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HIGH SCHOOL OF ART & DESIGN'S
PREMIER POP CULTURE EVENT
April 25-26, 2026
PORTFOLIO WORKSHOPS
Planning for the 2026 Portfolio Workshop is underway.
Check back for updates.
Professionals in the art and design field will discuss how they review portfolios and provide ‘First Look’ feedback on a select group of student work. All students and professionals are welcome to attend.
Saturday Workshops
April 6, 2024
Meet our guest panels. Click on a photo to read a short bio about each professional’s career.
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Comics Artist & Writer
Ryan Dunlavey (he/him) is the artist and co-author of multiple graphic novels and comic books, including Action Philosophers, Action Presidents, The Comic Book History of Animation, The Comic Book History of Comics and Action Activists - all co-created with his frequent collaborator, writer Fred Van Lente. Ryan's other comics include Dirt Candy: A Cookbook with chef Amanda Cohen, The Illustrated Al with "Weird" Al Yankovic, M.O.D.O.K. for Marvel Comics (which he also wrote) and comics for Dark Horse, Dynamite, IDW, Image, Webtoon and Z2. Ryan's artwork has been published by HarperCollins, Penguin, Scholastic, Taschen, Random House and MAD magazine and has applied his talents to editorial illustration, apparel graphics, educational software development, game design and film and television productions. His diverse clientele list includes Disney, Warner Bros, Hasbro, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon, The WWE and his mom.
Creative Director
Joann Hill has art directed illustrators and designed children’s books for Random House, Clarion Books, and now Disney Hyperion, where she is the Creative Director. Disney Hyperion publishes a wide range of books for children, and Joann enjoys discovering new talent, encouraging artists to do their best work, and mentoring the designers on her staff. She has a history of collaborating on award-winning and best-selling books and has been fortunate to work with such amazing illustrators as Victo Ngai, John Rocco, Marla Frazee, Dan Santat, Matthew Cordell, LeUyen Pham, David Wiesner, and Lorena Alvarez Gómez. She has also been a regular speaker at trade organizations such as SCBWI, at middle and high schools, and at universities such as Parsons School of Design, MICA, and SCAD.
Comics Writer and Editor
Joseph is the writer of the newly-announced HARRIET TUBMAN middle-grade graphic novel for Harper Collins, co-author of the JUDGE KIM AND THE KIDS COURT series of children’s graphic novels from Simon and Schuster, and the MPLS SOUND historical fiction graphic novel about Prince and 80s music, published by Humanoids. Joseph’s next project is THE WINTERFIELDS, a crime noir following a father and son during the Harlem Renaissance featured in FairSquare Comics’ NOIR IS THE NEW BLACK: EXPANDED EDITION and continuing in the full-length graphic novel in 2025.
Joseph started his editorial career at influential comic book publisher Milestone Media, known for creating the teenage superhero “Static Shock” and many other iconic comic book characters of color. Joseph spoke about his experience at Milestone in the HBO Max documentary MILESTONE GENERATIONS. At DC Comics, he had a groundbreaking editorial run on the BATMAN line of comic books as the franchise’s first editor of color, ranging from titles including BATMAN: THE HILL, BIRDS OF PREY, and the Cassandra Cain BATGIRL series. Joseph is now an editor for creators and private clients.
Joseph started his editorial career at influential comic book publisher Milestone Media, known for creating the teenage superhero “Static Shock” and many other iconic comic book characters of color. Joseph spoke about his experience at Milestone in the HBO Max documentary MILESTONE GENERATIONS. At DC Comics, he had a groundbreaking editorial run on the BATMAN line of comic books as the franchise’s first editor of color, ranging from titles including BATMAN: THE HILL, BIRDS OF PREY, and the Cassandra Cain BATGIRL series. Joseph is now an editor for creators and private clients.
Comics Creator
Fabrice Sapolsky is a versatile creator who writes, draws, designs, edits, and publishes. He released five creator-owned graphic novels in the last five years including the fan favorites Intertwined, One-Hit Wonder, and Lady-Bird through his inclusive publishing company FairSquare Comics. He’s also known to general audiences as the co-creator/co-writer of Spider-Man Noir for Marvel Comics (with David Hine) and has freelanced/worked for many companies such as Heavy Metal, DC Comics, Soleil, Humanoids or Ablaze.
In 2023, Fabrice partnered with the Center for Jewish History to create JewCE, the Jewish Comics Experience, the only Jewish themed comic book convention in the world.
Originally from France, Fabrice moved to the United States in 2015 and now lives in New York.
In 2023, Fabrice partnered with the Center for Jewish History to create JewCE, the Jewish Comics Experience, the only Jewish themed comic book convention in the world.
