Ali Fuderer

A Passion for Art

Ali Fuderer
Associate in Arts
Florida Community College, Class of 2000

Florida Community College alumna Ali Fuderer is the new assistant director of education at the Jacksonville Museum of Modern Art (JMOMA), but her love of art goes as far back as childhood. “Growing up I was always encouraged to stick with the arts and it has always been my passion. I know that I’m lucky, because many families discourage their children from pursuing artistic careers because they think it’s not practical.”

By the time she graduated from Douglas Anderson School of the Arts in 1998, Ali was already familiar with Florida Community College. Her mother, Vicky Bennett, has worked at the College for close to 15 years. Ali had contemplated not going to college immediately after high school, but her mother encouraged her to come to FCCJ, and she’d heard positive things about the art program.

It was her art classes that helped Ali through some of the other courses she wasn’t so enthusiastic about. “I always looked forward to drawing and painting and that helped me get through math and science,” she says. One instructor, art professor Larry Davis, was particularly inspirational. “He motivated me to continue pursuing my artistic career at all costs,” says Ali. “He’s a very talented and humble artist and his skilled teaching has influenced me over the years.”

Ali graduated from FCCJ in 2000 with her associate in arts degree and transferred to the University of Florida, where she majored in painting and minored in art history. In 2002, she graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Fine Art degree. She considers starting at FCCJ to be a major part of her success at the university level. “I would encourage anyone to do the same. Going to FCCJ allowed me to save a lot of money and better prepare myself for the university. My two years at UF were great because I finished all of my pre-requisites at FCCJ and I was able to focus directly on my major.”

After college Ali moved back to Jacksonville and worked in several part-time jobs, including managing a gallery and freelance art work. In 2003, she began teaching kindergarten at a small private school. Working with children inspired her to take her passion for art in a new direction: education. “This experience showed me how much art has to offer as an invaluable teaching tool with endless abilities and resources.” She has also worked as a museum educator at the Cummer Museum.

In her new position at the Jacksonville Museum of Modern Art, Ali will be creating programs that bring contemporary art into schools and throughout the community. “JMOMA’s exhibits are exciting, fresh new tools that I get to use in a learning environment.” Beyond her talent and experience, Ali will definitely be an asset to the museum. She has the hallmark trait of all great educators who make a difference in people’s lives: passion.

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