Bmore, an online magazine that showcases the arts and entertainment scene in Baltimore, featured MICA illustration faculty member Jose Villarrubia '83 and his artwork. The article, Living in Technicolor, talks about Villarrubia's growing up in Spain, his move to and subsequent love of Baltimore, and how he went from a fine arts background to being the go-to color guy in the comics industry.

"Baltimore is a great town for [an] artist to live in. Most artist[s] come to Baltimore because of the art schools and the community. Once they graduate they stay in the community because of the support they give to each other," he told the online magazine.

"MICA is a very special school. It's unlike any other art school," he said, adding that he has "joyfully" watched as MICA has become a more diverse school in regards to it discipline and curriculum.

"MICA used to be more fine arts focused. It's still a very creative place but has become a more professional school. We train students not only to become great artist[s] but hopefully to be independent and have a good head for the business once they get out. ... MICA tries to integrate its students into the urban community."

Founded in 1826, MICA is among the top visual arts colleges in the nation. It enrolls 1,714 undergraduate and 218 graduate students from 48 states and 52 foreign countries, offering programs of study leading to the bachelor of fine arts (B.F.A.), master of arts (M.A.), and master of fine arts (M.F.A.) degrees. It also offers post-baccalaureate certificate programs and a full slate of credit and noncredit courses for adults, college-bound students, and children. MICA is recognized as an important cultural resource for the Baltimore/Washington region, sponsoring many public and community-outreach programs-including more than 100 exhibitions by students, faculty, and nationally and internationally known artists annually-as well as artists' residencies, film series, lectures, readings, and performances.