NEW ART INSTITUTE GALLERY OPENS WITH JULES CHÉRET

 The 100-year-old poster Princezna Hyacinta by Alphonse Mucha is one of the most revered pieces of classic advertising posters The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire will display in its new gallery starting on its opening day, Jan. 21.

(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire is opening its own 1,500 square art gallery, one of the largest in San Bernardino, and the first in the Hospitality Lane area. It will open with an exhibition of rarely-seen advertising posters from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, including works by Jules Chéret and Alphonse Mucha.

The show, The Golden Age of Poster Design, runs Jan. 21 through Feb. 5, 2010. An opening reception takes place 6:30 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 21.

 “We are pleased to bring to the Inland Empire this glimpse of life from that era, as immortalized by the leading designers and illustrators of the time,” said Jonathan DeAscentis, Dean of Academic Affairs for The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire. “Many of these posters are on loan from Gary Gibson, owner of The Vintage Poster Gallery of Laguna Beach, others from private collections.”

 “We are really privileged to have this exhibit” said Ronald Lana, MFA, Director of the new gallery. “These artists were the original masters of graphic design and advertising.”

The posters range primarily from the 1890s to the 1930s. The featured posters include:
•    Pippermint Get Frere, Jules Chéret, 1899
•    Princezna Hyacinta, Alphonse Mucha, 1910
•    La Mason du Porte-Plume, Jean D’Ylen, 1928
•    Vermouth Martini, Leonetto Cappiello, 1912
•    Meton, Roger Broders, 1923
•    Brittania Day, James Montgomery Flagg, 1918
•    Scribner’s, Charles Dana Gibson, 1897

The posters are lithographs, a style of printing still used today to create original works of art. Today, an artist can create the work on a computer, then send it electronically to a printing press.

“Many of the posters to be exhibited are stone lithographs,” Lana explained. “An artist draws directly on the stone with grease pencils. After a process, the stone is covered with ink, which is then pressed onto paper. They could only print a few posters at a time from each stone.”

In late 19th century Europe, poster art began when booksellers displayed small lithograph posters in their store windows to attract attention to various literary works. These works of art then progressed into large format advertising posters.

“Poster art was different from the art that people were familiar with then,” Lana said. “Before this type of art developed, people went to galleries and appreciated the original art solely for its beauty. The poster was intended from the very beginning for functional use, in other words, for the street.”

Among the early masters of poster art were Paris artists Jules Cheret, who is considered “The Father of Poster Art,” and Alphonse Mucha, the orignator of the style “Art Nouveau.”

Cheret’s posters promoted operas, cabarets, circuses and a kerosene distributor whose fuel lit the gas lamps of Paris, toys and many other items sold by merchants of his day.

Alphonse Mucha was a Czech illustrator and designer who advertised many products, including theaters and cabarets. He created the most well-known poster for actress Sara Bernhardt, who became one of the most famous actresses of her time.

In the 20th century, and in the past decade, graphic design and other forms of commercial art have become essential to our lives. Most people see many forms of commercial art on a daily basis, from newspapers and magazines, billboards, t-shirts and other clothing, to television, websites, video games and movies.

The Art Institutes (a system of more than 45 colleges, including The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire) dedicates its programs to forms of commercial art.

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, Culinary Management and Media Arts & Animation. It offers Associate of Science degree programs in Graphic Design, Culinary Arts and Baking and Pastry, and a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree program in Fashion Design.

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

It’s not too late to start at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire. Courses begin January 11 and classes are offered in the day, evening and on weekends for new and reentry students.

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

The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire is one of The Art Institutes (www.artinstitutes.edu), a system of over 45 education institutions located throughout North America, providing an important source of design, media arts, fashion and culinary arts professionals.

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Culinary Students Bring Smiles To Hospital's Kids

Jeanne Durbin, a.k.a. Mrs. Claus, puts a completed gingerbread house into the Gingerbread Village that will be on display all of December at Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital.

Jessica Jones, a Culinary Arts student at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire, helps Jessica Smith, 12, who receives outpatient chemotherapy at Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital, in putting the finishing touches on a gingerbread house on Tuesday, Dec. 1. Jessica Smith’s house is one of 100 created by children at the hospital, now on display in the lobby.

 Bradley Mandapat, a Culinary Arts student at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire helps Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital Patient Nicholas Iraheta, 6, decorate a gingerbread house at the hospital, one of 100 created by patients like him and other children who came to the hospital on Tuesday, Dec. 1.

Jim Durbin, who as Santa Claus delights patients and other young hospital visitors alike, prepares to place a newly-completed gingerbread house in the Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital Gingerbread Village.

