Guest musicians visit Adams State

The Adams State University Department of Music is pleased to welcome Lisa Van Winkle, flutist, and Esequiel Meza, pianist, to campus for a free concert open to the public. The event begins at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 25, in Leon Memorial Hall.

Winkle enjoys a diverse career as an educator, recitalist, soloist and orchestral musician. She has performed at festivals and in concerts in the United States, the United Kingdom, Prague, Vienna, and Bogota, Colombia. She is the assistant professor of flute and the coordinator of the music business program at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, NM. Her professional orchestra experiences include the El Paso Symphony, the Las Cruces Symphony, the Juarez Symphony, and the El Paso Opera Company. Dr. Van Winkle served as the principal flutist of the Las Cruces Symphony from 1999-2009.

Meza holds a doctorate of musical arts and masters of music in piano performance and organ (secondary) from the University of Arizona, Tucson, and a Bachelor of Music from Sam Houston State University. From 1997-2000, Dr. Meza was a postdoctoral visiting artist scholar at Indiana University. His areas of specialization and training include fine arts administration, vocal/instrumental coaching, chamber music, piano literature and Spanish literature.

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Intersections: Academy’s Interactive Lookbook

Academy of Art University unveiled a groundbreaking digital interactive lookbook titled Intersections that brings the Academy’s industry-leading art and design programs to life. The Academy worked in conjunction with Aurasma, the world’s leading augmented reality platform, and Composition4, a new edgy San Francisco advertising agency that consists of Academy alumni Zach Morvant and Andrew Wright and the School of Advertising’s co-director Vince Engel, to create this new catalogue. Intersections is a traditional book featuring 19 fields of study, but with a new interactive technology that allows users to point their mobile device at their book to watch the images on the page come to life. Academy of Art University is the first art school to use the technology, and the Academy’s wide-scale distribution of the book is the largest college effort to date with more than 500,000 copies being shipped to prospective students. “Academy of Art University has so much to offer students who want to pursue careers in creative fields and we wanted to identify an innovative platform that would allow us to connect with prospective students and show them exactly how our curriculum can help them to be successful in the workforce,” said Dr. Elisa Stephens, President of Academy of Art University.
San Francisco Chronicle-Oct 16, 2012

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Visit Zacheis Planetarium for free shows in November

On November 3 and November 17, the Adams State University Zacheis Planetarium will be open to the public for continued free shows. On Saturday evening, November 3, a 6 p.m. showing of “Tales of Maya Skies/2012” begins, followed by a 7:15 showing of “Interstellar Boundary Explorer/Star Tour” and an 8 p.m. reshowing of “Tales of Maya Skies/2012.”

On Saturday, November 17, “Dynamic Earth/Star Tour” begins at 6:30 p.m. and again at 8:30 p.m., with “Black Holes/Star Tour” showing at 7:30 p.m.

Telescopes will be set up outside from dusk until after the last show each night, weather permitting. All programs are free and open to the public, but tickets are required. Tickets for all shows each evening will be available at the planetarium starting 30 minutes before the first program. No advance tickets will be available. Limit two tickets per person present. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Visit blogs.adams.edu/zacheis for movie descriptions.

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School of Fine Art’s Shoe Designer and Painter

Lauren Luna, an Academy of Art University MFA School of Fine Art graduate, is a classically trained painter who moved to Houston, TX a year ago to pursue her second artistic career as a shoe designer. Though her canvas paintings often focus on things such as race and class issues, her shoes are whimsical, colorful and sometimes pay homage to pop artists of the past. “The easiest way to put that is that I am a shoe designer and a painter," the Academy graduate said. Most recently, RaMona Rizzo of VH1's Mob Wives tweeted a photo of herself in a pair of Lauren's colorblock stilettos. Her shoes are being sold in boutiques in her hometown of Columbus, OH, and she's looking for stores in Houston as well. In the meantime, Lauren’s selling her designer shoes on Etsy at LaurenLunaLtd.

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"Music for Winds" Concert is Oct. 19

The Adams State University Department of Music proudly presents Overtures and Exaltations! Music for Winds from Around the World featuring the Adams State Wind Ensemble with the Adams State Chamber Choir. The concert begins at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 19, in Leon Memorial Hall.

