Loann Crane

As a former art dealer, Loann Crane knows a good thing when she sees it. Since the day she first stepped onto CCAD’s campus, she has been impressed by the caliber of CCAD students: their talent, work ethic, and vigor for creating exceptional art. She’s demonstrated that judgment to the world by becoming a champion of CCAD, including making the largest single gift in the college’s history to support construction of the Loann Crane Center for Design, which opened in 2005. She’s also led the CCAD board of trustees through two terms as board president, served on many committees, and hosted and attended countless fundraising events.

Crane recently talked with IMAGE about her passion for CCAD and its mission, and how exciting it’s been to be part of the college’s evolution from a local art school to an international art and design institution.

IMAGE: How did you initially become involved with CCAD?

LC: I joined the board when Joe Canzani was president and immediately became passionate about CCAD and everything it stands for. Joe’s work ethic and passion for design and perfection were contagious.

Once I learned more about all of the interesting things happening at CCAD and got to know some of the instructors in the fine arts department, I quickly realized what an asset CCAD is to Columbus.

IMAGE: Why did you and your family feel inspired to fund the Loann Crane Center for Design?

LC: Columbus has been so good to my family, and we feel strongly about giving back, especially to the arts community. I think CCAD makes Columbus an interesting place to live, and our family truly appreciates the uniqueness it brings our community.

Loann Crane Center for Design

IMAGE: What impact do you think the Crane Center has had on student life at CCAD?

LC: It’s allowed CCAD to build a true campus that appeals to students and their families as well as to the faculty and staff who work there. Before the Center for Design and some of the other new facilities were built, CCAD felt like just a bunch of buildings with no cohesiveness. Today, CCAD has evolved into one of the country’s finest art and design schools with an international reputation and distinguished alumni. It’s been fascinating to be a part of the evolution!

IMAGE: Why would you encourage others to invest in CCAD?

LC: CCAD has created a facet to our community that makes Columbus more sophisticated and appealing. One of the greatest rewards from my involvement with CCAD has been getting to meet and support the people who make our community great. CCAD is a big part of what makes our community special—I encourage people who are passionate about art and helping young people build careers in art and design to support this great asset.

Thanks to title sponsor Limted Brands Foundation & supporting sponsor Davis Foundation

6:30 p.m.

Very soon our first guests will begin to arrive. I just took a quick walk through of Design Studios on Broad and the big tent. In the “back stage” area all is organized chaos as the models go through hair and make-up. But the front of the house is, for just a moment, pristine and serene.

It’s beautiful.

Every year I am in awe at how all this comes together, and I am reminded of all of the amazing organizations and individuals that make it happen.

This year’s title sponsor is Limited Brands Foundation. Their significant support not only brings this event to life, but ensures that the real purpose of the night is realized—raising money for scholarships. They are joined by our supporting sponsor the William H. Davis, Dorothy M. Davis and William C. Davis Foundation.

As our Designer Ticket guests arrive they will go into an exclusive VIP pre-party thanks to the generosity of Co-Sponsors Justice and Nationwide. They will also enjoy some special perks including a high-end raffle item provided by in-kind sponsor Diamond Cellar.

Serene.

After a few cocktails, all of the guests will gather in the tent for the main event—Masters of Design, the 2011 Senior Fashion Show. And, this is an appropriate time to note our fantastic runway sponsor, EXPRESS.

Following the runway show, all guests are invited to the après-runway dance party sponsored by alive! And as guests leave (much later!) everyone will take home a gorgeous fashion-magazine-style catalog sponsored by Abercrombie & Fitch and created with in-kind sponsor Ologie. Designer Ticket holders will also go home with a bottle of Icon, the signature scent custom blended by in-kind sponsor Mukha Custom Cosmetics just for our event.

In keeping with our theme tonight we also have several couture sponsors: Huntington Bank , Macy’s, R.G. Barry/Dearfoams, State Auto Insurance Companies, and Wells Fargo Insurance Services USA, Inc.

An event is made great by the details and many of these come to us via in-kind sponsors. In addition to the companies I just mentioned,  AKADA Hair Salon joins Mukha in providing hair and makeup for our models; Lasting Impressions Event Rentals  and Live Technologies, Inc., give us that fashion week feel; Cameron Mitchell Catering has created an amazing menu (as always); Heidelberg Distributing Company and Pepsi-Cola Bottling of Columbus join Middle West Spirits in keeping us refreshed—dancing is thirsty work—and FRESH French Floral Boutique brings the ambiance; Scott Cunningham did the amazing photography you will see in the catalog; Rainer Ziehm is our spectacular VJ; and Donatos Pizza made sure our designers, models, and crew were fed during the 5-hour tech rehearsal.

It’s also important to remember that for the last six months our media sponsors, Capital Style, CD101 at 102.5, Radio One, and Fashion Wire Press, have helped us get the word out and sell tickets.

Finally I have to give a shout out to our host committee. They commit themselves to making sure we sell the tickets we need to sell to generate scholarships.

Chairs: George & Danielle Skestos;  Christie Angel & Otto Beatty III, Connie Leal Ballenger, Trudy & Earl Bartley, Pam & Jack Beeler, Bev Bethge, Teresa & Brian Biernat, Kimberly A. Blackwell, W. Daniel Cordray, Mark Corna, Loann W. Crane, Toni M. Cunningham, Bev Darwin, Phaedra & Michael Edwards, Karen & Michael Fiorile, Gigi & Sam Fried, Joy & Mike Gonsiorowski, Patricia R. Hatler & Howard A. Coffin, Joan Hill, Alexis Jacobs, Tad & Nancy Jeffrey, Patty & Jerry Jurgensen, Matt Kallner & Kelly Carter, Gale King, Stephanie & Adam Lewin, Peg Mativi & Donald Dick, Tim Maurer & Sanito Mendoza, Veda Nami, Joel Pizzuti ,Jane & Rich Ramsey, Kara & Scott Razek, Jamie & Bill Reinbolt, Jody & Jeff Scheiman, Eda & David Schottenstein, Thekla Shackelford, Chris & Jacqueline Snell, Jen Walker, Arlene & Michael Weiss, Lyn Williams, and Ed & Ellen Yen.

(And, yes we sold out)

Very soon 700 plus people will enjoy what these supporters have helped to build. And generations of future students will realize their creative potential thanks to the scholarship funds raised tonight.

Thank you, everyone!

I think I see our first guests arriving …