Author Archives: Laguna College of Art and Design

Laguna College of Art and Design Celebrates Class of 2018

LAGUNA BEACH, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- On Monday, May 21 at 5 p.m., one hundred eleven students became graduates of Laguna College of Art and Design's (LCAD) Class of 2018. President Jonathan Burke and Board of Trustees Chair Jared Mathis conferred undergraduate degrees in Animation, Drawing & Painting, Game Art, Graphic Design + Digital Media, and Illustration. LCAD Provost Helene Garrison, Ph.D. conferred graduate degrees in LCAD's MFA program in Art of Game Design. Peter Zokosky, chair of LCAD's Master of Fine Arts (MFA) programs in Drawing and Painting, conferred graduate degrees in Painting.

Steve Van Doren, son of Vans cofounder Paul Van Doren and Vans' Shoes Vice President of Events and Promotions, delivered the College's Commencement address that included a classic Van Doren surprise. After he praised LCAD for being the only art and design college offering an Action Sports Design program, he asked students to look under their chairs to find a Vans Custom Card, giving them an opportunity to design their own unique pair of Vans shoes. Steve Van Doren and Jonathan Burke will judge the students' custom designs and select a winner who, with friends and family, will enjoy an evening out on the town with Vans' official Ambassador of Fun, Steve Van Doren.

During the past six years Vans has generously collaborated with the LCAD. The "Vans Honors Lab" teaches the creative process of footwear design and past student designs have been selected for production and sale around the world. The company also partners with the College to host an annual Vans Custom Culture high school shoe design competition that includes immersive workshops. Vans offers scholarships to competition winners, contingent upon their acceptance to LCAD.

After the commencement ceremony, Van Doren was presented with an original painting of Vans checkerboard shoes by new LCAD BFA in Drawing & Painting alumna Christina Matadama.

Cristina exhibited her work titled "Cozy" during LCAD Gallery's Senior Fine Arts Exhibition and, when Burke saw Cristina's painting, he knew it would be a perfect gift to commemorate Van Doren's Commencement speech to the Graduating Class of 2018. Burke also arranged for Cristina and her family to witness the opening of the gift and greet her newest collector.

Chloe Allred, summa cum laude MFA in Painting alumna, was LCAD's 2018 Student Commencement Speaker. She is a contributing artist and writer for the book, "We Believe You" (published by Henry Holt in 2016.) Her paintings and writing have been featured in Orange Coast Magazine, Huffington Post, USA Today, and the BBC. She is a founding and active member of The Body Joy Project, a feminist artist collective that critiques and challenges the way our culture thinks about body image. Chloe is currently a teaching artist at The Artist Lab.

Allred encouraged her fellow students to "Show up for yourself. Give yourself a chance and have some faith in the crazy ideas that you're going to have."

For more information about LCAD's 2018 Commencement, please visit: https://www.lcad.edu/.

About Laguna College of Art and Design:

Founded in 1961, Laguna College of Art and Design (LCAD) is one of the top art and design schools in the nation. LCAD offers undergraduate degrees (BFA) in Animation, Drawing + Painting, Game Art, Graphic Design + Digital Media, Illustration, and Illustration in Entertainment Design, as well as Master of Fine Arts degrees (MFA) in Art of Game Design, Drawing, and Painting. The Dennis and Leslie Power Library at LCAD houses the historic archives of the College and The Rex and Joan Irving Brandt Papers.

For more information about LCAD admissions, news, events and Annual Fund, visit https://www.lcad.edu/.

Facebook at @LCADBFA, Twitter @LCAD and Instagram @lcadbfa.

Web Photo Caption: Steve Van Doren (son of Vans' co-founder Paul Van Doren), Vans Shoes vice president of Events and Promotions, delivered the College's Commencement address.

On May 21, 2018 at 5 p.m., one hundred eleven students became graduates of Laguna College of Art and Design's (LCAD) Class of 2018. President Jonathan Burke and Board of Trustees Chair Jared Mathis conferred undergraduate degrees in Animation, Drawing & Painting, Game Art, Graphic Design + Digital Media, and Illustration.

Related link: https://www.lcad.edu/

Laguna College of Art and Design Honors Vans at 28th Annual Collector’s Choice Gala and Live Auction

LAGUNA BEACH, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- Laguna College of Art and Design (LCAD) raised more than $315,000 at its 28th Annual Collector's Choice Gala and Live Auction held on Saturday, October 7th at Montage Laguna Beach. The total amount raised beat last year's record.

