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MICA Love Connections

This Valentine’s Day, we’re celebrating all kinds of love, especially the kind sparked in studios, critiques, hallways, and late nights on campus. 

Kimberly King ’77 (General Fine Arts BFA) and Bill Tata ’78 (Rinehart School of Sculpture MFA)

Did you meet your partner at MICA? Maybe over a shared project, in a class, at a campus event, or during a long night in the studio? We’d love to hear your story.

Share your memories and tell us how MICA played a role in your love story. Old photos welcome, too! From creative partnerships to lifelong romances, your stories are part of what makes MICA… MICA.

Check out a few stories below. All images courtesy of their respective owners and provided to MICA via our online submission form and Facebook.

“We met on the first day I got here, and she’s my oldest friend in Baltimore. She’s worked every day of her adult life, even before she left MICA, in her field. She’s had an amazing career. She’s my hero.” —Jim Burger '82 and Sue Burger + Enlarge
Andrea Dixon '88 and Edward Milburn '88 + Enlarge
Jarrett Min Davis ’05 and Courtney Jordan ’06, (LeRoy E. Hoffberger School of Painting MFA) + Enlarge
April Pink ’99 ’00 (General Fine Arts BFA, MAT) and Sidney Pink ’01 (General Fine Arts BFA). April and Sidney met in 1998 at MICA, married in 2003, officiated by Richard Kalter, MICA Philosopher-in-Residence. + Enlarge
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Leah Hucker ’07, ’08 (Painting BFA, MAT)

“MICA brought me two loves of my life. I was lucky enough to meet both my husband (Doug ‘08 GD major) and my soulmate/absolute best friend, Stephanie (‘07 GFA and ‘08 MAT) both at MICA. My first MICA love is Steph. We met during our freshman year at The Common (as it was called back in 03). We were assigned as freshman roomies which is where are 22 year friendship began. We went through MICA’s MAT program together, lived together for 8 years, got our first teaching job together, then competed for our next job at BDS only to both get a position and we still teach art there presently together! We were each others maids of honor in our weddings, both have kids the same age, just both got Nationally Board Certified and I couldn’t live without her. We’re basically the same person and MICA brought us together.

“My second MICA love is my husband, Doug. We met my sophomore year and we quickly became friends until we became official in 2005. We dated throughout our years at MICA, once we graduated we did long distance for 3 years, then he came back to Baltimore for me. We dated some more (for 10 years before he proposed!) We’ll be married 10 years this summer and have two beautiful kids together. We’ve been together for 20 years and he’s the best husband and father!

“Some of our bridal party were also MICA alum and still dear friends today: Rachael Umbriano ‘09, Charlotte Albertson ‘08, Josh Simms ‘08!

“MICA gave me joy in both my personal and professional life!”

Johnny Kim '14 (Interactive Arts BFA) & Sarah Kim '14 (Graphic Design BFA) + Enlarge
Jessica Williams '10 (Graphic Design & Environmental Design BFA) and Luke Williams '09 (Graphic Design BFA) + Enlarge
Dara Platt '83 and Kevin O’Malley '83 + Enlarge
Dee McGuire '65 and Patrick McGuire '65 + Enlarge
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David Sloan ’07, ’08 (General Sculptural Studies BFA, Community Arts MFA) & Thea Canlas ’06 (Fiber BFA)

“My wife and I both worked as ‘TARCs’ for the MICA pre-college summer program in 2005. My wife insists on telling everyone that we had actually met earlier, but I was so busy reading a book about post-structuralist literary theory that I did not realize she was attempting to flirt with me.

“During the pre-college program, we were initially curious about each other, but it wasn't until the mandatory artist talks that we fell for each other. Seeing each other's portfolios is what sealed the deal. In particular, Wwe had both shared some fairly intense performance art that I cannot describe here, but trust me when I say that it was conceptually rigorous.

“We helped each other survive our thesis shows, and continued dating until 2014, when finally got married. Chris Whittey, who had been one of our favorite undergraduate professors, officiated the wedding. In 2017, we had a kid, and we often joke that he is ‘MICA Made.‘

“MICA was an incredible, formative experience for us. We developed our skills and identities as artists, made life-long friendships, and it's also where we fell in love.”

