Art and Design Leaders to Toast Academy of Art University Students During President's Reception

Art and Design Leaders to Toast Academy of Art University Students During President's Reception

Famed Home Design Expert Chris Madden, Turner Classic Movies Host Robert Osborne Honored

SAN FRANCISCO, May 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Industry leaders from Adidas, BMW, Disney Animation, Eastman Kodak Co., Hallmark, Sony Pictures Imageworks and more will toast the art and design work of Academy of Art University students at the Academy's President's Reception on Thursday, May 26. The event will take place from 4pm to 7pm at the Academy's Main Gallery located at 79 New Montgomery Street.

"The breadth and caliber of the President's Reception attendees is strong testimony to the Academy students' great reputation in the motion pictures, industrial design and fashion industry and other sectors," said Dr. Elisa Stephens, President of the Academy of Art University since 1992. "At the Academy, we pave the way for art and design careers by providing students a great education from the industry's leaders and frequent opportunities to network with them."

During the event, Dr. Stephens will honor New York-based home design expert Chris Madden, often called "the next Martha Stewart," and Turner Classic Movies television network host Robert Osborne. Ms. Madden will receive an honorary degree and give the commencement speech during the Academy's graduation ceremonies on Friday, May 27, from 11 am to 2 pm at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium. A frequent guest on The Oprah Winfrey Show and author of 16 decorating books, Ms. Madden launched the new magazine "At Home with Chris Madden" May 3. She will view the work of students from the schools of Industrial Design, Interior Design and Architecture, and New Media.

The reception caps a day of tours and student interviews for industry leaders from across the country and representing a variety of disciplines. The industry leaders will view the juried art and design work by the students from the Academy's 12 schools, which include acting, animation and industrial design. The work is open to the public as part of the Academy's "Spring Show" and will be on display in each of the Academy's schools May 27-August 13.

As a result of the Academy's outreach to the art and design industry, including events like the President's Reception and Spring Show, more than 80% of the Academy's graduates are working in the art and design industry. School of Fashion Academy graduates have landed jobs with industry leaders the likes of Marc Jacobs, Alexander McQueen and John Galliano. Graduates from its School of Animation and Special Effects have gone to work for industry giants such as Industrial Light & Magic, Disney, Pixar Animation Studios and DreamWorks and Industrial Design School graduates are working with companies including Daimler-Chrysler, Black & Decker, and Williams-Sonoma.

The Academy's enrollment has increased almost 350 percent during the 13 years since Ms. Stephens became the president and now includes over 7,700 students from throughout the U.S. and over 75 countries.

For more information, see http://www.academyart.edu/.

Source: Academy of Art University

CONTACT: Sandra Marquardt, work: +1-202-478-6311, cell: +1-301-512-4781
or smarquardt@mrss.com, for the Academy of Art University

Web site: http://www.academyart.edu/

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