Orange County art collectors joined LCAD trustees, faculty, students and staff for a live auction of paintings, sculpture and luxury experiences donated by college alumni, faculty, respected artists and local businesses. LCAD Trustee and owner of LCA Wine Nancy Milby donated a Jeroboam of Spanish Cava by Juve and Camps to kick off the live auction.

The artists who donated paintings and sculptures included Gerard Basil Stripling, Jonathan Burke, James Galindo, Michael Harnish, Mark Jacobucci, Kathy Jones, Jason Kowalski, Richard MacDonald, Wade Reynolds, Henry L. Richter, Carolyn Robles and Jeff Sewell. LCAD Trustee and owner of Salt Fine Art in Laguna Beach Carla Arzente donated a mystery item later revealed to be a sculpture titled, "Goodbye My Love" by Cuban Artist Esterio Segura.

Additionally, Tesla donated a two-day test drive of the Tesla Model X which was coupled with a weekend stay at L'Auberge Del Mar + Spa. Montage Laguna Beach donated a dinner at the Chef's Table at Studio.

During the evening, The Decorative Arts Society, Orange County honoring Julia Argyros made a gift of $10,000 to merit-based scholarships. More than fifty attendees spontaneously raised their bid cards raising more than $93,000.

The College also honored Vans with the LCAD Creative Partnership Award.

"Since 2012, Vans has collaborated every semester with LCAD in an Honors Lab that teaches design students the creative process of footwear design and marketing," said LCAD President Jonathan Burke. "The LCAD community has benefited greatly from our relationship with Vans, giving our students internship opportunities as well as employing many of our alumni."

Vans' generosity has totaled over $45,000 in its history of giving to LCAD. Vans partners with the LCAD's Graphic Design + Digital Media program to host Vans' annual Vans Custom Culture design competition by hosting immersive workshops on campus for competition finalists and offering scholarships to the winners contingent upon their acceptance to the College.

LCAD Chairman of the Board of Trustees and Honorary Co-Chair Jared Mathis shared a story about his great grandmother, Nellie Gail Moulton. "On her 90th birthday, rather than accept birthday gifts for herself, this daughter of a store merchant born on the plains of Kansas, gave the gift of education. She committed to paying for the full tuition of twenty-one students," he said. "She explained to the Los Angeles Times, 'I've traveled the globe and points in between multiple times. I've lived a blessed life, but there has always been something missing. You see, I never could go to college.' She went on to say that while it was a little late for her to start college, she wanted to make sure that others could have the opportunity she never had."

In 2015, LCAD commissioned LCAD Drawing and Painting Alumna and Sculpture Coordinator Brittany Ryan to sculpt the Creative Partnership Award using the likeness of Moulton.

LCAD Graphic Design and Digital Media senior Alexis Lanz spoke about her gratitude for receiving scholarships in support of her education. She is also currently enrolled in this year's Vans Honors Lab.

"Going to college is a privilege, and the privilege of attending LCAD was made possible for me and many LCAD students because of the support of each and every one of the generous donors and trustees," Lanz said. "Now more than ever, the world needs creativity. Your donations are the investment in the future of designers and artists who have the ability to change the world for the better through their creativity. Thank you for your constant support and overwhelming generosity."

LCAD's 28th Annual Collector's Choice Gala and Live Auction was co-chaired by LCAD Trustee Terry Jones with his wife, Judy.

There will be a 28th Annual Collector's Choice Silent Auction held on Friday, April 20, 2018 at [seven-degrees] in Laguna Beach. For more information about this event, please visit www.lcad.edu.

About Laguna College of Art and Design:

Founded in 1961, Laguna College of Art and Design (LCAD) is one of the top art and design schools in the nation. LCAD offers undergraduate degrees (BFA) in Animation, Creative Writing, Drawing and Painting, Game Art, Graphic Design + Digital Media, Illustration and Illustration in Entertainment Design, as well as Master of Fine Arts degrees (MFA) in Art of Game Design, Creative Writing, Drawing, and Painting. The Dennis and Leslie Power Library at LCAD houses the historic archives of the College and The Rex and Joan Irving Brandt Papers.

For more information about LCAD admissions, news, events and Annual Fund, visit http://www.lcad.edu/. Facebook at @LCADBFA, Twitter @LCAD and Instagram @lcadbfa.

PHOTO CAPTION: Steve Van Doren, vice president of Vans with Jonathan Burke, president of Laguna College of Art and Design (LCAD).

Laguna College of Art and Design (LCAD) raised more than $315,000 at its 28th Annual Collector's Choice Gala and Live Auction held on Saturday, October 7th at Montage Laguna Beach. The total amount raised beat last year's record.