The program will feature selections of Serenade for Winds by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and music by other composers. Conducted by Matthew D. Luttrell, highlights include the Adams State Chamber Choir joining the ensemble for a piece by Eric Whitacre and Chelsea Oden performing a solo, Overture to Zampa, by Louis Joseph Ferdinand Hérold.

For more information call the Music Department at 719-587-7621.

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Nonsense, supernatural, or none at all

According to Dr. George Backen, associate professor of philosophy, there are four ways to answer “What is the meaning of life.” He will provide answers during the Adams State University Free Faculty Lecture, "The Meaning of Life," at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 24, in Porter Hall room 130.

There are generally four ways to answer “What is the meaning of life?” The first is to dismiss the question as nonsense. The second is to look to the supernatural – God – as an answer. The third provides an answer in the absence of God, and the fourth concludes that there is no meaning to life – existence is just a tedious farce empty of value and significance. These approaches will be evaluated, and an answer to life’s meaning will be offered. Audience will then have the opportunity to evaluate the speaker’s conclusions or provide their own answers.

All talks are free and the public is invited. Complimentary light refreshments will be offered. For further information on the series of lectures, contact Dr. Kristi Duran, assistant professor of biology, at 719-587-7767, or klduran@adams.edu.

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Art Department sponsors Haunted Haus of Madness

Love a good scare and want to help support the Adams State University Art League? Then attend the terrifying event and try not to lose your mind. All of the scariest ghouls will be there including the Adams State Improve group to make you feel right at home in the madness. Come join us in the Haus if you dare. We will be waiting for you.

The Haunted Haus will be available for scares from 8 p.m. until midnight Friday, Oct. 26 through Saturday, Oct. 27 in the Adams State Art Building. Participants must be 14 years or older, or accompanied by an adult if under 14 years of age. The cost is $3 for adults and children; $2 if you bring a can for the food bank.

Call 719-587-7823 for more information.

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Zacheis Planetarium continues with free shows

Adams State University Zacheis Planetarium continues with free shows, open to the public, on Thursday evening, October 18. “IBEX/Star Tour” begins at 7 p.m. and “Oasis in Space/Star Tour begins at 8 p.m.

Telescopes will be available outside, weather permitting, from dusk until after the last show is over. All programs are free and open to the public, but tickets are required due to limited seating. Tickets for all shows will be available at the planetarium starting at 6:30 p.m. Thursday evening.

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Laugh and scream during Nightmares and Swizzle Sticks

John Hauser and Clarissa McNamara rehearse for the ASU comedy, "For Whom the Southern Belle Tolls."

Scary and funny, two one-acts open in time for Halloween. The Adams State University Theatre Program’s production “Nightmares and Swizzle Sticks” opens at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 23 in the Xperimental Theatre and continues nightly through Saturday, October 27.

The past will be stirred, not shaken – Nightmares and Swizzle Sticks features "For Whom the Southern Belle Tolls" by Christopher Durang and directed by Kris Barbier. "The Margins" is directed by Matthew Wesley. Barbier chose the play because it is very funny and Durang is one of her favorite authors. “I am a fan of comedy.” Wesley, a fan of horror, said he chose “The Margins” because he wanted to take a risk. “This is a very chilling play and I want the audience to be scared. It is fun to be scared.”

The directing experience for the two theatre majors was an enjoyable experience. Barbier said: “I loved it.” Wesley agreed, “I had a great time working with my cast.”

Shawnie Abbott prepares to stab Mason Scott Miller during  “The Margins.”

After graduation, in May, Barbier said she plans on becoming a personal trainer; she is double majoring in theatre and human performance and physical education. Wesley said his future plans include joining an improve group. Both have appreciated the experience at Adams State. Barbier said: “There are so many opportunities in the theatre program, from acting to technical. It is a great program.” Wesley said: “I have learned so much about theatre in my time here. It is amazing to see how a production comes together.”

To reserve tickets for Nightmares and Swizzle Sticks, call 719-587- 8499.

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Art Department planning trip to NYC

Register now to visit New York City with the Adams State University Art Department, from May 20 through 25, 2013. The trip is open to the general public.

