Newsroom

The latest at CCA

From student spotlights and faculty stories to recent media coverage and current events, catch up on what’s new.

Have a story to share? Contact [email protected].

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In Memoriam: Arthur Gensler, 1935–2021

For 11 years as a trustee and four as board chair, Arthur Gensler (1935–2021) championed the role of art and design education as an engine for cultural and economic vitality.
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Sustaining change

A growing community of Design students are leveraging their course assignments and thesis projects to express a sense of care and concern for the planet.
Eryn Bathke, Terra Cards.

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Design pedagogy for collective work

The Design division explores three different educational opportunities at CCA that transcend individual learning through teamwork.
Assistant Professor Juan Carlos Rodriguez Rivera (center) teaches his Decolonization & Design course in 2019.

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CCA’s 2021 gala auction opens to public bidding on Friday, May 7

The silent online auction features 19 artworks and custom experiences, including works by Viola Frey, David Maisel, Robert Motherwell, Manuel Neri, Terry St. John, Wayne Thiebaud, and Lava Thomas.

Viola Frey (BFA Ceramics 1956), Untitled, 1987. Ceramic, 26 x 26 inches.

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High expectations

Renowned artist Jim Campbell has been working with Lynn Marie Kirby and Jeanne Finley's students since 2019, giving them the opportunity to showcase their art at astounding heights.

San Francisco’s skyline at night, featuring Zihan Jia and Yiqing Sun’s Zoom-inspired film on Salesforce Tower.

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Student spotlight: Melissa Rodriguez

From Colombia, to California, to Fashion Design 3, Melissa Rodriguez (BFA Individualized Studies 2022) shares the art-inspired journey that helped her find a new definition of home.

Mixed media collage shows a young Melissa Rodriguez holding an American and Colombian flag standing on top of a suitcase.

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CCA commencement traditions

From the tam and gown’s little-known origins to a particularly relevant Honorary Doctorate address, these stories behind the college’s commencement quirks are so CCA.

Two students in tams and gowns blow bubbles at the camera.

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Rolling deep with the Earth

Faculty came together to start a new school at CCA—the E-school, an environmental justice collaboration across divisions that topples figureheads and centers frontline communities.

Bartertown game in play, 2019.

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Four graduating Architecture and Interior Design students named among top 100 in North America

New Metropolis Future 100 list recognizes Conor Daly, Maria Antonieta Ramirez, Navya Sharad, and Valeriya Velyka among top grads.
Valeriya Velyka (BArch 2021), VR Volume, fall 2019.

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Alum spotlight: Writer Julie Lythcott-Haims (MFA Writing 2016)

The bestselling author discusses her book Your Turn: How to Be an Adult and offers sage advice for writing—and adulting—through life’s inevitable growing pains.
Julie Lythcott-Haims stands in the doorway of a small wood-paneled writing studio decorated in quotes, bunting, and posters.

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CCA is designated a Voter Friendly Campus

A group of students, faculty, and staff found creative ways to encourage our community to vote during an entirely remote semester.

Jaime Austin holds two artworks up to the windows at the CCA Hubbell Street Galleries for the CCA@CCA artwork campaign.

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You got into art college. Now what?

From exploring current student work to learning about first-year programs, here’s our best advice on how to choose between colleges.

A person in a white shirt sits on a red convertible’s trunk, overlooking the horizon. The sun sets in the right-hand corner.

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Monuments—Must Change continues CCA’s dialogue around community engagement and the roles and responsibilities of artists

The panel features artists Karyn Olivier and Jeffrey Gibson, whose work radically reconsiders notions of permanence and endurance in the public sphere.

Jeffrey Gibson, Because Once You Enter My House It Becomes Our House, 2020. Socrates Sculpture Park.

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Graduate alumni Diedrick Brackens and Lauren O’Connell discuss ark of the bulrushes

The exhibition at Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art introduces new work by Diedrick Brackens (MFA Fine Arts 2014), curated by Lauren O’Connell (MA Curatorial Practice 2014).

Diedrick Brackens: blessed are the mosquitos, 2020, woven cotton and acrylic yarn, 82 by 79 inches. Courtesy Jack Shainman Gallery, New York, and Various Small Fires, Los Angeles.

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Ceramics tools help today’s makers push their discipline in inventive new directions

While some ceramics tools are ancient, others are waiting in unexpected places—like your kitchen cabinet. Three makers share their favorite tools.
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Faculty spotlight: Grammy nominee Rob Epstein

At the 2021 awards, Professor Epstein’s documentary Linda Ronstadt: The Sound of My Voice competes for Best Music Film. We quizzed him on the legendary Linda, his favorite sounds, and more.
Movie poster for the film Linda Ronstadt: The Sound of My Voice, with the musician standing at the microphone with her head turned.

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Why live on campus in a residence hall?

If you’re debating whether dorm life is right for you, here are three reasons why living on campus could enhance your art and design college experience.

Students mingle outside in the courtyard of Founders Hall, a white building with red gridwork.

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Alum spotlight: Director Shane T Watson

“CCA allowed me to be open about myself and to become a better writer,” says the former Student Oscar nominee. Here’s what he’s working on now, his advice for CCA students, and more.

Three men stand side-by-side smiling at another camera out of view. Shane Watson is in the middle with his arms wrapped around their shoulders.

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CCA Pre-College helps young makers find a home

At CCA, Crystal Morey (BFA Ceramics 2006), Claire Taggart​ (BFA Painting/Drawing 2006), and Shannon Danielle Taylor (BFA Illustration 2006) forged practices and friendships that will last a lifetime.

Crystal Morey, Claire Taggart​, and Shannon Danielle Taylor smile and look toward the viewer in front of a pale gray brick wall. Morey is wearing a leopard print shirt. Taggart is wearing black. Taylor is wearing a blue button-up with floral embroidery.

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Alum spotlight: Choreographer and filmmaker Kat Cole

Kat Cole (MFA Film 2017) spun a background in dance, film, and arts administration into a dynamic practice that spans music videos to film festivals.

Two people, Jeremiah Ysip and Kat Cole, stand on a sidewalk discussing a scene happening out of view. Jeremiah is holding a camera.

Lindsay Wright

Director of Integrated Communications

+1 530-906-8805

[email protected]