Visual Arts Archives | �鶹ԭ�� News

High School Students Level Up Knowledge of Gaming Careers at �鶹ԭ��’s Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy

Emily Dougherty — Mon, 09 Jun 2025 14:55:30 +0000

This past month, the (FIEA) welcomed the KB Foundation and 28 young people in its Philadelphia-based mentorship programs for a tour of FIEA facilities, offering a glimpse into the degrees available and potential future careers in the gaming industry. Students also had an opportunity to visit �鶹ԭ��’s main campus, �鶹ԭ�� Downtown, Creative Village and Electronic Arts.

Since 2017, the KB Foundation has supported Philadelphia’s youth through educational experiences and mentorship. This immersive Orlando trip combined two of the organization’s programs to advance learning for its KB Foundation mentees, including youth from 20 high schools who have participated in college prep or lunch and learn programs since middle school. Founder and CEO Kirk Berry says that he wants the students who participate in the program to learn about careers through immersive experiences and make the right choices for their future.

“At the KB Foundation Inc., our approach to career exploration activities is about exposing our youth to what it is like for a day in the life of any given career,” Berry says. “Hearing about a career is one way to learn, but spending time doing a small part of the career is a more impactful way to learn about it.”

College Possible, an organization working to broaden educational opportunities for youths, also attended this exploratory Orlando field trip for KB Foundation mentees.

Tyler Cholminski, a high school junior and mentee, says the KB Foundation and College Possible programs are helping him prepare for his future.

“I just started with the program a month ago,” Cholminski says. “They have already taught me so much. More than just preparing for college, I’ve learned about life.”

The KB Foundation recognizes �鶹ԭ��’s strong ties to the gaming industry through its successful FIEA alumni, which inspired them to visit the university.

“This partnership came about because our vice president of operations and programming, Justin Fishman,” Berry says. “He saw it as an opportunity to give our youth an opportunity to experience an extremely specialized career field. Since the �鶹ԭ�� has a direct career path to the gaming industry, it will show our youth what is required to pursue such a skilled profession.”

Berry says the trip will give students a fresh perspective on gaming, which already plays a significant part in many of their lives.

“This trip will have a tremendous impact on our youth because many of them play games and only participate as consumers,” Berry says. “The opportunity to learn about the pathway into this specific industry will be life-changing for the students.”

During the students’ trip to FIEA, they had the opportunity to listen to executive director Ben Noel speak about what their future could look like with a career in gaming.

“FIEA has one of the top graduate programs in gaming for the past six years,” Noel says. “Electronic Arts, Microsoft, and Iron Galaxy are all up the street from us. Twenty years ago, game development was not prevalent in Downtown Orlando. Today, there are 2,500 developers working in Orlando. Things like this happen in cities when they really focus on doing things.”

Philadelphia high school students participating in College Possible engage with virtual reality technology as part of an exploratory career visit at the Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy, located at the �鶹ԭ�� Downtown campus.

After Noel finished his talk with the students, they had the opportunity to tour FIEA to immerse themselves in the technology utilized for game development and education.

Students learned about the technology and work that goes into creating virtual reality games and, through a demo, stepped onto the sets of popular shows, movies, and games such as Mario Kart, Harry Potter, and Stranger Things.

Students went behind the scenes to learn more about the magic behind motion capture and try it for themselves. They geared up in motion capture suits and showcased their basketball skills on the court and the big screen.

Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy instructors at the �鶹ԭ�� College of Sciences work with Philadelphia high school students in its motion capture studio to experience the technology that creates animation in games and movies.

Rahim Gardner, a sophomore attending high school in South Philadelphia, shares why this trip means so much to him.

“This experience means the world to me because I was granted the opportunity to come here,” he says. “I’m learning a lot, and I get to see what is outside of Philadelphia in the world.”

�鶹ԭ�� Student Adds Magical Touch to Disney’s 50th Anniversary

Carol Stinnett ’08 — Mon, 25 Oct 2021 21:41:11 +0000

Like father, like daughter. Following in her father’s footsteps, Ana Beltran ’19 fell in love with the arts from a young age. Some of her earliest memories include watching her father bring concepts to life for his post-production company in Venezuela. The introduction to the world of animation, post-production, and broadcast television fostered her creative expression and passion for visual storytelling.

