Explore the work of five artists and alumni whose Instagram feeds showcase everything from vivid murals and 3D animation to intimate portraiture and editorial illustration.
August may be the final stretch of summer before classes start, but the SVA community isn’t slowing down. As students prepare for the fall semester and alumni continue to make waves in their fields, Instagram is the perfect place to stay connected to the energy of SVA. This month’s picks highlight a range of artistic voices—spanning photography, animation, illustration, and mixed media—that reflect the creative diversity of the College.
1. Sara Lee (SVA Continuing Education)
New York-based digital figurative artist and graphic designer Sara Lee, a former Continuing Ed student, shares vibrant illustrations and striking portraits on a feed that combines pop culture irony (Twin Peaks reference, anyone?) with playful aesthetics and exhibition highlights. Lee’s illustrations and digital paintings explore the multifaceted nature of emotion to express her intimate struggle with complex and conflicting feelings.
Follow her @sblarts.
2. Ryan Pfluger (MFA 2007 Photography, Video and Related Media)
LA-based photographer Ryan Pfluger captures striking, intimate portraits with a cinematic sensibility. Known for centering much of his work on celebrity portraiture, he has photographed for major outlets including The New York Times Magazine, Time, Rolling Stone, and more. His 2022 book Holding Space: Life and Love Through a Queer Lens pairs portraits of LGBTQ+ couples with deeply personal reflections, reflecting his belief in visibility, intimacy, and celebrating love in all its forms.
Follow him at @ryanpfluger.
3. Shengnan Dong (MFA 2024 Computer Arts)
A character and 3D Artist and modeler based in New York, Shengnan “Shay” Dong brings her character worlds to vivid life. From thesis films like Nostril—which was featured at the 2025 Annecy International Animation Film Festival— to studio process in SVA’s Visible Futures Lab, where she worked part-time during school, her feed showcases how characters evolve from sketch to animated reality. Shay’s posts often feature in-progress renders and playful experiments, making her account an inspiring behind-the-scenes look at the intersection of storytelling and technology.
Follow her at @shaymarch__.
4. Eva Redamonti (faculty, BFA Illustration)
A Brooklyn-based illustrator and longtime SVA faculty member, Eva Redamonti creates psychedelic, hyperdetailed illustrations that merge realism and fantasy—layering ribbons, flowers, and roots into collaged compositions that explore empowerment, mental illness, superstition, and futurism. Her portfolio includes clients like NPR, The New York Times, Wired, Politico, and CNN, and includes commissioned magazine spreads, face studies from student demos in her classes, inspiration, and glimpses of mentorship in action.
Follow her at @evaredamonti_art.
5. Kim Sielbeck (BFA 2009 Illustration)
Vibrant illustrator Kim Sielbeck is a colorful force in the illustration world: murals, zines, and studio shots filled with plants, puppers, and bold patterns. Apart from work for clients like Pepsi, Vans, Lush, Target, The Washington Post and Time Magazine, Sielbeck candidly documents her journey—through motherhood, illness, and creativity—with a vulnerability and visual energy that uplifts every scroll.
Follow her at @kimsielbeck.