David A. Price, has been serving on the Ryman Arts Board of Directors since 2012. Through his leadership at Ryman Arts, the program continues to be an open door for building future careers in the Creative Economy.

Founder of the Price Leisure Group and the son of attractions legend Harrison "Buzz" Price, David Price brings a lifetime of professional experience, relationships, and understanding in Themed Entertainment projects including family attractions, theme parks, resorts, hotels and restaurants, and mixed-use development. He is also the Past-President of the Theme Entertainment Association Western Division.

The Price Leisure Group assists in bringing together the talent, technology, chemistry, expertise and experience to support the unique needs of developers, designers, operators and owners in the hospitality/attractions industry. Their commitment and passion is to support our clients by building a diverse, cross-disciplinary team with backgrounds in economic analysis, facility design, creative design, planning, project management and operations to maximize a project's success.

Internationally recognized and awarded, David has been professionally engaged in research, strategic planning, urban design and architecture for over 30-years, earning his Master of Architecture from Harvard Graduate School of Design. Before establishing the Price Leisure Group, he presided over David A. Price Architects, Inc. which focused primarily on a broad range of attractions and hospitality oriented projects including resort hotels and conference centers, IMAX theaters, outdoor amphitheaters, visitor centers, theme parks, entertainment complexes, church campuses and a variety of community related facilities. Notable projects include Wild Bill’s Western Dinner Extravaganza in Buena Park, California; Camp Snoopy at Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio; and Palace Family Entertainment Centers in Irvine, Fresno and Livermore, California; KMST Television Station in Monterey, California; Ride & Show Headquarters in San Dimas, California; Chandler Airport Business Center in Chandler, Arizona; resort in Long Point, Rancho Palos Verdes, California; and water-themed resort communities in Jakarta, Indonesia and Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan.

Fri Forjindam joined the Ryman Arts Board of Directors in 2018. Bringing passion and enthusiasm to the art of creative placemaking for a wide variety of industries, Fri has created distinctive guest experiences in film, theatre, publishing, and special events. Voted one of the "Top 50 Theme Park Influencers" by Blooloop, Fri currently serves as the Chief Development Officer of Mycotoo, Inc., the leading experience design agency and entertainment development company that specialize in immersive experiences, location based, and live entertainment. As a 2018 Cannes Gold Lion Winner for HBO's SXSWestworld, Mycotoo's collaborative process fosters an uncommonly strong level of commitment, culture, fun and trust that is essential to building vibrant creative teams. Mycotoo offers a variety of indoor/outdoor entertainment franchise opportunities targeted to helping activate repeat visitation for regional shopping destinations and mixed-use developments.

An MFA graduate of Columbia University, Fri has worked as a creative lead for Bollywood Parks in Dubai, Creative Director for the upcoming Indoor Snow Park, Family Entertainment Center and Nighttime Spectacular for a luxury Retail Developer in Qatar, as project manager and show writer on the 2011 Grammy's After Party, Los Angeles Downtown Latin Museum Gala Opening, and T-Mobile HTC’s corporate tours. Fri brings her background in content development and experiential marketing to facilitate tourism development strategies and to niche branding that attracts regional, national, and international tourism. As a featured consultant expert on national networks including KTLA, FOX, and Huffington Post, Fri is also the Founder and Editorial Director of Nouveau Media Group, LLC, a premier online and print global lifestyle publication. Notable collaborations include: Sony, Thor Equities, Nickelodeon, Meraas, United Developers, and Morehead Planetarium & Science Center.

Christian is a global leader at turning brand experiences, museums, and cultural attractions into celebrated destinations that audiences love. He is the Chief Creative Officer at BRC Imagination Arts. An accomplished creative director, strategic planner, and storyteller, Christian creates unique experiences that connect the heart of the audience with the heart of the brand, collection, and story. His projects include compelling destinations for some of the most respected companies, brands, and institutions in the world. Christian has spearheaded strategic and creative planning for such acclaimed museums and cultural destinations as the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, The Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation, and The Museum of Liverpool. Christian is a disabled veteran whose life and work have been further enriched by his leadership and Naval Special Warfare training with the United States Navy.

