ArtCenter College Launches Fall Season with Public Design Showcase and Expanded Student Orientation

ArtCenter College of Design is ushering in the fall season with a dynamic blend of public programming and immersive student orientation, transforming its Hillside Campus into a hub of creativity and community engagement.

The centerpiece of the college’s “Back to School” celebration is the Design Invitational, scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 28. This signature outdoor exhibition will spotlight groundbreaking transportation concepts, iconic vehicles, and classic designs, many created by ArtCenter alumni or sourced from local collections. Attendees will have the rare opportunity to meet designers and industry leaders, gaining insight into the innovation and history that define the college’s legacy in automotive design.

Complementing the outdoor showcase, acclaimed photographer and director Matthew Rolston will headline indoor programming with a lecture titled “FullCircle Presents: Matthew Rolston.” The presentation will explore Rolston’s image-making philosophy, artistic influences, and longstanding ties to ArtCenter. Additional indoor events include gallery tours and curated film screenings inside the restored Ahmanson Auditorium.

In tandem with its public events, ArtCenter is expanding its student orientation into a week-long experience aimed at fostering connection and creativity. The orientation includes a Graduate Mixer, Resource Fair, Family and Friends Welcome Session, and a Student Life Social featuring tacos and club meetups. The initiative is designed to support incoming students and their families while setting the tone for a vibrant academic journey.

Faculty achievements are also taking center stage this season. Graphic Design’s Joshue Molina (BFA 18) recently led a 3D letterpress workshop at the University of Utah’s J. Willard Marriott Library during the Ladies of Letterpress Conference, blending tradition with digital fabrication. Entertainment Design’s Alexia Mandeville published Video Game Design For Dummies, while colleague David Mullich contributed to Riyadh’s Excel by Merak Gaming Accelerator and spoke at San Diego Comic-Con.

Humanities and Sciences faculty member Reuben Merringer (MFA 18) and alum Li Zeng (MFA 21) are co-curating CHIMERA’D, a provocative exhibition at L.A.’s Phase Gallery. Meanwhile, Film Chair Joe Petricca curated a film series at the Norton Simon Museum exploring cinematic storytelling from 1975.

ArtCenter operates from three Pasadena locations: Hillside Campus at 1700 Lida St., South Campus at 870 and 950 S. Raymond Ave., and an additional site at 1111 S. Arroyo Parkway.

More information is available at artcenter.edu.