Marissa Napoletano, University of Hartford’s Hartford Art School

Imagine finishing your BFA with a published children’s book and a nice stipend for your work!

Marissa Napoletano 2015 joins a long list of published student illustrators from our distinguished program.

Each year one senior illustration student has been selected by Dr. John Feierabend of the University’s performing arts conservatory, The Hartt School, to illustrate a children’s book based on an American folk song. The fully illustrated book is then published by GIA Publications in Chicago. Marissa is currently working on Over in the Meadow, based on a folk song of the same name.

“As the author of many publications for children and music, I am always on the lookout for talented artists to illustrate my books. I never would have considered using the talents of college students until I was invited to see the work of the illustration majors at the Hartford Art School. Each year it is a delight to meet the art school students and discuss their progress as they work on one of the children’s book projects. The level of talent and preparation of the students is so high that it is often a difficult decision to select one finalist. The response from teachers who use the books and learn that they are illustrated by college students is hugely enthusiastic. This collaboration has become a wonderful partnership that I hope will continue for many years.”
— Dr. John Feierabend

“The collaboration between Dr. John Feierabend with the senior Book Illustration students brings a real-world professional experience into the classroom, with deadlines, the prospect of a printed product, and a cash reward. The chosen student will have a hard-bound picture book on the market to add to his or her professional portfolio, a rare addition to a graduating student’s collection of samples. And all the students benefit from having a finished book dummy and two double-spread finished pieces of art to include in their portfolios to show potential clients, as well as having the experience of working with Dr. Feierabend as author, editor, and art director.”
— Professor Dennis Nolan