“I saw how much fun my dad had. And while I didn’t know what I wanted to go into at the time, I knew it would be a creative field,” says Beltran, who is currently completing a master’s in animation and visual effects at �鶹ԭ��.

Immigrants from Venezuela, Beltran’s family came to the United States to provide her with a better life and more opportunity. It’s something that keeps her grounded and motivates her to follow her dreams. She attributes many of her successes to her family’s unwavering support and her experiences at �鶹ԭ�� — home to some of the top digital arts and entertainment programs in the nation.

Most recently, Beltran helped turn visions into life for Walt Disney World’s 50th anniversary celebration. And just shortly before the scheduled Oct. 1 celebration, she had another once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: working with her inspiration, her father. Javier Beltran was added as an animator on one of the projects she was part of to help with the show’s final touches.

“It was such a sweet moment that I’ll always cherish,” she says. “I watched him work on cool projects growing up, and now I had the opportunity to work with him on something so significant. It was very special and something I didn’t think I’d ever get to share with him. He’s been a big inspiration in my life.”

Creating Magical Experiences

After graduating with her bachelor’s of fine arts in experimental animation and bachelor’s in game design, Beltran packed up and headed to New York City where she got her start at ABC News. While broadcast television gave her first-hand industry experience, she remained focused on forging a path within animation. So, when an opportunity to create magical moments for Walt Disney World became available, she jumped at the chance to return home.

“I believe it was the right opportunity at the right time, and I was so happy to be close to family again,” she says.

In January 2020, she started one of her first big projects: Beacons of Magic for Walt Disney World’s 50th anniversary. The beacons light up the four park icons — three of which she worked on — to welcome the magic that inspires guests. She helped Cinderella’s Castle, the Tree of Life and the Tower of Terror at Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios, respectively, all come to life as the sun sets each day.

Creating the beacon for the castle was one of Beltran’s favorite memories. She was part of the previsualization process and modeled all the decor on the castle for the projection show purposes. And, today, the magic extends beyond just the parks. An image from the creative currently appears on McDonald’s Happy Meal boxes.

“It was an unexpected bucket list item for me,” she says. “I never expected to have my work appear on a Happy Meals box, but it was very cool and surprising to see it.”

Disney Enchantment was another project that Beltran was part of in preparations for the momentous celebration. The projection showcase adds touches of magic from Cinderella’s Castle all the way down Main Street USA — the first time that lighting effects encompass more than just the castle.

She relished the chance to animate on the same surface that she once walked down as a little girl, captivated by the magic. It’s something that still provides a sense of nostalgia.

“Being on the other side and getting to create some of that magic is just incredible.”

“Being on the other side and getting to create some of that magic is just incredible,” she says.

The opportunity to work on new shows and experiences to kick off the festivities for Walt Disney World’s 50th anniversary is a dream come true for Beltran. From visiting the parks with her family growing up to now creating some of that magic is something she never thought she would accomplish, especially at such a young age. Throughout each week, she still takes time to reflect on the impact of her work — ensuring that she never loses sight of the magic that embraces families at the parks every day.

It was an incredible experience to be part of. And being able to celebrate that moment with my dad? It’s something I’ll always treasure.

“I don’t think the magnitude of what we were working on hit me until I was in the park on Oct. 1 and had the chance to see people’s reactions. I thought about how this will be a special memory for everyone — especially the kids. Seeing their faces light up as they watched the show is something I’ll never forget.” she says. “It was an incredible experience to be part of. And being able to celebrate that moment with my dad? It’s something I’ll always treasure.”

Ana Beltran and her father, Javier Beltran, at Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary on October 1, 2021.

A Path to a Better Future

Beltran and her family came to Celebration, Florida, when she was 4. And while Beltran acclimated quickly, it took her parents some time to adjust to their new life.

