MARKESSINIS, DIANA - 2017 - Laserfiche WebLink

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CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, FULLERTON .._............................ College of the Arts Visual Arts BOON. Stan College Blvd., Fullerton, CA 92831 l '1-657-278-3£71 / F 657.278-2390 April 30, 2017 TO: Santa Ana Arts and Culture Commission FROM: Jim Jenkins, Professor of Art/Sculpture, cog RE: Letter of Recommendation for Diana Markessinis This Letter of Recommendation is written in support of the grant application for Ms. Diana Markessinis. I first served as the chair of her committee during her graduate studies at California State University, Fullerton. I am now in the position of senior faculty to her as she is currently teaching two classes for us at CSUF. Because of our past and current relationship I can confidently attest to her abilities and character. Ms. Markessinis is it most deserving candidate. She is hard working and very responsible. This was evidenced by her impressive track record as both an instructor and a professional exhibiting artist. Not surprisingly both roles require very similar skill sets. Whether an instructor or an artist both positions require one to be organized, to have an good historical knowledge of their field, to possess the technical background to utilize and demonstrate a variety of materials and techniques and finally, to have good communication skills. Ms. Markessinis has capably demonstrated all of these assets. At CSUF, she is currently teaching a lower division core class in Three -Dimensional Design, along with an upper division course in Sculpture. While the Three -Dimensional Design course covers the rudiments of creating works in the round utilizing simple techniques, the Sculpture course ramps up the challenge to students as they learn far more permanent methods of constructing works. In particular, Ms. Markessinis has focused on metalworking and the various aspects of fabrication and welding, which also happens to be her forte. Artistically, she has remained active in the years since completing her MFA. This is evidenced most recently by a massive collaborative project at the Grand Central Art Center this past winter entitled "Pulling the Forest Along the Road". For the exhibition, Ms. Markessinis worked with the HOPE Center for the Arts to create a "forest" of welded steel and mixed media trees that filled the entirety of the GCAC's Main Gallery. While this project was just the most recent among an impressive resume of other exhibitions and commissioned work it does reinforce her organizational skills, along with her commitment to working with the community. Given the impetus behind the Santa Ana Arts and Culture Commission Artist Grants Program and its goal to heighten the awareness of the arts throughout the City of Santa Ana I feel that Ms. Diana Markessinis has proven she would be an excellent candidate for such a grant and I highly recommend her consideration. THE. CA LI FOR IA STATE UNIVERSITY Snkers60,1l Ch nnul Inland,/Chime,/Dmnl pvu ..Bilk/ Hacr Ray I rnemo I F"Ilrnnn/numb„Id, Lo,,g Ouch I L, Angela. I Maddme Acvdemy M,, mroy By 1 Norrh6dge / PI San Oem:rtdino / S;m Dicgo / Smn Ikancirco / Sui lost / Smi L"l, Obbro / Sun Nl,r,w /5.n ..ma I Sunialmn