Emma Ream

A story artist, illustrator and animator from the Seattle area, Ream grew up in a family so obsessed with books they started to use the staircase banisters as bookends. She recalls: “When asked to pare down his collection, my grandfather used to say, ’Books are my friends. And I don’t get rid of my friends.’ That's how I see stories. They aren’t just books and movies. Whatever form they take, stories are living, breathing, and always evolving with their audience. They don’t just reflect who we are; they shape our future.” Ream is a recent graduate of Ringling College of Art and Design’s computer animation program (class of 2023). During her time at Ringling, she was a trustee scholar award nominee and winner of the Best of Ringling Bronze Jurors Award for her short film, “Bonbon Voyage.” She enjoys creating characters and stories that have charm, a sense of humor, and are inspired by her own personal experiences. Continuing her artistic journey, she is currently pursuing a career as a story artist and will be joining Pixar Animation Studios the summer of 2023 as a story intern.