College of the Arts Alumni
![Omid Tavakoli in front of his work at his MFA thesis exhibition](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/article/Omid_MFAshow_header_0.jpg?VersionId=hTmzvZx1AusIdcdjWrFDW_8KGHY4pzf_&h=e6f36a9c&itok=rxk1TPxM)
Alumnus Omid Tavakoli Featured on ideastream
Omid Tavakoli, M.F.A. '19 Print Media and Photography, was interviewed about his life and art for ideastream in April. The article “Equity in Art: Balancing Biracial Identity" centers around about his experience being a biracial artist. He also talks about his time studying at ÌÇÐÄVlogÆƽâ°æ.
![Colorful landscape paintings by Eileen Dorsey and a photo of the artist in front of her work.](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/article/EileenDorsey_header.jpg?VersionId=apyBAGrrK7jMueO32GnmIEu9tT6Kan7P&h=02d45252&itok=OXuZOuKH)
Alumni Spotlight - Eileen Dorsey
As an artist, it is always important to connect with the community. An artist’s network, whether it’s through their studio, galleries or even social media, can lead to amazing opportunities and recognition. A shining example of this is School of Art alumna , who began her career as a figurative painter, and later started embracing landscapes after she earned her undergraduate degree.
![Art teacher Maryann Rodin in her classroom](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/article/MaryannRodin_header.jpg?VersionId=Z_CN_qlf16Efgi9ei.CvMHkgmL9y1tf7&h=e6f36a9c&itok=g7h5scwA)
Alumni Spotlight - Maryann Rodin
![Painting of a city street by David Buttram and a photograph of the artist.](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/article_thumbnail/DavidButtram_header.jpg?VersionId=I6odmvJSwsbNilBLLqkrHwgAbzf5VkGv&h=e6f36a9c&itok=vjI3FYJv)
Alumni Spotlight - David Buttram
One of the qualities of a great artist is being able to stop and notice one’s surroundings. Painter can often be seen searching for inspiration in his hometown of Cleveland, depicting and finding the beauty in ordinary moments.
![Georgio Sabino III at his exhibition of photography standing in front of a photograph of President Barack Obama.](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/article/Georgio_header.jpg?VersionId=elAnU9jgvuO8XdW44D7I5.daBcMbqbIL&h=e6f36a9c&itok=Y5Z5kz2h)
Alumni Spotlight - Georgio Sabino III
It is not often that you have the opportunity to photograph figures such as Oprah Winfrey or to meet former President Barack Obama, but Georgio Sabino III’s career has led him to do so.
![Fran Ugalde Z. in the Cummings Center by some Native American artifacts. She is installing some of those artifacts on the left from a ladder.](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/article/FranUgalde_header_0.jpg?VersionId=GGm5e9eNBk0oWUpD8KvneXjrlYOCozI0&h=e6f36a9c&itok=pY_3H1dK)
Alumni Spotlight - Francisca Ugalde Zapico
![Alexandra Nicholis Coon in the Massillon Museum. Picture of a group of people with construction helmets on in front of the museum.](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/article/AlexCoon_header.jpg?VersionId=NIxj8YQN5lrwQTYwhwxrLCjNbsVmDzCz&h=e6f36a9c&itok=9mgM8dQR)
Alumni Spotlight - Alexandra Nicholis Coon
![Three paintings by Patricia Zinsmeister Parker - One still life in blue, one nude woman reclining and one self portrait with multiple faces](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/article/PatriciaZP_header.jpg?VersionId=2.i2lvit_ORwV_gJw.8JUJhVJcPSvqpc&h=e6f36a9c&itok=o4f4P9bY)
Alumni Spotlight - Patricia Zinsmeister Parker
![Lauren Luna in her studio and her painting](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/article/LaurenLuna_header.jpg?VersionId=wmogdjGtJ6RK_1JLIp0dhGaTDp_2u_r2&h=fc5d8f90&itok=bPc0GpHB)
Alumni Spotlight - Lauren Luna
Lauren Luna (B.F.A. ’00, Painting) has let nothing get in her way of her goal of making a living as an artist. Born in Columbus, Ohio, she moved to New York City shortly after graduating ÌÇÐÄVlogÆƽâ°æ with her B.F.A. and then ultimately to the city of Houston, Texas in 2011 to realize her dream.
![Dan Alexander in front of his glass artwork, images of glass art by Dan, a blue vase and a tall cup with lid](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/article/DanAlexander_header2.jpg?VersionId=XeQZdiQ85DO06NZLeloQOUPHByNKF6in&h=e6f36a9c&itok=nYfikc5m)
Alumni Spotlight - Dan Alexander
In his professional career as a glassblower, ÌÇÐÄVlogÆƽâ°æ alumnus Dan Alexander has done a lot in the decade since graduating with a B.F.A. in Craft in 2010.