May 2003 - August 2004
Dean's List: Spring + Fall 2003, Spring 2004
Northern Illinois University - DeKalb, IL

March 25, 2005
Show Poster for Short Eyes
Client: Teatro Urbano - Chicago, IL
I received an Honorable Mention when I entered the contest to design the poster for Teatro Urbano's production of Short Eyes, a daring and influential play written in 1972. While not chosen for the final poster design, my work was featured in a gallery of the top selections.

December 30, 2004
Memorial Mural
Client: Glenndon B Hayes
Mr. Hayes is a businessman and veteran of both Gulf Wars. He contacted me to produce a mural for his house. The mural, which is loated on the back wall of his garage, attracts many onlookers and has garnered Mr. Hayes some attention around the neighborhood. The mural tells the story of Mr. Hayes' life, beginning with childhood in a rough part of Chicago and finishing with his military service.

July 07-14, 2004
Upward Bound Volunteer Muralist, NIU
Project Coordinator: Susan Townsend
I was contacted by a classmate from the Art Education program at Northern Illinois University. She requested my help in the creation of a mural whose destination was the education building on campus. Most of the painting was accomplished by the students placed under my classmate's care, while the remainder (mostly detail work) was accomplished in part by myself. This allowed my classmate to give her undivided attention to teaching the students under her supervision. I also provided similar help on a second mural whose destination was also the education building on the NIU campus.

May 05, 2004
Senior Illustration BFA Show
Group Show
In May of 2004, I and my fellow Illustration graduates participated in a show that represented the culmination of our studies at Northern Illinois University. We each created and refined a series of 12 to 16 illustrations that best exemplified our respective foci. Unlike more traditional gallery showings, where the works would be mounted and displayed on the wall, we instead attended to portfolios which contained prints of the original works.

June 21 + August 02, 2003
Culture 1 + 2: Outdoor Art Festivals
Project Coordinators: Kyle Graham, Christopher M Rubano
I assisted a local DeKalb poet named Kyle Graham in the organization of an art/music/poetry festival. My contribution to the festival included the construction of a temporary pavilion with a complete lighting setup and roof, and the conversion of a detached garage into a stage area. I was also tasked with the design and production of all advertising materials for the festival. I also organized the art portion of the show with my colleague Rebecca Evans. A portion of the profits were donated to Hope Haven, a local homeless shelter. For the second show, my only involvement was as an exhibitor.

May 2008
Patrick S Gilmore Award
Instructor: Edward R. Jacobi Jr.
In preparation for the role of Drum Major for my high school, I attended the Smith Walbridge Clinic, an intensive training program for student band leaders. I graduated in the top 3% of my class. This training included motivational techniques, and leadership skills. I was hailed by my classmates as one of the best Drum Majors that they had worked with. That year, my school presented me with the Patrick S. Gilmore award for Outstanding Contribution to the Band Program, only one of which is awarded each year.

May 1996 - December 1997
Eagle Scout Project: Mural
Project Coordinator: Brian Thrall
An Eagle Scout candidate and fellow classmate commissioned me to design a mural for a Teen Recreation Center in Arlington Heights, Illinois. Although I was originally requested to design the mural, later on I was asked to contribute as lead painter. At times, I had a small group of novice Boy Scouts to supervise, though mostly I worked alone. Begun in the Summer 1996 and finished in Winter 1997.

1997
Scholastic Art + Writing Award - Gold Key Award
Instructor: Tom Feldsein
While my work had hung in the yearly Scholastic Art Show all four years of my high school tenure, it was junior year that I won my first Gold Key Award. This award is presented to the best submissions from each participating high school.