OverGlow

Mikey Benna

As a 3rd generation Nevadan, I have always had a deep connection to my roots in Reno, NV. Growing up, I had an alternative approach to traditional education and discovered my passion for filmmaking through skateboarding and snowboarding with friends. I quickly became the go-to editor for our videos, developing my skills in filming and editing.

At 20 years old, I moved to San Francisco to attend San Francisco State University, where I completed my bachelor’s degree in cinema with an emphasis in animation. My educational journey was unconventional, as my college counselor allowed me to earn credits by working in the film industry instead of attending classes. This hands-on experience proved to be invaluable in shaping me as an artist.

Through this approach, I’ve been able to work with clients including Google, Twitter, Ben and Jerry’s, Apple, and Okta. While I am grateful for these opportunities, I am eager to expand my skills beyond the confines of the commercial world.

As the founder of the creative company Dark Matter Motion, I embody a dedication to exploring uncharted territories of creativity and imagination. I believe that infinite ideas are waiting to be discovered and brought to light, pushing the boundaries of what is possible and breaking out of the mold of standard practice. My mission is to inspire and captivate audiences with my innovative approach to art and animation, inviting them to join me on a journey of discovery and creativity.

Joffea Burgos

An ongoing exploration– a continuous experiment in self-expression and personal growth. Each piece I create serves as a reflection of the myriad experiences that shape my life, capturing moments of joy, pain, anger, confusion, and discovery.

At the heart of my creative process lies a desire to imbue my work with authenticity and love. I view each project as an opportunity to delve into a different facet of my thoughts, emotions, and perspectives into a visual narrative that entertains. I find inspiration all around me. I use the current resources we have and discover new creators all around the world that show me new techniques I can test in future works. My personal experiences are largely integrated in my pieces because that’s what I know best. I embody a lot of elements from postmodernism because I’m constantly absorbing previous and current art styles and techniques to incorporate but make my own. I enjoy most eras from the French New Wave to Y2K to now. I take a huge inspiration from creators like Yoshimoto Nara, Edgar Wright, Wes Anderson, Daniels, and Tyler the Creator.

My art encompasses the essence of personal evolution. A human being who is on their journey experiencing a wide set of highs and lows of life, while doing my best to redirect all energy with grit, curiosity, and even ungracefully from time to time because they’re human. As of now, I’ve chosen a path that encapsulates the acceptance of events and having that half-full mindset to embrace the joy and spontaneity of the human experience.

As I continue growing as a creator, exploring these new mediums, techniques, and themes in my art, I’ve found a few consistencies over time. I enjoy learning all new crafts of art from video editing, motion graphics, cinematography, music, ceramics, to photography. I’m the most proficient in post-production with video editing and motion graphics. However, I wouldn’t subject myself to one medium over another because at the end of the day, I view myself simply as a creator. There’s so much joy in knowing that there’s a wide range of art forms that can manipulate the reality we live in and offer that self-expression to intensify our voices. Each piece I’ve created, I strived to experiment and provide pieces of my heart. It’s not only a reflection of who I am in that moment but who I will be with the infinite possibilities through that act of creating expressively.

With this OverGlow opportunity, I really wanted to push myself further as a creator. A significant aspect was intentionality. This was one of the very few pieces where I felt that I fully thought out an explanation for the art direction I chose. Creatively, I felt challenged in a way that I haven’t experienced in a while. I found immense pride and joy in simply creating, without focusing on external pressures. It reignited a spark within me to put myself out there and create for fun. This piece serves as a reminder of the powerful impact we can have as creators.

Tyler Calkin

Tyler Calkin is an interdisciplinary artist and educator. He received his MFA in Art and Integrated Media from the California Institute of the Arts and his work has been exhibited, screened, and performed in art and educational institutions around the world, including Lincoln Center in New York, Cercle Blanc Gallery in Berlin, studio1.1 in London, THE ROOM in Venice, Tsinghua University in Beijing, Changwon National University in South Korea, All India Institute of Medical Science in New Delhi, KUArt in Nepal, Tec de Monterrey in Mexico, Centre for the Living Arts in Mobile, AL, Tiger Strikes Asteroid Los Angeles, Leonardo ISAST, the 60 Seconds Festival in Copenhagen, and Supernova in Denver.