Related link: https://www.lcad.edu/

Laguna College of Art and Design Welcomes Best-Selling Author Dean Koontz

LAGUNA BEACH, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- Laguna College of Art and Design (LCAD) hosted New York Times Best-Selling Author, Dean Koontz on Tuesday, July 11 at LCAD's historic Main Campus in Laguna Beach for an exclusive speaking engagement.

The celebrated author spoke to an intimate crowd of approximately 35 attendees comprised of students of author and LCAD Liberal Arts professor Gwendolyn Oxenham's Introduction to Nonfiction: Literary Survey, Analysis, and Application course; LCAD trustees; and select Liberal Arts faculty. Koontz spoke candidly about the business of writing and publishing fiction.

"You need to know about the business," Koontz advised students. "If you're not learning about business, you will be a victim. I don't think writers should be victimized."

Koontz, published in 38 languages, spoke of his love for writing that drove him to produce more than 120 novels across multiple genres. His books have sold over 450 million copies to date. When asked how writers can tell fresh, original stories, he said, "The most natural way about it is: who are you as a person and a writer and what about your way of your personal style and way of seeing the world. That will lead you into handling anything differently than other people."

After his talk, Koontz took the time to sign copies of his books brought by students and fans alike.

"Dean's commitment to his craft and passion for storytelling inspired all of us to hold our work to the same level of excellence he has pursued in his 40-year career," said Jonathan Burke, president of LCAD. "We will never forget our morning with him and thank him for taking time from his writing schedule to share his experiences and hard-won lessons with our students."

LCAD's Liberal Arts curriculum aims to elevate each student from an artist with great technical skills to a complete artist who becomes an active citizen of the world with the power to affect positive change through thoughtful and creative work. The department offers a minor in Creative Writing led by published LCAD faculty who regularly lead panels on the writing process - from research and writing to submitting work for publication. Outside of the classroom, the College's newly expanded, Dennis and Leslie Power Library hosts regular open mic nights and special reading events featuring LCAD students and faculty.

For more information about LCAD's Liberal Arts department, including its Creative Writing minor: https://www.lcad.edu/site/liberal-arts/

About Laguna College of Art and Design:
Founded in 1961, Laguna College of Art and Design (LCAD) is one of the top art and design schools in the nation. LCAD offers undergraduate degrees (BFA) in Animation, Drawing and Painting, Entertainment Design, Game Art, Graphic Design + Digital Media, and Illustration, as well as Master of Fine Arts degrees (MFA) in Art of Game Design, Drawing, and Painting. LCAD Fine Arts alumni are accepted to the most prestigious graduate programs and go on to become internationally recognized artists and educators who shape dialogue with renowned collectors, museums and gallerists. The Dennis and Leslie Power Library at LCAD houses the historic archives of the College and The Rex and Joan Irving Brandt Papers.

For more information about LCAD admissions, news, events and Annual Fund, visit https://www.lcad.edu/.

Facebook at @LCADBFA, Twitter @LCAD and Instagram @lcadbfa.

Laguna College of Art and Design (LCAD) hosted New York Times Best-Selling Author, Dean Koontz on Tuesday, July 11, 2017 at LCAD's historic Main Campus in Laguna Beach for an exclusive speaking engagement.

Related link: https://www.lcad.edu/

Grant Hier, Laguna College of Art and Design Chair Nominated for Pushcart Prize

LAGUNA BEACH, Calif., Nov. 13, 2015 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Laguna College of Art and Design (LCAD) announced Grant Hier, Chair of Liberal Arts and Art History, has been nominated for the prestigious Pushcart Prize. Hier was nominated as an author and will choose which works he wishes to submit to Pushcart judges for consideration for inclusion in their revered annual anthology.

"It is wonderful just to be nominated and associated with such company," Hier said.

Previous Pushcart Prize honorees include such notable names as Raymond Carver, Junot Diaz, Kathy Acker, Andre Dubus, William H. Gass, Tim O'Brien and Kay Ryan - Poet Laureates, MacArthur "Genius" Fellowship recipients, New York Times bestsellers, and winners of the Pulitzer Prize, the National Book Award, PEN/O. Henry and PEN/Faulkner Award, plus many others.

"I am honored beyond words," said Hier. "This is a dream come true."