“My parents had to learn the language from scratch. They had to restart their careers,” she says. “It was a sacrifice they were willing to take, though, to give me the best life possible.”

Commitment to providing better opportunities for future generations is something that runs deep in Beltran’s family. Her grandparents moved from Spain to Venezuela to escape Francisco Franco’s rule during the Spanish Civil War.

“My grandmother didn’t have much of a formal education. She didn’t grow up reading or writing,” Beltran says. “But she always instilled in me the value of education. She wanted to ensure I had the chance to accomplish my dreams.”

With her grandmother’s advice in mind, Beltran was motivated to succeed inside and outside of the classroom. And when it came time to applying for college, she turned to a high school guidance counselor — a �鶹ԭ�� grad — to help navigate the process. Beltran was in the top 10% of her high school graduating class, so attending a university with a good design and animation program was one of her priorities. After narrowing down her college list, it was time to start visiting each school. And it so happened that one of the nation’s top animation programs was right in her backyard: �鶹ԭ��.

“I loved the idea of staying close to home,” Beltran says. “But it was during a campus tour with one of my friends who attended �鶹ԭ�� that sealed the deal.”

“�鶹ԭ��’s ties to space are ingrained in its core … I really enjoy stories that are so thought out and knew this was the school for me.”

While touring campus, Beltran’s friend told her the story of how �鶹ԭ�� was founded — the university’s roots in space exploration and its mission to support the growing space industry. The motto “Reach for the Stars” also hit home for Beltran as it was the slogan of her elementary school.

“�鶹ԭ��’s ties to space are ingrained in its core. The entire campus was built with that idea in mind. The street names, the on-campus housing communities, the Pegasus … it’s in every fiber,” she says. “I really enjoy stories that are so thought out and knew this was the school for me.”

Ana Beltran celebrates with her mother and father after graduating with her bachelor’s degree from �鶹ԭ�� in 2019.

Pursuing a Creative Calling

From the moment Beltran was accepted to �鶹ԭ�� and started her first day of classes, she was eager to get involved. Throughout her undergraduate career, she was part of LEAD scholars, President’s Leadership Council, GameDev Knights, among other clubs and organizations on campus. She credits �鶹ԭ�� and the opportunities provided to students for her success.

“�鶹ԭ�� helped shape my creative and hard skills, but also my soft skills. For instance, I had the chance to get hands-on experience with presenting to various panels and groups — something that transferred to what I do today,” she says. “I remember the phrase ‘�鶹ԭ�� Stands for Opportunity’ and I truly believe that. Many of my opportunities started at the university and I’m so thankful for that.”

She still looks back on the football team’s undefeated seasons, attaining the Order of Pegasus — �鶹ԭ��’s highest student honor — and her graduation day as some of her all-time favorite memories as a Knight. Beltran hopes that receiving the Order of Pegasus as someone in the arts inspires those that come after her.

“Having that acknowledgement especially as someone in the arts means so much to me,” she says. “I want to show other creatives that they can get there, too …. that it is possible.”

When graduation day approached, Beltran’s family gathered together in the arena to watch her cross the stage. It was momentous for each of them as she became the first person in the family to achieve a college degree. She vividly remembers walking across the stage and looking up at her grandmother in the stands — the tears rolling down her cheeks and the smile that lit up her face.

“After the ceremony, my grandmother gave me an orchid lei and said ‘You have no idea how much I thought I’d never get to see this moment,’” she says. “Seeing her smile and how happy my parents were met the world to me. I work so hard every day to live up to the sacrifices they made for me … I want to make them proud.”

Thinking About the Future

Beltran often thinks about the future and what’s next. She understands the competitiveness and challenges that arise in the world of animation and wants to ensure she stays current with the latest techniques — which is why she enrolled in �鶹ԭ��’s master’s in animation and visual effects program, part of the .

“At the time, the MFA in animation and visual effects program was just getting started but was already well-ranked. I think that’s a testament to the professors and people in the program at the time,” she says.

“Being part of something so special every day is out of this world. I owe it all to my family who have been there to support me every step of the way.”

