Valedictorian Speech, Academy of Art, University Graduation Ceremony, Cow Palace, San Francisco, May 2015.
education
CSUMB ~ Cal State University, Monterey Bay, California Science Illustration Program, Completed 2020 Summer Program
Academy of Art, University ~ San Francisco, California BFA - Illustration Valedictorian - Graduating class, 2014
President's Honor List six times from 2010 and 2014
Kubert School of Graphic Art ~ Dover, New Jersey Certificate of Completion
After nearly 20 years of working in the aquarium industry, in 2009 I went back to college full-time to earn an art degree and to become a working professional illustrator. In order to kick start my training, I first moved briefly to Dover, NJ to study at the legendary Kubert School of Graphic Art from 2009 - 2010 (a life-long dream of mine come true). I completed a year at the Kubert School with a GPA of 3.8 before returning home and transferring to the Academy of Art, University in San Francisco, CA.
I earned a Bachelor's in Fine Arts degree in Illustration from AAU, in December of 2014; where I graduated cum laude as well as class valedictorian. Just below you can watch my speech in front of thousands of people at the Cow Palace Arena in San Francisco. Don't worry, I recover quickly after the first minute or so! Whew...
At AAU, I also made the "President's Honor List" six times and had a total of nine pieces selected for the prestigious Spring Shows of 2013 and 2014, winning second place "Best of Show" each year. I also had three pieces selected for the one and only Fall Illustration Show in 2012.
In my last week of attendance before graduating, the AAU school newspaper did a full-page feature article on me and my accomplishments in professional freelance illustration while still attending school full time. The article can be read HERE.
Before my time at the Kubert School and AAU, I studied art and illustration at Folsom Lake College, Folsom, CA from 2005-2006 under the tutelage of California artist, Aleris Hart. Directly out of high school, from 1997 - 2000, I studied biology and natural sciences at American River College in Sacramento, CA.
Aaron John Gregory at the Kubert School, Fall 2009.