High School Students Show Their Artistic Flair At Summer Studio

Current students and staff at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire have already assisted The Salvation Army in various ways this year, such as these Interior Design students surrounding Capt. Stephen Ball, San Bernardino Corps commander. This week, it is high school students’ turn to assist The Salvation Army. They will do so by participating in Summer Studio 2009, a four-day experience July 23-26 where they will learn about an Art Institutes program while creating a poster for The Salvation Army. Students, left to right, are Belen Martinez, Liyi Martinez, Vickie Anaya Evon Arredondo, Natalie Ustariz, Tracy Ho, Ivan Valles and Veronica K. Gonzales.

(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) High school juniors and seniors, and recent high school graduates, will show off their artistic flair this month by putting their creative talents to work for The Salvation Army.

Summer Studio, an annual program of The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire, has 35 students enrolled from the Inland Empire cities of Fontana, San Bernardino, Adelanto, Hesperia, Riverside, Murrieta, Winchester, Norco, Moreno Valley, Indio, Palm Springs, Coachella and Yucaipa.

Summer Studio takes place from June 23-26. Students will create design work for The Salvation Army.

“Summer Studio gives these students a snapshot of what The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire does for its students,” said Director of Admissions Louie Garcia.

Students participating in Summer Studio have a passion for art, and so Summer Studio often leads to enrollment after high school graduation in The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire, Garcia explained.

“Many of these students have known since they were 5, 6 or 7 years old that this is what they want to do. They draw very well. They cook very well. They were always experimenting with fashion in junior high and high school. For them, coming here is more of a connection. It helps the students determine if they want to pursue a creative education.”

Most students will work in three teams to help create a poster that The Salvation Army will give major donors to show appreciation to them, Garcia said.

Those learning about the Graphic Design program will have the overall responsibility for designing The Salvation Army’s poster. Assisting them will be students learning abut The Art Institute of California –Inland Empire’s two fashion programs (Fashion Design and Fashion & Retail Marketing), and those learning about its Media Arts & Animation program.

“The fashion students will put together a color story and other design components for the poster, much as they would in fashion merchandising,” Garcia said. “The Media Arts & Animation students are very talented artistically. They will help produce the electronic version of this poster, so The Salvation Army can send it as an email attachment.”
Meanwhile, students who are interested in the Culinary Arts program, will be charged with catering lunches for the rest of the crew.

Many of the students will stay in group lodging for a “summer art camp” type experience. In the evening, the students will enjoy recreation together such as movies and bowling. They will give a presentation to The Salvation Army on the last morning of Summer Studio and the final evening is a “wrap” party for the students and their parents.

The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire offers Bachelor of Science degree programs in Game Art & Design, Graphic Design, Web Design & Interactive Media, Interior Design, Fashion & Retail Management, and Media Arts & Animation. It offers an Associate of Science degree program in Graphic Design, and a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree program in Fashion Design.

The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire offers an Associate of Science degree program in Culinary Arts and a Bachelor of Science degree program in Culinary Management.

Each program is offered on a year-round basis, allowing students to work uninterrupted toward their degrees.

It’s not too late to start a new term at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire. Courses begin July 13 and classes are offered in the day, evening and on weekends for new and reentry students.

For more information, or to arrange a tour, call The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire at (909) 915-2100 or go on line to www.artinstitutes.edu/InlandEmpire .

The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire is one of the Art Institutes (www.artinstitutes.edu /), a system of over 40 education institutions located throughout North America, providing an important source of design, media arts, fashion and culinary arts professionals.

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