"We are thrilled to see Grant's work receive the national attention and accolades it deserves," said LCAD President Jonathan Burke. "His work reveals an artist's eye for detail as well as a passion for his community and our shared history. Not only is he dedicated to his writing, but also to his students, who look to him for guidance and inspiration. We are very fortunate that Grant is part of our LCAD family." Hier has taught at LCAD since 1998.

In February 2015, Hier's book-length poem, "Untended Garden-Histories and Reinhabitation in Suburbia," was published by The Poetry Press and awarded the 2014 Prize Americana.

For more information about LCAD please visit: http://www.lcad.edu/.

About Laguna College of Art and Design:

Founded in 1961, Laguna College of Art and Design (LCAD) is one of the top art and design schools in the nation. LCAD offers undergraduate degrees (BFA) in Animation, Design + Digital Media, Fine Arts (Drawing and Painting), Game Art and Illustration, as well as Master of Fine Arts degrees (MFA) in Drawing and Painting and Game Development. Named by NIKE as one of the top three design schools in the world, LCAD is closely partnered with industry leaders such as Blizzard Entertainment, Disney Animation, DreamWorks, FOX, Hurley International, NIKE, VANS, Warner Brothers Animation and more.

For more information about LCAD visit http://www.lcad.edu/. Facebook at @LCADBFA, Twitter @LCAD and Instagram @lcadbfa.

* PHOTO for media: Send2Press.com/mediaboom/15-1113-Grant-Hier-300dpi.jpg

* Photo Caption: Grant Hier, Chair of Liberal Arts and Art History at Laguna College of Art and Design has been nominated for the Pushcart Prize.

To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/grant-hier-laguna-college-of-art-and-design-chair-nominated-for-pushcart-prize-2015-1113-05.shtml.

NEWS SOURCE Laguna College of Art and Design :: This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (who is solely responsible for its accuracy) by and Copr. © 2015 Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®.

Laguna College of Art and Design Announces Jonathan Burke Endowed Presidential Scholarship in Celebration of 35th Anniversary

LAGUNA BEACH, Calif., April 27, 2015 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Laguna College of Art and Design (LCAD) announced the Jonathan Burke Endowed Presidential Scholarship commemorating Burke's 35 years with the college.

"In my experience, LCAD is the finest of any and all art schools in offering the depth and meaning of representational and figurative art," said American Figurative Painter Jerome Witkin. "This is Jonathan Burke's monument and great gift to our culture."

Named by NIKE as one of the top three design schools in the world, LCAD is closely partnered with Blizzard Entertainment, Disney Animation, DreamWorks, FOX, Hurley International, VANS, Warner Brothers Animation and more.

"LCAD has grown in large part due to Jonathan," said F. Scott Hess, American representational painter and LCAD Fine Art faculty member. "He had the foresight and stubbornness to hang onto representational art when it wasn't popular, and it has paid off."

From 1985 to 2011, Burke was dean of fine arts, co-vice president of Academic Affairs and gallery director at LCAD. Burke oversaw the donation of the Rex and Joan Irving Brandt Papers to LCAD in 2011, which is now available online through Project Gado. In 2013, the Suzanne Chonette Senior Studios opened as state-of-the-art workspace for seniors.

"Everyone should realize that we live in an environment created by artists, whether its products we use, what we see at the movies, what's on our computer screens or art in galleries and museums," said Burke. "Artists are there to make the world a more interesting and beautiful place."

Burke holds a B.F.A. degree in painting from Kansas City Art Institute and M.F.A. degree in painting from Boston University, with post-graduate studies at Skowhegan and New York Studio School. Additional information about the Burke 35th Celebration may be found at http://www.lcad.edu/.

About Laguna College of Art and Design:

Founded in 1961, Laguna College of Art and Design (LCAD) is one of the top art and design schools in the nation. LCAD offers undergraduate degrees (BFA) in Animation, Design + Digital Media, Fine Arts (Drawing and Painting), Game Art and Illustration, as well as Master of Fine Art degrees in Game Development, Drawing and Painting. For more information about LCAD visit http://www.lcad.edu/. Facebook at @LCADBFA, Twitter @LCAD and Instagram @lcadbfa.

To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/laguna-college-of-art-and-design-announces-jonathan-burke-endowed-presidential-scholarship-in-celebration-of-35th-anniversary-2015-0427-02.shtml.

Mark and Jan Hilbert of the Hilbert Collection Donate Rex Brandt Watercolor to Laguna College of Art and Design Permanent Collection

LAGUNA BEACH, Calif., Feb. 10, 2015 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Laguna College of Art and Design (LCAD) announced that Mark and Janet Hilbert of The Hilbert Collection donated "Evening Rendezvous" (Watercolor on Paper, 10 x 14 inches, 1960) by acclaimed California watercolorist Rex Brandt. The iconic watercolor will be part of the college's permanent collection, which also includes The Rex and Joan Irving Brandt Archives housed in the Dennis and Leslie Power Library on the college's Main Campus.

