Dennison W. Griffith

With students and faculty returning to campus refreshed from summer and ready for new challenges, fall is always an exciting time to be at CCAD. This year, our curriculum and facilities are reenergized, too, as the two-school administrative structure and the new CCAD MindMarket take their first steps.

CCAD’s role as the critical link between raw creative talent and the ever-growing, ever-changing creative economy is clearer and more vital than ever. We continue to focus on artistic and design excellence, but with an increased emphasis on the kinds of skills that can only be developed with a healthy dose of business education. We know this will be a key differentiator for CCAD graduates in the years ahead, and we’re on it!

Just look at the stories in this issue:

• Project-based education, where students work with clients to formulate real-life creative solutions outside the classroom, is a big part of a CCAD education—and getting bigger. Read more here.
• Photography alumna Anna Dickson (CCAD 2004) demonstrates how today’s economy is offering more and more avenues to creative professionals who keep their eyes open and their skills current. Read more here.
• Well-loved (and well-respected) faculty member emeritus Curtis Benzle is using his retirement to find new outlets for his teaching and new directions for his art. Read more here.

One last thing. Each fall, the worldwide CCAD community comes together to support students with our annual fund drive. Every single dollar you invest in our mission has real impact—for today’s CCAD students and tomorrow’s creative world. I hope you’ll join us. Please use the online donation form to make your investment today.

Warm regards,

Dennison W. Griffith

President

To check out the online print version of IMAGE, click here.

Alexis Jacobs with friends at the 2012 Senior Fashion Show. From left: Venus Roby, Charla Crawford, Angela Pace, Regina Whann, and Jacobs. Photo courtesy of Terry Gilliam

By Kristin Mack Deuber

Cars have always been Alexis Jacobs’ passion. Since starting her career working alongside her father, William Jacobs, founder of Columbus Fair Auto Auction, she has now led it—one of the nation’s top auto auctions—for more than 40 years.

It’s no wonder, then, that Wheelz, a CCAD exhibition highlighting exotic cars and motorcycles as art, was what first hooked Jacobs on the college back in 2005. Since then she has supported many CCAD events and has never missed the Senior Fashion Show. She also gives to scholarships and was instrumental in helping build the CCAD Design Studios on Broad.

“I continue to be amazed by the talent at CCAD,” says Jacobs. “It’s so great to see young people with such artistic skills, especially when I can’t even draw a straight line.”

Jacobs plans to continue supporting CCAD on projects such as the new CCAD MindMarket, an incubator for arts-related business and a hub where businesses, government agencies, and other organizations can access CCAD talent.

“I plan to utilize the MindMarket as we bring our auto auction online,” says Jacobs. “We are excited to benefit from this local resource as well as give students real-life experience working in the auto auction business.”

Jacobs supports other youth- and education-focused organizations throughout central Ohio, including Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Franklin Park Conservatory, Charity Newsies, the Salesian Boys & Girls Club of Columbus, and the Ohio State University Foundation. She has also received numerous industry awards, and Columbus Fair Auto Auction has been ranked as one of the top 500 woman-owned businesses by Working Woman magazine.

To check out the online print version of IMAGE, click here.

Andrew Peña, photo courtesy Danielle Ford (2013)

By Kristen M. Foley

As CCAD’s Annual Fund Drive kicks off, you might be wondering if anyone really notices when you make your contribution. Short answer? Yes. Long answer: The scholarships that your gift supports can be one of the most profound elements of a student’s education.

Please meet Andrew Peña, a junior Illustration major who’s also pursuing a minor in Writing.

IMAGE: When was the first time you knew you wanted to study illustration?

Andrew: I was always into drawing ever since I was little. As I got older I started thinking that I wouldn’t mind studying [art] and possibly making a career out of it. I looked into different programs and majors, but after taking illustration classes in CCAD’s summer programs, I knew for certain that this was what I wanted to do.

IMAGE: Who/what are your inspirations?

Andrew: The people who are around me who support me. I never start a project without trying to include someone I know and love.

IMAGE: What’s your favorite part about being an Illustration major?

Andrew: I love the whole process of making an illustration—from brainstorming and sketching for hours to putting the final touches on a piece. It’s always nice when you’re finally finished with something and you can’t stop admiring it, but you have to put it to the side so you can start your next best project. Also, being surrounded by a lot of really good artists here at CCAD motivates me to improve and learn from them. It’s like an endless lesson; you never stop learning!

Andrew Peña, photo courtesy of Danielle Ford (2013)

IMAGE: How did your scholarship affect your life and your education?

Andrew: It has really removed a lot of stress from my parents, who are helping fund my college career. I remember telling them about receiving my scholarship—they were overwhelmed with emotion. My mom actually began to cry while I was telling her on the phone.

IMAGE: What would you like to say to CCAD donors about the impact of their support?

Andrew: I can’t thank you enough. You’re giving dedicated students a chance to really shine and pursue their dreams. I feel blessed to have this opportunity and won’t let your support go unappreciated.

IMAGE: What excites you about your future?

Andrew: The fact that I’ll be doing what I love for work is pretty exciting. With the knowledge I’m gaining from CCAD I feel like I can take on the world. It’s a great feeling.

IMAGE: What else would you like to add?