His multi-modal practice uses objects, performance, video, augmented and virtual reality, machine learning and motion capture, often in recursive combination. Responding to current developments in consumer technologies, he constructs interactive and immersive propositions for interpersonal experience.

Calkin is an Associate Professor of Art and Head of Digital Media at the University of Nevada, Reno. He teaches courses which emphasize critical discourse and experimental practices in video, VR and AR, interactive media, creative coding, digital fabrication, and game design. Before coming to UNR, Calkin taught in the Program in Art and Technology and The Center for Integrated Media at CalArts, where he developed an experimental VR lab.

Tom Duffy

Tom Duffy is a pioneering artist specializing in analog and digital video glitch art, seamlessly blending traditional and modern techniques to create captivating visual experiences. With a passion for pushing the boundaries of digital media, Tom’s work delves deep into themes of nature, existential philosophy, and retro aesthetics, drawing inspiration from the vibrant cultures of the 80s and 90s.

From an early age, Tom exhibited a natural talent for art, beginning their creative journey at the age of 12. This early start was followed by formal training in figure drawing at the prestigious Academy of Art in San Francisco, where he honed his skills and developed a unique artistic voice. The combination of classical training and a keen interest in contemporary digital techniques has allowed Tom to carve out a distinctive niche in the art world.

Tom’s work has been showcased at numerous high-profile events and galleries worldwide. Notably, his pieces have been featured at several Artown events in Reno, capturing the attention of both critics and art enthusiasts. His global presence has been solidified with exhibitions in renowned galleries, including the Superlative Gallery in Bali, Indonesia, where his innovative approach to glitch art has continued to captivate audiences.

What sets Tom apart is his ability to transform digital glitches into purposeful expressions of art, often reflecting deeper existential questions and a nostalgic reverence for the past. Each piece invites viewers to explore the delicate balance between chaos and order, offering a contemplative experience that resonates on both an emotional and intellectual level.

Through his work, Tom aims to challenge perceptions and inspire a dialogue about the intersection of technology and human experience. His art is not just a visual spectacle but a profound exploration of the digital age’s impact on our understanding of reality and identity.

Whether through the vibrant distortions of analog signals or the intricate manipulation of digital pixels, Tom’s art is a testament to the limitless possibilities of creative expression in the digital era. His work continues to evolve, pushing the boundaries of what glitch art can achieve and inviting audiences to see the beauty in the unexpected.

The piece is called “Back From Extinction”. It is a tribute to the Lahontan Cutthroat Trout which is native to our area. It was classified as extinct until the 1970s when a population of them was discovered in the Pilot Peak area. These fish have been reintroduced to Pyramid Lake and while still considered threatened, are indeed back from extinction.

Tone Lally

Tone Lally is a psychedelic visual artist who was born in England and relocated to Reno at age 4. He focuses on sharing mind expanding audio/visual productions replicating his own healing experiences, which were a major part in his recovery after breaking his neck while snowboarding.  He then trained in the art of projection mapping in order to present his art on a large scale, and has created multiple visual installations for Burning Man which became the main canvas for his art and also where he found love meeting his wife on an art car in 2007.

He is currently working on expanding his knowledge and plans to tour the globe as an artist participating in many festivals and share his healing art with the world.

Chris Lanier

Chris Lanier is an artist with a background in both traditional and digital media, and a demonstrated interest in hybrid forms, having worked in multimedia performance, digital animation, web production, and comics. His animation has screened at Sundance and won awards at several international festivals, including the Grand Prize for Internet Animation at the Ottawa International Animation Festival. His work has been displayed, performed and projected in New York, San Francisco, Japan, Canada, Britain, Mexico and Serbia. He is currently a Teaching Professor of Digital Art at the University of Nevada, Reno. In 2024 he was awarded the position of Reno City Artist, and a Literary Arts Fellowship from the Nevada Arts Council.