MIchelle A. Lund joined the Board of Directors in 1996. Michelle is president of the Sharon D. Lund Foundation.

Phil Hettema, joined the Ryman Arts Board of Directors in 2014. He served as the President of the Board from 2018-2021 and has greatly contributed to Ryman Arts through his passion and dedication to the legacy of Marty Sklar, Herbert Ryman, and arts education.

Phil Hettema is the President and Creative Executive of The Hettema Group (THG). With a distinguished 30-year legacy in themed entertainment, Phil leads a world class team of experience designers, architects, and media producers known for creating uniquely compelling guest experiences with great emotional resonance. Notable projects include One World Observatory at One World Trade Center; the High Roller Observation Wheel at The LINQ, Las Vegas; and Beyond All Boundaries at the National World War II Museum, New Orleans.

Growing up in South California, Phil was enamored with Disneyland. He reminisced that “the annual pilgrimage to Disneyland was the highlight” of his life. While studying music at the California State University, Long Beach, Phil worked part time at the wardrobe department of Disneyland.

Prior to forming his own company, Phil Hettema was Senior Vice President, Attraction Development for Universal Studios Theme Parks Worldwide for 14 years. He was responsible for the creative development of all major attractions and shows, including Terminator 2: 3D, Jurassic Park, The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man, Backdraft and many more. He oversaw master planning for all five Universal parks, including domestic and international expansion for Universal Studios Hollywood, Universal Studios Florida, Universal’s PortAventura (Spain), and Universal Studios Japan, and, most notably, the conception and delivery of Universal’s Islands of Adventure in Florida.

Phil is an alumnus of ArtCenter College of Design, instructed courses at the institution and endowed a scholarship for Environmental Design. He has been a guest lecturer at Carnegie Mellon University, USITT, IAAPA, KIN, ICOM, SIGGRAPH, and at the TED Conference. Phil holds four patents for entertainment technology solutions and has been honored with numerous Thea awards from the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) including Theas for One World Observatory (2016), Beyond All Boundaries (2010), FiestAventura (2000), The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man (2000), Universal’s Islands of Adventure (2000), and Terminator 2:3D (1997) and most recently, The Buzz Price Thea Award – Recognizing a Lifetime of Distinguished Achievements (2017).

Floridel is a nonprofit professional specializing in marketing and communications. Currently the Marketing Director at South County Outreach, Floridel has worked with organizations including Anaheim Community Foundation, Echo Media Group, Working Wardrobes, JOYA Scholars, OneOC, and Union Station Homeless Services. In addition, Floridel is a founding Board Member of the Orange County Nonprofit Professionals Network. Floridel earned a B.A. in Studio Art, a B.A. in English, and minor in Digital Arts from the University of California, Irvine and a Certificate in Digital Media Art, Graphic Design from Irvine Valley College. Floridel graduated from Ryman Arts in 2002 and was a Ryman Arts intern in 2011.

Raymond Braun is a founding Principal of Entertainment + Culture Advisors (ECA), specializing in entertainment development projects, recreation and tourism economics, and attraction development potential. Prior to forming ECA, Mr. Braun was the head of the Entertainment Practice at Economics Research Associates (ERA).

Clients in the theme park industry include major operating companies such as the Walt Disney Company, Sea World, Universal Studios, and Merlin Entertainments. Mr. Braun has helped plan major cultural attractions including the J.P. Getty Center in Los Angeles; the Rose Center at the American Museum of Natural History in New York; the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco; and the Henry Ford in Dearborn.

Internationally, Mr. Braun has in depth experience in Europe, Japan, Korea, China, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, India, Australia, Canada and Mexico. Major projects have included market planning and attendance analysis for Universal Studios, multiple locations; consulting with Merlin regarding LEGO theme park development opportunities; economic planning for recreation and commercial development in Beijing; movie studio and related theme park in Australia, Warner Bros. Movie World; global location research for KidZania; theme park in Southern Malaysia for Khazanah Nasional; and resort projects throughout Mexico.

