PROJECT TEAM BIOGRAPHIES
| MARLAINA DEPPE – Owner and President | ||
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Education | BA Art History –
New York University, NY Parsons School of Design, NY Instituto de Allende, San Miguel de Allende, Mexico School of Visual Art, NY Pratt Graphic Center, NY C.G. Jung Foundation, NY |
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MICHAEL MAXWELL –
Executive Vice President |
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Education | BFA, Art History – University of Oklahoma MFA, Studio Art – Mason Gross University |
| Experience | Michael Maxwell has a diverse background in the arts. He is a practicing visual artist who has shown in national and international exhibitions. He has curated numerous shows by emerging and internationally recognized artists. Before working for Novo Arts he was Director of the visual arts department and Gallery and Curator at a prestigious college preparatory school. |
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JENNIFER SZEKELY – Executive Vice President |
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Education | Art History – University of Massachusetts at Amherst |
| Experience | Jennifer has a strong and diverse art and design background. Prior to joining Novo Arts she owned and operated a successful 4,000 sq ft. art and antiques showroom in Waltham Massachusetts, and a vintage clothing boutique on Charles Street in Boston. She has consulted on numerous interior design projects throughout the country. She has also worked as a stylist for collectors and high profile clientele. Jennifer joins Novo Arts as a fine arts consultant where she is proud to put her skills and expertise to work. | |
| ANNE AUTEN – Executive Vice President Atlanta Division | ||
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Education | BFA Painting – University of Georgia, Athens, GA |
| Experience | Anne Auten brought 15 years of award-winning managerial and Key Accounts sales experience with her to Novo Arts in 2002. She was the NY office Sales and Marketing Director prior to her departure for Atlanta. The Atlanta office opened in early 2005. | |
| JILL ZDANOW – Fine Art Consultant Miami Division | ||
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Education |
Art History – New York University Visual Communications – Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale |
| Experience | Prior to joining Novo Arts, Jill Zdanow was a private art consultant in Miami. Her early art influence began 13 years ago in New York City, and includes an apprenticeship, followed by assistant to the director at Marc de Montebello Fine Art, focusing on late 19th century early 20th century art. She then went on to consult in contemporary art with Nahan Galleries, Soho. Relocating to South Florida, she became the director of GSG Gallery, then curator of the Key West Museum of Art and History, where she created and implemented the first Key West Biannual. She hosted the “Art Corner” on Key 93.5, featuring art history education, exhibition reviews and artist interviews. | |
| LISA GIZARA – Fine Art Consultant Los Angeles Division | ||
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Education |
BFA, Painting – University of Massachusetts, South Dartmouth, MA Minor in Photography – University of Massachusetts, South Dartmouth, MA |
| Experience | Lisa Gizara is a Fine Artist and Photographer. Her paintings can be found in numerous collections throughout the United States, and is currently represented by an Italian Art Gallery (www.italartnet.com). Lisa's photographic work can be found at www.tinyboxer.com/gizara. She has been published in magazines including People, Variety, LA Times Magazine, Wired, and many others. Her extensive work with the public relations firm Rogers & Cowan has included film and television stills work, as well as portraits of celebrities. Lisa lives in Santa Monica, California. | |
| GRETCHEN MARINO – Fine Art Consultant Dallas Division | ||
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AA, Fashion Merchandising & Design – Wade College, Dallas, TX |
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| Experience | Gretchen emerged into adulthood with a desire to be involved with design of any kind. She narrowed her dream down to fashion and interior design. Working directly out of school in Hospitality Design, her experience taught her all the fundamentals of project management. From there, Gretchen went to work in the sales of hospitality products as a sub representative. Currently, she has been independent, and is now self-employed as a manufacture representative for six different companies and selling commercial products. She is also self-contracted with interior projects involving high-end residencies and restaurants. | |
| APRIL HOWLETT – Fine Art Consultant Florida Division | ||
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BA – Interior Design – The Art Institute of Charlotte, NC AA – Business Development – UNC Charlotte, NC |
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| Experience | Being in the design industry for over ten years. April joins NovoArts with an extensive commercial residential design background, creating and overseeing creative projects from high end residences to hospitality and corporate clients. April's ability to listen to the needs and desires of her clients will be a great addition to our organization. This attitude and approach, combined with a highly aesthetic eye for detail, has enabled her to create beautiful and functional interiors nationwide. She is extremely excited about being able to utilize her 10 + years of direct sales and design experience to expand Novo's reach and influence into the Florida art market. | |
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REBECCA UNDERWOOD –
Fine Art Consultant |
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Education | Bachelors of Science – University of
California, Santa Barbara Bachelors of Science – University of East Anglia, England Masters Degree in Psychology – University of Santa Monica |
| Experience | Rebecca Underwood's has direct experience with all aspects of conceptualizing, creating, communicating and overseeing artistic commissions and programs. Her background ranges from Curator for the Johnson & Johnson Family art collection, Artist Management of over 30 artists' careers, Gallery Operation and Interior Design Consultation. A significant value Rebecca brings to any project is her excellent communication skills and ability to orchestrate both projects and people with her responsible, sophisticated and warm signature. | |
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MASAAKI “CLIFF” KIYOHARA – Senior Art Consultant/Project Manager, Tokyo
Division |
