len Carter with making their experience extremely valuable.

Sheniqua Lewis: “It was not only a pleasure working with Len, but the experience has taught me so much about the business and working for a real production company. Len made sure that we were well prepared and also professional and responsible. I hope to work on the festival next year, espeically if Len will be involved.”

Dalin Rowell: “Tribeca was an experience that taught me much more than I have learned in an 11 week class, and I think Len is the reason behind that.”

Kristina Siska: “I think our schools involvement in the film festival is a great privilege.”
Chris Conaway: “I found being part of the Tribeca Film Festival to be an awesome and very rewarding experience. I truly learned a lot from this hands-on opportunity. I felt that Len’s guidance was worth more than his weight in gold.”

Adam Forman: “Working on TFF is a serious privilege. I got an experience of the real world, as opposed to student projects.”

AiNYC is extremely proud of all Tribeca team members. We look forward to participation in the festival next year.

Frank Ramos
Nikhil Joglekar
Kristina Siska
Laquetta Lewis
Michael Simon
Sheniqua Lewis
Jared Frost
Jonathan Felix
Jennifer Hahn
Anthony Leslie
Kelley O'Brian
Ace Bouchard
Jose M Alvarado
Marcus Vazquez
Chris Conaway
Sergio Camargo
Dalin Rowell
Adam Forman

AiNYC Alum takes Fashion Design Student Under Her Wing!

On Friday, FD Faculty Member Ana Zayas and Career Services Advisor Regina Pokidaylo visited Alumna Arabelle Lysius at Planet Lingerie, where she is employed as an Assistant Designer. Arabelle chose our current student, Grace Ashi, to intern at Planet Lingerie this quarter. Regina and Ana toured the offices, spoke with the Head Designer and learned about Grace’s duties and what Arabelle is teaching her.

Field Trip to FENCES

Students with instructors Warren Bradley, Marcia Lloyd and Diane Orr, headed to Broadway to see Denzel Washington and Viola Davis in August Wilson's revival of Fences. Students toured the Broadway District, including a visit to the Time Warner Center at Columbus Circle before heading to the show. Some shots:

Interior Design Student Sandy Thevenin chats with Instructor Warren Bradley between acts about Loquasto's set design.

Students Christian Caiafa and Monica Cabral enjoy the Broadway District before the play starts.

Posing under the Cort Theatre Marque with Instructors Marcia Lloyd and Diane Orr are students (l to r) Morissa Greene, Christina Pelfrey and Denise White.

Lots of star power during and after the show, including the actor who played "Bono" opposite Denzel Washington's "Troy" talking to the audience. Halle Berry was spotted by the students as well.

AiNYC Volunteers