Ray was mentored by Ryman Arts co-founder Harrison “Buzz” Price in his early career and is passionate about mentoring rising talents.

Eugenia Chen is a dynamic and multicultural creative professional, leading cross functional teams in concept design, IP development, and production for location-based entertainment projects. She has also spearheaded various merchandise design, branding, packaging, illustrations, and product design initiatives for the toy industry, holding two design patents and a utility patent.

With almost two decades of experience as a design entrepreneur and seasoned business professional, Eugenia has led her own design ventures. Presently, she serves as the Co-founder and Principal Designer at Launchmode Design Co. Additionally, Eugenia holds the position of Senior Director of Location-Based Experiences Asia for Paramount Consumer Products & Experiences, with a primary focus on LBE business development in Asia. Eugenia's career highlights a distinctive fusion of creative insight and business expertise. Her meaningful contributions to high-profile projects underscore her significance at the intersection of innovative thinking and business acumen.

A graduate of Art Center College of Design, Eugenia knows the rewarding artist’s journey that Ryman Arts students are embarking upon from her own firsthand experience.

Scot Drake joined Ryman Arts in 2020. Scot Drake is a Portfolio Creative Executive at Walt Disney Imagineering where he leads the creative development of all Marvel projects within Disney Parks and Resorts. Prior to working for Walt Disney Imagineering, Drake held positions with Universal Creative, Idea Labs and BRC Imagination Arts as a concept designer. He taught Visual Communication at the Gnomon School of Visual Arts, Advanced Digital Painting at UCLA and Visual Communications 6 Dramatic Narrative at the Art Center College of Design. Drake attended the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena in the Transportation Department, with a focus on Entertainment Design.

Peggie Fariss began her Disney career in 1965 as an attraction hostess at Disneyland, working weekends while attending college. In 1969, she participated in the press conference to announce the first phase of Walt Disney World. Impressed by the magnitude of that ambitious endeavor, Peggie set her sights on playing a role in bringing that project to life.

Following graduation with a degree in English from California State University, Fullerton, she relocated to Orlando just prior to the opening of Walt Disney World. She spent the next five years planning conferences at the Disney resort.

In 1976, Peggie joined Walt Disney Imagineering (WDI) to participate in the development of Epcot, organizing conferences and pavilion advisory boards. She conducted the historical research for Spaceship Earth covering 40,000 years of communication history. After the opening of Epcot and for the next 34 years, Peggie participated in an array of WDI projects and led the Imagineering team responsible for the integration of corporate sponsorship in Disney parks around the world. In 2010 she embarked on a five-year assignment in France, to lead the Walt Disney Imagineering Design & Show Quality team at Disneyland Paris. She celebrated her 50th anniversary with the Disney organization in the spring of 2016 and retired shortly thereafter.

In addition to being a long-time supporter of Ryman Arts, Peggie has a special connection as she had the joy of working with our namesake, Herbert D. Ryman.

Wendy Heimann-Nunes is co-founder and managing partner of Nolan Heimann, providing forward-looking strategic counsel to her clients. Her clients include licensors & licensees, owners & operators, developers, designers & storytellers, and more. She began her legal career with the international law firm Mayer Brown.

Wendy has also served as an executive at Universal Studios, heading up Business and Legal Affairs for Universal Creative, the division responsible for the concept, design, and development of all domestic and international theme parks, resorts, and attractions. She is an active member and pro-bono counsel of the Themed Entertainment Association and was honored in 2020 with the receipt of their Peter Chernack Distinguished Service THEA Award. She also serves on the Board of Directors of The Third Floor.

Wendy is passionate about supporting young creatives, and her firm has provided pro bono legal services to Ryman Arts.

