Dean, College of Communication and Design: Dr. Cesar Santalo
2025 NFT Art Museum Exhibit and Discussion Panel Event
organized by the College of Communication and Design and Dean Cesar Santalo at the Boca Raton Innovation Campus (BRiC).Schedule
4:45 p.m. | Cocktail hour
5:30 p.m. | Panel discussion: Collecting Culture: How Toys and Comics Shape Our Stories
The panel was moderated by Adjunct Professor Michael Williams: A nine-time Suncoast Regional Emmy Award winner and former WPTV NewsChannel 5 anchor. Panelists included:
- 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
- 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
- Irving and Vicky Santiago, founders of Ultracon of South Florida
- Michelle and Edward Stinson, Visual Adjectives
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 artists, showcasing over 450 unique designs from around the world.
- Digitalism 2025:A juried exhibition selected by Pixar RenderMan specialist Leif Pedersen, highlighted student achievements in illustration, animation, photography and graphic design—work that blends technical skill with personal expression. The curated show Stolen Data pushed those ideas further, examining authorship and the instability of digital property through works by pioneering net-artists such as Vuk Ćosić, Rodolfo Peraza and Rhea Myers.
- 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 AI Animation and Video Art Contest, presented with Loop Art Critique Artists explored AI, public space, and digital freedom, with the winner, Tery Spataro, earning a six-month exhibition at the Lynn NFT Art Museum.
- Zelda Wynn Valdes (1905–2001): A collection of Valdes' drawings and sketches, to celebrate her legacy as a pioneer fashion designer.
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!