Danielle Bowly-Chambers '16 and Seth Chambers + Enlarge
Catherine Dunne '11 (Fiber BFA) and Ryan Dunne '11 (Interdisciplinary Sculpture BFA) + Enlarge
Nicole Moseley O’Hara '05 (Graphic Design BFA) and Dustin O’Hara '05 (General Fine Arts BFA), married since July 2, 2005. + Enlarge
Matthew Smith '11 (Animation BFA) and Mai Phuong Ly Degnan '14 (Illustration Practice MFA). “I met my wife, Mai Phuong Ly Degnan here at MICA in 2013. I recently graduated, and was working on campus and teaching in Animation. She was a first year in MFA Illustration Practice with my roommate Kevin Valente '11 &'14, and we started dating quite soon after she moved here from Georgia. I now work as Assistant Director of UGA, she teaches in MICA Summer Pre College, so we're still a BIG part of the MICA family. We were married at Corpus Christi church next to the Main building, and had a ton of MICA wedding photos taken afterward!” + Enlarge
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DS Bakker ’81, ’91 (BFA, MFA)

“My wife Cynthia Sanders and I met on the Station Building hill working MICA security for Artscape in 1984. We dated and were married a year later. She graduated in 1985. We continued to work in security eventually becoming director. Cynthia was director of security first. Then I took over when she quit to attend law school. She became an IP, copyright and trademark attorney. Her BFA helped her with her clients. I was a freelance sculptor and art instructor.

“We’re now retired and still together 41 years later.”