Don Morin founded, produces and hosts the Pacific Northwest Mouse Meet™ events for Disney fans which include travel excursions, cruises, in-park meetups, author presentations and a summer extravaganza which hosts over 500 guests and sells out annually. He created the Pacific Northwest Mouse Meet™ in 2009 which is widely known as the best Disney fan event in the country. He produces and hosts the events and often interviews guests and celebrity guest speakers and has captured an extensive social media following. Don also works as an actor and voice talent with a variety of YouTube videos and voice work related to Pacific Northwest Mouse Meet™ events including a new Disney fan vid-cast focused on Disneyland history, Walt Disney and the Walt Disney Company which will premiere on YouTube in January 2020. He continues to expand his voiceover talents and event hosting to mainstream media and other events. His business background includes extensive leadership, business and personnel management. Don resides in Mukilteo, Washington and has two beautiful daughters. His passions include travel, food, family and philanthropy. He currently supports Cocoon House and Seattle Children’s Hospital and Ryman Arts in Los Angeles, California.

Monica, Founder and Creative Director of Monica Leigh Atelier, is a resilient veteran and trusted visionary of the fashion industry. She has designed and produced for celebrities and executives and has worked with some of the most well-known and powerful leaders and labels in the fashion industry. Utilizing her core competencies and talents developed over almost two decades, Monica has captured development and refined proprietary workflows, costing methods, pattern artistry, draping instincts and translation abilities. She has worked with companies including FJ Benhamin, Halston, A.L.C., BCBGMAXAZRIA, before founding California New Work and Monica Leigh Atelier.

Nancy Seruto, Owner and Creative Executive of Seruto, LLC, is a highly respected and admired leader in the world of experience-based storytelling. Seruto LLC creates compelling experiences rooted in science, history, and culture, supporting cultural institutions and non-profit organizations.

From 2010-2020 she was a Creative Executive at Walt Disney Imagineering. She worked on projects including: an all-new park in Shanghai, “Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for Sunken Treasure, Blue Sky, Story Development, Creative Direction, and Concept Design groups. She was promoted to Portfolio Creative Executive for the Shanghai Disney Resort, the first woman to hold this high-ranking creative position at WDI.

Before joining WDI, Nancy founded and was President of Seruto & Company and worked on world-class touring exhibitions including “Tutankhamun: King of the Pharaohs” for AEG, “America I am” for Tavis Smiley, and “CSI: The Experience” for Bob Weis Design Island. She also worked at Lexington for 15 years, a large independent design and themed construction studio, and her roots are in theatrical lighting, set design and backdrop arts, having designed for regional theater and dance in the Los Angeles Area, also touring throughout the US, Southeast Asia, and Europe.

She holds a Graduate Degree in Theatrical Design from Cal State Long Beach and an Honorary Doctorate from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts and continues to pursue her passion for painting California’s Landscapes “en plein air.” Nancy joined the Ryman Arts Board of Directors in 2022.

 

Audrey has a diverse background in both the nonprofit and corporate sectors. Audrey’s experience in the corporate world includes serving as Co-Creative Director of Young & Rubicam (Y&R) International out of Brussels, where she managed and executed marketing and communications for companies such as Xerox, Pepsi, and City National Bank in fourteen countries across Western Europe. A Certified Coach through the International Coach Federation (ICF) and a Certified Professional Behavioral and Values Analyst, Audrey has extensive qualifications as an executive coach, consultant, and facilitator. For over a decade she stewarded countless key relationships at the corporate, foundation, and individual levels for the national healing arts nonprofit A Window Between Worlds, ending her tenure as their Chief Executive Officer. Most recently, Audrey has been serving as the Director of Development and Communications for artworxLA. Audrey Salzburg joins Ryman Arts in May 2024 and was chosen as the next Executive Director after an extensive search and recruitment process led by the Ryman Arts search committee and facilitated by Envision Consulting.

Patricia has 21 years of experience developing studio art and in-gallery art programs designed for all. She worked with teaching artists at LACMA to develop curriculum for Art Classes that provide students with opportunities to make personal connections and learn new art making skills. Prior to working at LACMA, Patricia worked for LAUSD Central continuation high school and All Peoples Community Center working with youth and overseeing community activities. She is a Los Angeles based artist with an interest in photography and community arts education. Patricia Esquivel joined Ryman Arts in 2022.

