UPDATE: Nov. 6
Margo Drew was named the winner of the category, accepting the award at the Concept Art Awards Celebration.
Illustration faculty member Sean Murray led the charge of entries for this competition in Spring 2024 and assisted students in selecting their best work to enter for consideration of a nomination.
Faculty members Michael Marsicano and Dominick Saponaro were asked to present an award category at the Saturday night ceremony. They also hosted a Ringling Illustration exhibitor table, along with Illustration students, Alyssa Chau, Lauren Avila Santana, and award winner Margo Drew.

Two Ringling College of Art and Design Illustration students—Margo Drew ’25 and Sophia Andrade ’25—were selected as finalists in the 2024 Concept Art Awards for the Student: Character Finalists category. The awards are hosted by the Concept Art Association and celebrate professional, independent, and student work and include a Rising Star, LBX Luminary, Community Icon, and Lifetime Achievement Awards.
The annual Awards are judged by a panel of industry experts and recognize excellence in character, creature, vehicle/prop, environment, keyframe, color keys, and visual development.

Concept Art Awards entry work Circe Character Lineup by finalist and Illustration student Sophia Andrade.
Sophia Andrade is an aspiring character designer and visual development artist originally from Los Angeles, California. Currently enrolled as a senior at Ringling College, visual development and character design is her passion. Her selected work, Circe Lineup, was a project she designed for Warrior Art Camp’s ‘Dynamic Character Design’ with Anastasiia Platoshyna. It is based on the novel, Circe, by Madeline Miller, which explores themes of power, femininity, and transformation. The rest of the project can be seen on Andrade’s portfolio website.

Margo Drew’s other award-winning work, Don’t Wake the Sleeping Dragon.
Margo Drew is an illustrator and concept artist also completing her senior year at Ringling College. Her work centers around creating whimsical illustrations with expressive characters. Drew’s CAA finalist work demonstrates her distinctive use of moody color, mid-century-inspired texture and style, and fantastical depictions of nature.
To learn more about Margo, visit her website and follow her Instagram.
The 2024 Concept Art Awards will be held on Saturday, October 26 at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium during LightBox Expo.
LightBox Expo is the ultimate gathering of artists who work in the entertainment industry, bringing your favorite films, animation, games, TV shows, and illustrations to life.
Ringling College Illustration faculty and Admissions representatives will be attending the LightBox Expo this year. Ringling’s Illustration booth can be found on the Expo floor, and an Admissions rep will be available on Friday, October 25, at the Concept Art Association booth. The Expo will take place at the Pasadena Convention Center, Oct. 25-27, 2024.