Your Art Matters

Alison Lusardi is a jewelry maker and ceramist, turned entrepreneur. Always needing to create with her hands, she shifted her artistic materials from metal and clay to becoming a South Jersey Pastry Artist, where her bakery has won multiple awards for outstanding pastries. Her artwork was initially inspired by nature and the intricacies of branch patterns. Today, she has reflected that inspiration onto her cakes, incorporating nature and florals into her designs. Her business, Chloe’s Creme Puffs, is located in Pitman, NJ, only fives minutes away from where her passion for art began at her Alma Mater, Rowan University. To connect and learn more about Alison, visit https://yourartmatterspodcast.com/episodes/alisonlusardi/

Margo Hurst is a freelance illustrator and graphic designer. Her work reflects her daily life, and this visual diary has materialized in forms of pins, t-shirts, prints, and more. She completed her bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design Communication at Philadelphia University in 2013, and currently lives in the Fishtown neighborhood of Philadelphia. When she isn't on the clock, Margo enjoys getting out and meeting like-minded individuals by showing and curating artwork, as well as vending in local markets. To connect and learn more about Margo, visit https://yourartmatterspodcast.com/episodes/margohurst/

David Roberts is a digital artist with a BFA focused on Illustration and Graphic Design. After his time at Rowan University, he was first recruited by a production company as one of their concept artists which specialized seasonal interior design. Afterwards, he went on to work for a short time in video editing, until hired as a full time graphic artist creating for clients all around Manhattan and New Jersey, some of which included the Yelp, Spotify, and the Buzzfeed. He currently works for the world’s largest cigar store as one of their primary digital designers working on an app for iOS and Android along with their flagship auction site and primarily heading up the brand identity for Cigars.com. To connect and learn more about David, visit https://yourartmatterspodcast.com/episodes/davidroberts/

Justin Visentin is a designer based in the Greater New Jersey area with a passion for humor, games, and conversation. Justin recently graduated from Rowan University with a BFA in Studio Art with a Concentration in Graphic Design, where he enjoyed working with his classmates and friends on various creative projects. There he served on the executive boards of both The Gallery Publication (President/Art Director) and The Rowan Arts Collective (Visual Media Director). To connect and learn more about Justin, visit https://yourartmatterspodcast.com/episodes/justinvisentin/

Steve DeCusatis is a graphic designer specializing in logos, identities, and overall branding projects. Steve graduated from Tyler School of Art, Temple University in 2002 with a BFA in Graphic & Interactive Design and an Art History Minor. After working in both design and agency settings, he started his own self-titled design studio in 2011 working as an independent art director, designer and educator. He collaborates with clients large and small creating innovative brand work, and is a design instructor at Tyler School of Art, Philadelphia University, and Rowan University. Outside of the studio and classroom, Steve can be found hosting design lectures, Tweeting about design topics, Instagramming various doodles and found ephemera, and participating in various portfolio reviews and exhibitions… All in the free time he has outside of walking his dog. To connect and learn more about Steve, visit https://yourartmatterspodcast.com/episodes/stevedecusatis/

Trish Brown is a designer, art director, and sometime educator. She is an emotional designer, which is represented in her work. Typography plays a significant role in her solutions. Interaction with students, staff and clients is as rewarding to her as the design process. she believes learning about and solving problems is the designer's challenge. As technology has evolved, new and exciting opportunities have found their way into Trish's work. To connect and learn more about Trish, visit https://yourartmatterspodcast.com/episodes/trishbrown/

Though a graphic designer by trade, Charlie has also been trained in photo and video editing, as well as web design and coding. Holding many interests in the digital creative arts, he's dabbled in video game programming, pod-casting, live streaming, music production, and 3D-modeling. Inspired by the fun and games of his past, the interactive mediums of today, and the technological possibilities of tomorrow, Charlie strives to find new and interesting ways to blend his different skills into projects that push connectivity of observer and art. To connect and learn more about Charlie, visit https://yourartmatterspodcast.com/episodes/charliedcastilla/

Jenn Consoli is an artist, printmaker, and illustrator whose work reflects a fascination with the seduction and aesthetic of food, especially dessert. Her work is highly influenced by repetitive pattern, colors found in pastries and baking, and religious works of art history. Most recently, she has begun work on her printed goods brand, Pedal Pusher Press. To connect and learn more about Jenn, visit https://yourartmatterspodcast.com/episodes/jennconsoli/

After graduating Rowan University with a degree in Art Education, and her certification of Teacher of Students with Disabilities, Stephanie pictured herself teaching elementary art. However, life had other plans and she is currently a 6th grade Inclusion Special Education teacher at a wonderful middle school, feeling as if this is what she was always meant to do. Her degree in art education has been an instrumental tool in shaping her philosophy of teaching. Learning is an art form and every student’s unique abilities, create the framework of how they interpret and understand what they are being taught. Her background in art has provided her with the ability to embrace creativity and better understand different perspectives. To learn more about Steph, visit https://yourartmatterspodcast.com/episodes/stephanierenee/

Emma Abad is a mixed media artist and New Jersey native. In her work, she hopes to create imagery that provokes ideas of unsure reality. She is forever influenced by narrative art. Creative stories without explanations or consequences that build self-discovery and awareness is an ever-growing process for her. When she is not making arty things, she enjoys Harry Potter and eating cheese. To connect and learn more about Emma, visit https://yourartmatterspodcast.com/episodes/emmaabad/