 (SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) Culinary Arts students from The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire lent their artistic flair on Tuesday, Dec. 1 to help seriously ill children at Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital create beautiful and unique gingerbread homes.

 “The children are just delighted,” said Eloise Habekost, president of Big Hearts for Little Hearts, a service organization for the children’s hospital and the organizer of this annual event. “They are thrilled to have this distraction from their usual hospital routines.”

In addition, The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire donated 50 of the gingerbread houses created by the children. Big Hearts for Little Hearts, donated another 50, and its member Dottie Rice donated candy to use for decoration.

“She spends the entire year collecting this candy,” said Habekost.

Jessica Smith, 12, spent two months not long ago at Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital battling cancer. She still must return frequently for chemotherapy, and at the end of her Dec. 1 treatment, a hospital worker suggested she join other children in the hospital lobby to decorate one of the gingerbread houses.

For two hours, Jessica and her mother Teresa Aripez worked on an elaborate gingerbread house together. Then, to Aripez’s relief, six students from The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire arrived ready to help and encourage Jessica and the other sick children.

“When they got here, my energy and patience were running low,” Aripez noted. “They came in with new ideas and a lot of patience. Jessica loved it.”

Jessica Smith immediately bonded with Culinary Arts student Jessica Jones because of their shared first name. Jessica Jones recalled that the only other time she had ever decorated a gingerbread house was when she was 12, the same age as her new friend is now.

For almost another hour, the two Jessicas continued working on the gingerbread house, which now features several candy trees and two well-decorated gingerbread people.

Meanwhile, fellow Culinary Arts student Bradley Mandapat entertained both Jessicas with jokes, until more children arrived needing his expertise on their gingerbread houses.

Habekost noted that many children are involved in creating these homes. They include patients, children like Jessica who come for outpatient services, and in some cases, children simply visiting the hospital.

“Some of them are in isolation because they have swine flu,” she said. “They work on the gingerbread houses in their rooms, wearing gloves to prevent contamination. Other children come here to receive kidney dialysis, and work on these during their treatment to pass the time.”

The finished houses are on public display in the hospital lobby where they’ll be shown through the middle of January.

Habekost says that people come from all over the Inland Empire just to see what the young patients have come up with.

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, Culinary Management and Media Arts & Animation. It offers associate’s degree programs in Graphic Design, Culinary Arts and Baking and Pastry, and a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree program in Fashion Design.

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

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

For more information or a tour of The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire call (909) 915-2100 or go on line to 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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Art Institute Grads to Display Portfolios

Tracy O' Bannon, a March 2009 graduate of The Art Institute of California - Inland Empire, displays her Interior Design portfolio at a previous Graduate Portfolio Review Show.
             
(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) Students set to graduate from The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire will showcase the best of their work when the school hosts its Graduate Portfolio Show on Tuesday, Dec. 15 at the Riverside Art Museum.

“We have our graduate portfolio shows at the Riverside Art Museum because the works that will be on display are on par with other professional shows. We focus on Graphic Design, Animation, Web Design, Interior Design and Culinary Arts.  The hors d’oeuvres created by our Culinary Arts graduates taste as great as they look,” said Cindy Jones, director of Career Services for The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire.

“We also celebrate this important milestone with our students and honor them as they begin their journey into professional lives.”

Employers looking for talented, newly graduated professionals in the fields of Interior Design, Graphic Design, Web Design & Interactive Media, Culinary Arts and Media Arts & Animation are invited to attend this reception from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Riverside Art Museum, 3425 Mission Inn Ave, Riverside. They’re asked to RSVP with Brenda Medina at (909) 915-2192.

From 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., the party continues its focus on the graduates, but the guests joining them during this portion of the event will be their own friends and family. This portion is also open to the public.

The International Culinary School will serve hors d’ouvres and beverages, some of which are being created by the new graduates of the Culinary Arts program.

The Graduate Portfolio Show is now a quarterly tradition for The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire. It began holding this event in December 2008, and has had a growing number of students complete their degrees since then.

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 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 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 Jan. 11, 2010 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 locations throughout North America, providing an important source of design, media arts, and culinary arts professionals.

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ART INSTITUTE NAMES NEW DEAN OF ACADEMIC AFFAIRS

Jonathan DeAscentis as its new Dean of Academic Affairs at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire

(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.)  The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire has appointed Jonathan DeAscentis as its new Dean of Academic Affairs.

“We welcome Jon to our campus,” said President Emam El-Hout. “His experience in the creative fields of interactive media, communications and liberal studies will be an asset to our own highly creative students. With the success he’s had in bringing growth to two other schools within The Art Institutes system, we believe our campus, which has rapidly increased the number of students served in its first four years, will grow by even greater numbers under his innovative leadership.”

