Art Alumni

Syrian artist Nada Azem carried her passion for political art, which formed the foundation of her thesis at Elon, into the M.A. in Arts Politics at NYU. The program, known for its critical and interdisciplinary approach, trains arts activists to foster dialogue between art and the world. After graduating, Nada worked as the Assistant Director of International Enrollment at Savannah College of Art and Design. She is currently the Education Outreach Manager for the College of Design at Georgia Institute of Technology.

Graduating with a BFA in Art and a Minor in Communications, Zoe Becker began her career at MSLGROUP | NYC, where she quickly rose from Design Graduate Fellow to Associate Designer. In this role, Zoe worked with high-profile brands such as P&G, Lilly, Campbell’s, and The Home Depot, delivering top-notch creative solutions in agency PR and advertising. Her responsibilities included pitching strategy, producing high-quality visual assets, and designing for social media, web, visual identity, and presentations. Known for their ability to craft compelling graphics that resonate with clients, Zoe continues to contribute to impactful brand strategies and creative initiatives in the fast-paced world of public relations and advertising.

After receiving her BFA in Art and a BA in Art History, Kiley Brandt went on to earn an MFA at Florida State University, where she merged her interests in Digital Media, Feminism, Phenomenology, and Postmodern studies. In the summer of 2018 she was awarded a prestigious six-week artist residency in Japan. She is currently an Assistant Professor of Art, Digital Art Foundations at Clemson University.

Natalie Brown’s passion for fashion led her to Parsons School of Design, where she graduated with honors in 2020. Shortly after, she founded her sustainable fashion brand, NMB New York. Natalie’s work has garnered attention, with her brand recently featured in Gotham Magazine under “The Coolest Sustainable Fashion Brands.” Additionally, NMB New York has been reviewed by Forbes and Business Insider for its innovative approach to eco-friendly fashion.

Natalie Butler began her career as an eCommerce Web Graphic Designer at Belk Department Stores, where she nurtured her passion for designing for the web. She steadily advanced from Web Designer to Senior Designer, and now serves as Associate Creative Director at Credit Karma, where she leads creative strategy and design for digital user experiences.

Phoebe Carlton was named Best Local Artist by the Elon Community in 2021. After graduating from Elon, Phoebe earned her Master of Fashion Industry Studies with a focus in Fashion Merchandising from Kent State University. She is now the Outreach Director for Early Burdz in New York City.

After graduating with a degree in Art, Ned Dibner’s intricately crafted boxes were featured in a national juried exhibition at the Smithsonian. Today, he applies his design and craftsmanship skills to high-end woodworking projects at Eidolon Designs, a custom furniture and architectural millwork firm based in Raleigh.

Following graduation, BFA Honors Fellow Hannah Fernandez-Martin, studied web development at Georgia Institute of Technology. She is now a software engineer with Liquidware, where she combines her background in art and design with her passion for conscientious, innovative coding.

Israeli-Salvadoran artist, Shelly “Lola” Freund earned her BFA in Painting and Intermedia from Elon University and recently completed her MFA in Studio Art at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts University. Working in painting, printmaking, and mixed media, her practice uses play to explore identity politics and migratory aesthetics. Her work has been featured in group and juried exhibitions such as Party of One and Reminiscence (Boston, MA) and Change is Not a Four-Letter Word (Elon, NC).

A double-major in Art and Strategic Communications, Ingrid Frahm launched her career in the heart of the fashion publishing world—New York City. After graduation, she quickly secured roles at InStyle and Marie Claire, where she honed her skills in editorial design. Her talent and eye for visual storytelling led to a position at Harper’s Bazaar, solidifying her presence in the industry. Today, Ingrid serves as the Digital Art Director for both Allure and Glamour at Condé Nast, where she leads the visual direction for two of the most iconic beauty and lifestyle brands. Her work blends digital innovation with timeless editorial aesthetics, reaching millions of readers across platforms.

Graduating with a double major in Art (BFA) and Arts Administration, Brittany Graham initially deferred her admission to Pratt to join Teach for America in Chicago, beginning her journey as an Early Childhood Education teacher. After earning a Master’s of Science in Early Childhood Education from Dominican University, Brittany transitioned into teaching preschool and now serves as the Pre-K Academic Dean at DREAM Charter School in New York City. In her current role, Brittany integrates creative, arts-driven approaches to early education while overseeing curriculum development and supporting the academic success of her students.

