SARASOTA , Fla., March 1, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ringling College of Art and Design today conveyed congratulations to Pixar Studios and the thirteen Ringling College graduates who worked on 'Inside Out' for their Oscar® win for best Animated Feature Film at the 88th Academy Awards®.

"It's been such a thrill watching 'Inside Out' be so successful, especially when it carries such a wonderful message. I feel very lucky to have been a part of it, and it was so great to have worked alongside so many of my talented peers from Ringling College of Art and Design on such a special film," said Jaime Landes Roe, Directing Animator on 'Inside Out' at Pixar Animation Studios and a Ringling College graduate.

Catherine Hicks, Animator on 'Inside Out' at Pixar Animation Studios and a Ringling College graduate as well, stated that "I would like to acknowledge the extremely talented individuals who taught me how to animate during my time at Ringling: Keith Osborn, Tammy Zeitler, Gary Schumer, Dominic Avant and Deborah Healy. I owe my career to your patience and encouragement and for that I am forever thankful. Each of you are in every shot I animate."

The roster of Ringling College of Art and Design graduates who worked on the Oscar-winning film includes Katherine C. Bickley, Justin M. Farris, Robert S. Gibbs, Catherine B. Hicks, Alexander J. Marino, Alonso Martinez, Lucas Martorelli, Amber L. Martorelli, Andreas Procopiou, Gwendelyn C. Enderoglu, Jaime R. Landes Roe, Michael W. Sauls and Jessica R. Torres.

"We are proud and impressed with the continual achievements of our graduates," said Jim McCampbell, Ringling College Computer Animation Department Head. "We applaud their recognition by the Academy and congratulate them and Pixar on the worldwide acknowledgement 'Inside Out' has received. Of particular interest was 'Inside Out' Director Pete Docter's advice to the audience during his Oscar acceptance speech to "Make films, draw, write. It will make a world of difference." We take to heart his imprecation and are fortunate indeed to see our students embracing creativity every day and our graduates enriching our lives, and our worlds, through their work and achievements."

At last years' 87th annual Academy Awards®, 29 Ringling Graduates worked on the Oscar-winning animated film 'Big Hero 6' and Ringling alumni Patrick Osborne won the Academy Award for Best Short Film, Animated with his film 'Feast.'

About Ringling College of Art and Design

For nearly 85 years, Ringling College of Art and Design has cultivated the creative spirit in students from around the globe. The private, not-for-profit fully accredited college offers the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in eleven disciplines and the Bachelor of Arts in two. The College's rigorous curriculum employs the studio model of teaching and immediately engages students through a comprehensive, first-year program that is both specific to the major of study and focused on the liberal arts. The Ringling College teaching model ultimately shapes students into highly employable and globally aware artists and designers. For more information please visit the Ringling College website at www.ringling.edu, follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter or call 941.351.5100.

CONTACT: Rich Schineller
         941.780.8100
         rschinel@ringling.edu