Passion For Fashion Winners Get $6,000 In Scholarships

Kristyn Rethaford of San Bernardino, with the dress and matching purse she designed. The Gorman High School senior won The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire’s Passion for Fashion competition with this dress.

(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) Kristyn Rethaford and Desiree Bonds, high school seniors in the Inland Empire each won $3,000 scholarships from The Art Institute of California Inland Empire. The two high school students were winners of the Passion for Fashion competition.

The Art Institutes, of which The Art Institute of California Inland Empire is a member, sponsors this event yearly. This is the first year the Inland Empire’s Fashion program has entered this competition.

The Art Institute Passion for Fashion Competition was created to encourage and reward young fashion design, marketing, merchandising and retail management talent at the high school level.

Two hundred sixty high school seniors across North America applied for the competition nationwide.

The winner of the national competition will receive a full tuition scholarship to study at a participating Art Institutes location and an all-expense-paid trip to New York City for Fashion Week in February 2009, a “meet and greet” at Seventeen Magazine’s offices and lunch with staff at Seventeen Magazine.

Rethaford of San Bernardino is the winner in the Fashion Design category. Not only will she receive a $3,000 scholarship but is also competing in the nationwide competition held in February 2009. She is currently a senior at Gorman High School in Redlands and plans on attending The Art Institute of California Inland Empire in the Fall of 2009.

“This experience has shown me that I really do want to be in the fashion industry and I truly enjoyed doing this project,” said Rethaford.

Rethaford’s inspiration for the designing the dress came from the Jazz Era of the 1920s. A black and gold formal dress, just below the knee, sleeveless gold bodice and gold skirt with black velvet embellished roses. Black beaded trim around the back and bottom of the skirt. Accented with a scarf with roses cut into the fabric and finished with a black hat with feathers and beads.

Bonds of Apple Valley is the winner in the Retail Management category. She will received a $3,000 scholarship for the fall 2009 quarter at the Inland Empire Art Institute. She is currently a senior at Silverado High School in Victor Valley, California. Bonds plans on attending The Art Institute of California Inland Empire in the fall of 2009. Bond’s heard about the competition through an admissions director.

She organized a portfolio describing her idea of an Urban Fashion Retail Store which including a catalog of clothing item examples and a plan for a grand opening.

“This competition has definitely taken my interest to the next level,” said Bonds. I am really looking forward to attended the fashion program in the fall of 2009.”

Fashion Design Director of the Art Institute of Inland Empire and member of the Fashion group International, Sherry West said “These are young talented students with drive; they have a sense of style and workmanship which is going to take them a long way in this industry.”

She is impressed with Rutheford and Bonds creativity for such a lofty competition. West says, “These are the go getters; the next rising stars.”

“This is truly a great opportunity for high school seniors. A competition like this gets their foot in the door to future employers,” said West.

These seniors were recently presented at Fashion Night to friends, family and potential fashion students.

As the fashion department gets more exposure to the exciting and popular program at the Art Institute of California Inland Empire more competition is expected by the November deadline in 2009.

“There are many fashion competitions in college but usually not offered at the high school level and especially at a nation wide level.” “These high school seniors have an early incentive to create a future for themselves early on,” said West.


To be eligible, students must be a high school senior scheduled to graduate in 2009. In the Fashion Design category, entry requirements include submission of an original eveningwear design. In the Fashion Marketing & Merchandising and Retail Management category, entry requirements include a finished product or plan.

The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire offers Bachelor of Science degrees in Game Art & Design, Culinary Management, Graphic Design, Web Design & Interactive Media, Interior Design, Fashion Design and Retail Management, and Media Arts & Animation. There are also Associate of Science degrees in Graphic Design and Culinary Arts. Each program is offered on a year-round basis, allowing students to work uninterrupted toward their degrees.

It’s not too late to start classes at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire. Courses begin Jan. 12 and classes are offered in the day, evening and on weekends for new and reentry students.

For more information or a tour, call The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire at (909) 915-2100.
The Art Institute of California-Inland Empire is one of The Art Institutes (www.artinstitutes.edu), a system of over 40 education institutions throughout North America, providing an important source of design, media arts, fashion and culinary arts professionals.

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Design Students Showcase Volunteer Work for Non-Profits

Rachel Makowski, who recently obtained her bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design from The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire, shows some of the work she did as a student. Next to her, fellow bachelor’s degree recipient Raysa Cerna also had a display. In their final two quarters both of these students and 18 others worked as Citizen Designers, creating design projects for non-profit organizations. The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire now has a new group of Citizen Designers who can design projects for other non-profit organizations. For more information, call Carl Dameron at (909) 888-0017. Photo by Carl Dameron


(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) Twenty emerging graphic designers, some of whom are new graduates of The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire and others who will be soon, recently showcased projects they’ve been working on for non-profit agencies the past few months.

