MFA, Mount Royal School of Art

Class of 2010

"To playfully explore a thrilling urban sublime through drifting symbols of invisible sites; this is why I make art." 

Graham Coreil-Allen '10 (Mount Royal School of Art) arrived at MICA after working as a project manager for an architectural hardware manufacturer. After graduating, he found a job that utilized all his experiences: serving as the operations manager for Charm City Cakes. His project management experience came in handy for running the day-to-day operations of the Baltimore bakery, which served as the setting for the Food Network reality show, Ace of Cakes, from 2006 through 2011. But his art background was just as important.

"I consider our cakes to be art," he explained. "We come up with a cake idea, and then I work out the logistics to see that the cake is made to perfection." Coreil-Allen isn't the only MICA alumnus to work for Charm City Cakes. The artistic director, Katie Rose '05 (general fine arts), is also a MICA alumna, while Anna Ellison '05 (graphic design) and former student Katherine St. Paul Hill also work for the bakery.

Coreil-Allen credits MICA for helping him perfect his skills. "Being able to collaborate with people and realize creative visions is one of the skills I was able to hone at Mount Royal," he said.