Students may enroll for the one credit course, Modern Art History: NYC, however, enrollment in the course is not required to attend. The trip will include visits to the Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art, the Guggenheim Museum, Broadway show and Storm King Art Center in New Windsor.

The cost for the trip is $1900, excluding meals. Registration and deposit deadline is November 2, 2012. For more information or to register, contact the Art Department at 719-587-7823 or caravens@adams.edu.

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Luther Bean Museum display includes snapshots of university history

Over a month ago, Adams State University celebrated with campus and community the transition from college to university. The university’s rich and diverse history includes five name changes, the local community banding together to raise money to open the school, and thousands of graduates who continue to enrich their futures with degrees from Adams State.

The Luther Bean Museum assembled a display reflecting the history of Adams State for the Great Stories Celebration. This display continues through October. Enhanced by loans from Nielsen Library Archives and other departments on campus, the museum presents photographs of student activities through the decades and the growth of Richardson Hall. Rarely seen examples of the original plans for the building and museum are included.

A friendship quilt, by Ruth (Curtis) Gilbert ’35, with signatures by Ira Richardson, Beryl McAdow, and Luther Bean; a photo collage of the first graduating class and faculty; and objects representing past commencement programs are highlights in the Adams State history display.

The Luther Bean Museum encourages school groups and the local community to visit the museum. Along with the temporary display, the museum’s permanent collections represent largely regional and local arts and historical objects. On view are: Native American pottery including pots by Maria "Marie" and Julian Martinez and from the Acoma and Santo Domingo Pueblos; Rio Grande weavings, including a work by Eppie Archuleta; paintings and works on paper by Stephen Quiller, Woody Crumbo and William Moyers; bronzes by William Moyers (1939 ASU Alumnus); and a bronze by Allan Houser.

The museum recently added a display on Major Lafayette Head, Colorado’s first lieutenant governor, U.S. Indian agent, and early settler of Conejos County.

A display of items featuring former Colorado Governor and Adams State University's founder William H. "Billy" Adams is also on view.

The museum is open to the public 2 p.m. until 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Please call 719-587-7151 for information.

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21st Annual Chemistry Magic Show

The Adams State University Chemistry Department invites everyone to the 21st annual Chemistry Show, “Solutions for the Future," at 4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 26 in the Richardson Hall Auditorium.

The magic show is a very fun presentation for people of all ages. Continuing a very old tradition, the chemistry students and faculty will engage the audience in a fast-paced series of demonstrations involving changing colors, very high and very low temperatures, bright lights and loud noises, all illustrating the entertaining side of science.

After the show, everyone can to participate in safe and fun hands-on activities on the third floor of Porter Hall rooms 324 and 320. Activities are free of charge. Younger children should be accompanied by supervising adults. Although seating should be plentiful, larger groups are asked to notify Dr. Christy Miller, professor of chemistry, at 719-587-7506.

Cookies and beverages will be available for those who arrive early.

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Zacheis Planetarium show addresses 2012 worries

On Friday evening, Oct. 12, Adams State University’s Zacheis Planetarium will present two shows describing the Mayan people, their culture, and the popular rumors about their alleged prediction of the end of the world. The two shows will be presented back-to-back, first at 6 p.m., and again at 8 p.m. At 7:15, the planetarium will present one showing of “Black Holes: The Other Side of Infinity."

The Mayan programs are “Tales of Mayan Skies”, a full-dome movie describing the culture and mythology of the Mayans, and “2012: End of the World? NOT!,” an automated planetarium program describing what is known about the ancient Mayans and their culture, as well as their alleged prophecy of the end of the world on Dec. 21. It also provides a scientific view of the supposedly catastrophic events that are frequently cited as bringing about the end.

Telescopes will be available outside, weather permitting, from dusk until after the last show is over. All programs are free and open to the public, but tickets are required due to limited seating. Tickets for all shows will be available at the planetarium starting at 5:30 p.m. Friday evening.