DeAscentis began his career with The Art Institutes more than nine years ago. He spent nearly seven years with The Art Institute of California – Orange County, where he served as Registrar, faculty member, and academic department director for Interactive Media Design and Liberal Studies. Among his many accomplishments at the Orange County campus, DeAscentis was instrumental in bringing online registration to The Art Institutes schools, as well as growing the Interactive Media Design department.

After completing his Master of Fine Arts degree, he transferred to The Art Institute of California – Los Angeles to move into an administrative role, where he helped develop the Registrar’s office and Academic Advising team before moving into the role of Associate Dean of Academic Affairs.

As Associate Dean, DeAscentis was responsible for managing the Registrar’s office and the library. In addition to taking on the role of Director of Institutional Effectiveness, DeAscentis helped create a successful registration campaign.

DeAscentis has a Bachelor’s degree in English, and a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership in addition to his Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing.

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 Associate’s degree programs in Graphic Design, and a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree program in Fashion Design. 

The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire offers an Associate’s 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 before the new year at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire. Courses begin January 12 and classes are offered in the day, evening and on weekends for new and reentry students.

For more information or a tour of The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire call (909) 915-2100 or go on line to 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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HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS GET GRAPHICALLY CREATIVE FOR POSTER DESIGN COMPETITION 2010 AT THE ART INSTITUTE OF CALIFORNIA - INLAND EMPIRE

Photo Caption: Alurra Hughes, a senior at Redlands High School, won the 2008 “Life is Better with Art in it” Poster Design Competition held at the Art Institute of California-Inland Empire. 

Hughes won a $3,000 scholarship in the competition.

[SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.] – For high school seniors interested in pursuing a creative arts education, The Art Institute of California - Inland Empire announces The Art Institutes and Americans for the Arts Poster Design Competition, a program which awards up to a full-tuition scholarship to study at a participating Art Institutes school. 

In partnership with the not-for-profit organization Americans for the Arts, The Art Institutes annual Poster Design Competition is an opportunity for talented young artists at the high school level to study graphic design and earn a degree in the creative arts.

The competition is open to high school seniors in the U.S., Canada (excluding Quebec), and Puerto Rico.  Contestants will be asked to create original poster artwork that expresses the slogan, “Life is Better With Art In It.”

Deadline for entries into the competition is February 5, 2010. Full entry requirements can be downloaded at www.artinstitutes.edu/poster.

According to Emam El-Hout, President of The Art Institute of California - Inland Empire, “For those whose outlet involves artistic creativity, it is The Art Institutes’ pleasure to be able to sponsor the Poster Design Competition for talented high school seniors. The competition allows them to demonstrate their creative perspectives and presents them the opportunity to have an education in a field that they are passionate about.” 

Now in its seventh year, the competition is a way to encourage and reward exceptional young artistic talent and nurture it in a formal, academic setting he adds.

Robert Lynch, President and CEO of Americans for the Arts, said “Each year since Americans for the Arts has been working with The Art Institutes, we have been amazed at the skill level of high school students who enter the competition.  The students’ ability to channel their creativity and love of the visual arts reflects the importance that art plays in the lives of everyone.”

To learn more about The Art Institutes and Americans for the Arts Poster Design Competition, visit www.artinstitutes.edu/poster or contact [insert contact name, number, email address and website] at The Art Institute of California - Inland Empire. 

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 before the New Year at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire. Courses begin January 12 and classes are offered in the day, evening and on weekends for new and reentry students.

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

Americans for the Arts is the leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts in America. With offices in Washington, DC, and New York City, and 49 years of service, Americans for the Arts is dedicated to representing and serving local communities and creating opportunities for every American to participate in and appreciate all forms of the arts. Additional information is available at www.AmericansForTheArts.org.

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PASSION FOR FASHION COMPETITION FOR HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS

Kristyn Rethaford of San Bernardino, with a dress and matching purse she designed for the 2008 Passion for Fashion competition, was one of two Inland Empire high school seniors to receive a $3,000 scholarship to The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire last year. Students who graduate from high school in 2010 can submit an original fashion design or marketing plan to the 2009 Passion for Fashion competition, for a chance to win a scholarship to The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire, and entry into a national-level competition for a full scholarship.

(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) -- The Art Institutes’ Passion for Fashion Competition 2010 provides high school students an exciting glimpse of the highly competitive fashion industry.  They offer students interested in Fashion Design or Fashion Marketing, Merchandising or Retail Management an opportunity to win a full-tuition scholarship to study fashion at one of The Art Institutes schools, including The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire.