LCAD will install "Evening Rendezvous" in the administrative building on Main Campus at 2222 Laguna Canyon Road in Laguna Beach, CA 92651.

"Rex Brandt is a seminal figure in our college's history and we are honored by Mark and Janet's gift of this beautiful painting," said President Jonathan Burke. "Our permanent collection of fine art instructs and inspires our students and arts scholars to celebrate the accomplishments of master painters and sculptors."

"Evening Rendezvous" was also one of 12 pieces from the The Hilbert Collection that was part of LCAD's summer exhibition celebrating Brandt's centennial birthday.

Mark Hilbert recalled meeting Rex Brandt by chance at the dentist's office over 30 years ago. When he approached the painter, he was invited to visit Brandt's home to see his studio.

"With Hollywood demands for production designers, painters and illustrators from the 1930's to 1950's, there were more working artists in Los Angeles, California than anywhere else in the world at one time," Hilbert said. "Rex was one of the great ones among the California artists of that period. Although he trained more than 5,000 students over a 40-year period, he continued to push himself artistically and his later works are just as strong as his earlier watercolors. He has left a great body of work."

Hilbert was drawn to Brandt's work because of his mastery of pigmentation and light. "Few watercolor artists can manipulate colors the way he did," Hilbert said. "He was also a very rare watercolorist in that he was always willing to take risks with his work."

In 1962, Brandt was involved in designing the first two college art studios for what was then Laguna Beach School of Art (today known as Laguna College of Art and Design). With fellow painter Phil Dike, Brandt taught a workshop for the school and in 1978, he served on the school's Advisory Board and its Endowment Fund campaign. Brandt served as head of faculty for the school's summer class curriculum in 1963.

Joan Scarboro and Shelley Walker, daughters of Rex Brandt and his wife, Joan Irving Brandt, donated the Rex and Joan Irving Brandt Archives to LCAD in 2011.

Presently, selections from LCAD's The Brandt Archives are on loan to the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California exhibition, "From the Archives Reaching for Water: Rex Brandt and Metropolitan." The exhibition will be on display in the South Gallery public space next to the building's lobby entrance for the next two years at Metropolitan Water District headquarters, 700 North Alameda Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012-2944.

Brandt was a beloved resident of Corona del Mar, CA where he and his wife taught classes at their home and studio, which they named, "Blue Sky." His design for the city seal of Newport Beach is still in use today.

Through a partnership with Project Gado, LCAD's archive of Brandt's sketchbooks, photographs and archival materials now appear on Getty Images at: http://bit.ly/rexbrandtlcadgado/ .

About Laguna College of Art and Design:

Founded in 1961, Laguna College of Art and Design (LCAD) is one of the top art and design schools in the nation. LCAD offers undergraduate degrees (BFA) in Animation, Design + Digital Media, Fine Arts (Drawing and Painting), Game Art and Illustration, as well as Master of Fine Arts degrees (MFA) in Drawing and Painting. Named by NIKE as one of the top three design schools in the world, LCAD is closely partnered with industry leaders. These partnerships have resulted 90% employment rate for LCAD's visual arts graduates. Blizzard Entertainment, Disney Animation, DreamWorks, FOX, Hurley International, NIKE, VANS, Warner Brothers Animation and more employ LCAD visual arts alumni.

LCAD Fine Arts alumni are accepted to the most prestigious graduate programs and go on to become internationally recognized artists and educators who shape dialogue with renowned collectors, museums and gallerists. The Dennis and Leslie Power Library at LCAD houses invaluable historic archives that include The Rex and Joan Irving Brandt Papers.

For more information about LCAD admissions, news, events and Annual Fund, visit http://www.lcad.edu/ . Facebook at @LCADBFA, Twitter @LCAD and Instagram @lcadbfa .

* PHOTO for media: Send2Press.com/mediaboom/15-0210-Hilbert-LCAD-300dpi.jpg

* Photo Caption: Mark and Janet Hilbert with "Evening Rendezvous" (watercolor on paper) by Rex Brandt, now part of Laguna College of Art + Design permanent collection.

To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/mark-jan-hilbert-of-hilbert-collection-donate-rex-brandt-watercolor-laguna-college-of-art-and-design-permanent-collection-2015-0210-001.shtml.