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Game Audio Education for the 21st Century

Academy of Art University School of Game Design instructor Scott Looney will give industry insights titled “New Models for Game Audio Education in the 21st Century” at the 133rd Audio Engineering Society Convention, at San Francisco’s Moscone Center, October 26-29. Always a hit, the Game Audio Track at the upcoming Audio Engineering Society Convention has finalized its lineup. Highlights include “Building an AAA Title,” “Game Audio in a Web Browser,” “Getting into Sound Design,” and a career panel. Additionally, “The Future Is NOW” presenters include the Red Storm Entertainment creative group behind Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Future Soldier. Academy of Art University School of Game Design students and School of Music Production & Sound Design for Visual Media students are encouraged to attend this event.

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Styrofoam Cup King to Acclaimed Author

Academy of Art University’s School of Animation & Visual Effects graduate Cheeming Boey has not only earned himself the title of the Styrofoam Cup King of the illustration world for his alchemy on disposable Styrofoam cups, but now is an acclaimed author.
Cheeming captures all the confusion, angst, humor and more, of life as a child in his maiden literary effort, When I Was a Kid. It’s a book about “nothing yet everything…” Cheeming explained. The book was inspired by my blog, which I encourage all artists to read if they’re unsure about working for themselves or for a company. The struggles are littered all over the blog which is a documentation of my day-to-day, every day for the past six years.”This book meanders through childhood musings and a journal of the US-based animator’s life growing up in Malaysia and Singapore. “When I Was a Kid is a book about growing up. It is a mix of lies parents tell you, about self discoveries and sibling rivalries. It is a child’s secret that was never meant to be published. The book is guaranteed to be your personal time machine,” Cheeming said.
Cheeming credits the Academy’s industry standard equipment with preparing him for the job market, but also most importantly acknowledges the extracurricular animation projects he collaborated on with fellow classmates. Animation students at the Academy took it upon themselves to lean and gain as much animation experience as early as they could, in order to be best equipped for the job market they knew awaited them. And with the help of School of Animation instructor Randy McCrimmon, these efforts have proven successful.
Cheeming’s advice to students is to let them know that the difference between having dreams and making them your reality is simply going for it. “If you want to be the best, look around you and work harder than the hardest working person you know. Remember to market yourself because you can draw the best portrait, but no one will know of you if you just sit home and draw,” said Cheeming. So put yourself out there and follow your dreams.

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Academy Alum Finalist in International Design Competition

Academy Alum Finalist in International Design Competition Ion Popian, who received his Master of Architecture degree this year from Academy of Art University’s School of Architecture, is among the finalists of the Sukkahville 2012 design competition taking place in Toronto next week. Sponsored by the Kehilla Residential Programme, affordable housing advocates in the Toronto metro area, this annual competition challenges entrants to use the concept of temporary shelter to develop permanent solutions for affordable housing. Ion researched the history of the sukkah, a temporary shelter put up in anticipation of the ancient Jewish festival of Sukkot, and used his findings to create the Woven Sukkah. His approach and process for the weave of the sukkah also connects with the Sukkot values of uniting as community and family.

Newsfeed September 28

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Academy Instructor Benefits Cancer Victim

When David Sacks, a 42-year-old Philadelphia-based photographer was diagnosed last October with stage four cancer in his liver, lungs, bones and lymph nodes, a group of his friends decided to organize an art-themed fundraiser to help with medical costs and other needs for David, his wife Angie and their four children. That decision came to fruition over the weekend as about 500 people showed up for an art show to support David, including still-life artist and School of Fine Art instructor at Academy of Art University, Elana Hagler. The Academy instructor donated fifty percent of her proceeds to David’s cause. “It can be hard to go from a place of being self-sufficient to being dependent on other people, but they've made that transition really easy and wonderful, it's an incredible gift of their time and energy that they made this all happen." Sacks said. "Angie and I are very grateful."

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AAU Mobile App Continues To Improve

Academy of Art University was pleased to release the AAU Mobile App for students on August 31st. Since then, the application has been downloaded by over 5400 Apple users, and over 1500 Android users. Feedback has been positive, and the development team is working hard to improve the app through bug fixes, improving performance, and adding functionality. Release v1.1.1 was rolled out on Sept 11th, which included 15 individual improvements and bug fixes. Release v1.1.2 is expected to be rolled out on Sept 28th which will include many more fixes and improvements. Performance improvements and exciting new features are expected over the next coming months, so stay tuned! All students are encouraged to please send comments/suggestions/bug reports to feedback@academyart.edu

