Alumni exhibit shows what can happen after class is over

Suzie Harrison

The Laguna College of Art and Design is inspiring its students

with its annual juried alumni exhibit. The collection will feature

hand-picked works from artists and designers who have graduated from

the college.

Tracy Nishimuta the exhibition coordinator for the college said

the exhibit ties in well with the beginning of fall classes because

the students can see artwork related to the curriculum.

“There are 16 alumni artists showing. This is an opportunity for

the alumni to show, as well as the school being able to show the

students what the alumni is doing and where they have gone,”

Nishimuta said.

The show will only feature originals, and a variety of mediums

will be represented.

Gary Birch the new dean of visual communications said the exhibit

is highly anticipated.

“We’re fortunate this year in the alumni exhibit to display Kaleb

Wyman who does special effects for full-length feature films. The

excitement of doing special effects for Hollywood is new to our

campus,” Birch said.

Also new this year is an area of the exhibit with a projected LCD

screen to show the multi-media pieces and Web design. During the

school year it will be used as a tool to market the college and

events.

“We’re kind of jumping into the next century here,” said

Nishimuta.

Another highlighted alumni will be Ben Thompson, whose

illustrations have been used in a variety of popular products

including the cover for the Forgotten Realms game accessory Volo’s

Guide to Balder’s Gate, and interior illustrations for the Alternity

game accessory Alien Compendium II and on the collectible card games

Magic: The Gathering and Harry Potter.

“I am glad they’re still doing it. It shows they are still willing

to support the graduates,” said 1998 graduate sculptor Alfred

Paredes. “It’s a strong sign for us. It shows us we’re still

important.”

The exhibition will run through Sept. 21 at the Ettinger Gallery

at the college, 2222 Laguna Canyon Road. There will be an artist

reception from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Thursday. Information: 376-6000.