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| Education | BA – Law, Toyo University, Tokyo, Japan | |
| Experience | Cliff has over 25 years experience working in both the fields of fine and commercial art. He has been working with Novo Arts for nearly 10 years. |
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ANDREA HAYNES –
Fine Art Consultant/Project Manager of Satellite Offices |
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Education | BFA – Printmaking, University of Delaware, Newark, DE
BT Buddhist Certified Feng Shui Master, New York, NY |
| Experience | Andrea is an artist and organizer whose work with various media delves into ethical and theological realms of ecological responsibility and techno-spiritual awareness of daily surroundings. She is a curator, feng shui consultant, silkscreener and avid bicyclist. Prior to joining the Novo Arts team she was the Art Director/Project Manager for a site-specific video installation company. Her diverse arts background also includes experience in fashion, galleries, auction houses, graphic design, and film. She believes strongly in making art accessible to all and is delighted to help realize the Novo Arts vision. |
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WINNIE ROSE SCHEUER –
Assistant Project Manager |
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Education | BA, Art Theory – Sarah Lawrence College, NY
Art Marketing РSotheby’s Institute, London History of Art РCourtauld Institute, London History of Art РQueen Mary College, University of London |
| Experience | Winnie Rose was born and raised in New York City. Her mother, a French Tapestry artist and gallery owner, introduced her to the art world as a child. Winnie’s early interest in the arts propelled her to study the history, methodologies and marketing of art; her senior thesis explored similarities in Einstein’s Theory of Relativity and Picasso’s Cubism. Winnie is delighted to be a member of the Project Management team and the Novo Arts, Inc. community. |
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EMILY VAN GENDEREN – Director of Graphics |
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Education | BFA, Photography & Drawing – Mason Gross School of the Arts, Rutgers University Minor in Art History |
| Experience | Emily is currently the director of graphics for Novo. Her past experiences include working in publishing, fine art galleries, and for Apple Computer. | |
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AVRAM B. SCHAEFFER – Graphic Artist |
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Education | BFA Painting and
Sculpture – University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ Studied Figure and architectural drawing – Institute de Michelangelo, Florence, Italy |
| Experience | Avram Bernard Schaeffer is an artist and a businessman. He has applied his creativity and knowledge to the art education of the mentally and physically disabled, held a management position with a Hawaiian marine biology tour company, and assisted with corporate restaurant development. Avram's passion for art has brought him to New York City, where he is a proud member of the dynamic Novo Arts, Inc team. | |
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CAMILLE LAOANG –
Graphic Artist |
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Education | BFA, Fine Arts – Maryland Institute, College of Art, Baltimore, MD Graphic Design – Fashion Institute of Technology, New York |
| Experience | Camille Laoang was raised in Maryland where she began studying art as a teenager. She is a fine artist who has been painting and exhibiting for 15 years. Before becoming interested in graphic design, she spent many years as a vintage poster restorer. She is enjoying the new creative possibilities that graphic design has presented to her. | |
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MATTHIAS AGUILAR –
Videographer |
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Education | Painting & Sculpture – Hochschule der Bildenden Kunst, Braunschweig, Germany |
| Experience | After working for Novo Arts for two years as a studio painter, Matthias worked directly under the direction of the president to pioneer Novo Arts’ ambient video program. He has also done video documentation for the Bronx Museum of the Arts. | |
| ERIN OSBORN – Novo North Studio Manager | ||
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Education | BFA, Painting – SUNY-New Paltz, New Paltz, New York |
| Experience | Erin has professional experience working as an artist in the areas of painting, faux finishing, interior design consultation, framing, and teaches both adult and early education art classes. She has been with Novo Studios since summer of 2000 running, maintaining, and art directing Novo Arts’ Studio in Carmel, NY. |
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| MIKE SCHREIBER – Novo Studio Co-Director | ||
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Education | BFA, Painting – Maryland Institute College of Art, Baltimore, MD |
| Experience | Mike Schreiber is a practicing fine artist with extensive experience in commercial studio and international gallery procedures. He began as a studio artist and is now managing Novo Arts Chelsea Studio. |
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| EMILIA DEVITIS – Novo Studio Co-Director | ||
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Education | BFA – School of Visual Arts, New York, NY |
| Experience | Emilia is an established fine artist with exhibition history and private collections in the United States, South America, and Europe. She has extensive experience in arts management and direction. |
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KAREN C. ARAGON – Studio Artist |
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Education | BFA, Painting –
Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA Minor in Art History |
| Experience | Karen is a fine artist who participates regularly in gallery exhibits throughout NYC. |
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| MICHAEL DICKEY – Artist / Carpenter / Installer | ||
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Education | MFA – School of Visual Arts, New York, NY |
| Experience | Construction/ Art handling | |
| ADRIAN MERAZ – Artist / Carpenter / Installer | ||
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Education | BFA –
Yale University School of Art, Department of Sculpture, New Haven, CT BFA, Painting – Otis College of Art & Design, Los Angeles, CA |
| Experience | Adrian is an active fine artist and freelance designer. He has extensive preparator, art handling, and art installation experience. |
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