Stephanie Kendziorski is enrolled in the TMCC Graphic Communications degree program, emphasizing web design.
Reno is Artown announced in late November the winning visual concept chosen from among all entries submitted in its Artown festival 2018 poster contest—the artist selected is Truckee Meadows Community College student, Stephanie Kendziorski.
This talented student illustrator is close to completing her Graphic Communications degree at TMCC with an emphasis in web design. She thought the chances of winning a contest among such a large group of working and professional artists wasn’t entirely possible, but gave it her best and is surprised and happy to have been chosen.
“I spent a lot of time working on the artwork, and yet didn’t think I would win it—the project was like a professional assignment for me and I turned in my work on time,” she said. “I was inspired by the art of Ernst Haeckel, his work has always followed me.”
Kendziorski’s concept will become the official artwork representing Reno’s well-regarded festival, shown throughout the month of July. Artown is the largest and most comprehensive cultural and arts festival in the nation, according to Reno Is Artown. The artist thought about both nature and culture as she conceptualized her contest entry.
“It’s an abstract design composed of thin lines to honor the art of nature, and also to represent the community coming together,” she said.
The panel of judges included Artown board members and regional art advocates. They agreed that Kendziorski’s design reflects nature, elegance, precision, and community.
"A panel of judges reviewed all submissions to select designs that will brand the July festival," said Jennifer Mannix, Artown Marketing Director. "It's a daunting task and for Stephanie to win out of all the entries is amazing."
Kendziorski said that she is hoping her friends can come to Artown and experience the event, perhaps her sister and mom who live out of state and in France might come and learn about it, perhaps making it an occasion to visit Reno. She is very much looking forward to Artown next summer.
Origin of the Artist’s Concept
What factors led to Kendziorski’s winning concept?
She is enrolled in GRC:299 Independent Study, with the topic of web development and web design. Her instructor is Michael Ganschow-Green.
“For my independent study, I needed to pick a local event website to redesign, and I picked Artown because it spoke to me a bit more,” she said.
To redesign a website, quite a bit of content needs to be developed, enough to fill multiple pages.
“I was trying to come up with content and I came across the poster contest, so I thought it would be good practice to enter and also allow me to have content for my portfolio,” Kendziorski said.
She created the concept art using the pen tool in Adobe Illustrator, the industry-standard graphic illustration software.
Graphic Communications Professor Ron Marston is one of Kendziorski’s teachers and mentors.
“I consulted with Ron to get his advice—for any advice to improve the design,” she said. “He said to add some color, and I added yellow, a yellow and white gradient. This gives it an almost metallic feel.”
Along with their artwork, Kendziorski and other contest entrants also submitted a statement supporting their concept. Artists of all levels and experience were eligible to enter, although Artown requires that they reside in the Truckee Meadows region or the following counties:
- Carson City
- Churchill
- Douglas
- Elko
- Eureka
- Humboldt
- Lander
- Lyon
- Pershing
- Storey
- Washoe
- White Pine
Spring and Summer 2018
Kendziorski will also be awarded $3,000 for her concept art and receive 100 posters from Artown that she will be able to use in promoting her work.
Come May, she will graduate from TMCC with her Associate of Applied Science, Graphic Communications, emphasizing web design.
“Following graduation, I plan on looking for a job in my field of study,” she said. “I would love to work as a web developer and graphic designer in Reno. School has been my priority for the past four years, now that it is coming to an end, I look forward to beginning a career.”
For more information about studying Graphic Communications (GRC) at TMCC, please call 775-673-7291.