Along with taking graduate classes, she is currently working on her next big project. She can’t say what it is yet but is excited to see her next creation come to life.

“Being part of something so special every day is out of this world. I owe it all to my family who have been there to support me every step of the way,” she says. “I’m excited for the future and for all the experiences still to come.”

Visiting Professor Teaches Students about Puppets and Play

Nicole Law — Wed, 09 Oct 2019 19:58:58 +0000

From bowling to Harry Potter studies, golf to wine tasting, �鶹ԭ�� offers classes for all interests. Theatre students now get the chance to create stories using odd objects and puppets.

Students taking Introduction to Puppetry and Object Theatre this fall with Ayelet Golan, a visiting professor with the Israel Institute’s Visiting Artists Program, are doing just that. and Judaic Studies worked together to obtain the grant for the visiting artist. Only a few weeks into the semester, these students have already created stories using dolls, stuffed animals and their imaginations.

Golan is a story in and of herself. Successful in her field, her art has been displayed all over the world. As a teacher for the past 10 years, Golan employs a “very curious eye” to explore reality with her students. Her office hosts a display of these explorations and adventures: misplaced doll parts, foliage, trinkets and figurines adorn her walls and desk.

Golan is a theater director, puppeteer and performer whose work has been presented at festivals and venues across the globe, including Israel, Europe and the United States. She also has extensive experience as an acting coach, creative process facilitator and dramaturg.

Golan has a talent for finding the curious in the world around her.

As evidenced by her collections, Golan has a talent for finding the curious in the world around her. Orlando gives her time to explore, stare and think, she says. She’s amazed at the area’s juxtaposition between rows of organized, well-done houses and dynamic, unpredictable environments.

“It’s very refreshing, very different from Israel,” she says. Golan has also been impressed by her students’ thirst for knowledge. She’s felt welcomed by the kind people in the community.

As her students learn about contemporary puppetry, object theatre, visual languages and more, Golan hopes they see that the mistakes they make are the most important part in the creative process and in life.

“I want to mistake with them,” says Golan, “Theatre is fun! If you want to find some good answers, first you need to celebrate your mistakes and acknowledge your stupidity.”

What can other �鶹ԭ�� students learn from Golan’s puppetry class? It’s not only the traditional methods of singing puppets and stuffed animals. It’s a point of view.

“It’s a way to put something else in front of you,” she says. “Sound can be a puppet; the text can be a puppet. You want to make it vivid; you want to bring it to life. You give the text life through you.”

Music, Dance and More During 50th Celebration

Valerie Moses — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 13:05:50 +0000

From music and dance performances to art exhibitions and presentations, �鶹ԭ��’s College of Arts & Humanities will celebrate the university’s 50th anniversary with activities that start today.

Highlights include:

�鶹ԭ�� at 50: A Music Student Celebration on Thursday, March 14, from 7:30 to 9 p.m. in the Visual Arts Building auditorium, Room 132. The event will feature performances by students from the Music Department and is free to the public. A second concert featuring music faculty will be held Saturday, March 16, at 7:30 p.m.

The Knights & Damsels Dance Company will perform its Spring Showing Friday, March 22, at 8 p.m. in the Pegasus Ballroom. The event is free and open to the public. Doors open at 7:30 p.m.

The 2nd annual English Symposium: Consuming Objects conference will be held Saturday, March 23, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in Colbourn Hall’s Graduate Student Center, Suite 146. The event is free and open to the public.

�鶹ԭ��’s Center for Emerging Media also will be showcased Wednesday, March 20, from 6 to 9 p.m. with “A Night at the �鶹ԭ�� Center for Emerging Media.” The center is located at 500 W. Livingston St. in downtown Orlando.

The event will feature demonstrations from the Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy, student art sales, studio tours and other programs from the School of Visual Arts & Design. In addition, the event will highlight “Desks of CAH,” a documentary photography exhibit developed by �鶹ԭ�� Professor E. Brady Robinson to commemorate �鶹ԭ��’s 50th anniversary.

