:: AIB Faculty

The talented artist/educators who make up the faculty at AIB enjoy successful, ongoing careers as professional artists. They understand what it takes ­ artistically and professionally ­ to become an artist. We take great pride in the professionalism, availability, and knowledge of our faculty and staff.

AIB Faculty Biographies

Angelo Fertitta

"Why am I proud to be a part of AIB? Because there's an exceptional level of teaching at AIB, and an unwavering commitment to quality. The close attention that the students get, combined with high standards for our curriculum and our students, really puts AIB in a class of its own. Our recent merger with Lesley University has allowed us to provide a greatly expanded array of resources and options for our students. Now students can focus on their primary concentration while also cross-registering for classes in disciplines that interest them. This affords them more flexibility and also the opportunity to broaden their world view. It's all connected ­ we help you make those connections."

Christopher James

Christopher James is an internationally known artist and photographer whose paintings and alternative process images have been exhibited in galleries and museums in this country and abroad. His work has been published and shown extensively, including shows in The Museum of Modern Art, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Eastman House and the Witkin Gallery. In summer 2001, Delmar Publishers (Albany, NY) printed his 20-years-in-the-making book, "The Book of Alternative Photographic Processes." Mr. James, after 13 years at Harvard University, is currently Professor and Chair of Photography at the AIB. Christopher is also a working graphic designer and a professional scuba diver.

"I find that creation is the quintessential value that AIB encourages. New ideas aren't subject to the politics and committees that one may find at larger schools. Instead, they are embraced by the community and explored as options instead of impediments to the learning process. I never feel like I'm going to work, instead, I'm going to experience. The work that I produce is an expression of who I am, but teaching at AIB is what I love. My colleagues also share this outlook --­ they are superior artists, but they also have an obvious love of teaching. This enthusiasm comes through in the encouragement that instructors provide for their students. It is such a nourishing environment, one in which the independent spirit is embraced, and allowed to grow and thrive. It's all about personal evolution, creative response, and intuition. These are the tools that all good artists use, and it's these elements of thinking that are developed at AIB."

Mark Steele

Born in New York City and raised in Denver, Mark Steele received a fine arts degree from Boston University and began a career as a political cartoonist. For years, Steele has worked in his Boston studio, creating commissioned artwork as well as his own personal drawings paintings and sculpture. Steele is currently working on a show of these original works, to be announced in 2001.

His most recent clients include the Dali Restaurant in Somerville, Mass. where he created a large three-dimensional painting. Numerous major publications constantly display his vibrant illustrations. A massive 20 piece sculpture commission for the Paris Hotelier Accor, was a tremendous showcase in their annual report. Steele also exhibited the entire sculpture series in two special shows on the Bois de Boulogne and Champs-Elysés. . Steele has held on to the tradition of draftsmanship and creativity that are the hallmarks of some of his favorite artists who include: Daumier, Rembrandt, Toulouse-Lautrec, Van Gogh, Rodin and Thomas Rowlandson. He is currently a part-time faculty member of AIB's illustration department.

"For me, the rigorous emphasis on the development of a professional portfolio and real-life working skills really sets AIB apart. All the instructors at AIB take the student work into consideration in a professional real-world context. From freshman year on, strengths are built upon and weaknesses are examined to lay a solid professional groundwork for each student. The atmosphere that AIB provides, in terms of an intimate learning environment and attentive faculty, allows this crucial work to take place in each student's development. By the time they depart AIB, they've got a solid working portfolio in hand and a real grasp on what it takes artistically and interpersonally to succeed. Our facilities also help speed along this process by providing up-to-date tools for students to experiment with. The next technology is always just around the corner, so, in my field in particular, it's imperative that there is access to technologies that help shape the artist's vision."

Jane Tuckerman

"I've been teaching in the Photography department for 12 years. One of the factors that makes our program so successful is that faculty members are very accessible not only to students, but to one another. There's a lot of cooperation among faculty, a lot of support and free exchange of ideas. This enhances our ability to provide a quality education for the students.

At the same time, as with any art school, the students who want to get the most out of their education will do what it takes to accomplish their goals. We support students by introducing them to people we know in the field and helping them attain internships. We also look at our students' work from the perspective of how it would play in the real world ­ helping them not only refine their art, but also to define how it will enable them to make a living. Because my students respect me as a professional, they're very open to my input. I have good relationships with my students and my fellow teachers, and I can't imagine a better environment for developing one's talents."