Tom Galmarini

Cleveland-born Tom is, as one might expect, fiercely loyal to Cleveland sports—the Guardians, Cavaliers, and Browns. This buckeye-based fervor is matched only by his proclivity for Pearl Jam. In fact, a mutual passion for Pearl Jam was the impetus for the courtship of his wife, Jill. Related: their two children, Katie and Riley, have attended multiple Pearl Jam concerts, with Katie receiving a tambourine from Eddie Vedder.

Perhaps because both his parents were teachers, Tom felt compelled to get not just a BFA from the Columbus College of Art and Design but also an MFA from the University of Hartford—Hartford Art School. His early career included a stint as a production artist for a printing company and as a graphic designer at the Ohio Aerospace Institute.

Like many native Ohioans, Tom and his family finally came to their senses and joined Buckeye masses in Charleston in 2005. He has worked as Creative Specialist for Santee Cooper, South Carolina’s electric and water utility. Prior to becoming a full-time professor at the Art Institute of Charleston, he served as adjunct professor while at Santee Cooper. He also owns and operates his own creative firm, DIG Creative.

Tom and his family moved to Lake Charles in early 2019.

When he’s not helping Jill tend to their two kids, dogs, and cats, Tom is probably painting, sketching, cycling, creating, playing/coaching basketball, drinking coffee, and espousing the superiority of Apple products.

At McNeese, Tom has taught:

• ART 225: Introduction to Graphic Design
• ART 305: Intermediate Illustration I
• ART 306: Intermediate Illustration II
• ART 326: Intermediate Graphic Design I
• ART 327: Intermediate Graphic Design II
• ART 405: Advanced Illustration I
• ART 406: Advanced Illustration II
• ART 426: Advanced Graphic Design I
• ART 427: Advanced Graphic Design II
• ART 430: Graphic Design Portfolio