Citizen Designer is a program the Art Institute of California – Inland Empire created last July, matching the students with non-profits that had specific needs for developing promotional materials that would make a high impact on prospective clients and donors. These included posters, brochures, various forms of advertisements, business cards, Web sites and more.

“The idea is to help our graphic design students who are near the end of their education by giving them practical experience,” said Citizen Design instructor Frank Houlihan, who formerly directed an advertising agency. “We want them to establish client skills.”

The students mostly worked with the same non-profit organizations for two quarters, from July through December. A few more students and non—profit organizations came on board when the Art Institute started its fall quarter in October.

Dante Guiab, a senior Graphic Design major, worked with Operation SafeHouse, designing an informational folder for the teen shelter. It was a hit with the SafeHouse executive board.

“It was great working with Dante,” said Fonda McGensy, Operation SafeHouse Safe Place director. “He understood what we wanted and he went with it.”

Scott Kruger spent his six months as a Citizen Designer creating a membership kit and partially designed a Website for the Inland Empire Ad Club, which is the local division of the American Advertising Federation. The graphics on both of these include silhouettes of palm trees and an “Ad Club” billboard against a light blue background, Kruger’s effort to capture a scene Inland Empire residents would see every day on the region’s freeways.

Kruger said he had frequent feedback from Ad Club President Andrew Wilkin. Working with the rest of the Ad Club board was a learning opportunity.

“I had the preliminary design ready after a few meetings with Andrew, but the board didn’t make a decision on the design until the start of the fall quarter,” Kruger said. “Then they asked for a lighter shade of blue in the background. They didn’t give final approval until near the end of the quarter.”

“Ad Club is the toughest group of people you will ever have to work for, because they are professional ad designers” said John Barry, who is director of public relations for both The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire and the Ad Club. “The fact that Scott’s first real-world graphic design concept passed the board with flying colors is truly an accolade.”

The nonprofit groups helped by the graphics design program of The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire include Foster Family Network, The Salvation Army, Operation SafeHouse, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, OPARC, The American Advertising Federation – Inland Empire, The San Bernardino Visitors Center, The American Lung Association of California, Building a Generation, The Inland Empire Weekly, The Inland Empire Job Corps Center, The United Way, Seasons Restaurant, SEBA, and the American Diabetes Association.

The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire began a new quarter on Jan. 12, and another group of approximately 20 students are now working with these and other non-profit organizations. The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire is seeking additional non – profit organizations for which it can provide services. To recommend a non-profit agency in need of graphic design or Web design assistance to The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire, call Carl Dameron at (909) 888-0017.

Since the Web Design students weren’t involved the first two quarters, Jason Diehl, academic director for Web Design & Interactive Media, encourages agencies that need help with Websites to get involved in 2009.

“These Graphic Design students did great things for the non-profit agencies, including designs for their Websites,” he said. “Next quarter’s students should also deliver impressive work. But the Web Design & Interactive Media students will be able to take the Websites to an entirely new level.”

The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire will likely have 20 or more students enrolled in the Citizen Designer program from now on, as a growing number of students are reaching the advanced levels of their education.

The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire offers Bachelor of Science degrees in Game Art & Design, Graphic Design, Web Design & Interactive Media, Interior Design, Fashion & Retail Management, and Media Arts & Animation. It offers an Associate degree in Graphic Design, and a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Fashion Design. The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire offers an Associate degree in Culinary Arts and a Bachelor of Science degree 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 the new year at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire. Courses begin Feb. 19 and classes are offered in the day, evening and on weekends for new and reentry students.

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

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Students gear up for fashion show at Toyota

A committee of, left to right, Andre Bradley and Tina Le Blanc of the Toyota African-American Collaborative, Ontario Chapter, John Barry of The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire, Wilson Johnson of Toyota African-American Collaborative, Sherry West of The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire and Carl Dameron of Dameron Communications is planning a fashion show celebrating Black History on Feb. 26 at Toyota’s North American Parts Logistics Division in Ontario.

(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) – Fashion students at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire are gearing up for the first opportunity to showcase their work, a fashion show they will put on for employees of the Toyota North American Parts Center (NAPCC) in Ontario, Calif..

