In 1968, SVA’s Milton Glaser designed a lovely Christmas poster for film production company Savage Friedman, featuring one of his trademark inkblot figures, this time a Santa, in a colorful snowstorm (via Print). Here’s your monthly scoop on all things happening at the College in December as we wrap up the semester. SVA’s administrative offices will be closed from December 21 through January 1, 2024. Enjoy a well-deserved Winter Break!

Congratulations on your new position as regional manager of the SVA Seoul Office! Tell us a little about your history with SVA and your current role.

After graduating from MFA Fine Arts in 2012, an experience that still profoundly influences my art practice, I returned to SVA in November 2014 to work at the SVA Seoul Office as a regional coordinator and was actively involved in Korean operations related to recruitment and alumni engagement. In July 2023, the Seoul Office officially became part of the International Outreach team operation, putting more emphasis on engaging with students while setting up the local branding.

The SVA Seoul Office’s social media activity has increased since your recent appointment to regional manager—can you tell us a little more about that?

Like all social media users, the primary objective is maximizing SVA’s branding and exposure. However, my focus is more toward understanding what makes the applicants tick. By posting a variety of content, such as alumni updates, Q&As and student highlights, my aim is to generate a conversation, especially around news about Korean graduates that local students can identify with more. Moreover, the insights and industry knowledge gained from others’ experiences are invaluable in advising applicants throughout the cyclical process of student engagement.

Are there any other plans or projects in the works for SVA’s Seoul Office and its gallery?

Currently, we are in the brainstorming phase. The Mentors program approach from BFA Photography and Video is particularly intriguing and is one of many ideas we’re considering. We are investigating how to adapt this program locally and involve our graduates more effectively. Ultimately, we’re considering how our graduates can contribute to, and make an impact on, the Korean art and design industry.

Anything else you would like to add?

I want to express my sincere thanks to all the International Outreach team members, including our director, Adam Rogers, for their support during this transition. Sharing knowledge and experiences with such teammates has been a valuable experience. Their expertise and insights from various regions have enhanced my understanding of our common purpose. I am eager to contribute toward our collective goals. I’m excited about the future and the many opportunities that lie ahead for our students, our team and the broader SVA community.

Have guests coming to town? Bring them to the museum! SVA faculty and staff can check out corporate membership passes to the Museum of Modern Art and the Whitney Museum of American Art from the SVA Library. The passes offer enhanced benefits, including free admission and expedited entry to the museums for the cardholder and additional guests, as well as discounts at the museum shops and at select cafes in the museums. They can be checked out from the circulation desk for one week at a time and are available at the main library (380 Second Avenue, 2nd floor); to check them out from SVA Library West (133/141 West 21st Street, lower level), please contact library staff here in advance.

Get ready for some rascality and buffoonery! SVA’s Board of Directors invites you to our Annual Holiday Party, this year with the theme of Pranks and Practical Jokes. Bring your X-Ray specs and join us on Friday, December 15, at Guastavino’s, 409 E. 59th Street. RSVP here.

SVA welcomes students, faculty and staff to its gallery spaces for these exhibitions this month.

• “Artist’s Journal: Letterpressed,” through Friday, December 1. SVA Flatiron Project Space.
• “Wilde Mind,” through Saturday, December 9. SVA Chelsea Gallery.
• “Living Heritage,” through Sunday, December 31. Online and at Cloître Saint-Paul de Mausole, Saint-Rémy de Provence, France.
• “The Book Show,” December 6 – January 13. SVA Gramercy Gallery.
• “Designing Re-Entry: Transforming Spaces for a Fresh Start,” December 6 – January 13. SVA Flatiron Gallery.

Comings:

• Natalie Preiss, print production assistant, Digital Imaging Center
• Ryan Ferreira, security officer, Security Services
• Kaly Scheller-Barrett, director of operations, MPS Fashion Photography
• Kristy Montono, maintenance tech, Facilities
• Angelina Ding, director of operations, MFA Visual Narrative
• John Nyman, maintenance tech, Facilities
• Jhonn Henriquez, systems administrator, MFA Design for Social Innovation
• Jacob Gardener, coordinator, Health & Counseling Services, Student Affairs
• Jim Ludlow, exhibitions and maintenance coordinator, BFA Photography & Video

Goings:

• Rebecca Amoah, therapist, Student Affairs
• Lucea Spinelli, director of operations, MFA Visual Narrative
• Raymar Mitchell, manager, Mail Processing/Office Services
• Mariel Guzman, payroll manager, Human Resources
• Alessandro Luparello, maintenance technician, Facilities
• Christian Benitez, security officer, Security Services
• Dominique Elijah Council, assistant studio manager, BFA Photography and Video

LinkedIn Learning’s online classes and tutorials provide opportunities to brush up on your old skills and explore entirely new ones.

How to Speak So People Want to Listen

In this audio-only course from How to Be Awesome at Your Job, international speaker Julian Treasure shares tactics and techniques that improve how you communicate.

Exploring a Career in User Experience Design

UX expert Cory Lebson breaks down the various subfields of user experience that form the trifecta of design, research, and strategy so you can understand the variety of available jobs to find a role that aligns with your strengths.

Artificial Intelligence for Marketing

In this action-packed course from instructor Jim Sterne, learn how AI is reshaping marketing and how you can take advantage of new and innovative tools. Discover how AI works and how it can be used.

Great job this semester, everyone! It’s About You (2023). A great affirmation series to take us into the new year by BFA Design student Mary Kim on SVA Portfolios.