Tag Archives: Don Kubly

Forty years of making fine art matter: Ramone Muñoz chats with outgoing Fine Art Chair Laurence Dreiband

Fine Art Chair Laurence Dreiband (L) and instructor Ramone Muñoz. Photo: Chuck Spangler

After more than four decades of service to Art Center, Laurence Dreiband, chair of the College’s undergraduate Fine Art Department will be retiring at the end of this month.

Dreiband leaves the College with an impressive roster of accomplishments: a robust program with increasing enrollment and plans for future growth; an impressive list of distinguished faculty and alumni; plans for Artmatters, a new area of emphases in public art and social engagement; and, most significantly, a dedication to the importance of the fine arts in the life of the College and of the culture at large.

To mark the occasion, Art Center alumnus, instructor and former chair of Foundation Studies Ramone Muñoz recently sat down with Dreiband to discuss the outgoing chair’s legacy, their beginnings at the College’s Third Street campus, and what the future holds.

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In Memoriam: Ed Hanak

Former Art Center senior vice president, secretary of the College’s Board of Trustees, Trustee Emeritus and key College fundraiser Edward Paul Hanak passed away on July 1 at the age of 83.

A native of Ohio and graduate of Ohio University, Hanak founded and served as the president of his college fraternity. He joined the army after World War II and served in Japan, then was then drafted into the Army and served in the Korean War.

After the military, he attended college on the G.I. Bill. He went on to work with the Greater Cleveland Growth Board, an arm of the Cleveland Chamber of Commerce, before moving to Pasadena to join Caltech’s development group in 1966.

Hanak joined Art Center in 1969 as vice president of development and, and as key fundraiser, spearheaded the drive to raise funds for the College’s various projects, in particularly the plan to build Hillside Campus. Hanak was at then-president Don Kubly’s side when they found and purchased property in the foothills of Pasadena and negotiated terms to erect the building designed by Craig Ellwood Associates.

Following his retirement from Art Center in 1986, Hanak continued to serve on the Board of Trustees as secretary, eventually honored as Trustee Emeritus.

A memorial celebration for Kubly, who passed away a few short weeks before Hanak, will be held this Saturday, July 30. Appropriately, we’ll take a moment during the program to acknowledge Hanak and his many contributions to Art Center.

Don Kubly Memorial Celebration July 30

Please join us as we celebrate the life of Don Kubly, alumnus and Art Center President Emeritus, on Saturday, July 30, at 5 p.m. in the Ahmanson Auditorium at Hillside Campus. A reception will be held following in the student dining room.

RSVP to events@artcenter.edu or 626.396.2386. Those unable to attend the celebration can view the program live online at artcenter.edu/webcast.

In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to the Kubly Family Scholarship. Visit artcenter.edu/giving or contact Senior Director of Development Wayne Herron at 626.396.2437 or wayne.herron@artcenter.edu for more information.

Don Kubly Memorial Celebration
Saturday, July 30, 5 p.m.
Ahmanson Auditorium
Hillside Campus

Remembering Don

Kubly and a student with a model of Hillside Campus

Don Kubly passed away yesterday at the age of 93.

He was an alumnus, our second president, an influential leader, a colleague, mentor and friend.

A native of Pasadena, Kubly came to Art Center to study Advertising, quickly earning a reputation as one of the school’s best students.

“We wanted to be leaders in the field, so it wasn’t a matter of training, but a matter of truly understanding,” Kubly said in a 2010 interview. “A school like ours was unusual back in those days.”

Kubly met his wife, Sally, while both were students at the College’s first campus on Seventh Street in Los Angeles.

“When Don asked my father if he could marry me, my father told him that if we did, he would have to take on my Art Center tuition,” Sally remembered in a 2010 interview. “That’s what motivated Don to begin teaching, that tuition payment.”

After graduating in 1949, he landed a job at N.W. Ayer & Son in Philadelphia, one of the country’s leading advertising agencies. Serving as a senior art director for more than 16 years, Kubly won numerous gold medals and other top awards for his creative work.

In 1963, Kubly returned to Art Center to work with College president Tink Adams as assistant to the director, teaching and managing the school’s day-to-day operations.

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Don Kubly, 1917-2011

Students, Faculty, Alumni, Staff and Friends:

Today, one of Art Center’s most influential leaders, Don Kubly, passed away at 93 years old. Don’s active involvement with the school spanned 47 years, starting as a student in 1938 and continuing as second president of the College. Don was a dear friend of the school and mentor and colleague to so many.

Don was a truly great and inspirational figure in Art Center’s development. Student, alumnus, educator and president, he never wavered in his dedication and commitment to Art Center or in his enthusiasm and excitement for our students.

His many contributions to Art Center have had a lasting impact on the College. He has left us a great legacy and built us a beautiful home in this wonderful location in Pasadena. We are all indebted to him for his brilliant work and profound care.

On a personal note, I am honored to have met Don and to have made a connection with him. He was always very warm and supportive of our work, our strategic plan and our community’s collective vision for the future.

A public celebration of Don’s life will be held at Art Center in the coming weeks. We’ll be sure to keep you informed here at the Dotted Line.

Our hearts go out to his wife Sally and his entire family. Don will truly be missed.

Sincerely,
Lorne M. Buchman
President, Art Center College of Design

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