Paradise Valley Community College proudly recognizes Dr. Lisa Tolentino for being one of 30 recipients awarded the Arizona Commission on the Arts 2022 Research and Development grant. The grant will enable Tolentino to develop a stochastic computer software code to generate dynamically shifting movement patterns for LED light arrays.
"Receiving the grant from the Arizona Commission on the Arts gives me the support I need to show work nationally at a critically acclaimed venue,” explained Tolentino. “The goal of this work is to honor the movement qualities and nature of the red wolf in a natural environment. With interactive work, like with software applications or video games, we are used to pressing play and getting a specific and predictable reaction. In this piece, I am building a computer algorithm that uses indeterminate processes to yield more unpredictable results - closer to an encounter "in the wild." I am interested to see how a museum visitor will experience one of our light wolves emerging around corners or sprinting down a corridor."
Tolentino is a conceptual artist and interaction designer who has taught at PVCC since 2020. Her focus is on serving vulnerable and underrepresented communities throughout Arizona. As a multidisciplinary artist and instructor, Tolentino teaches digital art courses, game aesthetics and culture classes, as well as developed and co-teaches PVCC’s new Science of Musical Instruments class.
“Dr. Tolentino is a wonderful, friendly, approachable instructor that provides many flexible opportunities to further one's skills,” said Trinity Mastel, a first-year student studying Digital Animation and Video Game Production. Mastel took Tolentino’s digital storytelling course and said, “(Tolentino) gives informative feedback through the assignments and appointments during office hours, as well as supports the strengths and weaknesses of students with efficient communication and flexibility. Her enthusiasm in teaching shines within her classes as she deeply cares about every student. I absolutely will seek to take future courses with her as my instructor again!”
For more information, visit PVCC’s video game production program or contact Tolentino directly at lisa.tolentino@paradisevalley.edu.