Originally from France, Fabrice moved to the United States in 2015 and now lives in New York.
3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
VFX Creative
Paris Hall is a CG Generalist and Technical Director with over 15 years of experience in the CG Industry. He has led departments, directed projects and developed tools for the Film, TV, Commercial and Interactive sectors. You've seen his work as a Lighting and Rigging TD on notable projects for Volkswagen, Google, xfinity, Delta, Mercedes, Netflix and 20th Century Fox. In 2022, he joined the Art and Illustration faculty at Montclair State University, as well as the board of the Visual Effects Society NY Section. These two passions continue to be a great source of inspiration and pride.
Senior VFX Compositor
Jose is a Senior Compositor, Supervisor, and a Certified Nuke Trainer with 15+ years specializing in compositing for film, television, and commercial projects. He's enjoyed working for and learning from studios like Industrial Light & Magic, MPC, and Chicken Bone FX on projects like Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, The Book of Boba Fett, and Neil Gaiman's Good Omens. Jose is a Marine Corps Veteran and now proudly serves as Board Chairman of the Visual Effects Society New York.
Comic Artist / Educator
A graduate of the iconic Kubert School, Anthony Marques began his career working as an editor for publishers such as DC Comics and Dynamite Entertainment. He has brought new and exciting visions to life as an artist for beloved characters such as Batman, Green Hornet, and Ghostbusters. Formerly an instructor at the Kubert School, he is now its president.
Comics Author, Editor, & Illustrator
Carl Potts was formerly Executive Editor of Marvel Comics and is the author and artist of many Marvel titles, including Punisher War Journal and authoring Venom, Prowler, Spellbinder, and Shadowmasters. His Alien Legion series is now in development at Warner Bros. to become a feature film. A mentor to many top creators in the field, and the author of The DC Comics Guide to Creating Comics: Inside the Art of Visual Storytelling, Carl currently teaches at the School of Visual Arts in NYC.
Comic Book Artist
Wilson Ramos is an award-winning freelance comic book artist and production designer who has worked in the industry for 30 years. Wilson currently works with Papercutz, Section 8 Comics, Apex Comics group, and more.
Illustrator / Graphic Artist
Titus V. Thomas is a commercial artist from NYC. He has worked for critically acclaimed shows such as Nickelodeon Jr's The Little Bill Show, Dora the Explorer and Backyardigans. He also served as a Senior graphic designer for NBA Entertainment, Atlantic Studios, The New York City Police Department and as the Creative Projects Director for American Christmas, Inc., a visual display company that has created some of the most visually famous holiday displays in NYC since 1968.
Titus is also an award winning children's book designer for the books entitled Everybody Eats Lunch written by Cricket Azima, Stick and Move written by U. Knuckles and 3D Art by Andre Jones, Where Does the Iguana Sleep written by Bill and Shannon Moylan, Bronx Children's Museum's The Lowdown on the HighBridge written by actress Sonia Manzano (Maria on Sesame Street) and illustrated by Noelle Gibbons and the graphic novel DMC created by Run DMC's Darryl McDaniels.
Titus is also an award winning children's book designer for the books entitled Everybody Eats Lunch written by Cricket Azima, Stick and Move written by U. Knuckles and 3D Art by Andre Jones, Where Does the Iguana Sleep written by Bill and Shannon Moylan, Bronx Children's Museum's The Lowdown on the HighBridge written by actress Sonia Manzano (Maria on Sesame Street) and illustrated by Noelle Gibbons and the graphic novel DMC created by Run DMC's Darryl McDaniels.
Sunday Workshops
April 7, 2024
Meet our guest panels. Click on a photo to read a short bio about each professional’s career.
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Part-time Assistant Professor
Yoon Chang is a part time instructor in the BFA Fashion Design program at Parsons the New School for Design since 2012. She holds a BFA degree from Parsons and also studied abroad at Parsons in Paris and Winchester School of Art in England. Yoon is passionate about helping students develop their individual design perspective through highly personal investigative techniques and methodologies.Upon graduation, Yoon worked at Cynthia Steffe for 13 years with 6 of those with the title of Design Director; overseeing a staff designing and developing the style, image, tone and story of each season from sketches to fabrication. In 2007 she launched her own contemporary women’s wear label Whistle & Flute with Je-Won Hwang. During the 5 years she ran Whistle & Flute she was awarded Winner of the GENART International Design Vision award for Women's Ready to Wear; she was a Finalist of the Fashion Group International Rising Star Women's Ready to Wear award and was a Finalist of the prestigious Samsung Fashion & Design Fund Award. Her work has been featured in Womens Wear Daily, Nylon, Nylon Korea, T Magazine (NYTimes), Elle, Lucky, Harper's Bazaar Korea and online fashion and news publications. Aside from teaching at Parsons and Pratt Institute, Yoon continues to be an advocate for young people and art and is on the governing board of Foster Pride, an organization that mentors children and teens in the foster care system through art.
