“The biggest thing I have learned from the Greater Cleveland Chapter of CMAA is that they are always willing to help us. This student chapter and our hospitality program present us with so many opportunities."

Gerald (Jerry) Casale majored in Art at Kent State University focusing on fine/performing arts and fashion-related studies.

Nelson Stevens earned his M.F.A. in Studio Art and Art History from Kent State University in 1969. He also has a B.F.A. in Painting and Art Education from Ohio University. He later became one of the first members of AfriCOBRA, a Chicago-based African American art movement that sought to empower the black community through aesthetics. Stevens’ work uses bold colors and often pays homage to prevalent figures in black history.

Dylan Collins earned his M.F.A. in Sculpture from Kent State University in 2003. Prior to attending Kent State, he earned his B.A. in 2-D Studio (1996) and M.A. in Sculpture (1997) from Eastern Illinois University. His work has been exhibited across the United States. Collins has held academic positions as Adjunct Instructor at Kent State University, Visiting Assistant Professor at Oberlin College, and Instructor of Studio Foundations at Southeast Missouri State University.

Benjamin Johnson earned his B.F.A. in Glass from Kent State University and his M.F.A. in Glass from Ball State University. He is Assistant Professor of Glass and Chair of Glass at the Cleveland Institute of Art. Johnson’s work is widely exhibited and held in the collections of the Indiana State Museum, the Evansville Art Museum, and the Glick Eye Institute. His work has received numerous best in show awards and he has been recognized as a Rising Star in contemporary glass at the Museum of American Glass in Millville, NJ.

Hilary Gent earned her B.F.A. with a concentration in painting from Kent State University. She owns HEDGE Gallery Inc., a vehicle for elevating accessibility to the arts, and to continue creative collaboration with surrounding communities and businesses in Ohio and beyond. HEDGE represents fifteen established artists.