Eligible students can enter the Fashion Design or Fashion Marketing and Merchandising and Retail Management category at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire. 

Open to high school seniors across North America, The Art Institutes Passion for Fashion Competition was created to encourage and reward young fashion design and fashion marketing, merchandising and retail management talent at the high school level. 

“Since it began five years ago, interest in the competition has taken off”, says Sherry West, Fashion Academic Director, The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire. 

“We saw a record number of applicants enter last year’s competition. There are so many wonderful fashion courses in high school today, and many students see a career in this industry within their reach,” said West.

The competition consists of two categories: 1) Fashion Design and 2) Fashion Marketing and Merchandising and Retail Management.

The grand prize winner in each category earns a full-tuition scholarship to an Art Institutes school to study in a fashion program.  Each grand prize winner, in partnership with Seventeen Magazine, also receives a trip to New York City to attend a Fashion Week show, attends a “meet and greet” at Seventeen Magazine’s offices, lunches with a Seventeen Magazine Style Pro and receives a $500 shopping spree. 
 
In this year’s Passion for Fashion Competition, students will be asked to create an original “evening wear” design for the Fashion Design category or an original Fashion Marketing, Merchandising or Retail Management plan for the corresponding category.
To be eligible, students must be a senior in high school, set to graduate in 2010, complete an Entry and Release Form, have a minimum cumulative G.P.A. of at least 2.0, write a short essay describing their interest in fashion and submit a finished, originally designed evening wear garment and process book, for the Fashion Design category or a create a product or plan for the Fashion Marketing and Merchandising and Retail Management category for complete details.

Please visit www.artinstitutes.edu/pr.aspx?ID=p4f10001st Call for Entries P4F Comp - Template Press Release BPC Reviewed[1].docx.

Deadline for entries into The Art Institutes Passion for Fashion Competition is November 20, 2009.  For more information on how to enter The Art Institutes Passion for Fashion Competition and for official rules, visit www.artinstitutes.edu/pr.aspx?ID=p4f1000 or contact Monica Jeffs at (909) 915-2100 at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire.

The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire offers Bachelor of Science degree programs in Game Art and Design, Graphic Design, Web Design and Interactive Media, Interior Design, Fashion and Retail Management, and Media Arts and 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 Nov. 12 and classes are offered in the day, evening and on weekends for new and reentry students.

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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Dinotopia Creator To Speak At The Art Institute of California - Inland Empire

James Gurney, creator of the award-winning, best-selling series Dinotopia and nationally recognized illustrator, will speak Thursday, Oct. 1 at 12 noon at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire.
 
(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) James Gurney, author and illustrator of the book series Dinotopia, and an award-winning illustrator of fantasy and historical subjects, speaks 12 noon Thursday, Oct. 1 at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire.

The presentation is open to the public and there is no charge.

Gurney paints with realism, that is paintings that look real, but his subjects are usually unseen. He’s best known for paintings of dinosaurs, ancient cities, futuristic landscapes and creatures from science fiction.  Besides his popular Dinotopia series, he has written books about how to draw from imagination.

“He created the million-book seller Dinotopia, which was made into a TV series. He is one of the premier illustrators in the country,” said Santosh Oomen, academic director for Media Arts & Animation at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire.

Gurney was born in Glendale, Calif. but moved to the Bay Area as a child. After graduating from the University of California, Berkeley with a degree in archaeology, he returned to southern California for about five years, where he studied at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena.

Before moving to the Hudson Valley in upstate New York in 1984, he painted more than 500 backgrounds for the animated 1983 film Fire and Ice. He primarily worked as an illustrator for National Geographic magazine after moving to New York, but in 2005 transitioned to a full-time career as an author and freelance illustrator.
His freelance clients include the U.S. Postal Service, for which he illustrated stamps featuring dinosaurs and sickle-cell awareness, and a post card depicting pioneer settlements in the Northwest Territory in 1788.

Gurney has exhibited his work at many museums, including the Smithsonian in Washington D.C., the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, Mass. and a museum in Switzerland. He’s given lectures at the Smithsonian, the World Science Fiction Convention and many museums and colleges.

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 October 5th and classes are offered in the day, evening and on weekends for new and reentry students.

For more information or a 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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Art Institute Students to Host Fashion Show

Keeira Ford models a formal strapless gown created by designer Cassie Betts at a fashion show earlier this year organized by The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire. Her work and that of Soulful Commandoe, a design company featuring urban wear for men, will again be on display when students at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire present “Rock 2 Glam,” at 4:45 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 24 at their 630 E. Brier, San Bernardino campus.

