Maine College of Art & Design (MECA&D) has appointed Stephen Bowden '97 as Director of Marketing and Communication.
“Steve’s professional experiences as a designer combined with his background as a MECA&D alum and adjunct faculty member uniquely position him for this leadership role at MECA&D,” said President Laura Freid. “As we prepare to release MECA&D’s 2020-2027 Strategic Plan and to celebrate our 140th anniversary, I am looking forward to working with Steve to communicate the important role of art and design in our local and global creative economies.”
Bowden '97 is a veteran design professional with 20 years experience in design, art, education, and marketing. After earning his BFA from MECA&D in 1997, Bowden was awarded an artist residency at Benetton’s Fabrica in 1998. He then moved to New York where his work with The Chopping Block (for MoMA, Phish, & Miramax) was included in the National Design Triennial in 2003. Bowden received his MFA in 2D at Cranbrook Academy of Art in 2005, went on to work as Art Director for BUILT NY, and then managed Timberland's online presence in the U.S. and Europe. He was awarded an artist residency at the Jan Van Eyck Academie in 2013 and joined DesignInquiry’s Board of Directors in 2019. Bowden has been an adjunct faculty member in MECA&D's Graphic Design Department since 2001 and has taught across many programs in the United States, Europe, and Asia.
During his time as adjunct faculty member at MECA&D, Bowden has advocated for class projects in partnership with MECA&D’s Marketing Department. Bowden played a major role in MECA&D’s Be Seen campaign projection initiative, “Project Project”, which illuminated buildings around Portland with student work— including Get Out The Vote campaign posters by MECA&D students on Portland’s City Hall during the 2020 election season. Bowden also recently collaborated with the MECA&D Made Committee to launch the College’s first online sales platform for students, faculty, and alumni work.
“I truly feel indebted to MECA&D and its faculty. I had a transformative experience here that has given me a lifetime of skills and opportunities that I could have never imagined. I look forward to giving back to the community and feel uniquely qualified to reflect the amazing work happening here in order to attract, educate, and support the next generation of artists and designers.” said Bowden, who will lead the Marketing and Communications Department starting March 1, 2021.