team
Marina Savashynskaya Dunbar | Design and Fabrication
Marina Savashynskaya Dunbar leads in curation, creative design and fabrication, with an international exhibition history; her work has been featured in galleries, museums, and prominent public art collections. She earned her BFA from Columbus State University and, upon graduating, served as studio manager to renowned artists Betsy Eby and Bo Bartlett—experience that sharpened her command of material, scale, and production. Building on that foundation, she established her own studio practice, which has since created work for dozens of prominent public art collections and commissions. In 2023, she joined forces with fellow artists to create Aura Studio, expanding capacity to deliver larger-scale projects with a more diversified aesthetic while maintaining exacting standards of craft. Marina generates the artistic vision for site-specific projects, developing innovative concepts and overseeing fabrication to ensure seamless integration of form and space. Her expertise in large-scale installations and multidisciplinary design transforms environments into immersive, intentional experiences.
Karen Ann Myers | Creative Strategy and Fabrication
Karen Ann Myers leads in design and creative strategy, bringing a deep experience in curation, material research, and fabrication. Based in Charleston, SC, she plays a crucial role in shaping large-scale art installations, translating conceptual vision into practical execution through a nuanced understanding of material properties and fabrication techniques. She is adept at navigating museums, nonprofits, public spaces, and academic settings, ensuring seamless integration of artwork into diverse environments.
She holds an MFA in Painting from Boston University (2008) and a BFA in Studio Art from Michigan State University (2005). Previously, she served as Associate Director of the Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art, where she oversaw exhibitions, programming, and artist collaborations; Executive Director of Redux Contemporary Art Center, where she secured major grants—including support from the Andy Warhol Foundation—and expanded Redux’s influence; and Adjunct Instructor in the College of Charleston’s Arts Management program. Her problem-solving skills and comprehensive knowledge of artistic production make her the essential bridge between concept and impeccably fabricated reality.
Michael Dunbar | Engineering Consultant
Michael Dunbar is a mechanical engineer with a background in advanced engineering design. A summa cum laude graduate of The Citadel (B.S., Mechanical Engineering, 2020) and a member of Tau Beta Pi, he is FE Mechanical (EIT) certified. Michael ensures creative concepts are structurally sound, translating artistic ideas into precise technical models in PTC Creo, SolidWorks, and AutoCAD and validating performance through FEA (ANSYS Mechanical). His core capabilities include structural analysis; design for fabrication; additive manufacturing and 3D printing; mechanical–electrical integration; prototype development; load testing and reinforcement strategy; safety and stability assurance; and interdisciplinary collaboration. With expertise in material integrity and manufacturing processes, he refines complex forms for durability and feasibility, bridging the gap between artistic vision and engineered reality. His work enables large-scale installations that are both visually striking and structurally robust.