An ongoing exhibition that showcases the work of Emerging Media master’s students will be held in the Visual Arts Building’s art gallery, Room 140A, through Friday, March 29. The Six Trick Pony thesis exhibition showcases the work of six graduate students and features various forms of art, including life-scale installations that encourage public participation.

For a complete list of events hosted by the College of Arts & Humanities, visit .

�鶹ԭ�� to Hold 1st Open Juried Art Exhibition

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 18:27:40 +0000

Artists from around Central Florida will be featured in �鶹ԭ��’s first open juried art exhibition, which will open with a reception Thursday, Jan. 26, at the �鶹ԭ�� Art Gallery and run through Feb. 25.

Forty-seven artists were chosen to show a variety of original works, from plaster to painting to mixed media — even a bench made out of a tree.

“We wanted to reach out into the community to let them know that we acknowledge and care for them,” said Elise Frost, art gallery specialist. Works were submitted by 76 artists without an application fee, which is unusual for a juried exhibition.

“Our theme – Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow – is very open to interpretation,” Frost said. “We wanted to be as open as possible.”

Included in the show are works submitted by �鶹ԭ�� students “who certainly hold their own” against the art submitted by others from around Central Florida, she said.

In addition to ribbons for the top three pieces of artwork selected by a judge, there will also be a $500 Provost Award and a $250 Director Award.

The free, opening-night reception will be 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday and will include food and beverages. Entertainment will be provided by musician Joseph Keebler and Gainesville’s Hemisphere Dance Company.

The exhibition will be open during the gallery’s regular hours Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., in Room 140 of the Visual Arts Building.

A Call for Artists

Lindsey Showalter — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 13:23:28 +0000

The �鶹ԭ�� Art Gallery seeks entries from Central Florida artists for a monthlong juried art exhibition starting in January.

The gallery will accept original works that fit the theme “Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow,” and all types of media are welcome. Artists are encouraged to show their individual interpretation of the theme in their artwork. Submissions are due by Jan. 3, and there is no entry fee.

Three works will be selected and awarded first-, second- or third-place ribbon honors. All artists also have the chance to win a $250 Directors Purchase Prize Award or a $500 Provost Purchase Prize Award, both of which will be awarded by �鶹ԭ�� Provost and Executive Vice President Tony Waldrop.

The exhibition will run from Jan. 26 through Feb. 26 at the gallery on campus in the Visual Arts Building.

The exhibition juror will be Tiffany Sanders, a �鶹ԭ�� alumna with a master’s degree in Modern Art. She currently serves on the board for Orange County Arts and Cultural Affairs, the Orlando Downtown Arts District and the Rollins College Cornell Contemporaries.

The gallery is open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated.

For more information contact Diane Daugherty, �鶹ԭ�� Art Gallery Coordinator, at Diane.Daugherty@ucf.edu.

Exploring Identity Through Art

Thu, 30 Jun 2011 14:08:08 +0000

The Student Union art exhibition started in the spring 2003 semester as an effort to display and promote student visual art on campus. The exhibition is an opportunity for students to showcase their creativity and talent to the �鶹ԭ�� community.

All current �鶹ԭ�� students are eligible to submit their art work to be judged by an impartial juror in the art field. Collaborative works or group projects are also acceptable as long as each artist involved is a �鶹ԭ�� student. There are no restrictions as to discipline of study or major and all students are encouraged to participate.

The artwork was judged in four Student Government Association scholarship categories: 1st place: $1,000, 2nd place: $750, 3rd place: $500 and two honorable mentions: $125 each.

The following students were awarded:

1st Place = Masami Koshikawa: “Grandma”

2nd Place = Jean Paul Gomez: “Emancipated 4”

3rd Place = Nannette Cherry: “Self Portrait”

2 Honorable Mentions = Marshall Tindall: “Untitled,” Christine Comple: “Cena Trimalchioris”

“We definitely hope to continue this scholarship opportunity as it not only showcases our students work, but it definitely creates a sense of community,” said Willis Chico, community outreach coordinator for the Student Union.