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Academy of Art University Launches Spanish Language Facebook Page

Academy of Art University announces the launch of a dedicated Spanish language Facebook page which can be found at www.facebook.com/AcademyOfArtUniversityEspanol. The Academy's global reputation is reflected in the diversity of its faculty, students and graduates. The Spanish language Facebook page is a resource that will allow both US Hispanic and International Spanish speakers and their families the opportunity to become informed about the work and career success of Hispanic students and alumni of the Academy. Events on and around campus geared toward Spanish speakers will be featured, as well as information about Academy of Art University's Degrees and Financial Aid. Come "Like" our page and become part of the Academy of Art Español Facebook community.

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From Childrenswear to Women’s Apparel, Academy Grad is Making a Name

Academy of Art University’s School of Fashion graduate, Ryan Roche, merges into the realm of women’s apparel with the support of many celebrity moms. Both Maggie Gyllenhaal and Milla Jovovich initially sought Ryan for childrenswear and ended up requesting designs for themselves. As a mother, Ryan saw a need for conscientiously made clothing for children, and now finds herself designing similar ready-to-wear pieces for women. Her first collection for Fall 2011 was purchased by Jovovich and picked up by Eva Gentry, Steven Alan, and Metier, among other stockists.

New York Magazine October 2

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School of Fashion at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Show presented by Academy of Art University’s School of Fashion showed the media and retailers what the new breed of fashion looks like. Modeled after French textiles, this new generation of designers showed marketable women’s wear for Spring 2013 that is as wearable as it is fashionable. At Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, Academy of Art University joined forces with UBIFRANCE, the French Trade Commission, to present French fashion that was part traditional and part downtown chic. The theme “from work to play” was evident. On a hot, sticky evening at Lincoln Center in New York, most of us would have wished to be adorned in the easy elegance of the collection inspired by The French Riviera, infused with a distinctly West Coast edge and flair. Two thumbs up for these beautiful looks.

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Academy of Art University Celebrates Fashion’s Night Out

Celebrate Fashion’s Night Out on Thursday, September 6, with Neiman Marcus and 7x7 Magazine from 6 to 8pm by viewing collections from Academy of Art University School of Fashion designers on display at 150 Stockton Street, near Union Square. Now in its fourth year, Anna Wintour's late-night shopping extravaganza, Fashion’s Night Out, has spread all over the world. San Francisco retailers, from the smallest local boutiques to giant department stores, will offer up tons of late-night shopping, champagne sipping and fashion mingling. In the meantime, there are plenty of in-store shopping and sale events to get you ready for the big night of viewing Academy fashion designs.

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Academy Student Glances Abroad

Art lovers will be flocking to New York’s Bronxville Public Library to view Academy of Art University student Kathleen Zann Isacson’s exhibit of her most recent watercolor paintings, “Glances Abroad: Watercolor Impressions from World Travel”. The exhibit will be presented in the Little Gallery for the entire month of October. The public is invited to meet the artist and join an opening reception on October 6, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the library. “Wherever I travel I am drawn to the local population engaged in their everyday tasks," states the Academy student in a press release. "Sometimes I’m rewarded with a smile or catch the strain of fatigue and a story emerges and with the story comes an insight into a unique fragment of the human mosaic."

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Academy Illustrator Uses Her Art as an Academic Resource

Academy of Art University’s School of Illustration alumna Debbie Bakker has created a children’s book that teaches the fundamentals of flora, fauna and wildlife to kindergarten and first graders. This book, whose title has yet to be released, will be published as an app through iTunes in Spring of 2013. Also a former teacher, Debbie has included several interactive educational components: nonfiction information about the flora and fauna in each of the twelve habitats in the story, educational games, and a wonderful animal song. “It is me being both a teacher and an artist,” said Debbie.

The Academy alumna got started as a wildlife illustrator by signing up for a replacement course in wildlife illustration. “I was fortunate to take Terryl Whitlach's Wildlife Illustration course. This was a last minute substitute class, and I absolutely fell in love with wildlife and nature illustration,” said Debbie.

In 2009, during her wildlife illustration class, she was commissioned to complete a mural for West Valley College's brand new biology building. Debbie worked closely with biology faculty members to draw over seventy-five different species of native California flora and fauna, painted as a transect of fourteen ecological zones from the ocean on the west to the Central Desert on the east.

