ArtCenter’s Grad Show Bridges Physical and Virtual Worlds

ArtCenter College of Design reimagined its bi-annual graduate showcase format Saturday, combining a massive physical exhibition with innovative virtual presentations for its Fall 2024 Grad Show. The hybrid event, featuring 169 graduating students, eliminated geographical barriers while preserving valuable face-to-face interactions at the Pasadena Convention Center, marking a strategic evolution in how educational institutions bridge emerging talent with industry professionals.

“The combination of virtual presentations and in-person exhibitions makes these events especially impactful,” says Alysia Alex, Creative Careers Director at ArtCenter. “Virtual presentations allow professionals from around the world to participate without the need for travel, expanding networking opportunities and broadening the audience for student work.”

The December 14 event transforms the Convention Center’s 56,000-square-foot space into a custom-designed exhibition environment created by alumnus Michael Neumayr.

The showcase featured overlapping virtual presentations from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and a public exhibition from noon to 5 p.m., culminating in an exclusive in-person recruiting event from 4:30 to 6 p.m.

ArtCenter’s graduation ceremony featured Bob Gurr (BS ’52 Transportation), the last of the original Disney Imagineers and ArtCenter Lifetime Achievement Alumni Award recipient. At 94, Gurr has created over 100 theme park attractions.

“Every one of these most interesting things came out over left field,” says Gurr, whose work includes Autopia, the Matterhorn Bobsleds, and the UFO that soared over the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics closing ceremonies.

He adds, “I’m professionally trained, but I have a loose edge; maybe that’s why I find so many things interesting—that loosey-goosey kind of attitude.”

Held off-campus to increase visibility and accessibility in the heart of Old Pasadena, the event stands as one of the most comprehensive creative showcases on the West Coast. The dual-platform approach helps students refine their communication skills and build social capital while providing insights into industry expectations.

“The in-person exhibition provides the chance for meaningful, face-to-face interactions where attendees can experience projects firsthand, offer immediate feedback, and build stronger connections,” Alex explains. This hybrid format represents a strategic evolution in professional networking for creative fields, demonstrated by ArtCenter’s impressive 95% employment rate for recent graduates in fields related to their studies.

The showcase exemplifies how educational institutions can create more accessible, comprehensive, and impactful experiences that serve both students’ career development needs and industry professionals’ talent discovery process.

For more information about the ArtCenter Grad Show, call 626-396-2200 or visit www.artcenter.edu.