Nelson Coates has been elected president of the Art Directors Guild (IATSE Local 800) for a three-year term, succeeding Mimi Gramatky. Patrick DeGreve was elected vice president, along with Oana Bogdan as treasurer and Thomas Wilkins as secretary. Scott Roth will continue as ADG’s executive director.
“I am thrilled to receive this mandate from my fellow ADG members,” said Coates. “Our future strength lies in the unity of all our uniquely creative parts. I look forward to working with Pat, Oana and Tom and making our Guild stronger than ever.”
A member of Local 800 since 1996, Coates has been designing features, television and commercials for more than 25 years. Known for such films as Flight (2012), Runaway Jury (2003) and The Proposal (2009), he has also designed mini-series such as Stephen King’s The Stand, and the series October Road for ABC. His work was recently seen in Hot Pursuit (2015) and Secret in Their Eyes (2015). A member of the Television Academy and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Nelson began his entertainment career as a professional actor.
Coates was instrumental in creating and organizing the first new member orientation, and the first member directory for the ADG.
A frequent lecturer, guest mentor, and panelist at numerous colleges, universities and film festivals, Nelson actively works to educate future designers and filmmakers throughout the U.S. and internationally.