Traditionally the exhibit has been held on the second floor at the Student Union but this year “we wanted to give it a different feel,” said Chico. “It truly brings the entire space to life. It’s almost magnetic really. Whenever someone walking by the Pegasus Ballroom notices the art they almost can’t help stopping for a minute to look at it.”

The Student Union is in the Division of Student Development and Enrollment Services. The next art exhibit hasn’t been scheduled but information will be available through the Student Union webstite at: .

Artists Paint, Draw and Sculpt Bright Futures

Fri, 29 Apr 2011 15:25:00 +0000

One of Daniel Lukas’ earliest memories is sitting at the kitchen table drawing. Since then, Lukas – like many students in �鶹ԭ��’s new School of Visual Arts and Design – has developed a passion for creativity.

This week, he and four other aspiring �鶹ԭ�� student artists were awarded the J.R. Hopes Art Scholarship, named after the senior vice president of marketing at AOL-Time Warner during the height of the Internet boom.

The scholarship was established to encourage talented arts students with financial need to further their artistic careers. Each winner will receive a $2,000 scholarship for the 2011-12 school year for tuition, textbooks or other items for their art education.

This year’s winners are Lukas (3-D animation), Nicole Gayton (sculpture), Natasha Kinsley (painting and sculpture), Michael Ryan Reboyro (2-D animation) and Kwok Yin Mak (digital media).

To view the winners’ works and learn more about the award, visit the website.

Prestigious Fair Features �鶹ԭ�� Student’s Artwork

Tue, 08 Mar 2011 14:01:15 +0000

�鶹ԭ�� student Bryce Hammond’s painting was featured at the Verge Art Brooklyn Art Fair during last week’s New York Armory Week.

Verge Art Brooklyn is a highly competitive national art fair juried by a panel of distinguished arts professionals, curators and critics.

Hammond, a first-year student in the MFA Studio Art & the Computer program, applied to the exhibition for a midterm project in The Professional Practice in Art, a class taught by Elizabeth Brady Robinson, an associate professor in the School of Visual Arts and Design.

Hammond’s work wasexhibited to a large audience of collectors, curators, critics and arts patronsat Armory Week, one of the largest art fairs in the nation.

The Verge Art Brooklyn exhibition featured 70 gallery exhibitors and 40participants from international galleries and independent artists.

Hammond’s next project will be to curate a national exhibition titled “Looking Back, Trudging Forward” at B-Complex in Atlanta. The exhibition opens March 11.

Click here to view Hammond’s e-portfolio.

Flying Horse Editions to Host National Fine Arts Print Fair

Wed, 12 Jan 2011 21:55:18 +0000

�鶹ԭ�� is teaming up with the Orlando Museum of Art to host the area’s first national fine arts print fair next month.

“Impressions Orlando” will offer the public a chance to peruse and buy high-quality, limited-edition works by emerging and established artists from New York City and elsewhere.

The fair will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 5, and from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 6, at �鶹ԭ��’s Center for Emerging Media in downtown Orlando – the home of �鶹ԭ��’s fine arts press, Flying Horse Editions. Flying Horse Editions is a nonprofit publisher of limited-edition prints, books and art objects by internationally renowned artists.

Lectures and demonstrations about fine arts printing also will be scheduled during the weekend fair.

“It will be a unique opportunity to learn about contemporary art and for collectors to purchase pieces at affordable prices,” said Theo Lotz, Flying Horse’s studio director.

Print publishers scheduled to attend are: Forth Estate, One Eye Pug, David Krut Press, Michael Steinberg Editions, Robert Blackburn Printmaking Workshop and Flying Horse Editions.

“Impressions Orlando” will be hosted in partnership with the Orlando Museum of Art’s Acquisition Trust – the museum’s contemporary collecting arm, which has been purchasing works for the permanent collection for more than 25 years.

The fair will be free and open to the public. �鶹ԭ��’s Center for Emerging Media is located at 500 W. Livingston St. in downtown Orlando.

For more information about Flying Horse Editions, visit http://www.flyinghorse.cah.ucf.edu.