Spring has sprung for Art Center’s alumni community, which collectively bloomed with media attention and creative activity. Here we’ve gathered a bouquet sampling this group’s impressive undertakings.

News

Karima El-Hakkaoui (BFA 97 ADVT) co-authored and designed The Wedding A to Z: Everything You Need to Know and Stuff You Never Thought to Ask. The Wedding A to Z

Bob Gurr (BS 52 PROD) was highlighted in Los Angeles Magazine for his visionary design work for Disneyland’s Tomorrowland. Los Angeles Magazine

Michael Heller (BFA 89 PHOT) was recently honored by the New York Press Association as the 2014 Photographer of the Year for his work as a photographer at the Sag Harbor Express. Sag Harbor Express

Marisa Howenstein (BFA 10 PHOT) received Gold and Silver awards in the Graphis 2015 Photography Annual for the second consecutive year. Graphis

George Porcari’s (MFA 87 GART) photograph was published on the cover of Ciudad de Mexico: Problematicas y Perspectivas, a new sociology text. His work was also included in Both Sides of Sunset: Photographing Los Angeles, released at Paris Photo: LA 2015. Ciduad de Mexico & Artbook

Jen Rosenstein (BFA 08 PHOT) was featured in Popular Photography Magazine for her expertise in photographing silhouettes. Popular Photography

Exhibitions

Jesse Benson (BFA 91 PHOT) is exhibiting photographs at Michael Benevento Gallery. Michael Benevento March 28 – May 23

Zhenya Gershman (MFA 01 GART) will host an art exhibition and preview of a film documenting a collaborative production with Mark Snyder titled The Model’s Artist at Renberg Theatre. LA LGBT Center May 15

Robert Kondo’s (BFA 02 ILLU) Oscar-nominated animated film, The Dam Keeper, was featured in REDCAT’s International Children’s Film Festival. REDCAT. May 3

Nery Gabriel Lemus (BFA 07 FINE) opened his third solo exhibition, Just So Stories, at Charlie James Gallery. Charlie James Gallery April 18 – May 30

David Ligare (BFA 65 ILLU) held a solo exhibition at Hirschl & Adler Modern in New York. In June The Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento will present a retrospective of Ligare’s work. Hirschl & Adler Modern April 9– May 22

Nick Lu (BFA 08 ILLU) participated in a book-signing to promote his new illustrated book, Why LA? Pourquoi Paris?, at Barnes and Noble in Manhattan Beach. Why LA? Pourquoi Paris?. March 7 – 12

Kim McCarty (BFA 80 ILLU) is showing new watercolor paintings in her second exhibition at Morgan Lehman Gallery. Morgan Lehman Gallery May 7- June 13

Adam D. Miller (MFA 08 GART) and Devon Oder (MFA 07 GART), owners of the LA creative exhibition space The Pit, exhibited a solo show of Patrick Rock titled California Split. Subsequently, they opened The Elegant Universe, a group show. The Pit April 12 – May 24

Jim Murray (BFA 71 ILLU) opened his show Been There – Done That  – Doing This featuring a retrospective of his work at the Manhattan Beach Art Center. City of Manhattan Beach April 30 – June 7

Christopher Russell (MFA 04 GART) and Sarah Cromarty (BFA 05 FINE) are in a two-person exhibition juxtaposing sculptural paintings and photography at the University of La Verne’s Harris Gallery. Harris Gallery April 2

Lidia Shaddow (BFA 86 ILLU) had a solo show 1001 Looted Magic Carpets and Prayer Rugs at Gallery 825.  Gallery 825

Bill Wheelock’s (MA 04 CRIT) work was included in America is Hard to See at the Whitney Museum of American Art. Catherine Taft (MA 05 Crit) was the assistant curator for the show. Whitney Museum May 1 – September 27

Croudfunding

Bryan Azorsky (BFA 88 FILM) successfully raised funds for Tin Man Prints, his custom magnetic photography mounting system. Kickstarter

Ai Su Bonnier (BS 07 TRAN) and Adam Bonnier (BS 07 PROD) launched a Kickstarter to fund the production of their portable, rechargeable and customizable lamps. Kickstarter

Hayk Makhmuryan (BFA 08 ILLU) launched a campaign to fundraise for the Lamp Arts Program, a creativity studio providing a space and a voice to the impoverished and homeless. RocketHub

Brian Tong (ENTX) is fundraising for his newest project PENXO, an award winning 2mm lead holder pencil. Kickstarter