Gregory Scott offers 5 tips for PCA&D’s graduating artists

“When I was 17, I wanted to be a graphic designer,” said Gregory Scott, Commencement Speaker today as the members of the Class of 2016 received their Bachelors of Fine Art Degrees from Pennsylvania College of Art & Design at a ceremony at the Lancaster Convention Center. .

Greg Scott

Introduced by PCA&D President Mary Colleen Heil, Scott remarked, “For me, the sun rises and sets on the visual arts.” Scott, Lancaster architect and past trustee of PCA&D, said , he considers himself to be an older version of the graduates and offered these five tips for success art artists:

• Don’t Read. (That is, don’t read how to live your life. Trust your own instinct.)
• It’s Not What You Think. (It’s not about design. It’s about people and relationships and dpoing the right thing)
• Rubber Cement. (You don’t need drugs to get high. The high comes from the art. Your ability to solve the impossible is the best rush!)
• Get Real. (Be authentic. The survivors in the visual arts are those who accept their weaknesses. Do what you were born to do.)
• Be patient. (You are among the most exciting generation. The only thing lacking is experience. 22 years from now you will have discovered your strengths. Enjoy the journey.)

Alexandria Bonner received the award for the highest GPA from Dean of Student Life Jessica Edonick. The following awards were also given:

• Outstanding graphic design student, Avery Rose
• Outstanding illustration students, Lauryn Watkins
• Outstanding fine art student, SamAlexandria Bonner
• Outstanding photography student, Mikayla Brown

Receiving their Bachelors of Fine Arts degrees, with degrees in Illustration, Photography, Graphic Design and Fine Art, were:

• Scott M. Arbital, Marlboro, NJ, BFA Graphic Design
• Erich W. Bell, Harrisburg, PA, BFA Fine Art
• Alexander P. Blair, Willow Street, PA, BFA Graphic Design
• Alexandria P. Bonner, Carlisle, PA, BFA Fine Art
• Alexandra L. Bramley, Westminster, MD, BFA Illustration
• Joshua R. Brightbill, Blandon, PA, BFA Illustration
• Mikayla Brown, Jefferson Hills, PA, BFA Photography

Alexandria Bonner

• Julia M. Busko, Annapolis, MD, BFA Illustration
• James Campbell, Delran, NJ, BFA Illustration
• Lauren Marie Carbone, Merrick, NY, BFA Graphic Design
• Casey S. Clark, Littlestown, PA, BFA Fine Art
• Vanessa E. Clough, Harrisburg, PA, BFA Fine Art
• Zipporah I. Coleman, Philadelphia, PA, BFA Illustration
• Emily E. Coughlin, Northampton, PA, BFA Graphic Design
• Alex E. Crawford, Meadville, PA, BFA Illustration
• Andrea N. Deibert, Millersville, PA, BFA Photography
• Cortney J. Ellis, Manchester, PA, BFA Photography
• Revekah E. Espina, Randallstown, MD, BFA Photography
• Brieaunna Felty, Mount Joy, PA, BFA Illustration
• Catherine R. Gildea, Souderton, PA, BFA Illustration
• Jennifer A. Godfrey, Red Lion, PA, BFA Fine Art
• Lexus V. Harris, Lititz, PA, BFA Illustration
• Tiffany R. Hernandez, Mount Joy, PA, BFA Graphic Design
• Jason M. Herr, Lancaster, PA, BFA Fine Art
• Nicole A. Hittner, Hillsborough, NJ, BFA Fine Art
• Gabrielle K. Hoffman, Hatfield, PA, BFA Illustration
• Andrew J. Kinsey, Royersford, PA, BFA Graphic Design
• Thomas J. Kolvenbag, Kennett Square, PA, BFA Illustration
• Jeffrey R. Lang, Mechanicsburg, PA, BFA Illustration
• Rebecca L. Lerch, Alpha, NJ, BFA Illustration
• Dreahna N. Lewis, Baltimore, MD, BFA Illustration
• Kevin M. Mancuso, South Huntington, NY, BFA Graphic Design
• Charlotte Ruth Manmiller, Temple, PA, BFA Illustration
• Taje’ M. Martin, Reading, PA, BFA Illustration
• Megan R. Miller, Wilmington, DE, BFA Illustration
• Kristen M. Oberly, Sinking Spring, PA, BFA Illustration
• Sarah E. Pietrowski, Mohrsville, PA, BFA Photography
• Trayton G. Pinson, Reisterstown, MD, BFA Photography
• Amber L. Ream, Lancaster, PA, BFA Graphic Design
• Rachel C. Rodgers, Bloomsbury, NJ, BFA Photography
• Avery B. Rose, Oley, PA, BFA Graphic Design
• Samantha L. Sanders, Grantville, PA, BFA Fine Art
• Skylar S. Schappel, Emmaus, PA, BFA Illustration
• Katherine L. Stratis, Mechanicsburg, PA, BFA Illustration
• Jessica K. Straub, Lancaster, PA, BFA Photography
• Alexis A. Supplee, Ambler, PA, BFA Fine Art
• Paige E. Thoman, Spring Grove, PA, BFA Fine Art
• Morgan F. Todd, Wilmington, DE, BFA Illustration
• Lauryn A. Watkins, Hershey, PA, BFA Illustration
• Ashley B. Wilcoxson, Owings Mills, MD, BFA Illustration
• Megan E. Wirick, Newville, PA, BFA Fine Art

The ceremony concluded with the Class of 2016 giving a standing ovation to their parents, family and friends, led by Academic Dean Marc Torick. “The value of the parents’ support to the artistic life is crucial to success as an artist.”

Later today, First Friday May 6, at the Senior Show & Celebration, artwork will fill four floors of the College as the Class of 2016 exhibit professional-level senior thesis projects in a variety of media, the culminating work of PCA&D’s graduates in fine art, illustration, photography and graphic design.

Following a Parent’s Preview, the Senior Show & Celebration will be open to the public from 5 to 8 p.m. The event is often called the largest annual one-day gallery event in Lancaster. The public is invited to meet the artists, view the artwork and enjoy live music and refreshments. Many works are for sale. Alumni of PCA&D will be recognized at the event.

From May 1- 29, one work from each member of the Class of 2016 will be featured in the Main Gallery. On May 2 and 3, Lancaster City’s Spring Artwalk, PCA&D building hours are 11 am – 6 pm. Hours for the exhibit are Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (closed Memorial Day).

The 2016 PCA&D Senior Show is sponsored by Benchmark Construction, House of Pizza, Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority J&J Heating and Cooling, and Murray Securus, Jim Castanzo, and M&T Bank, and Fig Industries.