Navigating "Pathways" in the second issue of ArtCenter On

Welcome to the second issue of ArtCenter On, whose theme this time around is "Pathways."

In her introduction to the issue, President Karen Hofmann begins by sharing a quote from the great singer and actress Eartha Kitt: "The river is constantly turning and bending and you never know where it’s going to go or where you’ll wind up. Following the bend in the river and staying on your own path means that you are on the right track. Don’t let anyone deter you from that."

"Kitt’s words particularly resonated with me last year when I spent an evening with a group of alumni in Portland, Oregon, at an event hosted by the Bodecker Foundation," explains Hofmann. "At the event, I shared with them news about how ArtCenter’s campus and curriculum are continuing to evolve in exciting ways. This group of alumni were so varied—not only in terms of the range of disciplines they represented, but also in how their individual career trajectories and personal lives had taken them to unexpected places— that spending an evening with them left me in awe of how ArtCenter and its legacy form the thread that ties us all together."

As she explains in her introduction, “Pathways,” is a term people in higher education use to describe the various avenues prospective students take to end up at their respective colleges. "These days, not only is the way people discover ArtCenter changing," says Hofmann. "But also the types of people—from a wide range of backgrounds and perspectives—who discover ArtCenter continues to evolve."

One of our features in this issue takes a look at how ArtCenter, and colleges across the nation, have had to pivot when it comes to recruiting diverse students in a post-affirmative action landscape.

"And it’s also not unusual for our alumni to excel in fields that diverge greatly from what’s printed on their degree," says Hofmann. "One of my favorite examples is Syd Mead (BS 59), the self-dubbed “visual futurist,” who graduated with a degree in Transportation Design but became synonymous with the concept art he created for Blade Runner."

A few more recent examples can be found in this issue, including former transportation designer Heather Shaw (BS 04), CEO of Vita Motus, who's profiled in a larger feature that dives into the evolving state of immersive experiences; as well as in a discussion between celebrated chef of Anajak Thai Justin Pichetrungsi (BFA 09, MFA 13) and Coola founder and ArtCenter Trustee Chris Birchby (MFA 01).

Also included in this issue are profiles of artist Green Yoon (BFA 20), whose work graces the cover and is found throughout the issue, and photographer Stella Kalinina (BFA 13), whose most recent imagery and writing have focused on the "softer parts" of the Ukrainian refugee experience.

We hope you enjoy this issue of ArtCenter On. And as always, we would love to hear from you. Whether you have feedback on this issue or an idea for a future story, drop us a line at editorial@artcenter.edu.

Mike R. Winder
Editor, ArtCenter On

April 23, 2024