Cary Esser joined KCAI in 1996 and became Chair of Ceramics that same year. Her sculptures indulge the materiality of ceramics and draw on the history of architectural terra cotta, producing artworks ranging from single tiles to large-scale installations.

Professor Paul Donnelly and Associate Professor Casey Whittier said in a joint statement that she has been a guiding force in the department for 28 years. They describe her leadership as nothing short of remarkable.

"She has worked hand-in-hand with faculty, staff and students to welcome innovation and address trends within contemporary ceramics and education," they said in a joint statement.

"Her steadfast commitment and confidence have transformed our curriculum, enhanced our facilities, and created a welcoming and collaborative environment for students and faculty. We are incredibly grateful for all that she has contributed as Chair," their statement concluded.

She received her BFA from KCAI in 1978 and her MFA from New York State College of Ceramics in 1984. During her 30-year career in the arts, Esser also taught at the University of North Carolina, Duke University, and Louisiana State University (LSU). She has been a resident artist at the Archie Bray Foundation, Watershed Center for the Ceramic Arts, the International Ceramics Studio in Hungary, and other venues. Cary recently exhibited at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Sherry Leedy Contemporary Art, Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, and the Northern Clay Center.

Steve Mayse came to KCAI as a faculty member in 1989. He is credited with bringing the Illustration program back to life in 2010 while serving as Program Head and Department Chair. He has stayed in that role for more than a decade and has now served more than 35 years as a faculty member at KCAI.

"A student then and a student now, I continue to learn from Steve and try my best to instill in my students the many things that Steve has instilled in me," Maura Cluthe, Associate Professor & The Charlie Sosland Chair of Illustration, said.

"He continuously encouraged me to simply ‘keep making’ to see where it would take me and to tell the stories that were important to me. I've carried that with me," Cluthe said.

Mayse’s work has received numerous awards for excellence including from the 3-Dimensional Art Directors and Illustration Awards Show in New York, the Society of Illustrators in New York and Los Angeles, the Kansas City Art Director’s Award Show, and the Addy Awards.

Mayse's work has also been included in juried fine art exhibitions and solo exhibitions both nationally and regionally. He recently donated a copy of a book he wrote, designed, and illustrated to the Jannes Library. FIX N 2 GO is about his mother and the seven weeks he spent as her primary caregiver just before her passing in 1998.

He is an alumnus of the University of Central Missouri, where he graduated in art education and design, and an alumnus of the University of Kansas, where he earned an MFA with honors in design. He brings over 45 years of practical professional experience to his teaching. His corporate client list has included, among others, Sports Illustrated, Arthur Anderson, Chevron, McDonald’s, American Airlines, Cessna, Sprint, and Cerner.