Dean, College of Communication and Design: Dr. Cesar Santalo

2025 NFT Art Museum Exhibit and Discussion Panel

Join the College of Communication and Design and Dean Cesar Santalo at the Boca Raton Innovation Campus (BRiC) for a premier art exhibit and panel discussion.

Cosplays are welcome! Come dressed as your favorite character and celebrate with the community.

Schedule

4:45 p.m. | Cocktail hour

5:30 p.m. | Panel discussion: Collecting Culture: How Toys and Comics Shape Our Stories

The panel is moderated by Adjunct Professor Michael Williams: A nine-time Suncoast Regional Emmy Award winner and former WPTV NewsChannel 5 anchor. Panelists include:

  • Irving Santiago, founder of Ultracon of South Florida
  • Mark Sparacio, artist-in-residence, illustrator, graphic novelist
  • Gary Carlin, associate professor and former vice president of marketing for Hasbro Toy Company
  • Vinnie Tartamella, action figure designer and comic book artist for Marvel Toys
  • Matt Nuccio, toy designer co-credited with designing Creepy Crawlers, Tickle Me Elmo, Nintendo Power Glove, P.O.G.'s, Laser Challenge and Barbie Sparkle Kingdom

6:45 p.m. | Digital shows and traditional art exhibits

  • All Hands on Deck: An international skateboard deck design competition featuring Lynn University students, faculty, and high school and middle school artists, showcasing over 300 unique designs from around the world.
  • Digitalism 2025: New digital artwork by Lynn faculty and students. Juror: Pixar RenderMan Specialist Leif Pedersen.
  • Loop Art Critique: Loop Art Critique, founded by Ariel Baron-Robbins, is an organization in partnership with the MUD Foundation that focuses on critique, art + technology, and interdisciplinary exploration.
  • Fugitive Commons: An AI-Generated Art Contest: Partnered with Loop Art Critique to showcase individual artists.
  • Zelda Wynn Valdes (1905–2001): A collection of Valdes' drawings and sketches, to celebrate her legacy as a pioneer fashion designer.

Special guests:

The 501st Legion, known as Vader's Fist, is an elite Star Wars fan organization recognized by Lucasfilm for its screen-accurate costumes of Imperial and Sith characters. With thousands of members worldwide, the group will appear at our event, bringing the Star Wars universe to life. Cosplay is encouraged!

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