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Visual Arts Coordinator / Curriculum Development
Born and Raised in Iowa City, Drew has always had a passion for artistic expression and a drive to explore and document the amazing world of human culture. While studying Anthropology and Spanish at the University of Iowa, he began producing short documentary films to document the ethnographic research he conducted in Mexico, Guatemala and Spain. His interest in the craft of filmmaking led him to study narrative cinema and before graduating in 2004 he had created several award-winning short films. To create original scores for his films he teamed up with other filmmakers and musicians to form the rock band Jet Set Cutie and play shows throughout Iowa and Illinois.
After college, Drew moved to Los Angeles where he interned with Producer Julie Lynn at Mockingbird pictures and gained a comprehensive perspective on the many aspects of independent feature film production. Upon completing his internship he joined the Americorps National Civilian Community Corps in Charleston, SC where he served as a media outreach coordinator for Team Silver 2. He served as a substitute ESL teacher within the North Charleston School District and completed nature conservation projects in Okeefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Tennessee's Roan Mountain State Park and Natchitoches, Louisianna.
In 2006 Drew joined the staff at the Riekes Center as a filmmaking instructor and visual arts program coordinator. He initiated new offerings in stop-motion animation, pottery, graffiti art and acting for the screen. Finding himself surrounded by an abundance of phenomenal musicians, he formed a funk/rap/hip-hop band called the Funkistadors, releasing their debut EP, Gateway Grooves in 2007. In 2008 Drew received an Executive Vice Chancellor's Fellowship to pursue his doctorate in cultural anthropology at the University of California, Santa Cruz. For his research on indigenous advocacy programs in Venezuela and Columbia, he received his Masters in 2010. Drew continues teaching part time at the Riekes Center and produces short videos about Silicon Valley life as a community reporter for Yahoo. He enjoys every minute he gets to spend with the bright minds of Riekes Center students because teaching fires his imagination and provides an endless source of inspiration.
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