EASTERN Alumna Spotlight - Kelly Meissner, Commercial Art/Upper Moreland HS Grad

Eastern Center for Arts and Technology (EASTERN) 2007 Commercial Art/Upper Moreland High School graduate, Kelly Meissner, is currently the owner and operator of Ugly Apparel, LLC -- a custom apparel company based out of Jenkintown,  is a freelance illustrator, and a substitute Commercial Art instructor at EASTERN.

Through EASTERN’s 8th Grade Career Expo, Meissner visited three programs: Commercial Art, Collision Repair Technology, and Culinary Arts.  Prior to the visit, Meissner already knew that Commercial Art would relate to her future career, which was design and illustration.

After graduating from EASTERN and Upper Moreland High School, she pursued her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Illustration at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia.  She was a tattoo apprentice during college which led her to open her own tattoo shop during her senior year.  She sold the business in 2012 to focus more on her freelance illustration career. In 2013 she received a grant from the Corzo Center for the Creative Economy and Wells Fargo to start her own clothing company – Ugly Apparel, LLC.

“Ninety-five percent of my career success is because of the career and technical education I received at EASTERN,” said Meissner.  “Commercial Art at EASTERN gave me the professional portfolio I needed to get into the college program of my choice.  While college gave me the degree, EASTERN really gave me the technical and professional development skills to obtain and succeed at the jobs I have applied for.”

EASTERN’s Commercial Art program covers everything from conceptual drawing and design to a professional portfolio. Students learn the value and application of their unique styles in the areas of design, illustration, and commercial photography. Students learn to use industry standard design practices and equipment from digital single-lens reflex cameras to the Adobe Suite.  All students gain competencies in each area of the commercial art field allowing them to get a comprehensive sampling of the industry as a whole.

EASTERN is a public school serving students in nine Eastern Montgomery County school districts. Those districts include Abington, Bryn Athyn, Cheltenham, Hatboro-Horsham, Jenkintown, Lower Moreland, Springfield, Upper Dublin and Upper Moreland. Students benefit from specialized career programs that give them a competitive edge in college or in a career.  The campus is at 3075 Terwood Road in Willow Grove. For more information, please contact Amy Shields, Organizational Advancement Director, at 215-784-4806, or visit the school’s website at www.eastech.org.  Like Us?  Become a fan on Facebook – www.Facebook.com/EasternCenter, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram @EasternCenter.

Photo: Kelly Meissner (standing) substitute teaching for the Commercial Art program at EASTERN.