Join top vehicle designers, automotive companies, collectors and enthusiasts as Art Center explores the continuing global influence Southern California has on transportation design at Car Classic ’11.
With more than 20 advanced automotive design studios located here, as well as companies leading the charge in new mobility and alternative energy, SoCal continues to shape the how, what and where of mobility on a tremendous scale.
This year, as Art Center begins expanding its curriculum to further impact the evolution of the automotive industry and the broader field of transportation, we look at the innovative cars, bikes, planes, boats, materials and design tools influenced by our boundless culture.
Sunday’s Car Classic ’10: Freedom of Motion, was a success! While a little drizzly at times, the crowds were not deterred, visiting Hillside Campus to tour studios, look at student work, hear guest speakers and, of course, check out the automobiles (and aircraft, watercraft and motorcycles!)
“The Mini was the first car I ever stole,” joked Stephenson. He was referring to sneaking out in his mother’s as a young teenager. “It was that easy to drive,” he explained. Fitting that fate would have him involved in the redesign of the vehicle decades later.
Also speaking was Photography alumnus Jeff Zwart, award-winning automotive photographer and commercial film director who recently set a new record racing up Pike’s Peak in a Porsche 911 GT3.
“You never realize how much your childhood interests will influence your life later on,” Zwart said as he remarked on growing up (with childhood friend, alum and automotive design superstar Freeman Thomas) with a love of everything automotive.
Art Center continues our 80th anniversary celebration with a special anniversary weekend Saturday and Sunday.
Tomorrow, October 16, Art Center will honor four prominent alumni—industrial designer Yves Béhar, car designer Frank Stephenson, contemporary artist Pae White and blockbuster filmmaker Zack Snyder—with the Creative Spirit award at a gala to raise scholarships for students in Art Center’s undergraduate, graduate and public programs.
The following day, Sunday, October 17, is Art Center’s beloved Car Classic. This year’s theme, Freedom of Motion, celebrates the powerful combination of technology and passion that allows humans to move well beyond their own physical abilities.
Also on Sunday, we’ll be participating in the Art & Design Open Market at One Colorado in Pasadena.
Guest post by College Archivist Robert Dirig and Transportation Design Director Jay Sanders
Strother MacMinn teaches class on lawn, 1960 (Photo courtesy Art Center Archives)
Art Center’s Car Classic has become one of the most highly anticipated transportation events in Southern California, if not the entire country. Over the past nine years, the event has showcased amazing automobiles and brought together industry leaders–many of whom are Art Center alumni. As we approach Sunday’s Car Classic 2010: Freedom of Motion, join us in looking back at how Art Center became a leader in the world of transportation design.
Jergenson is shown in this circa 1950 photograph with student A.K. Ragheb PROD '51. (Photo courtesy Art Center Archives)
It is estimated that more than half of the world’s car designers are Art Center graduates. Transportation Design alumni currently hold top positions at the studios of Pininfarina, Ferrari-Maserati, Ford, General Motors, DaimlerChrysler, BMW, Porsche, Audi, Volvo, Nissan, Aston Martin, Mazda, Toyota/Lexus and Volkswagen North America.
The field has a long and storied history at the College. Years before Transportation Design became a major at Art Center, our graduates were taking positions with General Motors’ Buick Division in Detroit in the 1930s.
In 1948, Transportation Design became an official course of study at the College, with such influential faculty members as George Jergenson, Strother MacMinn and John Coleman establishing the school’s connection with transportation design—a field that would lift Art Center into international prominence.
It’s almost time for the ninth annual Car Classic! This year’s theme, Freedom of Motion, celebrates the powerful combination of technology and passion that allows humans to move well beyond our physical abilities. Whether it’s hurtling down the road in a vintage Bugatti, pulling 5G around a corner in a Formula One racecar, hitting 50 mph on a 15-pound Tour de France bike, or winning the 100 meter dash on a pair of prosthetic legs, we continually seek the freedom of moving beyond our physical limitations. This year’s event will focus on the design and technology being used to break free from these limitations.
Keynote speaker will be Transportation Design alumnus Frank Stephenson, design director for McLaren Automotive, who will unveil the new McLaren MP4-12C. Also speaking will be Jeff Zwart, an award-winning automotive photographer and videographer who recently set a new record racing up Pike’s Peak in a Porsche 911 GT3.
An incredible array of more than 100 rare and exotic automobiles, motorcycles, aircraft, watercraft and other vehicles will be on display in Art Center’s panoramic Sculpture Garden. Some of the spectacular vehicles already confirmed are a 1936 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic, the world’s first production Cobra and an ICON A5 sport aircraft.
Attendees will have the opportunity to tour Art Center’s studio classrooms and rapid prototyping facilities to view the work of tomorrow’s top designers. KABC automotive reporter Dave Kunz and host of Speed Channel’s Car Crazy Barry Meguiar will again emcee the event and awards ceremony. Twelve honors will be presented to vehicles of exceptional design, as judged by a team of design experts.
As you know, there’s always something going on when it comes to Art Center alumni, students and faculty. Some of the latest:
Alumna and painter Theresa Paden is on a mission to save horses: Ventura County Star
Theresa Paden
Visual effects supervisor and Art Center alum Eric Barba talks about the upcoming sci-fi extravaganza Tron: Legacy: Cnet
Francis Pollara is producer, founder and chief executive of Ladeson Productions—and also still a student at Art Center. La Canada Valley Sun
Broadcast Cinema alum Hilton Carter talks about his new short, Moth, and music video for Baltimore musicians including Blaqstarr: Baltimore Sun
Pasadena Federal Credit Union unveils new 90-square-foot mural, “Building Pasadena,” painted by alumnus Jerry Ortega: Pasadena Star-News
Art Center alumna Denise Assad has done it all: industrial design, transportation design, public relations, advertising and now, baking: Brand X
An electric concept car created by Clemson University students and dubbed “Deep Orange” will be making an appearance at Art Center’s Car Classic (Art Center students collaborated on the design and styling): Fast Company
And speaking of Car Classic, it’s coming up Oct. 17: Car Classic ’10
We’re celebrating 80 years of excellence in art and design education at Art Center. Following the inauguration of our fifth president in April, and a community-wide Day of Service in June, the College continues its celebration with a special 80th Anniversary Weekend.
On Saturday, October 16, Art Center will honor four prominent alumni—industrial designer Yves Béhar, car designer Frank Stephenson, contemporary artist Pae White and blockbuster filmmaker Zack Snyder—with the Creative Spirit award at a gala to raise scholarships for students in Art Center’s undergraduate, graduate and public programs. The following day, Sunday, October 17, is Art Center’s beloved Car Classic. This year’s theme, Freedom of Motion, celebrates the powerful combination of technology and passion that allows humans to move well beyond their own physical abilities.
For more information about the gala, call 626.396.2338. Tickets and details about Car Classic are available at artcenter.edu/carclassic.
The hottest event in town just got a whole lot cooler. Art Center is pleased to announce that Car Classic ’10 will take place on Sunday, October 17, at Art Center’s Hillside Campus. The event has been moved from its traditional July date to ensure cooler temperatures and allow attendees to spend even more time enjoying the beautiful cars, world-famous speakers, and inspiring student work.
This year’s Car Classic will celebrate the thrill of motion, capturing the joy and excitement of various modes of transportation that allow us to move well beyond our own human abilities. Stay tuned for more information on this beloved campus event. And be sure to save the date for October 17—you won’t want to miss it.
Car Classic 2010
Sunday, October 17
Hillside Campus