Jonathan Hoefer (BFA ’91)

Hoefer shares a timeless story of love, loss, friendship, and finding true colors, inspired by two children and the connection they forever share, in his children’s book “Avery’s Gift.” (Mascot Books, June 2021). This book is reminiscent of fables told long ago, with rhyming prose written by Hoefer, and watercolored imagery illustrated by Milana Samarskaya. “Avery’s Gift” is inspired by Hoefer’s Syracuse fraternity brother (SAE, NY Delta) Mike Toole and the health complications of his daughter, Avery, who ultimately required a heart transplant at the age of five. While “Avery’s Gift” does not talk specifically about organ donation, it illustrates how two lives are interconnected and can spark a conversation with readers of all ages.

Marty Wimmer (BM ’86)

Wimmer recently retired from a 34-year career as a public school music teacher, band director, and choral director. He is also a veteran classical music radio host on WNED Classical Buffalo/Toronto and an anchorman on WNED-PBS working on both local and national broadcasts. A gifted writer, he frequently blogs at www.wned.org/classical. He is also a published composer of music for school bands and choruses. His recent work titled “Through Music” is included as a competition piece in the new NYSSMA Manual. Currently he serves on the board of directors of Buffalo Opera Unlimited.

Harriete Estel Berman (BFA ’74)

Berman recently had an eight-page article and images about her jewelry from recycled materials in Ornament Magazine. (Jewelry from tin cans as social and political commentary.) Look for the 26-foot-long necklace from black plastic as a commentary about plastic in our oceans.

Leslie Bruning (MFA ’72)

Bruning, a sculptor, has been working professionally since his first sculpture commission in 1968. Not only is he continuing to be a creative artist, he also runs a bronze foundry and fabrication studio that produces work for sculptors across the country. He still goes to his studio and works every weekday. “It is still the most fun thing I do,” he says. Visit www.bruningsculpture.com.

David Greenham (BFA ’83)

In January 2021, Greenham was appointed executive director of the Maine Arts Commission. At the time of the appointment, Maine Governor Janet Mills said “David knows how to work with a variety of personalities and how to get things done. He’s a consensus builder. He will lead in a good direction.” The initial appointment was made for “at least two years” by the Commission’s Board and started in March 2021. The Maine Arts Commission is the state agency that is charged with supporting artists, arts organizations, educators, policy makers, and community developers in advancing the arts in Maine.

Taye Diggs (BFA ’93) and Shane W. Evans (BFA ’93)

Diggs and Evans are the writer and illustrator, respectively, of the new children’s book “My Friend!” (Feiwel & Friends), a real and rhythmic look at friendship. Diggs and Evans also teamed up to write and illustrate the children’s books “I Love You More Than….,”  “Mixed Me!,” and “Chocolate Me!”

Wendy Goldstein Tulman (BS ’95)

Ken Rush (BFA ’71)

Rush is showing “Poolside,” a new collection of work, through March 10 at Court Street Collective. Over the decades, Ken has periodically returned to pool imagery, but it took the isolation of last summer for him to embrace the work he had started in 1970.

Evan Weinstein (BFA ’84)

Weinstein had a busy 2020, despite the pandemic. He oversaw hidden camera production for the Quarantine House Segment of the hit movie “Borat Subsequent Movie Film” and was

showrunner for “Disney Holiday Magic Quest,” a celebrity reality competition special airing throughout the month of December on Disney Channel and Disney+ Streaming.

Robin Slavin (BS ’85)

Slavin currently serves as a career counselor at Harvard Graduate School of Design.

Lauren Braun (BFA ’99)

Braun was the featured February artist for Buffalo Obscura’s Record Theatre Window Project in Buffalo, New York. The project makes art accessible to the public during the COVID-19 pandemic while maintaining social distancing guidelines.

Patricia Cain Beyle (BM ’56)

Beyle made her silver screen debut in the short documentary “Show Must Go On!” (SMGO). Pat, Mary Crabill, Karen Cooper, and Jane Hauser are a part of Hot Stuff, a group of 80-year-olds who perform in a comedy variety group. “SMGO” follows them as they prepare for their final performance in their retirement community. Performing in front of sold-out audiences, the ladies embrace life, discover themselves along the way, and encourage others to do the same.

Becki Davis (Bradford) (BS ’69)

Davis has been working in the film industry in New Orleans, appearing in featured roles in “True Detective” with Mahershala Ali (her scene was on the Emmys), AMC’s “Preacher,” TNT’s “Claws,” Hulu’s “Looking for Alaska” and Showtime’s “Your Honor” with Bryan Cranston as well as the films “Rightful,” “Gothic Harvest,” “Abbatoir,” and “Walkway Joe” with Jeffrey Dean Morgan.

Charley Thompson (BFA ’76)

Thompson has worked as a fundraiser in higher education at both the University of Vermont and Northeastern University, where he currently serves as a regional director of advancement. After years of leaving artwork behind, he rediscovered the joy of being behind the lens and took up photography again. He also took up woodworking and music, playing the bass and ukulele. He merged these two passions and now builds ukuleles from scratch. He has been happily married for 26 years to his second wife, LaVerne, and has a wonderful daughter, Ashley.

Lisa Kyler Winkler (BFA ’97)

Winkler has been selected as a board member of the Art Educators of New Jersey (AENJ). She is in her 20th year of teaching art and photography at Collingswood High School in Collingswood, New Jersey. As a board member for AENJ, she co-chairs the Advisory Council, which is responsible for providing professional development opportunities for members. She lives in Audubon, New Jersey, with her husband, Jeremiah Winkler (BM ’97), and their two children.

Kimberly Archer (MM ’00)

Archer is a professor of composition at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville who was selected by the “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band to compose a new fanfare for the Inaugural Prelude that proceeded the swearing-in of President Joseph R. Biden (L’68) on January 20. The work is titled “Fanfare Politeia.”

Eli Hariton (BID ’09)

Hariton will appear as a contestant on HGTV’s “Design Star: Next Gen” premiering February 22. View the trailer.

Jennifer Liebeskind (BFA ’00)

Liebeskind was recently promoted to vice president, film & TV soundtrack marketing for Sony Music Masterworks, which includes Masterworks, Sony Classical, Milan Records, and Masterworks Broadway imprints. Jennifer has adeptly overseen the music label’s soundtracks marketing division working with teams from L.A, New York, London, and Berlin. Boasting more than 85 releases last year, highlights include soundtracks from “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” “The Prom,” “The Crown” season 4, “Da 5 Bloods,” “The Witcher,” “We Are Who We Are,” “Outlander” season 5, and “Euphoria.”

Joanie Leeds (BFA ’00)

Leeds received a 2020 Grammy nomination for Best Children’s Music Album for “All the Ladies,” According to Joanie’s website, the album is “focused on gender equality, female empowerment & breaking glass ceilings” and “produced, recorded, and performed entirely by women.” The Grammy Awards will be presented on March 14.

Steve Woo (BFA ’99)

Woo  has directed and produced numerous films, television, and commercials. Currently he is the head of studio in China for Digital Domain, a world class VFX company founded by James Cameron.