JOSHUA LOPEZ
Joshua López is an MFA student at William Paterson University. His main focus is 3D printing sculpturing, illustration, motion graphics and 3D animation. Josh takes a lot of inspiration from his Puerto Rican heritage and his work is a reflection of the Puerto Rican experience both in the United States and on the island.
MELISSA CARUBIA
Melissa Carubia is a visual artist and art teacher whose work's primary focus is on the dreamworld and spirituality. Her large-scale acrylic paintings capture the light and dark aspects of humanity in contrast to self-recognition, acceptance, self-love and freedom of self, taken from inspirations from her vivid dreams.
She received her BA in Art and Art Education from Rowan University in Spring of 2015. Afterwards, she began teaching at Mount Olive Middle School where she teaches both regular and gifted and talented students grade 6th-8th. She is currently enrolled in William Paterson University’s MFA program to pursue her love for art.
CATHERINE THURSTON
Catherine was born August 19, 1992 in North Jersey. She received her BFA degree at New Jersey City University and graduated with honors. Catherine’s concentration is painting and drawing, but also works with other mediums such as photography, 3D sculptures and ceramics. She is currently attending the MFA program at William Paterson University. Along with school, Catherine has worked creatively with other organizations. She has worked with City Arts Inc., in New York, alongside the public schools. The program allows children to participate in mural projects throughout the city. La Finca NJ is a horse ranch that she volunteers at on the weekends, as a horse wrangler and photographer. Currently, Catherine is working with Global Citizen for the Young Artist Group. The work being created is in effort to support climate change around the world.
RICHARD FRANCO
Returning to school after having had careers in both government service and the private sector, he is pursuing his passion in art. Although skilled in working with ceramics, precious metals, screen printing and photography he is now concentrating on his primary interest, painting. Having earned his BFA from Montclair State University he is now part of the Graduate Fine Arts program at William Paterson University in the attempt to earn an MFA.
JEAN FELIX OYOUE
Jean Felix Oyoue is a visual artist with a fondness for drawing and computer illustration. He takes in as much as he can from the surroundings of imagery that pass him by every day; posters, food advertising, and billboards.
LINDA STEINHARDT MAJSNER
Linda Steinhardt Majzner is an MFA student at William Paterson University in NJ. She holds an MA degree (1989) in Fine Arts, Painting from Montclair State University, and a BA degree(1976) in Fine Arts with a minor in Art History and Art Education, from Queens College, NYC. She has taught art for thirty-four years in private and public schools throughout NJ. She is recently retired from Livingston High School. She is a member of Studio Montclair and has exhibited in many of their art shows. Her work has been in shows in New Jersey, New York and beyond. Some of the shows she has participated in, are The New Jersey Center for Visual Arts, The NJ Arts Annual of Crafts and The George Segal Gallery at Montclair State University. Ms. Steinhardt Majzner resides in Caldwell, NJ with her husband and has raised three sons and now enjoys her nine (so far) grand-children. Please visit me at instagram steinhardtmajzner.
CHRISTIAN TAVIS
Christian is excited to be pursuing my MFA in Visual Arts, in the hopes of achieving the ultimate goal of becoming a Professor of Photography and Digital Art. Being in the graduate program has led him to explore new mediums and discover new techniques. He was able to express himself and push himself beyond his normal boundaries through his work. Christian claims he never would have had the courage to do so if it was not for this program and the people he has interacted with. Christian is eager to continue exploring and enhancing his artistic skills with ongoing research and creative practice, and continue working with wonderful people.
AMAL ELNAHEAWY
Amal Ahmed is an Egyptian-American artist. She began studying art at the Faculty of Fine Arts, Department of Interior and Stage Design, Alexandria University, Egypt. She continued her studies in the United States to obtain a Bachelor of Arts in Painting and Photography, and a Diploma in Textile Designs from New Jersey City University. NJCU in 1998 and a BA in Art Education from the same university in 2004. She earned an MFA in Painting/ Drawing from WPU William Patterson University, with honors. She participated in many group and individual conferences and exhibitions in USA, Egypt and many countries, such as the Arab Sculpture and Creativity Conference, the Burullus International Symposium in Egypt, the annual exhibition of portraits at the Ahmed Shawky Gallery, the Independent Art Exhibition - New York. The artist had many Solos and group art exhibitions in USA, Egypt, Iraq, Palestine and Finland as well. She received an appreciation award from the Shorouk Bou Saada exhibition, Algeria. She worked as a textile designer in New York immediately after her graduation, then went on to teach art in public schools in the United States of America.
SARAH VAN VLIET
Sarah Van Vliet was born in 1992 in New Jersey. She is an artist and an art educator in the New Jersey public school system. From an early age, she found an interest in creating art, building her skills throughout her high school career. Sarah graduated from Monmouth University with a BA in Art Education and is currently attending William Paterson University for her MFA. While she has been able to explore many mediums at WPUNJ, the work in this exhibit consists of oil paintings on canvas.