“The mural is 45 feet long, over 200 square feet. I relied heavily on resources: the college scientists, my local art store for advice on acrylic products. I also invested heavily in resource books on wildlife/landscape painting/acrylics. My resource file of photos by the end was 8 inches thick. I painted the landforms first, and then added the plants, then the animals. I painted and sealed the whole mural myself. In all, the mural took 350 hours from start to finish,” said Debbie.

Debbie’s illustrations have also just published in her first book Lighthouse Tales. It is a wonderful collection of spooky stories for young adult readers, written in verse and told by the author and storyteller Lance McVay. Debbie was discovered through a local conference for the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). The illustrations are in pen and ink. There will be a “telling” of the stories by Lance and a signing on Tuesday, October 30 at Palo Alto Books Inc. just in time for Halloween.

This busy alumna credits the Academy for helping prepare her for life as an illustrator. She spent her time at Academy of Art University honing her drawing skills and cultivating the highest level of professionalism at all stages of her work. She was exposed to such a variety of styles, mediums and projects over the course of her program, that she felt confident in tackling all sorts of assignments as a professional illustrator. “And that is a really great thing as a freelance artist!” said Debbie.
Related: 

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Science, Culture and Fall Fashion Nightlife

Science, culture and fashion merged under the same roof at Fall Fashion Nightlife, the California Academy of Sciences version of Fashion’s Night Out. The fashion show was set at the Academy of Sciences’ open air piazza in between the Planetarium and the rounded four-story Rainforest. It featured Fall 2012 collections from Academy of Art University’s School of Fashion alumna Donghyuk Dan Kim and Jill Giordano of Gr. dano. Jill showed garments with her signature blend of sharp tailoring and draping in urban grey tones. Academy of Art University instructor Camelia Skikos’ collection of architectural representation in wools and accents of leather was showcased as well at this fashionable event.

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School of Fashion Wowed at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week

 School of Fashion Designers at the show
Photo: Randy Brooke

Since 2005, the School of Fashion has premiered the collections of recent graduates and current students during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, and once again the designers have impressed the crowd with their innovative and unique designs. A total of eighteen designers from the School of Fashion showcased their collections at the Spring 2013 show at Lincoln Center.

“Part of our commitment to the designers is to help launch their careers and have their collections seen by industry professionals,” said Dr. Elisa Stephens, President of Academy of Art University. “Debuting their collections during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Lincoln Center is an incredible opportunity.” As the first school to showcase at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, Academy of Art University offers its designers an exclusive opportunity to launch their collections on a runway viewed worldwide.

 Design: UBIFRANCE;
Photo: Randy Brooke

The first collection to hit the runway was a collaboration by four MFA Fashion Design students, five BFA Fashion Design students, and two BFA Textile Design students, and was sponsored by UBIFRANCE, the French Trade Commission. UBIFRANCE organized the donation of fabrics from the following prestigious French textile mills: print (AB CREATIONS); silk, jacquards (BELINAC, DENIS&FILS, PHILEA, SPRINTEX); wools (CLARENSON); lace (SOPHIE HALLETTE, SOLSTISS); knits (DEVEAUX, HENITEX INTERNATIONAL, PHILEA, SPRINTEX); velvet fabric, stretch corduroy fabric, jeans wear, pigment dyed (VELCOREX); and technic/sports fabrics (AVELANA, ROUDIÈRE). The twelve students who collaborated on this women’s wear collection are Korkor Apo, Maclay Bowers, Joe Chung, Mina Fadaie, Guiping April Feng, Massayuki Ito, Kyung Hwa Kim, Erica Laba, Eli Daniel Odisho, Liza Quiñones, Angela Sison, and Wen-Lin Lina Tsai.

Iglika Vasileva Matthews is originally from Bulgaria and came to Academy of Art University to earn her MFA degree in Fashion Design. She previously debuted her work as part of the Italian Trade Commission Collection at the University’s Spring 2012 Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week show. For her Spring 2013 collection, Matthews drew inspiration from buildings designed by architect Zaha Hadid. Hadid’s structures often create an illusion of movement in static objects, which Matthews sought to replicate in her collection.

