Illustrator’s Way Summer 2026

Anna Abbate's journey is a testament to creativity built on hard work. Born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana—a city where food, art, music, and family intertwine seamlessly—Anna developed a profound appreciation for creativity and connection from an early age.

Her parents modeled hard work and resilience: her father spent twelve years on Gulf oil platforms, even returning to work the day after surviving a helicopter accident so her mother could continue homeschooling Anna and her sister. Her mother made countless personal sacrifices to prioritize their education and dreams. Homeschooled, Anna thrived with the freedom to finish academics quickly and dive deeply into artistic pursuits—sewing, cardboard sculptures, drawing, painting, jewelry making, and more. Her parents' signature "punishment" of taking away her hot glue gun (rather than TV or phone) only underscored her passion. These experiences built not only a strong work ethic but also the confidence to pursue a creative career.

Anna's artistic foundation expanded at the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA), where she was accepted into the AP Visual Arts program. There she explored ceramics, photography, drawing, painting, printmaking, and bronze casting, learning adaptability across media.

Seeking a college that would prepare her professionally, she chose Nossi College of Art & Design in Tennessee. Her time at Nossi was truly extraordinary. A super talented artist with a wonderful personality, Anna approached every project with enthusiasm, a consistent smile, and a genuine desire to help her peers.

She absorbed lessons in class while eagerly learning more on her own, always delivering finished work with pride and professionalism. Faculty and classmates remember her positive spirit and dedication fondly.

A junior-year trip to Hawaii ignited her love for tropical and beach-themed art, influences that still shine through much of her portfolio—including her own wedding invitation. Anna and her husband share a passion for beach travel, with a shared dream of one day living near the coast.

While seeking an internship, Anna turned a personal connection into a remarkable opportunity. Through a colleague of a family member, she reached out about internships, completed spec work during the interview process, and secured an internship that quickly evolved into a full-time role.

Mark Sloniker is a Nashville-based, multi-disciplined artist whose creative spirit has left its mark across the entertainment industry. A warm, approachable personality with immense talent, Mark is not only a gifted artist but also someone deeply eager to help others—whether mentoring aspiring creatives or sharing his knowledge with students and colleagues.

Primarily self-taught (autodidactic), Mark has always supplemented his natural abilities by seeking out mentors and continuously expanding his skills. His journey began in traditional hand-drawn animation and has since blossomed into a remarkable career spanning illustration, graphic design, photography, sculpture, hat-making, writing, and the soft fabrication of puppets, animatronics, and costumes.

Today, Mark serves as Art Director at Animax, a world-class studio that creates unforgettable characters for theme parks and live entertainment around the globe. His versatile work has appeared on album covers, magazines, theater and touring show stages, children's books, music videos, TV commercials, and home goods.

At the heart of his art lies a beautiful juxtaposition: the complex, intricate forms found in nature blended with the simplified, imaginative shapes of beloved characters.

Mark has been an active member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) for 11 years. He also serves on the Illustration Advisory Board at Nossi College of Art and Design, where his guidance and generous support help shape the next generation of illustrators. We're grateful to have such a talented and caring artist in our community!

Laird's love of art began in childhood, nourished by a steady stream of comics, Disney films, and Saturday morning cartoons. That early spark led him to study at Syracuse University's College of Visual and Performing Arts. After graduating, he headed to New York City, where he landed an enviable position as studio assistant to Eisner Award-winning illustrator and comic artist Peter Kuper. There, he contributed to the creation of the acclaimed graphic novel The System (Vertigo/DC Comics) and assisted on several other titles.

While building his own freelance career as an illustrator and designer—including work with the nationally syndicated Inx editorial illustration service—Laird broadened his skill set at a Manhattan design agency. His projects ranged from publications for the New York Stock Exchange and magazine ads to corporate identity and web design. It was during this period that his longstanding passion for filmmaking truly flourished.

Collaborating with the New Jersey Institute of Technology, Laird helped produce compelling branding videos that captured student and research success stories. He also served as editor and photographer for the 35-episode educational web series Nature Minute and has edited multiple award-winning documentary shorts.

Laird's artwork has been exhibited across the United States, Canada, and Europe, including shows at the Frist Center in Nashville, the Museum of Caricature in Warsaw, Poland, and Parsons School of Art in New York. Most recently, he has worked with noted art director Barry Jackson, creating storyboards and concept art for several films currently in development.

Now in his second year at Nossi, Laird brings this rich, multifaceted experience into the classroom every day. Students and colleagues alike praise his generosity with feedback, his technical expertise, and his ability to connect classroom lessons to real-world creative practice.