Part-time Assistant Professor
Born and raised in Zurich/Switzerland.Education in Tailoring (Schule fur Mode and Gestaltung, Zurich) and BFA in Fashion Design (FIT, New York). Accessory Designer at DKNY. Sportswear Designer at Calvin Klein/CK Jeans.Ready-to-Wear Designer for Jamei Chen, Taiwan.Launch of ready-to-wear label Markus Huemer: Unit.Consulting Designer for Shelly Steffee, New York. Faculty at Parsons The New School for Design (Fashion Techniques, Couture, Construction 3, Fashion Industry Design, Fashion Portfolio).
Fashion Illustrator & Live Event Artist
Deanna Kei is a Fashion Illustrator and Live Event Artist / Fashion Designer from New York. She works with brands to create custom storytelling pieces, and performs live fashion sketches at events. Her clients include Gucci, Sephora, Givenchy, Bergdorf Goodman, Bloomingdales, Nordstrom, Boss, Alice + Olivia, and Saks 5th Avenue.
Architect
Dominic Kozerski Graduated from the Bartlett School of Architecture in London with his undergraduate degree in Architecture and then completed the masters program at both the Bartlett and The Cooper Union in New York City; having won the annual International Guest student scholarship from the Cooper Union. In between his studies he worked in Barcelona and London for architecture firms of various sizes and specialties. He co-founded Bonetti Kozerski Architecture in 2000 with Italian Architect Enrico Bonetti and their aim was to work in multiple disciplines of Architecture and Design. Their 25 person firm has completed and continues to execute both Architecture and Interior Architecture projects including art galleries, hotels, houses, multi-family residential buildings, offices and yachts.Their office is now based in Manhattan’s Chinatown area after being in Soho for 23 years.
3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Director & Producer
Abe Audish is a director and producer, known for Bugs Bunny Builders, We Bare Bears, Rise of the TMNT and many other of your favorite kid shows.
Landscape Architect
Adrian Hayes is a registered landscape architect with over 15 years of experience in both the public and private sector. Currently a designer at NYC Parks, Adrian’s work has helped bring vibrant new public spaces to the neighborhoods of Queens, NY. During his time in the profession, Adrian has had the opportunity to work on projects and competitions in a wide range of scales and locations—from regional to compact, international to local. When not designing outdoor spaces, Adrian can be found out experiencing and absorbing them, often with his wife Farah and three sons Julian, Rio, and Joaquin (who are all excellent park-testers). He is also a presence in his sons’ Boy Scout troop, a volunteer coordinator in his local community garden (Project Eden), and a singer/songwriter/guitarist in the band Lone Empire.
Creative Director, Fashion
Rob Norman, a proud graduate of the High School of Art & Design, stands as the visionary founder and creative director behind Planet Brooklyn Academy Clothing Co., a dynamic streetwear brand and boutique deeply entrenched in the rich cultural tapestry of Brooklyn. Hailing from the borough himself, Norman's early realization of the absence of a brand representing Brooklyn on a national or global stage sparked his entrepreneurial journey. Fueled by a passion for his community and armed with a background in graphic design, Norman embarked on a mission to become the quintessential brand ambassador Brooklyn deserved, giving rise to a label that seamlessly blends urban authenticity with global appeal. With a diverse portfolio spanning graphic design and fashion, Norman brings a wealth of experience to his role.
As a versatile creative, he has helped to shape the visual identities of esteemed entities such as ABC TV and Timberland and designed for iconic fashion brands like Nautica and Sean John. Beyond his entrepreneurial endeavors, Norman shares his expertise as an adjunct professor at the Fashion Institute of Technology, where he teaches the next generation of fashion luminaries about product development. He also teaches the same course at an affiliated college program in China.
As a versatile creative, he has helped to shape the visual identities of esteemed entities such as ABC TV and Timberland and designed for iconic fashion brands like Nautica and Sean John. Beyond his entrepreneurial endeavors, Norman shares his expertise as an adjunct professor at the Fashion Institute of Technology, where he teaches the next generation of fashion luminaries about product development. He also teaches the same course at an affiliated college program in China.
Open to the general public and all students of the High School of Art & Design.
Workshops are included with your FanfaireNYC admission ticket.
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