(San Bernardino, CA).  Fashion students at The Art Institute of California-Inland Empire are hosting a runway fashion show Sept. 24 at the college’s campus.  The event is open to the public at no charge.

The show, ‘Rock 2 Glam’ is a journey from rock & roll to glamorous fashions.  It is coordinated by students in the summer Fashion Show Production and Sales & Event Promotion class.

The designs of Beverly Hills designer Cassie Betts and Soulful Commandoe will highlight the runway show.  Runway models featured in the show will be volunteers from the fashion programs at The Art Institute of California-Inland Empire.

The show begins at 4:45 p.m. in Seasons, the restaurant at The International Culinary School at The Art Institute, 630 E. Brier, San Bernardino, CA., 92408.  Hors D’ Oeuvres will be served and parking is available at no charge.  For more information call Shannon Valenzuela, (951) 533-5445.

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 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 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 Oct. 5 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 locations throughout North America, providing an important source of design, media arts, and culinary arts professionals.

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The Art Institute Receives New Signs

San Bernardino Mayor Patrick Morris presents a new CalTrans freeway sign to Emam El-Hout, President of The Art Institute of California-Inland Empire. Posted on the I-10 Freeway at Waterman, the sign directs students to the campus, which offers artistic and creative degrees. More than 4 million cars pass the location every month. Robert Swapp photo.

San Bernardino Mayor Patrick Morris presents a new CalTrans freeway sign to Chef Eyad Joseph, Public Relations Director John Barry and President Emam El-Hout at The Art Institute of California-Inland Empire. Posted on the I-10 Freeway at Waterman, the sign directs students to the campus, which offers artistic and creative degrees. More than 4 million cars pass the location every month. Robert Swapp photo.

The Art Insitute of California - Inland Empire approved to offer Baking & Pastry degree

The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire already supplies custom-designed cakes for community events, such as these Executive Chef Eyad Joseph, academic director, presented on San Bernardino’s 199th birthday to Mayor Pat Morris. It will have more opportunity to do so now that The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire has been authorized to offer a degree in Baking and Pastry. Photo by Matt Sloan

(San Bernardino, CA) The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of California-Inland Empire has received approval to begin offering an Associate of Science degree in Baking and Pastry in its three state of the industry kitchens.

Approval was announced July 10 by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology in Arlington, Virginia. ACCSCT is the national regulatory agency that approves all academic programs offered by the local college as well as many of its 42 campuses nationwide.

According to Jerry Foust, Dean of Academic Affairs at the college, baking and pastry is a popular academic major. “We are excited that our application has been approved and expect that this degree will help a large number of students throughout the Inland Empire follow their hearts into a wonderful culinary career focused on baking and pastry.”

Foust said that students who are interested in the new degree can begin taking classes on August 20. “This summer would be a great time for students to start working on their Baking and Pastry degree. By starting in August students can complete their first quarter in a little over five weeks and then move into their second quarter, which is the standard 11 weeks, in October.”

The Art Institute of California-Inland Empire is located at 630 E. Brier Drive, San Bernardino, in the Hospitality Lane area. For more information, call (909) 915-2185.

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 Aug. 20 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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Upland Boutique Gets New Look With Help From Students

Dahlia’s Boutique owner Martha Smith and The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire Academic Director for Fashion Sherry West watch as the Fashion & Retail Marketing students transform the boutique as part of a class project in the course “Visual Merchandising.” Photo by Robert Swapp


Jenny De La Mora and Jessica Lundy, who are enrolled in The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire Fashion & Retail Marketing program, turn a lamppost into a clothing display as part of their class project to make over Dahlia’s Boutique in Upland. Photo by Robert Swapp

(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) When marketing fashion; presentation means a lot.

Students in The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire’s Fashion & Retail Marketing program learned how much difference a great presentation makes when they took on the job of transforming Dahlia’s Boutique, an upscale and well-stocked clothing boutique in Upland. They spent most of the Spring 2009 term devising plans for this makeover, and completed the work recently.

“It’s an amazing transformation,” said Martha Smith, owner of Dahlia’s Boutique, the next day. “I am pleased with all the creative ideas the students have.”

Fashion & Retail Marketing students enrolled in the Visual Merchandising course took on the job, at the recommendation of Academic Director for Fashion Sherry West. After meeting with Smith earlier this year, she realized the Fashion & Retail Marketing students would have a great hands-on learning opportunity if they worked with Smith to give her boutique a new look.

“It is so wonderful to see the students taking what they have learned out of the classroom and into a project for a real fashion boutique,” West said.

Luis Garcia, the Visual Merchandising instructor, is also pleased with what his students came up with for the final project.

