| Aurora's staff has worked in creative agencies all over the United States, including New York, Los Angeles, St. Louis, Cincinnati, Little Rock, and right here in Rapid City. We bring together a unique blend of fine art and commercial art talents, as well as a special talent for conceptual thinking. We're very much a family here, believing that a family that plays well together also works well together. We know each other's spouses, kids, parents and friends. It's why we like the size we are, and it adds greatly to the environment we've created for ourselves. |
 John Hempe - John started Aurora Creative in August 1995, and is Creative Director and President. He is from St. Louis and has dual degrees in sculpture and graphic design from Webster University. He has worked with agencies in New York and St. Louis, and his past clients include Anheuser-Busch, Inc., Miller Brewing, Ralston Purina, Hostess, Eagle Snacks, and Midas Mufflers. Favorite Books: The World According to Garp, The Iowa Baseball Confederacy, and Lust for Life Favorite Movies: Braveheart, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Ferris Bueller's Day Off Favorite Quote: Where I have willed, I have dared. - Captain Ahab, Moby Dick Children: Ian, 14, and Alex, 10 Hobbies: Golf, sculpture, photography, hiking Last Position: Stand-in for Brad Pitt |
 Cathi Hudgens - Cathi joined Aurora Creative in January 1997 as an Art Director. She is from Los Angeles and graduated from California State University with a degree in graphic design. Cathi has an extensive background in art, having studied Art History and Silversmithing in Italy. She has worked with agencies in New York and Los Angeles before settling in at Aurora. Favorite Books: Cider with Rosie, Couple of Kooks Favorite Movies: Grey Fox, Majority of One Favorite Quote: It
is never too late to be what you might have been. Children: Ander, 12 Hobbies: Ander Last Position: Swiss National Yodeling Champion |
 Jenny Kendall - Jenny joined Aurora Creative in January 1997 as an Art Director. She is from Rapid City and graduated from the Colorado Institute of Art with a degree in graphic design. She has shown herself to be a very talented designer with wonderful computer illustration skills. She has added a lot to our portfolio. Favorite Books: To Kill A Mockingbird, The Good Earth Favorite Movies: Shawshank Redemption, Dead Poets' Society, Ferris Bueller's Day Off Favorite Quote: Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage. - Anai's Nin Hobbies: Painting, drawing, and reading Last Position: Lead Singer for the Partridge Family |
 Amelia - Amelia became an Aurora resident in January 1999. She jumped into John's car at Hardee's as a small kitten and has been here ever since. Her title is Queen of Aurora, and we are her staff, of course... Favorite Book: To Kill a Mockingbird Favorite Movie: To Kill a Gold Finch (South Dakota adaptation since we don't have mockingbirds) Favorite Quote: Women and cats will do as they please. Men and dogs had better get used to it. - Robert Heinlein Hobbies: It's not easy being Queen. Amelia spends most of her time humoring her peasants of course, but she occasionally will find time to do other equally important things such as tackle the UPS man, groom herself in a most unladylike manner in front of first time visitors, and seek out clients wearing black clothes. Her every move reinforces to all of us that it's good to be Queen. Last Position: Director of Quality Control, Bumble Bee Seafoods, Inc. |