Alumni Dispatches
This Spring, Cate welcomed back alumna and painter Jean Pettigrew Whelan to teach the Advanced Art class at Cate. Jean writes, “Working with the Advanced Art students this Spring was my great pleasure. Having taught high school through graduate school, these Cate art students were among the most sophisticated makers and thinkers I have encountered. I began my time with the students by presenting a slideshow of my work and sharing inspiration and influences. I shared a series of “plein air” paintings I had made at The Cowhouse Studios, a residency in Wexford, Ireland. I brought those paintings and drawings back to my studio in San Francisco, where I made new paintings based on them. Modeled after my experience, I asked the students to choose an artwork they had made and, using it as inspiration, to create a new piece. I worked alongside the students in the art loft as they conceptualized and brought their latest work to completion. I love that the students had ample time to dream and think, and that Joy Doyle, Visual Art Department Chair, was an incredible resource when they needed guidance or ideas. Whitney Abbott ’90 joined us for the final critiques. The students presented paintings, films, photography, ceramics, and textiles. I look forward to following these students’ careers and working with more Cate students in the future!”
Born in Palo Alto, Jean has lived, worked, and exhibited her art around the globe, though California has always remained home. After graduating from Cate, she earned a BFA in Painting and Printmaking from the Rhode Island School of Design and later received her MFA in Painting from the San Francisco Art Institute. Jean has an upcoming solo show opening on June 7, 2025, at Sarah Shepard Gallery in California.
Cannon Michael has been recognized for his leadership in sustainable agriculture, receiving the Los Banos Leopold Conservation Award for his dedication to water conservation, soil health, and habitat restoration. As president of Bowles Farming Company, he oversees 11,200 acres in California’s San Joaquin Valley, where he has implemented precision agriculture, cover cropping, and rigorous sustainability certifications across a diverse range of crops, including tomatoes, corn, herbs, almonds, and cotton.
Cannon’s commitment to environmental stewardship extends beyond the farm. He has championed wetland restoration, dedicating 650 acres to migratory bird habitats and establishing hedgerows for pollinators. Cannon has also integrated solar energy, composted green waste, and reduced pesticide use to protect raptors. Beyond his operations, he plays a key role in shaping agricultural and water policy, fostering collaboration among farmers, conservationists, and policymakers to address pressing environmental challenges.
Cannon’s leadership continues a legacy that spans more than 160 years. Since Henry Miller began farming the land in 1858, the Bowles and Lawrence families have upheld a tradition of responsible agriculture. Miller’s early efforts to protect Tule elk from extinction laid the foundation for a deep-rooted ethos of sustainability and conservation values that Cannon carries forward today. With a vision for resilience and innovation, Bowles Farming Company remains a model of sustainable agriculture under Cannon’s leadership. He ensures this historic farm thrives for generations through strategic partnerships and forward-thinking practices.
Trevor Wallace has built a dynamic career in archaeology and documentary filmmaking. He uses his work to educate and inspire audiences around the world. One of his most ambitious undertakings is the Menorca Shipwreck Project, a multi-year archaeological expedition focused on excavating ancient shipwrecks off the coast of Menorca, dating from 300 to 2,000 years old.
In addition to his archaeological work, Trevor is also involved in documentary film production. His projects include Among Thieves, a feature film nearing completion that explores the illicit trade in stolen archaeological artifacts. It will be screened in Bern, Switzerland, this November. Another film, Son of Labrador, follows Adventure Canada expedition leader Jason Edmunds as he journeys through the striking landscapes of Labrador and the High Arctic. Signs of Life, filmed in Nunavut, documents a songwriting workshop that brings together local high school students and elders. Trevor is also behind Sisters of the Sea, which showcases sea turtle conservation efforts in the Darién Gap through the work of the Leatherback Project, a non-governmental organization dedicated to protecting endangered sea turtles and promoting the rights of nature.
Gracie Gates and her husband, Ryan Dobosh, plan to open a second location of Little King in the Post Montecito in June 2025. Gracie honed her expertise at acclaimed Austin restaurants like Emmer & Rye and Launderette, eventually becoming the Food & Beverage Director at The Carpenter Hotel. After nearly six years in Texas, she returned to the Central Coast in 2020 to help open Bar Le Côte in Los Olivos as its General Manager. Originally from the Pacific Northwest, Ryan appreciated hospitality while working at Uchi, The Walrus & The Carpenter, and the Michelin-starred Bell’s. He and Gracie have spent nearly a decade running fine-dining restaurants in Texas and California.
Gracie writes: “Little King was born out of a love for coffee and community. My husband, Ryan Dobosh, and I spent years working in fine dining, and we wanted to take our love of hospitality and infuse great service into the everyday lives of our neighbors. We aim for our spaces to be filled with people enjoying a cookie with their 4-year-old, meeting their next-door neighbor, or playing a weekly chess game. Ryan infamously made our wifi password “nozoommeetings” not to discourage guests from working in our spaces but to encourage in-person connection. It will not always be the quietest coffee shop on the block; Little King is a place to enjoy each other’s company. Inspired by my time at Cate, I have spent my life fostering and building community. There is no better group of people to appreciate how we try to welcome guests into our spaces. Enjoy some coffee and say hello. I am also dreaming up a Muffet’s Tuffets Affogato, which you can convince me to bring to life! Go Rams!”
Nathan Martin has always been an artist at heart. From his early days at Cate, honing his craft in the ceramics studio, his passion for creativity has taken him worldwide. Today, he serves as the Sculpture Technician at Pomona College, overseeing the woodshop and metal shop while guiding students in their artistic pursuits.
Nathan’s journey has been anything but conventional. Though initially studying computer science, he later gravitated toward geology and archaeology, deepening his fascination with materials and craftsmanship. This passion led him across continents—spending months in India, Japan, and the Philippines—where he immersed himself in ancient pottery techniques, metal casting, and 3D printing. An invitation from Shuta Kobayashi ’14 sparked his trip to the Philippines.
Nathan’s experimental approach to sculpture pushes boundaries. For a senior project that defied expectations, he superheated copper to 2,000 degrees, creating a massive 30-pound crystal that impressed even his professors. His work seamlessly blends innovation and tradition, from casting bronze to designing performance-driven ceramic pieces.
Beyond the studio, Nathan is a natural entrepreneur. While working at an art supply store, he launched a successful jewelry business, first selling at local markets before expanding online. His creativity extends beyond his work—he’s passionate about building community, whether through hosting collaborative workshops or inspiring curiosity in students. Nathan’s career is a testament to following passion over convention. Whether shaping clay, casting metal, or experimenting with new materials, he proves that art isn’t just about creation—it’s about discovery.