Alumni News

Here is a listing of alumni news as a way to know what alums are doing after they graduate from SVSU's Art Department. This listing is constantly updated, and some may be featured on our Student Spotlight page.

A selection of alumni artwork were featured in two different shows: the SVSU Art Alumni Exhibition in 2013 and the SVSU Art Alumni Show in 2018.

Annual 2021 Art in the Legislature Exhibit

Bidwell, Kevin

EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION AWARD:  BFA Graduate Kevin Bidwell receives "Excellence in Education Award" from the Michigan Lottery.  Kevin is a 2011 BFA graduate from SVSU, Department of Art.  Kevin is teaching Industrial Technology at Heritage High School in Saginaw Twp.  

Krygier, Shayla

B.F.A. (graphic design) graduate Shayla Krygier had a project accepted to be among 22 entries up for the top prize in the Integrated Brand Identity Campaign category at the American Advertising Federation’s American Advertising Awards.   The entry was honored first by the American Advertising Federation’s Great Lakes Bay chapter, winning a top prize in February at the regional organization's event known as The ADDY Awards. That successful turn advanced the entry to the awards competition for A.A.F’s District 6, which covers 13 regional chapters from Michigan, Illinois and Indiana. Krygier received accolades at that level too, moving her creation into contention for the organization’s final contest featuring the best work from across the U.S.

Rachel Aguirre, Graphic Design BA ’17, is currently the Graphic Design Project Manager at Quicken Loans.

Rebecca ‘Becky’ Holubka, Graphic Design BA ’17, is currently the Graphic Designer at the Bay County YMCA.

Sidney Hendler, Graphic Design BA ’17, is currently the Graphic Designer at Oxford Leader

Katherine Longoria, Graphic Design BA ’17, is currently the Graphic Designer at Haatch Marketing in Midland, MI.

Jamie Loubert, Graphic Design BA ’17, is currently the Graphic Designer at Journals Unlimited

Karyn McConnachie, Is currently teaching at Reed City High School, 9th- 12th art and co-teaching the yearbook.  

Colin Mealy, Graphic Design BA ’17, is currently the Graphic Designer at Rock Ventures/Quicken Loans.

Brittany Schoenow, Graphic Design BA ’17, is currently the UI/UX Designer at Hungry Howie’s Pizza.

Kelly Sievert, Graphic Design BA ’17, is currently the Graphic Designer at Grey Matter Group.

Michelle Tietz, Graphic Design BA ’17, is currently the Communications Specialist/Graphic Designer at DOW Chemical.

Ka Vang, Graphic Design BA ’17, is currently the Project Manager/Marketing Specialist at SVSU Cardinal Solutions.

Hallie Wright, Graphic Design BA ’17, is currently the Graphic Designer at Hadrout Design for Business in Ferndale, MI.

Peter Clouse, BFA ’10. MFA ’14  from Cranbrook Academy of Art in Fibers. Clouse currently owns and runs Detroit Mascots with his wife, Melissa Haimowitz-Clouse.

Kevin Bidwell, Art Education Major '08. Heritage High School in Saginaw Township and he won a Teacher of Excellence Award.

Caroline Heller, BA ’08. MA ’11 from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Heller is an Art Therapist in the Greater Chicago area.

Jill Cooley, BFA. She received her MFA in Photography from Indiana University.

Alayna Wesener (Partaka), BFA '06, is the Owner and Creative Director for Chevron Creative and the Owner of Sushi Remix. 

Darren Hamilton BA, MA. He is the Owner and Creative Director for Detroit Muscle and Multimedia Specialist/eLearning Developer/Training Developer for Get In Gear Learning in Grand Blanc, MI.

Penny Knapp, BA, sells her one-of-a-kind pottery at C.A.T. Works Gallery in Bay City, MI.

Sarah Arredondo (Christiansen) is the owner of Katalyst Art Gallery & Gift Boutique in Lansing, MI.

Karen Fordos is a practicing photographer who has had gallery openings in New York, Chicago, and Toronto, and has been published in Art News Magazine, Audubon and Ducks Unlimited. She also owns the Mid-Michigan Wedding Organizer Magazine, which is a high-quality publication distributed throughout the state of Michigan.

Paolo Pedini, "My art classes at Saginaw Valley State University and Delta College taught me how to communicate through my art."  2019 Exhibition paintings in a show at Hart Witzen Gallery in Charlotte, NC. Website, MLive article from 2014

Art Department Alumni, SVSU Employees