In a month where Yavapai College honors its remarkable alumni and their accomplishments, the Prescott Campus Gallery will feature an exhibit from a 2014 graduate who uses his design skills to advocate for animals facing extinction. Endangered Species, by Yavapai College alumnus Stefan R. Sanford, runs Wednesday September 18 thru Monday, September 23 at Yavapai College’s Prescott Campus Gallery.

“I grew up in Prescott and love the mountains, lakes and wildlife we enjoy here.” Sanford said. “I began reading National Geographic and learned about conservation reading the Ranger Rick magazines as a child.” At Yavapai College, Sanford was introduced to Photoshop and fell in love with Graphic Design. After graduation, he went on to Sessions College and studied Advanced Graphic Design at UCLA. Sanford received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and his Master of Fine Arts in Graphic Design from Liberty University.

Endangered Species – a series of digital paintings of endangered animals with information about each one – sprang out of Sanford’s MFA Thesis presentation. “Many animals are leaving our earth and will soon be gone if we do not get poaching and illegal hunting under control.” As part of his thesis project, Sanford wrote and illustrated two children’s books designed to introduce kids to conservation. “B. A. C. K. is my motto for these books – Be A Conservation Kid!” Sanford’s thesis has been downloaded for research throughout the world and published by Liberty’s Scholars Crossing this summer. The books will be part of an upcoming series, with the first two – on the African Elephant and the African Rhinoceros – due out soon.

He is pleased to see his work featured at his alma mater, especially during Yavapai College’s Alumni Reunion week. “YC was a safe and happy environment for me, and I always loved visiting the campus. I would love to perhaps one day teach a Photoshop class and inspire students as I was by attending there. It was because of YC that I kept growing and learning.”

Yavapai College’s Prescott Campus Art Gallery will display Endangered Species on its gallery Jumbotron September 18 through 23. Sanford will be selling prints of his work at an opening reception, from 5 – 6 p.m., on Friday, September 20.

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The Yavapai College Prescott Art Gallery is located in the Jim & Linda Lee Performing Arts Center at 1100 E. Sheldon Street, on the Yavapai College Prescott Campus. The Gallery is open 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. Admission is free. For exhibit schedules or more information, please call: (928) 776.2031 or visit: www.yc.visualarts.com.

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Yavapai College operates six campuses and centers throughout Yavapai County and offers over 100 degrees and certificates, a baccalaureate degree, student and community services, and cultural events and activities. To learn more about YC, visit www.yc.edu.