Catie Russo ’07, ’09 (Photography BFA, Teaching MA) and Richard Russo ’07, ’09 (Photography BFA, Teaching MA). “Richard and I met in undergrad, the photo department. I remember the very first time I saw him when I went to get materials in the photo crib. Even what he was wearing to this day, definitely like a love at first sight. In class I would always respond positively to a work every photo crit wondering whose work it was, and it was always his. I loved his work, especially this time he made a replica spiral getty out of his dirty laundry for a nod to existing artists assignment. During undergrad we were just friendly classmates at the time. I enjoyed standing outside if the darkroom with him inspecting test strips, my few and his many. Once undergrad was over I took a semester off. When I joined a small GEI cohort in MAT and saw him in the program's first class, I remember being elated (the feelings were mutual!). We had some mild flirting, silly faces, writing in each others sketchbooks during class but both of us were in relationships, or one and then the other during MAT. We did our second teaching internship together at one school and it was unfortunately bad news bears, we carpooled each day but we were always stepping on each others toes in the classroom. He was quite moody and one day said he didn't want to carpool anymore. I expressed confusion to a professor on the whole situation who suggested maybe he liked me. (Turns out he did! And hated that I would talk to my boyfriend during the commute!) We started our teaching careers and that February during our first year, one day he saw me at Dukem with someone and texted me later asking who I was with, I appreciated his curiosity. Soon after we had our first date and we never left each others side, smitten with each other since. We are now married (2012) with two kids, I still teach high school art in Annapolis, he now does exhibits and IT work at the Maryland Science Center. We both continue to make our own work and enjoy the conversations that come with it!” + Enlarge
Saskia Lehnert '99 (Fibers BFA) and Eric Lehnert '99 ( Interior Architecture & Design BFA). “I met my husband Eric at MICA in my sophomore year, in the extracurricular yoga class held upstairs in the Main building in the drawing studios on Sundays as well as one or two weeknights. One day the teacher paired us for ‘partner work’, which involved putting our backs together- so as he always tells the story, “We met touching butts in yoga class.” That was 1997- 23 years ago. We didn’t start dating until the summer after that, and we figured that was ‘temporary,’ until school started and we got absorbed in our academic creative pursuits once again. Since then, we have been through some truly major ups and downs, and raised 2 kids up to their teenage years (so far), but we still make each other laugh and we both are at the core, living and breathing creative brings who try to put into practice those skills that we were able to hone during our days at MICA. It’s such a privilege to have a life partner with whom I shared this life changing experience.” + Enlarge
Colin Campbell '04 (General Fine Arts BFA) and Jessica Hara '07 (Illustration BFA). “I (Colin) was a senior and Jess was a freshman when we met in 2003, playing frisbee in the Commons Quad. From there, we hung out playing boardgames with friends working the graveyard shift at the Commons desk, and one of the first times we spent time together was when Jess helped me push my dead car from Bolton Hill to the Commons parking lot in the dead of winter. A bit after graduating, I left Baltimore on a grant to paint in Antarctica for several months. While I was there, we wrote emails and letters and stayed in constant touch. I think that’s where words and images became a foundation of our relationship, and we still have the letters and packages we sent to oneaother during that time. Meanwhile, Jess got an art internship at the Baltimore based (and heavily MICA alumni infused) video game company, Big Huge Games. I’d worked there before leaving Baltimore, and rejoined the company on my return on the same team as Jess. In 2011, we got married at Brown Memorial Presbyterian church just up the street from MICA. Since then, we’ve contined to work in the video game industry but moved locations and jobs from Baltimore to Montreal to Los Angeles, but always have been on the same projects. We love working together and try to build our life around it. Not only do we feel we’re pretty great as a team, but it means we get to spend every day together. Jess and I still carry our MICA roots with us. Our vacations tend to be sketching trips, painting together wherever we go. Now we live in Los Angeles and have two young boys; Atticus (two years) and Griffin (one month old).” + Enlarge
Alessa Kreger '08 (Illustration BFA) and Jordan Jeffries '07 (Illustration BFA). “Alessa and Jordan majored in illustration at MICA one year apart; they shared one class together (Sequential Art, with Brian Ralph, Fall 2006!) but never really got to know one another. After graduating, they went in different directions—Alessa to California and Jordan to Philly—but both came back to Maryland after a couple of years. In 2010, Jordan, who was working for AV Services at MICA, decided to move to Brooklyn. AV threw a goodbye party for him on the same weekend that Alessa was visiting her friends (and fellow alums) Hector and Jane in Baltimore. Jane worked for AV as well and asked Alessa to tag along with her and Hector to the party. Alessa said "Jordan.... Jordan Jeffries?". She had admired his comic-making skills since undergrad but regretted that she had never talked to him before. The party was lively, but she didn't have a moment to introduce herself until afterward, as Jordan was unlocking his bike, ready to head home. They chatted amicably but once again headed in different directions. Two years later, Alessa moved to Jersey City and was invited to a rooftop 4th of July party at another MICA friend's apartment in Chelsea. Hector and Jane would also be there, and, as it happened, they invited Jordan. Alessa and Jordan finally got a chance to really connect, and started dating soon afterward. In 2016 they tied the knot; Jordan proposed with a comic. Now they live together in the Hudson Valley in New York, making comics together.” + Enlarge
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David Bakker '81, '91 (General Fine Arts B.F.A. and Rinehart School of Sculpture M.F.A.) & Cynthia Sanders '85 (Crafts BFA) “Cynthia and I were both working for security (at that time all the guards were also students). We'd chatted while working the Artscape crowd. The next month I needed someone to cover my shift and so I called her. She was reluctant as she was already working two shifts that day so I offered to buy her dinner. After graduation we continued working for security (both eventually becoming Director). I went to Rinehart and Cynthia went to law school. Two children and 35 years later she's an IP/copyright attorney and I'm a sculptor/artist/professor. (photo is our engagement picture- credit Chris Hartlove also a MICA alum)” + Enlarge
Portrait of Bill Steinmetz and Betty Cooke
Betty Cooke ’46 and William Steinmetz ’50 + Enlarge
Portrait of Bill Steinmetz and Betty Cooke

Bill Steinmetz and Betty Cooke

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MICA's Bicentennial: Celebrating Two Centuries

Join the festivities as MICA honors its 200-year history, recognizes its present success, and looks forward to a bright future. Throughout 2026, the College will be sharing community stories and announcing one-of-a-kind events on campus, in Baltimore, and beyond.

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Infinitum

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Untitled

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ƧIϲƺՈ¬Y

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