The Art Effect

Michael Bodnar

Mick Bodnar has over two decades of experience as a working-class graphic designer. His collegiate career began at SUNY Broome Community College, where he gained an AS in Visual Communication Arts, and received several awards. With those achievements, he was offered a generous scholarship to attend an elite private college. From that institution, Bard College, he earned a BA in Studio Arts, the Studio Arts Award, and the Bard Center for the Study of Hate Fellowship Award. In 2022, he gained an MFA in Painting & Drawing from SUNY New Paltz, as well as the Outstanding Graduate Award in Studio Arts. In summer or 2022, he received the CAA-GOLDEN Scholarship Award, and completed the Sam and Adele Golden Foundation Residency. He is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Art Education.

Orin Brecht

Orin Bliss Brecht is a Creative Director with nearly 20 years of digital art experience in the fields of music, publishing, retail, and agency spaces. He began his career as an illustrator in NYC before working as a designer at print magazines like SPIN and Dazed. Currently working in advertising, his clients include the likes of Verizon, Pepsi, Sony Music, Fisher-Price, Home Depot, GEICO, Starbucks, & more.

Xan Peters

Xan Peters is an artist from Clearwater, Florida interested in the intersections of art, science, and history. He grew up learning and teaching art in his mother’s art studio. He graduated with a BFA in studio arts and a minor in museum studies from Montana State University in 2018. In 2019, he moved to Florence, Italy to pursue his graduate studies where he lived for a year. In 2022 he received his MFA in Studio Arts from Tufts University after transferring due to the Covid-19 pandemic. His work has been featured in shows all across the country and is a part of multiple permanent art collections. He is currently a teaching fellow professor at Tufts University, a production artist for an established upstate ceramic studio, and is scheduled to teach a workshop at the Joseph C. Campbell Folk School in the summer of 2023.

Rick Price

Rick Price has an MFA from Savannah College of Art & Design, is the chair of the fine art department at the Harvey School, and has extensive teaching experience at Buck’s Rock in CT, mural painting in San Francisco and Beacon, illustration commissions, and has exhibited his fine art work nationwide.

Sarah Taylor

Sarah Timberlake Taylor has been teaching videography, animation and experimental film for over six years. She graduated from Bard College where she majored in Film Production. After college, Sarah has been an assistant editor on several features and done projection and stage managing for a couple of touring one-woman plays. She often works with documentarian Kevin Schreck, assistant editing on his award-winning film Persistence of Vision along with TANGENT REALMS: The worlds of C.M. Kösemen, and his upcoming film ENONGO – The Sammus Documentary. She loves to collaborate with other artists and enjoys lending a hand with any stage of production.

Tank Nesteroke

Tank is a multidisciplinary and eclectic artist with many years of teaching experience. They have a love for sharing knowledge and have been working with The Art Effect in various capacities since 2011. Tank is also a social dancer specializing in Lindy Hop. The exchange that happens on the dance floor between the musicians and dancers is similar to the conversation that occurs between an artist and their creation, pen to paper. Tank enjoys guiding students and helping them set intentions for an expressive and creative journey.

Ed Murr

Ed Murr is a graduate of the Fashion Institute of Technology’s MFA in Illustration Program. Currently he continues his career as a Freelance Illustrator while teaching Illustration at the Fashion Institute of Technology, Montclair State University and Pratt Institute. He has been working as an illustrator for over twenty years, most notable with Marvel Comics. www.edmurr.com

Brad Shur

Puppeteer, puppet builder and arts educator Brad Shur is the founder and lead artist of Paper Heart Puppets. Brad began performing as a student at the Rhode Island School of Design. While earning a degree in film, he was a regular performer at late night puppet slams and with Big Nazo Puppets. From there, Brad went on to tour nationally with Wood and String Puppet Theatre and Vermont Puppetree. As a freelance puppet builder he created puppets for American Idol, Dolly Parton’s Dollywood amusement park and many theaters and other performers. In 2009, he became the Resident Artist at Puppet Showplace Theater in Brookline, Massachusetts where he served as the lead teaching artist and touring puppeteer for eight years. During that time, Brad developed six original shows and revived several classic shows created by Paul Vincent Davis.

Zach Reid

Zach Reid is an arts/media teacher coming out of Poughkeepsie New York. He has been a part of the Art Effect team for 4 years and enjoys working with the students and helping them take their creative thoughts and forming them into a reality. Zach is also a musician, recording artist and athlete. He is a graduate of Poughkeepsie High School, and furthered his music and education at Herkimer College where he graduated with his Associates Degree in Music Industry. Zach also played soccer while in college winning the Regional championship 3 seasons in a row to qualify for Nationals.

Brad Shur

Puppeteer, puppet builder and arts educator Brad Shur is the founder and lead artist of Paper Heart Puppets. Brad began performing as a student at the Rhode Island School of Design. While earning a degree in film, he was a regular performer at late night puppet slams and with Big Nazo Puppets. From there, Brad went on to tour nationally with Wood and String Puppet Theatre and Vermont Puppetree. As a freelance puppet builder he created puppets for American Idol, Dolly Parton’s Dollywood amusement park and many theaters and other performers. In 2009, he became the Resident Artist at Puppet Showplace Theater in Brookline, Massachusetts where he served as the lead teaching artist and touring puppeteer for eight years. During that time, Brad developed six original shows and revived several classic shows created by Paul Vincent Davis.