Andrew: My experience at CCAD has been very special. It has introduced me to some awesome people and has made me grow into a better artist. Thank you to all of the professors I’ve had so far at CCAD. I’ve learned so much these past two years and can’t wait to see what else is in store.

To check out the online print version of IMAGE, click here.
To make a donation to student scholarships, click here.

A student talks to an alum during the phone-a-thon.

Very recently CCAD students participated in the second annual phone-a-thon to touch base with our alumni and raise money for student scholarships.

Every evening for three weeks, a gaggle of students took over staff offices and diligently made calls. During this time they got responses that ranged from humorous to inspiring, and sometimes just really, really cool. Here is a sample of what we heard:

Best reason to get off the phone: Going into labor! (We wanted to follow up, but decided that might be a bit too intrusive.)

Coolest reason alum couldn’t talk: On a movie set, ready to shoot.

Most interesting reason to decline giving a monetary donation: One alumnus explained that he had taken a vow of poverty—he is literally a monk living in a monastery. Peace, brother!

Blake Roberts, a junior majoring in Advertising & Graphic Design, said the coolest thing he heard during the phone-a-thon was an alumnus describing how he “bit the bullet and moved to New York and is making life work.”

Blake said, “For some reason, I really respected that specific designer’s gumption to just pick up and MAKE life happen for themselves, not LET life happen. I appreciated knowing that there IS a career for me.”

Throughout the campaign many alumni were kind enough to ask the students who they talked with to stay in touch. Thank you for that!

Did you get a call from a CCAD student about the Annual Fund Drive?  If so, share here what it was like to talk to a current student from your alma mater.

Taylor Hicks

Late each summer, as CCAD’s Annual Fund Drive approaches, we sit down with a current CCAD student for a chat about how donor giving really affects students at CCAD. Why do students come here? Do things like scholarships really matter? For these answers and more, meet Taylor Hicks (CCAD 2013), an Illustration major from Columbus, Ohio.

IMAGE: What drew you to CCAD?

Taylor:  CCAD has always been first on my list of possible colleges to attend. From about the age of 16, I was taking summer courses, the SMAC classes (Saturday Morning Art Classes). Ever since then, I’ve grown to love the campus and the teachers. Plus, it’s local and my parents are pretty good cooks.

IMAGE: Is anyone else in your family interested art and design?

Taylor: My whole family has inspired me in one way or another. My dad was, and still is, a painter. He never pursued art school, though, so he really inspired me to take art seriously, to build a career in it, and to go above and beyond—to surpass him. My brother is an amazing artist with a really graphic style, my sister paints, and my mom is an artist, too.

IMAGE: What’s your favorite part about being an Illustration major?

Taylor: If I were to put one word on to illustration, I would say “imagination,” because it’s so free.

IMAGE: A scholarship can…

Taylor:  …drive me.

IMAGE: What would you like to say to CCAD donors about the impact of their support?

Taylor: Their donations and gifts matter because that’s what drives us and helps us succeed in school. In this day and age, in this recession, people are scrambling. Getting scholarships really helps. It gives the parents a boost, emotional and mental, and gives the students a major inspiration. I’m very grateful. I know other people are, too.

IMAGE: What excites you about your future?

Taylor: The opportunities [that come] from having all this drive and all these techniques. Everything that I have under my belt can be used for a career or to help someone.

IMAGE:  Anything more you’d like to add?

Taylor: My experiences here have been pretty much unforgettable. Meeting new people, that’s a major one. Getting out of my comfort zone with art.

I’m so happy and thankful that people are going out of their way to give [to] a school so kids can take their dreams and go out into the world and make something of themselves. It’s awesome to know that people still do that in this world.

CCAD Student-Made Video About What Donations Mean to Them

CCAD students continue to work as hard and dream as ambitiously as they ever have.  And as CCAD’s Annual Fund Drive begins, they’re allowing us to hear firsthand the impact donor support has had on them.

Using the skills they’ve gained at CCAD, several students started this summer to make a short video. In it, they invited their fellow students to share insights about how private donations have influenced their experiences at college—from scholarships to classroom resources to their own personal growth.

The video features nine students from various backgrounds, majors, years, and experiences. One of them, senior Rico Jackson, said, “Pure joy and excitement went through me when I found out I had gotten a scholarship, knowing that all my hard work had paid off.”

Watch the video here to listen to the students’ stories and learn how you be part of supporting their future growth.

CCAD Student-Made Video About What Donations Mean to Them

Everyone knows that donations to CCAD are supposed to impact students, the college, and the community. But if you really want to understand the on-the-ground difference that donor dollars make then you have to hear what students have to say—they may surprise you.

A group of CCAD students got together this summer and made a short video about how private donations have influenced their experience at CCAD.

“We’ve had an amazing year of growth,” said CCAD President Denny Griffith. “Despite a dragging economy, the personal and financial investments of many friends are allowing us to open new facilities; debut our first graduate program; update and strengthen our undergraduate curriculum; and develop more and better professional opportunities for our students.”

“Watch the clip,” added Griffith. “You’ll see that college isn’t just about paying tuition and going to class. A thriving creative community is 24 hours—it includes an inviting dinning hall and cutting-edge labs. Scholarships help offset cost, but they also build a budding artist’s confidence that they belong at CCAD.”

Watch the student-made video (above), and learn more about how you can be part of CCAD’s growth on CCAD’s Annual Fund Drive page.