“It was excellent,” he said. “I am amazed with all the ideas they have. These students are in their first year of study now. When they graduate in a few years, the impact they will make on fashion marketing is going to really shake things up.”

Dahlia’s Boutique is now arranged into distinct areas. Up front, a trend shop alerts customers to the latest fashion trends. Other areas focus on clothing, with items now arranged by “color story,” that is in eye-catching color combinations such as purple, lavender and brown. Yet another area focuses on handbags and accessories.

The Fashion & Retail Marketing students also updated the lighting and fixtures. Fixtures take on a new meaning with this transformation, Garcia explained, because the students arranged clothing on unconventional items such as an old armchair.

Students worked in four teams to create the transformation. They democratically elected three students to head the four teams. Garcia assigned other students to work with them.

Adam Cintas, whom Garcia describes as “ a real go-getter,” led the teams “Handbags and Accessories” and “Merchandising,” the team setting up the clothing displays.”

The “Fixtures and Trend Shop” team, led by Shannon Valenzuela created the Trend Shop display near the front of the store and arranged for the unconventional display fixtures, such as the armchair.

Jenny De La Mora headed the “Mannequins and Lighting” team. This group created displays with newly outfitted mannequins, and highlighted them with special lighting.

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 of Science degree in Graphic Design, and a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Fashion Design.

The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire offers an Associate of Science 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 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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Disney Legend To Share Animation Secrets July 1

(San Bernardino, CA) Floyd E. Norman, a pioneer cartoonist and animator who worked with Walt Disney in the early days of animation, will speak at The Art Institute of California-Inland Empire at 12 noon on Wednesday, July 1 at the San Bernardino campus. The event is open to the public at no cost.

Santosh Ooomen, Academic Director for Game Art & Animation at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire, said, “We are very fortunate to bring such an important artist to our campus. Floyd Norman is truly a legend in comic animation and this is a unique opportunity to share his experience with the community.”

Norman worked on animated features Sleeping Beauty, The Sword and the Stone and Jungle Book in the late 50’s and early 60’s. After Walt Disney’s death in 1966, Norman left Disney Studios to co-found the AfroKids animation studio where he developed the original Hey! Hey! Hey! It’s Fat Albert TV special which aired on NBC in 1969.

He later returned to Disney where he worked on Robin Hood and films Toy Story 2, Monsters, Dinosaur and the Hunchback of Notre Dame for Walt Disney Animation. He has also worked on projects for Pixar and Mulan.

Norman has published several books of cartoons, inspired by his lifetime of experiences in the animation industry, including Faster! Cheaper!, Son of Faster, Cheaper! and How the Grinch Stole Disney.

His is currently a columnist for the websites JimHillMedia.com and AfroKids.com and was named a Disney Legend in 2007. He appeared as a Guest of Honor at Anthrocon 2008 and at Comic-Con International, the annual conference for the comic book industry where he received an Inkpot Award the same year.

The Art Institute of California-Inland Empire is located at 630 E. Brier Drive, San Bernardino, in the Hospitalilty Lane area. For more information, call (909) 915-2185.

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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A Taste of Paris Fashion Comes To Victoria Gardens

Designer Joseph Yoshimura with model wearing his “Midknight Samurai,” at the recent Mood Indigo Fashion Show put on by The Art Institute of California - Inland Empire at Victoria Gardens Cultural Center.

Model wears Twisted Love by Adriana Diaz, at right


Designer Sara Vigil, with model wearing “Mademoiselle Coco.”



Model wears Bubble Couture, designed by Isidore Baltazar, at right.


Model wears Midknight Samurai, designed by Joseph Yoshimura.


Model wearing “Militant Tux,” designed by Erica Jennings.


Model wearing “Ode to Holland,” designed by Jennifer Hernandez, not pictured.


(RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif.) Fashion Empire 2009 enchanted an Inland Empire crowd at Victoria Gardens recently.

The showcase entertained the crowd with a live DJ, acrobatics from Cirque U.S.A., professional lighting, hot brands, a fashion design gallery, silent auction and VIP section that could stand up to any Vegas lounge.

A first-class runway fashion show wrapped up the evening with a denim-inspired theme titled Mood Indigo. Showcasing fashion from sponsors Miss Me Jeans, Soulful Commandoe, Affliction and student work from the fashion design program at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire.

The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire created this event to showcase the schools Fashion Design and Fashion & Retail Management programs. This non-profit event further supported students by raising funds for scholarships through sponsorships.

Sherry West, Academic Director for Fashion at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire guided the fashion students through a six month period, teaching them how to put together a fashion show - start to finish.