Martha is a 2013 alumna of Ryman Arts and earned a degree in animation at California State University, Long Beach. She has dedicated the past six years working as a freelance Caricature Artist and an online stationery business owner. Martha has found that her passion lies in making art that is fun, uplifting, and authentic to her story as a first-generation, female from the inner-city. She is eager to work as the Administrative Coordinator at Ryman Arts as an artist and alumna!

Rebecca Flores is a first-gen graduate from the University of California, Riverside with a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing and a minor in Spanish. She previously worked at Virago Rising, a Latinx creative platform and marketing agency as their Creative Content Coordinator. Rebecca is a recovering introvert and is passionate about using the written word to advocate for marginalized and underrepresented voices. In her spare time, she likes to hang out with friends, try new restaurants, and attend concerts.

Shannon Huang joined Ryman Arts in 2014. Specializing in development, events, and communication, Shannon has worked in the non-profit sector for over 15 years with organizations including The Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council, Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival, America SCORES LA, BODYTRAFFIC, and the Orange County Museum of Art. She is a founding board member of Education is Forever and volunteers with Seniors Fight Back. She has served on grant review panels for the California Arts Council and the Long Beach Arts Council. Aside from her work in the non-profit world, Shannon worked at a wine chemistry lab and did a harvest internship at Robert Mondavi Winery. Shannon earned a Master of Arts Management degree from Carnegie Mellon University and a BA in Humanities and Arts from UC Irvine with a focus on art history, studio art, and management.

Walter Marsh joined Ryman Arts in 2007. Walter earned his MFA in Classical Guitar Performance from UCLA in 1995 and has worked in non-profit management since 1996. His experience includes non-profit accounting and financial management, operations management, event production, and music education.

Marilyn Nguyen joined Ryman Arts in 2018. Mari served as the Ryman Arts Development Coordinator for five years. Passionate about the arts and its ability to bring about community engagement, Marilyn has worked at various art organizations, including Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles. As an alumna of the Ryman Arts program, she is thrilled to return as part of the staff, working behind-the-scenes to support fundraising, marketing, and alumni engagement efforts. Marilyn prides herself on being an avid museum-goer as well as a milk tea fanatic. She graduated from Ryman Arts in 2011 and earned her Bachelors of Arts in English and Fine Art from the University of California, Irvine.

Rebecca Tuynman oversees all Ryman Arts classes and student activities. She has over 20 years of experience in art education, having worked prior to Ryman Arts in a variety of community organizations, schools, universities, and museums. Rebecca is a graduate of the Community Arts Education Leadership Institute (CAELI), produced by the National Guild for Community Arts Education. She earned her MFA in Studio Art from UC Santa Barbara and a BA in History of Art from Bryn Mawr College. She has been with Ryman Arts since 2005. Rebecca received the Outstanding Visual Arts Supervisor/Administrator of the Year for 2017 from the California Art Education Association in 2017.

Eduardo Aispuro joined Ryman Arts in Fall 2022. He has taught foundational art techniques at University of California, Irvine and Orange Coast College. His paintings have been exhibited at several institutions including: Torrance Art Museum, Irvine Fine Arts Center, Boehm Gallery, Frank M Doyle Arts Pavilion, and at the 2019 SUR:biennial which occurred throughout Los Angeles. He received his B.A. in Art Studio from the University of California, Santa Barbara and his M.F.A. from the University of California, Irvine. Learn more about Eduardo: www.eduardoaispuro.com

Kaleeka Bond joined Ryman Arts in Fall 2012. She teaches drawing at Saddleback College and Cal State University, Long Beach. She is a graduate of Laguna Beach College of Art and Design, where she received both her BA and MFA. A Southern California native, she is widely recognized for her exceptional skills in pastel drawing and is known for her large-scale compositions.