Jisun Lee hails from Seoul, South Korea and came to the School of Fashion for her MFA in Fashion and Textile Design. For her textile design work, Lee was honored as an Emerging Talent in Stylesight’s Spring/Summer 2013 Prints and Graphics competition. For Spring 2013, Lee looked to 1920s men’s suits. She reinterpreted the silhouettes for women’s wear, maintaining an oversized look, and experimented with collar and lapel structures. Liza Quiñones was born in the Bronx and grew up in Valley Stream, New York. She earned a BFA in Textile Design from Academy of Art University, and has had her work featured at the St. Vincent De Paul Society’s annual fundraiser Discarded to Divine. Quiñones designed textiles for Jisun Lee’s Spring 2013 collection.

 Design: Jie Jessie Liu;
Photo: Randy Brooke

Jie Jessie Liu, born and raised in Penglai in the Shandong Province of China, and Tanja Milutinovic, originally from Belgrade, Serbia, collaborated on their runway designs. Jie earned her from the School of Fashion and was inspired by the artist Anish Kapoor, known for his geometric, streamlined sculptures and installations, which she interpreted through the garments’ sharp lines and angular silhouettes. Jie collaborated with Tanja to create the prints for her Spring 2013 collection. Tanja has earned her MFA in Textile Design from the School of Fashion.

This was Ginie C. Y. Huang’s second Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week showing while working towards her MFA in Fashion Design in the School of Fashion, the first being in Spring 2012 as a part of the Italian Trade Commission Collection. Her Spring 2013 collection was inspired by the work of Ninagawa Mika, one of Japan’s most popular photographers. Ginie was inspired by the feeling that Mika’s images invoke. The use of color in her collection immerses the viewer.

 Design: Stephina Touch;
Photo: Randy Brooke

While earning her MFA in Fashion Design at Academy of Art University, Stephina Touch worked as intern at gr.dano, creating patterns and producing samples as well as finished garments. Her 2013 collection had influence from traditional Asian architecture, as she was particularly inspired by the clean lines and tiled roofs.

Lastly, Jarida Karnjanasirirat from Bangkok, Thailand, sought to mimic the structure of relief sculptures – in which elements of the sculpture are raised from the background. She created three dimensional collars, lapels, and pleats, bringing her inspiration to life in her garments. While pursuing her MFA in Fashion Design from the School of Fashion, Jarida interned with N.I.C.E. Collective in San Francisco.

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Academy Director Shares Insights at CBA Conference

Director of Academy of Art University’s School of Multimedia Communications, Jan Yanehiro, will be the keynote speaker at the Cherry Blossom Alumnae’s 5th Annual CBA Conference on Sunday, October 14, 2012, 12pm-3pm at the Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California (JCCCNC), 1840 Sutter Street in San Francisco in the Issei Memorial Hall. Yanehiro will share insights to this year’s theme “What Every Asian American Woman Should Know.” Her achievements include pioneering the magazine format on television as co-host of “Evening Magazine,” a nightly San Francisco program that ran for 15 years on KPIX TV-CBS5, and hosting 6 documentaries on the redress and relocation issues of Japanese Americans during World War II. She has also won multiple awards including an Emmy and the Eleanor Roosevelt Humanitarian Award. Yanehiro will share her thoughts alongside other successful Asian American women. Asian

Week September 25

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Modern-Day Pride and Prejudice

Former Academy of Art University student Brandon Garza has recently formed the production partnership Washington House LLC, to turn his five year old script into the romantic drama Before the Fall. The goal is to tell a modern-day Southwest Virginia version of 18th century British author Jane Austen’s classic novel, Pride and Prejudice. “I’ve always wanted to make films,” said Brandon. “As the years went by, I realized that if you want to make a film, you just have to do it and about five years ago I decided to make it a reality.” Brandon attended the School of Motion Pictures & Television, but kept in touch with his roots in Southwest Virginia, which will be the backdrop for his film.