“The students have learned first hand experience of what the industry is all about, said West. “They were able to come up with the design, execute, make corrections and produce quality work in the allotted time.”

“There were many sleepless nights, late hours in the lab, even a couple Sundays of working diligently on the sewing machines,” said West. “This industry expects so much from you; you have to be able to produce and work hard, like it is not a big deal!”

“These students came in with nothing but desire. They are the pioneers of this program. This is how we recruit new students,” said West.

“They are so dedicated to the program, helping each other out, using team work, learning to come up as a united front. The students were willing to do what it takes to get it done,” said West.

“These kids, including myself took a journey together, learning a lot from each other and knowing there is still so much more to learn,” said West. “ By the time these pioneers graduate this program, they are going to be real stars in the fashion industry.”

Susie Culini and Amber Reddii, fire dancers with Cirque USA, performed a choreographed routine that involved props lit on fire and stunts that wowed the audience.

Culini and Redii have been performing together for several years. “It took us four to five hours to choreograph this routine,” said Culini, adding they rehearsed it for several weeks once they had it choreographed.

Twenty-year-old Stefanie Weck from Studio City was the model for the Fashion Empire 2009 program distributed during the event. She also modeled down the runway for the Mood Indigo fashion show; wearing pieces from fashion brands such as Bebe and student work from Sara Vigil.

“It was cool modeling the student work, I was very impressed with the work the first year fashion students put together” said Weck. She is also a fashion major with a passion for creating new fashion and modeling.

Fashion Empire 2009 was produced by Q.Zi Media, a professional fashion show production company owned by Quyenzi Pham.

Other sponsors included Live Fast, ieStyle Magazine, Jade, Smart Water and Red Bull.

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 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 educational institutions located throughout North America, providing an important source of design, media arts, fashion and culinary arts professionals.

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Portfolio Show Gives Glimpse of Students Artistic Talent

Chef Eyad Joseph, academic director for The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire, with June 2009 Culinary Arts students Charles Coffman, Carlos Ambriz, Patricia Balderrama and Brittani White. Coffman and Balderama are June 2009 graduates, and with help from the underclassmen, prepared the spread of food before them so it could be sampled at the Graduate Portfolio Review held last week in Riverside.

(RIVERSIDE, Calif.) Every three months, The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire graduates a growing number of students who have the potential to change the world through art.

At the school’s quarterly Graduate Portfolio Review, held for the newest graduates on Tuesday, June 16 at Riverside Art Museum, the students show just how they may accomplish this artistic endeavor. Graduating students display the artwork they’ve done in class, and in some cases, work created for paid clients.

“It is the students’ unique artistic talents, coupled with the skills they have built as they studied for their degrees that will provide the foundation for them to become professional artists,” said Cindy Jones, director of career services for The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire and a former art gallery owner. “This show will give them additional exposure to employers in search of artistically talented people.”

Harry Bajwa of Q Vantage, a software development company, agrees.

“This show is perfect for us,” he said. “We need artistically creative people, which is one thing we lack. Here, I can see what these students are capable of, and obtain contact information from them to discuss our positions.”

Although, the Graduate Portfolio Review is an opportunity for students to network with potential employers, some students have already accepted positions with companies that need the skills they obtained in their studies.

Karena Pavon of Moreno Valley earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Graphic Design, and began work Wednesday as a graphic designer, t-shirt designer and fashion photographer for Privacy Wear, a fashion design company in Corona that sells its label to Macy’s, Bloomingdales, Dillards and many upscale fashion boutiques.

The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire held its first Graduate Portfolio Show in December 2008.

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 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 locations throughout North America, providing an important source of design, media arts, and culinary arts professionals.

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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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Interior Designers Create More Than Just A Pretty Place

These Interior Design students from The Art Institute of California - Inland Empire helped the ABC network television show Extreme Makeover transform a home in Phelan, including the dream bedroom of the owners' teen-age daughter.
Marissa Louden, Jamie Young and Paige Petersen, now graduates of The Art Institute of California - Inland Empire, created emergency shelters as part of a second-year class project in the Interior Design program.

Interior Design students from The Art Institute of California - Inland Empire volunteered with Habitat for Humanity of Riverside to build a home there.

Students at The Art Institute of California - Inland Empire create plans for fantasy clients in a t.second-year class project.



(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) They have helped transform a dull old kitchen for the Boys & Girls Club into a cheerful place where kids can learn about food and nutrition. They have built small, portable shelters that can keep everyone from a homeless person to a firefighter safe from the elements of weather. And they’ve helped several non-profit organizations build dream homes. All of this, and more, before graduating from college.