Holly Boruck lives and works in the Los Angeles area. She has an MFA in Painting from Cal State University Northridge and a BFA from California College of the Arts in San Francisco. A common thread in her art making practice is a deep interest in the human psyche and earthly experiences. She is interested in asking questions about the nature of reality and feels a tender sensitivity toward the outcast, shunned and darker corners of who-we-are. She works in painting, drawing and sculpture, feeling most comfortable making work with her hands. Holly was a 2021 Luxembourg Art Prize finalist and bestowed a Circle Arts Award, USA Projects Funding Grant for The Butterfly Hurricanes Project, a Durfee Grant and a George Sugarman Grant. Her work has been exhibited in solo and group exhibitions locally and at international venues. From 2014 - 2018 she was the curator and director of Surrogate Gallery Projects (SGP), dedicated to facilitating fellowship between under-represented contemporary artists and under-used/empty commercial spaces in Pasadena. SGP won multiple grants and was a fiscally sponsored project under the Pasadena Arts Council's EMERGE program. Holly is an Adjunct Professor at Cal State University Northridge and is a faculty member in LA based Ryman Arts program.

Rochelle Botello is a Los Angeles based visual artist working across mixed media, sculpture and site-specific installations. Her work has been exhibited in the United States and internationally, extending Japan, Berlin and South Korea. She has exhibited with Holter Museum of Art, Torrance Art Museum, Jaus, Launch, Coagula Curatorial and Durden and Ray to name a few. Her exhibitions have also been reviewed in the LA Times, The Huffington Post, Whitehot magazine, Artillery Magazine and Coagula Art Journal. Botello holds a MFA from Claremont Graduate University and a BA in Sociology with an emphasis in Social Psychology from University of California, Santa Cruz.

Ichiro Irie was born in Tokyo and raised in Los Angeles. Ichiro received his BA from University of California, Santa Barbara, and his MFA from Claremont Graduate University. In 2001, Irie went to Mexico City on a Fulbright fellowship and has maintained an active relationship with the visual art community in Mexico. Irie has exhibited his work internationally in galleries and museums such as Bank Gallery in Los Angeles, Hendershot gallery in New York, CSW Museum in Warsaw, and Museo Carrillo Gil in Mexico City. As a curator he has organized more than 30 exhibitions. Between 2002 and 2006 he founded and edited the contemporary art publication RiM magazine. Irie currently lives and works in Los Angeles, owns and operates the artist-run space JAUS in Los Angeles. teaches at Ryman Arts and Oxnard College, and is an artist in residence at 18th Street Arts Center.

Michelle Mary Lee received her double major BA in Art and Art History from UCLA and her MFA and EdD from USC. She holds a teaching credential in Art. She is currently a lecturer at UCLA and USC. Dr. Lee has been an AP Studio Art teacher at various high schools. In addition to teaching, she is a working artist. Her selected solo exhibitions include 16 Summertime Paintings, eat.on sunset, Metropolitan Water District (Los Angeles), USC Interdisciplinary Center (Irvine), and Combes Gallery, Paris. Her work has been included in group exhibitions at LA Weekly: Emerging Artists Biennial, Bergamot Station (Santa Monica); SuperSonic: MFA Exhibition, Municipal Gallery, Barnsdall Art Park; Kay Nielsen Drawing Show, UCLA Hammer Museum, Grunwald Center for Graphic Arts, Los Angeles, CA.

Ronald J. Llanos teaches figure drawing and painting to both adults and children at his alma mater, ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena, California. He has also run art workshops and taught classes in high schools including Polytechnic School, Flintridge Preparatory School, McKinley School and Pasadena High School. In addition to teaching, Ronald is a practicing artist who regularly creates and exhibits artwork. Ronald has exhibited in galleries throughout southern California, Oregon, and Washington. His works are in the collection of many art collectors. He has also done various commissioned portraits for private individuals. Recently, Ronald was selected and commissioned by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) to design 24 mosaic panels for the Western Station of the new Exposition Lightrail line.