Kristin Heavey founded Element Dancetheater in San Francisco 1998 after completing her MA in Dance Education at Stanford University. She studied with Angela Capinegro, Elizabeth Streb, Bill T. Jones, Stephen Petronio, June Finch and Diane Frank. Her work has been produced by the San Francisco International Arts Festival, Dancer’s Group, Venue 9, Dance Repertory/San Francisco, Dance Brigade, ODC Theater, and Stanford University, in public parks, street corners and marginal spaces throughout the Bay Area, the Sierra Mountains and under her apple tree. Her work has also been produced in Serbia, Boston, Los Angeles, New York and Mexico. Heavey has been a guest lecturer at Stanford University and a guest artist at California State University East Bay, University of Nevada Reno, and UC Davis. She is currently pursuing her PhD. in Art Education at Simon Fraser University.

Maggie Stack is an instructor and choreographer at Loft Dance Theater Arts in Reno, Nevada, where she teaches ballet and contemporary dance. A professional dancer for 10 years, she performed in the Bay area and internationally with Oberlin Dance Collective, Bellwether Dance, Project Thrust, FACT/SF, Little Seismic Dance Company, CabinFever, and Cali & Co., among others. She is co-producer of the Reno Dance Festival.

Giancarlo Loverde

Giancarlo Loverde, a Tahoe native with over 20 years of experience in multimedia, brings a diverse skill set to the table. His expertise spans graphic design, web development, animation, sound design, and video production. Beyond designing and branding restaurants, music artists, festivals, and businesses, he excels in various creative endeavors. When he’s not creating content, Giancarlo can be found DJing or controlling live AV performances and video art for events and music festivals.

Zoe Malen

Zoe Malen is constantly growing as a leader in the creative fields. She is a co-founder of a film production company, GoodKid. She was the First Assistant Director, Producer, Scriptwriter, and more for a Nevada Best Film titled ICON. This film also got invited to participate in the Cannes Film Festival and won best cinematography and best poster, which she designed. She is the Director of a short documentary titled Love Letter to Life which won her a Best Directing award, an Award of Excellence from the BEA Festival of Media Arts, and two nominations from the Nevada Women’s Film Festival for Best Short Documentary and Best Student Film. More recently, she is the Director of a short film titled Don’t Tell My Mother which was released on May 2024 and can be viewed through her website. All three of these films covered topics that are extremely important to Zoe regarding girlhood, mental health, family/friends, and connecting with your inner child. Zoe always keeps busy with creative projects either actively being pursued or growing in the ideation stages.

Outside of film and video projects, Zoe Malen is a skilled photographer and photojournalist. As the former Photo Editor with The Nevada Sagebrush, she was in charge of photographing all major stories and local events that the newspaper covers. She was the President for the University of Nevada, Reno’s NPPA chapter, which is a club for the National Press Photographers Association. As President, she ended her term by curating a gallery of student photojournalistic work to be displayed in the Reynolds School of Journalism to promote and encourage student work. Her favorite part of photography and photojournalism is capturing moments in ways that evoke reactions and tell stories. Similarly to film, Zoe strives to maintain that storytelling element and impact in her photos.

To complete the trifecta, Zoe is highly skilled in graphic design work. Through her internship with NPR affiliate radio station, KUNR Public Radio, she handled all their visual needs from photos for web-based stories to logos and graphics. Upon her hire, she rebranded the station with an updated logo for the 60th anniversary and created logos for the launch of the Elko, NV broadcast– KNCC, the first Spanish language newscast– Al Aire con KUNR, and for various reporter podcasts, station milestones, events, and more. Taking things a step further from logos, posters, and flyers, Zoe is skilled in motion graphics and adding engaging movement to her designs. One of her explainers, Seven Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Brands to Support, won top 20 nationally for the 2024 Hearst Multimedia Narrative Storytelling Award.

Zoe graduated this Spring from the University of Nevada, Reno with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, an emphasis in film and media production with a minor in videography. Future plans include working on more film sets, expanding her photojournalistic skill with more intimate and meaningful visual stories, and finding opportunities to grow her craft.

Cameron Paris

Blending Analog and Digital Art
Cameron Paris is a visual artist who loves to mix old and new technology in his work. He specializes in video editing and motion graphics, creating unique VHS-inspired visuals using hardware from the 1980s. By using devices called “video synthesizers,” Cameron can bend or distort video signals, giving them a cool, glitchy look. He works with VHS tapes and custom DVDs, patching these videos through to his computer to capture high-quality recordings that bring a nostalgic feel to his art.