The fashion show will be held on February 26, 2009 at Toyota’s North American Parts Center, 1425 Toyota Way, Ontario, Calif. 91761.

It takes place less than one year after The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire began its fashion programs. It began offering a degree in Fashion & Retail Marketing in March 2008 and a degree in Fashion Design in June 2008.

The show, which is sponsored by Toyota’s African American Collaborative, Ontario Chapter (AAC), will focus specifically on African-American fashion as part of Toyota’s observance of Black History Month 2009.

“We’re very pleased to partner with the Art Institute of California as we come together to recognize diversity within our community,” said Wilson Johnson operations manager for Toyota NAPCC.

The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire offers Bachelor of Science degrees in Game Art & Design, Culinary Management, Graphic Design, Web Design & Interactive Media, Interior Design, Fashion Design and Retail Management, and Media Arts & Animation. There are also Associate of Science degrees in Graphic Design and Culinary Arts. Each program is offered on a year-round basis, allowing students to work uninterrupted toward their degrees.

It’s not too late to start the New Year at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire. Courses begin Jan. 12 and classes are offered in the day, evening and on weekends for new and reentry students.

For more information or a tour, call The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire at (909) 915-2100.

The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire is one of The Art Institutes (www.artinstitutes.edu), with more than 40 educational institutions located throughout North America, providing an important source of design, media arts, fashion and culinary arts professionals.

Culinary School Announces Dinner Hours at Campus Restaurant

(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) If you are looking for a great place for dinner, The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of California-Inland Empire has the perfect place: Seasons’ Restaurant.

“We previously have only been open for lunch,” said International Culinary School Director and Executive Chef Eyad Joseph. “But since fine dining restaurants get most of their business after hours, serving dinner will be even better on-the-job training for our talented and award-winning culinary students.”

Starting Tuesday, Jan. 20, Seasons will be open to the public from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays, at the San Bernardino campus, 630 East Brier Drive. The campus is located at Carnegie Drive and Brier Drive in the Hospitality Lane area of San Bernardino, near Waterman Avenue. Because of Seasons’ popularity and seating for just 40 diners, reservations are suggested but not required.

Four course dinners will be served. They will feature an amuse (a meal starter prepared by the chef), an appetizer, a soup or salad and an entrée. Prices range from $23 to $32.

The restaurant also welcomes call-in orders. The phone number for either reservations or call-in orders is (909) 915-2170.

The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire offers Bachelor of Science degrees in Game Art & Design, Culinary Management, Graphic Design, Web Design & Interactive Media, Interior Design, Fashion and Retail Management and Media Arts & Animation and a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Fashion Design. There are also Associate of Science degrees in Graphic Design and Culinary Arts. Each program is offered on a year-round basis, allowing students to work uninterrupted toward their degrees.

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.

Supervisor Gonzales' Christmas Cards showcase local students art work

Image created by Emmanuel Mendez

(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) – San Bernardino County Fifth District Supervisor Josie Gonzales has sent her best holiday wishes to key constituents ever since she was first elected in 2004, but her 2008 card took on more of a local flavor.

Emmanuel Mendez, a Graphic Design student with the Art Institute of California – Inland Empire designed the 2008 card for Supervisor Gonzales. The card depicts a present wrapped in solid red, with white ribbons and a festive white bow. A tag shaped like an arrowhead, the logo of San Bernardino County, identifies the sender as Gonzales, and inside she is “Wishing upon a star that all your dreams come true.” A small star, with an arc like a comet, sails over the greeting.

“When I was asked to make a card for Josie Gonzales, I thought it should be a modern, very professional piece and something that would put the Christmas spirit into people’s thoughts and lives,” Mendez said. “I thought about a gift and a bow, and from there I created this piece, which I am honored was selected by the Supervisor.”

Gonzales selected Mendez’s card over other designs submitted by Graphic Design students at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire. The students produced these designs in a course taught by instructor Frank Houlihan.

“When it came time to send out my holiday greetings, I saw this as a great opportunity to showcase the talent of a student from the Art Institute of California - Inland Empire,” said San Bernardino County Fifth District Supervisor Josie Gonzales.

“While presented with several options, I chose the simple, artistic design created by Art Institute graphic design student Emmanuel Mendez. It is my pleasure to give Emmanuel and the Art Institute full credit and praise,” said Supervisor Gonzales.

The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire offers Bachelor of Science degrees in Game Art & Design, Graphic Design, Web Design & Interactive Media, Interior Design, Fashion & Retail Management, and Media Arts & Animation. It offers an Associate degree in Graphic Design, and a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Fashion Design. The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire offers an Associate degree in Culinary Arts and a Bachelor of Science degree 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 the new year at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire. Courses begin Feb. 19 and classes are offered in the day, evening and on weekends for new and reentry students.

