Alum Has Rewarding Career as Artist & Teacher
Deborah Ingerick
Alumni / Teacher & Artist
Are you a current student or alumni?
I am an alumni. I graduated in 1979.
Tell us a little about yourself.
I began taking classes at Herkimer College my senior year at Mohawk High School. I was selected to be in a program called Early Admissions. I took several classes. One that stood out was painting and drawing with Guy Corriero.
I continued in the Fine Arts program after HS graduation and I graduated with an Associates in Art, plus credit hours. Next I transferred to Nazareth College of Rochester as an Art Education major. I completed my Masters in Education in 1983 and began teaching Secondary Art at Geneseo High School upon graduation. Presently, I am teaching in the Spencerport District and I have been teaching for 21 years.
The last three years, after raising two beautiful children, I have made a conscious decision to devote time to my own art work again. I attended a summer workshop in Boston, Mass. at Lesley University (AIB). I have attended two summer programs at Lesley and last summer I spent the summer in Florida at Ringling College of Art and Design to learn more about the Arts and technology.
I have had two shows at Café Aviv in Rochester, New York (one solo and one with three other local male artists) and one Alumni weekend show at Herkimer College this past fall. I have also exhibited at the Rochester Contemporary Gallery and The High Falls Gallery in Rochester, New York.
I currently have a website called www.RuaneStudio.com and three movies on You Tube, under Deborah Ruane. I am excited about what the future holds and will be pursuing my art in many new and exciting ways.
Why did you choose Herkimer College?
I had completed requirements at my HS and I wanted to learn more about the Arts. Herkimer College was conveniently located, reasonably priced, and had a good reputation academically.
What are your greatest career and/or personal successes to date?
Teaching has been an extremely rewarding and fulfilling job. I look forward every day to teaching, but I am first an artist. Lately, I have so many ideas that I want to express visually. I even end up painting all night long. It was quite an honor to be invited to exhibit my work several times in the last few years. However, putting my children first and raising them was the most fulfilling thing I have done.
How has Herkimer College helped you to succeed?
I felt so much support and have many positive memories from Herkimer College. The teachers and the friends were some of the best I have ever had!
What were some of your favorite things about attending Herkimer?
The teachers were always great, interesting, caring, and sometimes very humorous in their deliveries. I definitely received a solid foundational education from Herkimer College. I was prepared for Nazareth College in Rochester, which is rated one of the top Liberal Arts Schools in the country.
What advice would you give to future Herkimer College students?
Enjoy and appreciate what the teachers and school have to offer. You will probably make friends that will last a life time.