Cameron’s fascination with technology started early. In 1997, when he was just seven years old, he took apart a digital alarm clock to see how it worked. As he grew up, he learned skills like Photoshop, videography, and video editing. His discovery of glitch art really hooked him, and he’s been passionate about it ever since.

Throughout his career, Cameron has done a variety of exciting projects. He’s performed live visuals with bands, created installations for galleries, and contributed to interactive events. He also makes music videos, adding his distinctive visual style to enhance the music.

Cameron’s work is all about blending the old with the new. His ability to transform vintage technology into modern art makes his creations stand out. Whether he’s performing live, setting up a gallery installation, or working on multimedia projects, Cameron continues to captivate audiences with his innovative approach. Looking ahead, he plans to keep exploring new ways to combine art and technology, always staying true to the nostalgic elements that inspire him.

Robert Satmary

Robert Satmary creates visual art under the name Projection Prologue. Robert has lived in the Reno area his whole life and enjoys documenting the beauty found just outside his front door and beyond. Robert’s drive to create and show art publicly followed a series of traumatic medical events in his family and to inspire his daughter to chase her dreams. Robert’s artistic debut was in the Portland Winter Light Festival of 2024. Robert’s focus is incorporating visuals inspired by nature and creating original calming audio to accompany his work. For the OverGlow 2024 event, Robert filmed at various locations in the Washoe Valley area and also wrote an original score to complement the captured footage. OverGlow 2024 will be Robert’s artist debut in his hometown. His project, Little Washoe Zephyr documents the way wind influences the environment in Washoe Valley. The piece also features the silhouette of his toddler to personify wind, drawing parallels between the unpredictable nature of a toddler and the strong gusts that bring Washoe Valley to life. Robert continues to experiment with different audio and visual tools to create art and expand his skillset. Please enjoy Little Washoe Zephyr.

Luka Starmer

Luka Starmer is a digital artist experimenting with audiovisual and projection mapping formats exploring the spectrum of interactive, generative, and cinematic video. He brings his party tricks to dazzle audiences from renegade gatherings in the desert to contemporary art festivals like Miami Art Basel. He is an instigating factor in the conception of the OverGlow exhibition.

Peter Whittenberger

Peter Whittenberger is an interdisciplinary artist and filmmaker whose work explores how the nature of the landscape serves as a continuous network of time and history, containing the data of all Earth’s species. Whittenberger has presented his work at the FILE Festival in Sao Paulo, Brazil, the Digerati Emergent Media Festival in Denver, CO, the Future Visions Festival in Tokyo, Japan, the 2-Minute Film Festival at the Carnegie Museum of Art in Pittsburg, PA, and many others across Europe, North America, Africa, Asia, South America, and Australia. His work has been awarded a funding grant from the Puffin Foundation and received the Reno-Tahoe Artists Award for Best in Digital Media.

Growing up in Southeastern Montana, Whittenberger received his BFA from the University of Montana, Missoula in Printmaking and his MFA from the University of Nevada, Reno in Interdisciplinary Art. Currently, Whittenberger lives and works in Reno, Nevada with his wife, three dogs, two ferrets, and a cat.

Ray Wojdynski

Ray Wojdynski graduated San Diego State University (1980) with a B.S. degree in Television and Film Producing and Directing, with a special study in animation. This carried him to Hollywood, CA.

While working in Hollywood as a computer (DOS) controlled animation cameraman, he created many well known now classic pieces. Some of the productions are: A-Ha’s “Take on me,” The Police’s “King of Pain,” and Jefferson Starship’s “Winds of Change.” Aside from music videos he also created TV program opening /closing titles for “Cheers,” Bill Burrud’s “New Animal World,” and “Prime Times” with Leslie Neilsen. Many TV commercials and motion picture animations and compositing; “TRON,” “Once Upon A Mouse,” “Gorky Park,” “Black Hole,” “Firefox,” to name a few – perfecting the multi-pass traveling matte.

Ray raised his family in Incline Village; and worked at KRXI Fox Reno and then as Technical Operations Manager in the Media Services division of Charter/Spectrum serving the greater northern Nevada region. When the time came to ‘give back’ he became a CTE-STEAM educator in the WCSD, teaching photography and video production; and loved it!  Ray continues to create in digital visual media, mixed media art, and artistic functional fabrications. Ray, also enjoys cheese.