Robin Palanker, BFA, California Institute of the Arts. Robin exhibits nationally. Her motion-centric work can be found in numerous art collections. She has taught at Art Center College of Design, California State Summer School for the Arts, H.O.L.A., Otis College of Art and Design, University of La Verne, Laguna College, Vermont College, and Loyola Marymount University and has been a guest lecturer at Santa Monica College, Cal State University, Long Beach, UC Riverside, and UCLA, among others. She was awarded the Sharon Disney Lund Master Teaching Award in 2007. Robin has worked extensively as a publication designer and also trains dogs, specializing in dog tricks. She has collaborated on diverse performance projects, including the award-winning Nijinsky Speaks. She joined Ryman Arts in Fall 2003.

Sergio Rebia is an artist and professor of visual art born and raised in California. He obtained his BFA in 2004 and his MFA in 2008 from Laguna College of Art and Design. Sergio has taught in colleges and universities all over Southern California including Cal State University Long Beach, Mt. San Antonio College, Saddleback College, LCAD, and Rio Hondo College, where he currently teaches. He now dedicates his time to teaching, raising a family, and developing a body of work in his studio in Santa Ana. There is only one thing that Sergio enjoys more than painting in his studio and that is teaching and being part of the passing on of a legacy that has existed since the very first works of art created on the walls of the Caves in Lascaux. 

A graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design, veteran instructor David Schoffman has spent the brunt of his labors in futile pursuit of the perfect work of art. The wages of his endurance have garnered their fair share of awards and exhibitions but it is at Ryman Arts where fulfillment reaches its truest sense of eudaimonia. In addition to painting and teaching David is a mischievous master of media inundating the Internet with screeds, manifestos and subversive YouTube videos. Indifferent to pets and suspicious of screens, David spends most of his spare time making experimental vegan pasta sauces and reading old books.

Jamie Hernandez graduated from Ryman Arts in 2023 and is a current full-time student at California State University, Long Beach where they are majoring in animation. They aim to produce their own cartoon show in the future and have been working on the concept for three years now. In their spare time, they enjoy playing video games, watching cartoons and anime, and eating chili cheese fries.

Akari Johnston graduated from Ryman Arts in 2017 and is a current student at Otis College of Art and Design, majoring in Digital Media with an emphasis on animation.

Charity Neal graduated Ryman Arts in 2019. She currently attends Otis College of Art and Design. She has worked on projects involving character design, concept art, illustration, and storyboard art.

Raquel Martinez is a full-time student at California State University, Fullerton and is working toward her BFA with a concentration in Animation. She graduated from Ryman Arts in 2016 and aims to become an animator for Disney or Pixar and to create her own cartoon show.

Emily graduated from California State University, Fullerton with a BFA in Illustration. She currently freelances in both animation and fashion design and plans to continue working on collaborative projects with her peers to gain further insight into the professional art world. She recently won 2nd prize in the Amateur Artist category in the Orange County fair this past summer. She hopes to inspire a new generation of artists with Ryman Arts by sharing her recent college experience as an artist. Learn more about Emily: www.eamontgomery17.wixsite.com/my-site/backgrounds

Stephanie graduated ArtCenter College of Design in 2022 with a BFA in Illustration, Entertainment Design. Graduating Ryman Arts and high school in 2016, she has worked as a Teaching Assistant, Program Intern, and Site Coordinator for Ryman in the last seven years. Currently, she is working as an Assistant for Designmatters at ArtCenter where she is learning how to combine art and education to engage, empower, and lead a positive force in today's society. In the future, she plans to continue to establish her portfolio to work as a Visual Development Artist/Illustrator in the entertainment industry. Learn more about Stephanie at: www.stephaniepetteplace.com

Hannah graduated from Ryman Arts in 2021 and is currently a sophomore at Otis College of Art and Design majoring in graphic design with a minor in product design. Hannah is an extrovert by heart and loves connecting with fellow artists. Besides being a Ryman Arts teaching assistant, she also works as a resident assistant at Otis. She loves to drink matcha, eat hot pot and sleep – when she has the time.