Dominique Evans '18 has been selected to participate in Nickelodeon's artist program.
She is one of nine chosen for the company's annual writing and artist programs. According to a press release from Nickelodeon, the programs are designed to cultivate a new generation of creative and original talent through extensive hands-on work. Led by the ViacomCBS Office of Global Inclusion, for its 21st annual writing program, four aspiring television writers will hone their skills while working at the Nickelodeon studio and five emerging artists will develop their craft during the ninth annual artist program.
“These programs are critical to ensuring that underrepresented creators are given the opportunity and the access necessary to launch their careers, including engaging with incredible talent who have a track record of delivering authentic content that is representative of the diverse audiences we serve,” said Marva Smalls, ViacomCBS’ Global Head of Inclusion.
Evans’ journey in visual development began when she discovered fanfiction and began to write and illustrate her own stories. By high school, she was weary of the overwhelmingly strife-laden narratives of black characters in stories, especially in her favorite genres of science fiction and fantasy. This led her to draft her own original works. She carried her focus on diversifying storytelling to Moore College of Art & Design, where she majored in illustration and was a Visionary Honors Program scholar. Evans won the Excellence in Illustration award at the Senior Show 2018 awards ceremony. She was also a 2017 Penny Fox Internship Fellowship awardee. Also in 2017, she was winner of the Adobe Creative Jam, and was the Jam's People's Choice winner.
After graduation, Evans dedicated a year of service to the AmeriCorps program while working on two freelance comic projects.
During the six-month artist program, Evans and other aspiring artists will learn from lead artists and practice their craft as they work on an animated series in various stages of production. This year marks the first time the program offers a CG generalist track, which was opened to service many of the Nickelodeon Animation Studio’s upcoming CG productions.
Alumni of the programs who have gone on to hold positions on Nickelodeon shows include May Chan (co-executive producer, The Astronauts); Angelica Russell (storyboard artist, Santiago of the Seas); Anna Hill (storyboard artist, The Loud House); Sarah Jaques (art director, Santiago of the Seas); Shannon Parayil (background designer, The Loud House); Marisa Torres (color stylist, The Loud House Movie); and Jonathan Butler and Gabriel Garza (co-creators, Bella and the Bulldogs).
Outside of Nickelodeon, many program alumni have gone on to freelance and staff positions at various networks, including HBO, DreamWorks, Netflix, Comedy Central, Disney Channel, Disney+, Kids’ WB!, ABC, FOX, PBS, Cartoon Network, and the CW.
See Evans' work at domastri.com.