Adrianne Hanson, a Psychology major and Art minor, combined her creative and analytical strengths by enrolling in the M.A. in Advertising program at Savannah College of Art and Design. While at Elon, she designed the much-loved “You Are Here” logo for our department—a lasting mark of her design talent. Today, she works as a Marketing Assistant and Graphic Designer at the Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion, where she brings visual storytelling, brand strategy, and a love of live music together in her professional work.

After earning B.A. degrees in Art and English from Elon, Virginia Kluiters moved to New York City, where she gained industry experience as a creative copywriter and production assistant in the fashion sector. Today, she is a freelance photographer in the NYC area, working with both local and international brands and publications to create dynamic commercial and editorial imagery. Her work has been featured in prominent publications including Paper Magazine, Cosmopolitan Slovenia, Elle Bulgaria, Glamour Bulgaria, L’Officiel Brasil, Grazia USA, and more.

Colby Ann Meagle, a dual major in Art and Arts Administration, went on to earn her law degree from Pepperdine University with a focus on Intellectual Property, Art Law, and Entertainment Law. She now practices as an attorney at The Maloney Firm in California, where she advises clients on copyright, trademark, and licensing matters in the creative industries. In addition to her legal work, Meagle remains closely connected to the arts through teaching, sharing her passion for visual expression with students as an art educator. Her unique career bridges the worlds of creativity and advocacy, reflecting the interdisciplinary foundation she built at Elon.

Charlotte Murphy focused on the intersection of creativity and sustainability during her time at Elon. As a student, she secured a competitive internship with environmental artist Nancy Winship Milliken, assisting with large-scale, site-specific installations that deepened her commitment to eco-conscious artmaking. Charlotte continued working with Milliken as a studio assistant before pursuing her teaching license. Today, she works as a restorative educator for children in grades 3–5 who have experienced social-emotional trauma, integrating visual art into her teaching practice as a powerful tool for healing, regulation, and expression.

After graduating from Elon with a degree in Art, Ali Reder pursued her passion for the healing potential of the arts by enrolling in the Art Therapy master’s program at the renowned School of Visual Arts in New York City. Her thesis, “Strength-Based Art Therapy with Adolescents in Acute Psychiatric Care,” reflected her commitment to working with youth in clinical settings. Ali spent several years as a practicing Art Therapist, supporting clients in both inpatient and outpatient care. Building on that foundation, she went on to pursue a Ph.D. in School Psychology at Fordham University.

After earning her BFA at Elon, Kelsey Reifler completed the Design for Social Innovation program at the School of Visual Arts in New York City. Her early career included roles as a Junior Graphic Designer at Bruce Mau Design, Art Director for Sweet Lemon Magazine, and Graphic Designer for Vogue. She went on to serve as a Creative Director at The Brooklyn Brothers, a global marketing and advertising agency. Today, Kelsey is the founder and creative force behind Reifler Studio, where she leads brand strategy and visual storytelling projects that blend thoughtful design with social impact. Her studio focuses on building brands with heart, offering creative direction, visual identity, and strategy for mission-driven organizations and businesses.

After earning her degree from Elon University, Sarah Riley moved to Washington, D.C. to pursue her passion for ceramics. Her career has spanned diverse roles, including teaching workshops and supervising a ceramics studio in western North Carolina, assisting artists at Haystack Mountain School and Penland School of Crafts, and working as a professional ceramic artist in D.C. Sarah currently teaches Middle and High School Ceramics, Design Learning, and 3D Design at The Field School in D.C. She recently completed her MFA at Hood College, where she further honed her skills as both an artist and educator.

Jillian Shor was accepted into the prestigious Master of Arts in Teaching program at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, where she began her studies this fall.

After graduating, Jeffrey Williamson applied his digital art skills as the Digital Media Manager at the North Carolina Museum of Art. He later transitioned into UX/UI design, working for various companies before ultimately becoming a freelance photographer and content creator based in Raleigh. His work has been featured in notable publications including HipHopNC, Munaluchi Bride, Sheeba Magazine, Tacari Weddings, BlackBride, Southern Noir Weddings, Native Son, Bossip, VoyageATL, BusinessMogul, Walter Magazine, and WRAL News Raleigh, among others.