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Fashion Star to Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, Academy Grad Does It All

Academy of Art University’s School of Fashion graduate Kara Laricks, the winner of NBC reality show Fashion Star, is certainly a new face in the crowded sea of designers. Under the tutelage of design mentors Jessica Simpson, John Varvatos and Nicole Richie, Kara convinced the buyers’ judging panel from H&M, Macy’s and Saks Fifth Avenue that her creations were worthy of the $6m capsule collection award. The show was a hit: Nielsen TV Ratings Data reported 4.81 million viewers for the finale, and NBC has already renewed Fashion Star for a second season and begun casting. Kara explains that the difference between her previous shows at fashion week and this one was, “In the past, if my collection was not well received, I was under the protective wing of The Academy of Art University, NBC, Saks Fifth Avenue, Macy’s, H&M … this time, the pressure was all on me. However, there was never any question as to whether or not I would continue designing post Fashion Star and I knew “sticking my neck out there” would be worth the risk no matter what the response. Now that my first collection has been shown at New York fashion week and the reviews are rolling in, I feel exhilarated, proud and accomplished. Can’t wait for the next!”
New York Observer September 17

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Improved AAU Mobile App

Academy of Art University is pleased to announce the 1.1.2 version of the AAU Mobile App for students! This release displays online class schedule information, a list of bus stops and their schedules, as well as other smaller fixes and improvements. Since August 31, the AAU Mobile App has been downloaded by over 5,900 Apple users and over 1,700 Android users. The development team continues to work hard on improving the App's performance and continuing to add functionality as well as exciting new features! Students are encouraged to send comments, suggestions and report issues to feedback@academyart.edu
Academy of Art University - October 9

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Interior Architecture & Design Alumni Shares Her Cheat Sheet

Susan Diana Harris’ shares a cheat sheet full of inspirational tips that any designer or homeowner can find helpful. This Academy of Art University School of Interior Architecture & Design alum’s focus is to design “a home that her clients won't want to leave.” Before launching her own firm, Susan Diana Harris Interior Designs, Susan dove into her passion for design as she studied abroad in Germany, France, and Belgium. Now in San Francisco, Susan works closely with her clients to help them develop their design sense and transform their visions into reality.

SFGate October 5

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Academy Animation & Visual Effects Students Bring “Beasts of the Southern Wild” to Life

Thirty-one Academy of Art students from the School of Animation & Visual Effects contributed to the visual effects of Beasts of the Southern Wild (2012), a film capturing the support and imagination of all, including Hollywood attention. The students worked through their holiday vacation to make sure the film would be ready in time for the Sundance Film Festival’s grand opening, where it won the Grand Jury Prize for Drama.
Animation & Visual Effects instructor Catherine Tate has contributed to the visual effects of more than thirty films.  For the School of Animation & Visual Effects, Beasts of the Southern Wild is the latest installment of an ongoing program involving students in real-world film productions. “We’ve worked on five feature films that have appeared in the Sundance Festival and are currently working on two more features selected for Sundance Labs,” Tate reports. “So they have a good chance of getting into the festival. We’ve contributed to many more features that have screened in festivals all over the world.”
Nathan Hackett, a 2010 BFA Academy grad is now a visual effects director at Westernized Productions in San Francisco, and states, “because I’d worked in Catherine’s class, and I’d actually gone through the process and worked with directors, they knew I could do this job.” Tate recognizes the great value for both students and independent films by coupling student work and industry needs.  “Independent films don’t have a fortune for visual effects, often nothing at all. So it’s a mutually beneficial relationship for us and the filmmakers. We’re actually championing independent film by helping these low-budget productions get made to a better level of execution than would otherwise be possible.”

 Photo Credit: Fox Searchlight

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Academy Races to Design with China Team

Students from the School of Industrial Design at Academy of Art University have a once in a lifetime opportunity to design the vessel for the Chinese national team’s 2016 America’s Cup. The China Team, which raced in the 2012 America’s Cup in San Francisco, has challenged Academy of Art University students to design the next generation of vessel concepts that the team will consider for the 2016 America’s Cup. “With China Team competing in the America’s Cup World Series here in San Francisco last week, our students had a unique opportunity to witness in person what they have a chance to impact with their design in 2016,” said Dr. Elisa Stephens, President of Academy of Art University. “This opportunity to design a world-class racing vessel for China Team is exactly the kind of experience we want our students to have before they graduate and we are grateful for this partnership with China Team.”
SFGate October 8

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