Archives

John Michael Byrd is primarily a painter, but has also works in drawing, video, objects, performance and printmaking. He holds an MFA in Studio Arts from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst and is also an alumnus of Louisiana State University with a BFA in Painting and Drawing. John Michael has had eight solo shows in Massachusetts, Oregon and Louisiana. His work has been highlighted in over fifty regional and national exhibitions. He has also been written about in The Oxford American Magazine, Kolaj Magazine, The Tulane Review, DIALOGIST, Fresh Paint Magazine, Together Underground, 21st Century Queer Artists Identify Themselves, Art Business News, 225 Magazine, The J.O.S.H., and The Ivory Tower Magazine. He has been awarded several grants and scholarships including the J. Kenneth Edmiston Memorial Scholarship and the Carl M. Thorp Memorial Art Scholarship. John Michael currently works at the School of Visual Arts in New York City and is currently completing a book of prose inspired by his collages.

Andrew J. Saluti is an Assistant Professor of Museum Studies in the School of Design, College of Visual and Performing Arts at Syracuse University. Before joining the faculty of the School of Design, Saluti was the Chief Curator of Exhibitions, Programs and Education for the Special Collections Research Center at Syracuse University Libraries, the Assistant Director of the SUArt Galleries at Syracuse University, and an instructor and gallery technician at Louisiana State University’s College of Art and Design.

Saluti earned his Master of Arts in Museum Studies from Syracuse University in 2009, and his Master of Fine Arts from Louisiana State University in 2002.

David attended LSU from August 1992 through December 1996, earning a Bachelor in Fine Arts specializing in Graphic Design. During his studies he also participated in a variety of extra curricular activities including intramural sports with the Residential Housing Authority and Student Government Association roles including School of Art Representative. After graduation David immediately received a position as Graphic Designer with an advertising agency in Hammond, Louisiana handling creative work for dozens of clients. He transferred from this position to one of Art Director with an agency in Covington, Louisiana, at one time managing three junior designers. In 2002 he and his brother bought out that agency and changed the primary focus to Internet services. After Hurricane Katrina severely impacted business operations and that of their clients, David transitioned into a Marketing Director post at a building automation manufacturer in New Orleans where he piloted design of online and print materials as well as expanding into trade show productions and even industrial design projects including electronics interfaces and enclosures. A new opportunity with a home automation manufacturer allowed for further expansion into GUI designs and large-scale print production as the chief in-house Graphic Design Coordinator. Seeking to return to work closer to home, David accepted an opportunity at the local Nissan and Hyundai dealership network in Covington in 2014, bringing his expansive business and design experience to the direct retail market.

Justin Gloston worked hard for his BFA with a focus in studio art/painting from the LSU School of Art in 2004. After graduating at LSU he went on to earn his AA in fashion design in Atlanta. With an internship turning into a full-time job, he then moved to Los Angeles where he has worked with several fashion companies specializing in the design and development of handbags and small leather goods. His main influences and inspirations come from his background in art and he infuses these art and painting references into the collections he designs.

In 2015, he established JG Design Creative, a design studio where he works with fashion companies and retailers in both Los Angeles and New York in providing them design direction for their accessory collections as well as branding and marketing direction. In his spare time, Justin continues to hone his painting and illustration skills and evolve his personal artistic style.

Kirk Theriot, principal of 2121 Design, Brand & Digital Marketing, received his BFA in graphic design from LSU in 1985. Since 1991, 2121 Design has created branding, advertising, and marketing solutions for clients who are serious about growth. 2121 Design knows how important it is to create an original style that expresses the brand DNA of an organization. Each touch point works hand-in-hand to establish the right image, gain market share, and add value. Each solution 2121 Design invents expresses the personality, concepts, and values of the client organization.

Kirk’s Portfolio