Vermont College of Fine Arts MFA in Graphic Design
I graduated from Vermont College of Fine Arts MFA in the Graphic Design program in October 2013 — the first inaugural class. It was the student-centered, low residency model and the world class faculty that inspired me to apply. As of 2023, VCFA is now in partnership with CalArts. Since then, I worked assisting grad students coordinate and curate their exhibitions each winter and summer semesters for over 10 years, first as an Alumnx Assistant, and later as the Exhibition Coordinator. Additionally, I have assisted in both the Graphic Design and Writing program as an administrative assistant.
VCFA
My journey towards an MFA in Graphic Design at VCFA was deeply rewarding on many levels both personally and academically, and my love of the program’s pedagogy and helping the chair, students, faculty and administration during each 9-day residency (winter and summer) was an immersive and a ‘full on’ learning experience for me.
EDUCATION
Prior to graduating from Vermont College of Fine Arts, I graduated with a BFA from the University of New Mexico with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in printmaking, photography and art history. After graduating, I trained at the Tamarind Institute of Fine Art Lithography as a technical assistant mentored by master printers, John Sommers and Lynne Allen. My non-silver photography instructor Betty Hahn was a major influence in my love of photography. I continued postgraduate classes at Colorado State University where I studied Advanced Design, Illustration and Typography with Phil Risbeck. In 2019 and 2023, I completed a month-long artist residency at the Burren College of Art in County Clare, Ireland with ten other educators. In 2025 and 2026 I returned for another month residency in both May and October.
EXPERIENCE
I have had a full working history in all aspects of graphic design, art, administration and communications, in addition to working for many universities:
- UNM Harwood Museum of Art, Taos, NM / Administration Asst.
- UNM HSC Prevention Research Center, ABQ, NM / Communications Specialist
- University of Oregon at the Knight Law School, Wayne Morse Center, Eugene, OR / Communications Coordinator
Currently, I collaborate with my web partner where we focus on supporting local businesses and non-profits with graphic design, social media and website development; Taos Web Design.
Current clients include: Taos Land Trust, Amigos Bravos and Taos Arts Council, and Flowering Mountain.
Past exhibitions I have worked on: Agnes Martin: Before the Grid, Mabel Dodge Luhan & Company: American Moderns and the West, Judy Chicago’s Birth Project, Long Environmentalism: Subhankar Banerjee, and Las Santeras: Images of Faith and Folklore.
PERSONAL LIFE
I continue my MFA explorations making collages, photography drawing on tea bags and creating assemblages from personal ephemera in the spirit of Joseph Cornell.
I travel back and forth to Ireland as much as I can now. Most of my recent influences have been learning the Irish language and its history. It is my second home.
“The only way humans have managed to survive is by being in tune with and connected to their surroundings” and “you need to walk the land to feel the stories, and when you do, the stories come back to life.” – Manchán Magan