For more information or a tour, call The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire at (909) 915-2100.

The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire is one of The Art Institutes (www.artinstitutes.edu), with more than 40 educational institutions located throughout North America, providing an important source of design, media arts, fashion and culinary arts professionals.

Art Institute Grads Display Portfolios

Regina Cortez with some of the work she did while earning her associate degree in Graphic Design from The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire. She was one of nine students earning a degree in December and presenting their work at a portfolio review.

(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire hosted its first Graduate Portfolio Exhibit on December 18th.

“This was a great opportunity for our nine graduating students to showcase their work, especially to employers, but also to friends and family,” said Cindy Jones, Director of Career Services for The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire.

“The students not only had a chance to display their work, but also were able to discuss their concepts to an audience,” said Jones.

All Graphic Design students maintain portfolios of their college work while at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire. These portfolios are now complete for Raysa Cerna, Anthony Guevara and Rachel Makowski, who are receiving the program’s first bachelor’s degrees and for Regina Cortez, Elizabeth Horn, and Salvador Vazquez Jr., who are receiving associate degrees.

Some of the employers in attendance included: The Inland Empire Weekly, Think Tank Design, Dameron Communications, SBL and Manila Design.

Jim Saunders an ad salesman for Inland Empire Weekly was especially impressed with the work of Raysa Cerna. She designed a wrap for his car that advertises the Inland Empire Weekly and worked on a cover for the paper as well.

Carl Dameron, Creative Director of Dameron Communications attended the show and felt it was very beneficial to employers, “not only getting a chance to network with students who are highly motivated and creative but allowing students to explain their creative vision behind their work.”

Dameron was impressed with Cortez’s recruitment campaign for tutoring services, which included prints of her work of children’s book cover ideas, Ed Hardy clothing advertisement ideas, expression-type posters and Young Bellys Maternity stationary ideas.

Cortez said, “This experience helped me to keep conversations going.” She was able to network with employers like Manila Graphic and Dameron Communications. Her plan is to go back to school at the Art Institute of California- Inland Empire for her Bachelor’s Degree, to refine her knowledge and education in graphic design. Cortez plans on working freelance while in school.

Guevara displayed his work including print pictures, editorial advertisements, posters, packages, and brochures.

“The show was actually a really fun event. It gave us a chance to show the community what we are made of. It was nice to hear what employers had to say, with different viewpoints, said Guevara. “It was a nice finish.”

Guevara is applying for a job at Homes and Land Magazine, doing editorial layouts.

Hors d’ouvres and beverages were served during the event. Ronnell Lawson and Roberto Vazquez Pulido, who are the first two students to obtain Culinary Arts degrees from the International Culinary School at the Art Institute of California – Inland Empire, created some of the hors d’ouvres as samples of their work.

The International Culinary School opened in January 2007, a year after the first programs began at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire. Lawson and Vazquez Pulido earned their associate degrees in less than two years, in part by taking advantage of a year-round schedule their school offers.

Raymond Heredia, the first graduate of The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire’s Web Design & Interactive Media program, displayed Web sites he has created on display. He is receiving a bachelor’s degree, having also taken advantage of the year-round schedule to complete his education in less than three years.

The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire held this event for the first time because this is the first quarter the three-year-old campus has had multiple graduates. Plans are already underway for the Graduate Portfolio Review to become a quarterly tradition in 2009. Similar events are planned in March, June, September and December of next year.

“We anticipate 20 to 28 graduates for the winter quarter, which ends in March,” Jones said. “Our numbers of graduates are growing and could reach more than 100 per quarter a year from now.”

The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire offers Bachelor of Science degrees in Game Art & Design, Culinary Management, Graphic Design, Web Design & Interactive Media, Interior Design, Fashion Design and Retail Management, and Media Arts & Animation. There are also Associate of Science degrees in Graphic Design and Culinary Arts. Each program is offered on a year-round basis, allowing students to work uninterrupted toward their degrees.

It’s not too late to start classes at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire. Courses begin Feb. 19 and classes are offered in the day, evening and on weekends for new and reentry students.

For more information or a tour, call The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire at (909) 915-2100.
The Art Institute of California-Inland Empire is one of The Art Institutes (www.artinstitutes.edu), a system of over 40 education institutions throughout North America, providing an important source of design, media arts, fashion and culinary arts professionals.


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