About Us
Steve Strenk
Department Head
A Ringling College of Art and Design graduate, earned his MFA in painting from the University of South Florida. Steve has taught the award winning Booker VPA Art program for over 26 years.
A professional artist and Ringling college professor, Steve has been department head for Booker VPA Art program for 14 years. He is a member of the SARTQ Artists Group, participated in the Select Art Fair, displayed at Art Basel and was selected for the prestigious Sarasota Keys (an interactive art and music experience for the city of Sarasota.)
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Bill Ferrell
A Ringling College of Art and Design graduate, earned his MFA in Illustration from the University of Hartford. Bill has taught at award winning art programs for over 22 years.
A professional illustrator, graphic designer and Ringling college professor, Ferrell has won 2 Brighthouse Cable national teaching awards and led teams of design students competing against 1,500 other high schools to five TSA National Championships, and six state championships.In addition, Ferrell was the recipient of the Art Educator of the Year award in 2023 for Manatee County Schools. Ferrell began his career as a Knight-Ridder political cartoonist, and has freelanced as a designer and illustrator for almost 30 years.