By the end of their studies, students in the Interior Design program at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire will be capable of designing any kind of interior space, from floor to ceiling. They will do it with a lot more than cosmetic touches.

“We’re not teaching HGTV (Home and Garden Television) here,” said Sara Sandoval, academic director for the Art Institute of California-Inland Empire. “Designers have an education and must be state certified.”

The education offered at the Art Institute of California-Inland Empire is a bachelor’s degree program that will qualify graduates to work with architects or other designers to create aesthetically pleasing yet efficient places for people to work and live, Sandoval said.

“Interior designers change lives,” Sandoval said. “They affect change in a positive way by changing interiors.”

For instance, if an office employee must work in a small, windowless room, he or she may feel depressed, and productivity will suffer, Sandoval said. An interior designer can transform that small, windowless office into a place where the worker likes to be.

At the Art Institute, the curriculum begins with basics. First-quarter students, regardless of major, take “foundation” courses in art and design. Interior designers also take two courses in drafting.

In their first Interior Design course, 3D Design Basics, students get an opportunity to build cardboard furniture. Some of these Spartan but functional pieces occupy a corner of The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire’s lobby, just as comfortable and almost as attractive as the rest of the sofas and chairs

That course not only gives students an early opportunity to design something practical (office furniture), but also teaches them many design principals. One is the lesson that just as layers of cardboard are weak individually but strong when working together, people are stronger when they work as a team.

Another lesson Interior Design students learn in their 3D Design Basics course is that environments without color or texture are boring. The Art Institute staff will readily admit that while it adds character to the school’s lobby, the first year students’ durable but Spartan furniture isn’t likely to ever show up in fine home furnishings stores.

On the other hand, the talents and creations of more than 100 students who are well on their way to completing the program are highly marketable. In fact, the most advanced students already have designed projects for their campus, the Riverside Habitat for Humanity, the San Bernardino Boys & Girls Club and local businesses.

Last year, the advanced Interior Design students built temporary emergency shelters as a class project. These look and function so well the school’s administration invited community leaders, media, emergency service workers and homeless advocates to the school, to view the shelters that might actually be put to good use off campus.

These students have already studied courses in construction, architecture and computer-assisted drafting. They have learned how to create interior spaces, and how to present their concepts to clients.

They have become familiar with all necessary documents for a building project, studied business management, art history and environmental science. The most advanced students are now writing theses, and finishing preparation of the detailed portfolios they were working on throughout their education at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire.

Usually, interior designers create spaces for commercial or industrial use, according to Sandoval. This could include, among others, schools, government buildings, offices, health care facilities, and places offering hospitality services, such as hotels and restaurants. Interior designers also help create or remodel large public places like Los Angeles’ Staples Center.

Homeowners, even if they have the budget to do so, aren’t often inclined to pay interior designers a sustainable living wage, Sandoval said. However, both contemporary residential design and historical restoration are specializations within interior design.

Interior designers who work within these residential specialties will most likely work with an architect, Sandoval said. So, if a homebuilder hires an architect to help with the design phase, chances are good an interior designer will also have an influence on the project.

The Art Institute of California-Inland Empire Interior Design program began in 2006 when the school opened, and its first graduates completed their bachelor’s degrees in March 2009. A year-round schedule allows students to finish what would normally be a four-year program in just three years.

Ten instructors who have a rich and varied experience in the industry teach the courses. Some own their own interior design firms, others work for prominent design firms or architects.
The Interior Design program shares some of its faculty with other departments. These instructors might have industry experience in architecture or interior design, but also have worked in fine arts, animation and graphic design.

In addition to their interior design studies, they will have a well-rounded general education, studying electives in the other design-oriented majors offered by the Arts Institute, and will likely have completed internships in the trade.

“Our goal is for them to be hired immediately after they graduate,” Sandoval said, “so they have a seamless transition between the school and the profession of interior design.

After graduation, these students will be required to work under close supervision for three years. After this they’re required to pass an exam on California building codes, and three other exams on design issues, before they can work on their own as a certified interior designer.

After that, they will be revolutionizing interior design in the Inland Empire.

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 and Retail Management and Media Arts & Animation. A Bachelor of Fine Arts is offered in Fashion Design. There are also Associate of Science degrees in Graphic Design. Each program is offered on a year-round basis, allowing students to work uninterrupted toward their degrees.

The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire offers an Associate of Science 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 enroll at The Art Institute of California-Inland Empire. Courses begin July 13, with offerings in the days, evenings and on weekends for new and reentry students. For details or a tour of the campus call (909) 915-2100, or go on line to artinstitutes.edu/inlandempire.

The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire is one of The Art Institutes (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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