Briefly In Education

Animation students showcase

Graduating seniors and alumni recently showcased their body of work to premier studios, designers and executives at Laguna College of Art & Design’s Annual Industry Open House, where industry professionals met students, examined their talent and conducted casual interviews.

Members of the class of 2010 and recent grads combined to represent several of the college’s degree programs including animation, game art, illustration and graphic design.

Attendees also enjoyed a screening of short films and a networking luncheon.

Each year, Industry Open House draws guests from premier organizations to the college seeking an opportunity to recruit from a select pool of qualified candidates. Students and alumni put their best foot forward for companies like Sony Online Entertainment, Volcom and Nickelodeon Animation Studios.

“Industry Open House is an ideal venue that fosters interaction between companies seeking new talent and LCAD students advancing toward a successful professional future,” said Robin Fuld, director of career services. “Imagine being introduced to companies you always dreamed of working for and knowing such companies are also looking for you.”

The college also recently held its second Laguna College Animation Film Festival at South Coast Cinemas, where students and alumni screened animated short films and works in progress for industry professionals.

The film festival works in conjunction with Industry Open House to showcase the work of talented students in both traditional animation and computer graphics.

Animators in the class of 2010 have already received employment and higher education opportunities with Nickelodeon’s internship program, Cartoon Network’s original series internship, Dreamworks’ internship program, UCLA’s graduate animation department and teaching internships within LCAD’s own Animation program.

“This represents a win for the whole department because I know these students will do great work and increase industry awareness of the exceptional talent we have here,” Program Chairman David Kuhn said.

MFA exhibit slated in Santa Monica

Laguna College of Art & Design will host the 2010 MFA Thesis Exhibitions from June 5 to 19 and June 26 to July 10 at Arena 1 Gallery in Santa Monica.

The exhibit is a visual statement representing the culmination of students’ graduate painting research and contains of work that centers around their particular conceptual objectives. Major works from each artist’s series will be exhibited in addition to drawings and small painted studies.

There will be an accompanying exhibition of current MFA student work.

Members of the community, friends of LCAD, as well as collectors, gallery dealers and critics are invited to the opening receptions at the gallery from 6 to 9 p.m. on June 5 and June 26.

For more information, visit www.lagunacollege.edu/mfaand www.santamonicaartstudios.com.

Clubs unite in sportsmanship

The Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach recently hosted the 6th annual “Unity Day” with eight other Orange County Boys & Girls Clubs.

With more than 150 participants in attendance, members competed in pingpong, pool, foosball, bumper pool, chess, a spelling bee, three-on-three soccer and basketball and a digital arts photo contest.

Peyton Mollett, a sixth-grader at Thurston Middle School and a club member, took first place in the digital arts photo contest.

“It’s amazing to see the kids take such great pride in our club, as well as their own abilities to be the best they can be. They really love to show their spirit,” said Wendi Anderson, Games Room Director.

Other winners from Laguna included Hayden Sietz, who placed first in chess, and Skylar Sexton, who came in second in the spelling bee.

Jay Williams, Markeith Bennett and Dustin Owen placed first in basketball; Rafay Quadri, Shabbar Quadri and Noah Handel took third place for the fourth through sixth grade.

Although the day focuses on tournaments and friendly competition, the main emphasis is on unity and sportsmanship.

“Unity Day is a great event for getting kids from all over Orange County together to spend the day playing and learning about each other’s differences and similarities,” Megan Wilson, teen services director, said.