The Art Academy of Cincinnati held its 2011 Commencement Ceremony on May 14, 2011 at 4:00 PM at the Erich Kunzel Center for Arts and Education-School for the Creative and Performing Arts in downtown Cincinnati. Led by a mounted police officer and a Scottish bagpiper the graduates along with the Art Academy President David Johnson, Board of Trustee members, and distinguished guests processed through Over-the-Rhine neighborhood, along 12th  Street and into the auditorium.

This year's Commencement Speaker was nationally noted illustrator and Art Academy Alumnus, Chris Sickels (BFA '96) who is the founder of Red Nose Studio. Chris addressed the graduates from his perspective as an alumnus and professional illustrator. He spoke of his experiences along his career and of the sacrifices to be made by those who are passionate and committed to their art, and remininsced of a specific question he was asked years after graduating from the Art Academy: "Are you still doing the 'ART THING' ?" His answer to the graduates: "What the hell kind of question is that?", confirming his life-long commitment to his art.

The Art Academy also honored Carl Solway by bestowing upon him an honorary Doctorate Degree. Solway, the Cincinnati-based gallery director pioneered the contemporary art movement in Cincinnati by bringing in noted visual artists from New York City and other leading national art scenes. Professor Kim Krause introduced Carl Solway to the graduates and the audience with these words...

The Art Academy awarded its Master of Arts in Art Education to four graduate students and its Bachelor of Fine Arts to 36 undergraduate students
They are as follows:

MASTER OF ARTS in ART EDUCATION
Stacey Marie Gibbons
Kristen Jonne Anderson
Julie Marie Jansen
Richard John Stolt

BACHELOR OF FINE ARTS
Andrea Marie Baker                  Sculpture
Sarah Anne Baker                     Communication Arts Photography
Emily Ann Barrett                       Communication Arts Photography
Dan P. Becker                             Painting
Brooke A. Blankemeyer            Illustration
Tanner John Bowden                Illustration
Sara Ann Cox                              Painting
David Nicholas de Bol              Photography
Lauren Diane Dowrey              Communication Arts Photography
Kristina R. Ehrman                    Illustration
Anthony Robert Elech                Painting
Christopher Douglas Gajus    Visual Communication Design
Kathryne Elizabeth Hains         Visual Communication Design
Evan Lawrence Hand                Communication Arts Photography
Natasha Nicole Hines               Sculpture
Rian Michele Hunter                  Photography
Brittany Lynn Justice                  Photography
Charles Robert Kleiman           Painting
Molly J. Lacy                                 Illustration
Daniel P. Lansdown                   Drawing
Leah Marie Maurmeier              Illustration
Brendon Thomas Miller            Drawing
Jason B. Neyer                           Visual Communication Design
Erin Regina Overmann             Illustration
Matilda Gertrude Paulin            Painting
Hannah M. Penny                       Painting
Alyssa Marie Louderback         Visual Communication Design
Amanda Joy Phirman               Sculpture
Corey Marie Randall                 Visual Communication Design
Tabitha Riethmiller                    Printmaking
Tabatha Marie Rufft                   Visual Communication Design
Kaitlin Carol Rush                    Visual Communication Design
Zachary W. Stubenvoll              Visual Communication Design
Kelly Michelle Tadge                 Photography
Avril Marie Thurman                  Printmaking
Emma Frances Williams         Photography

An After-Graduation reception was held in the Art Academy Student Commons for the graduates, family, faculty and friends.

The Art Academy of Cincinnati congratulates all of this year's graduates and offer best wishes in their future endeavors!