On Friday, Feb. 9, 2018, SCAD reprised the Savannah Women of Vision investiture. A full house gathered in the Arnold Hall theater to pay tribute to the honorees named by SCAD president and founder Paula Wallace. It was a moment for reflection upon the realization of her vision.

In 2006, President Wallace walked into the theater of the 1920-Georgian Revival now known as Arnold Hall, once Chatham County's first public junior high school. The proscenium arch bore a New Deal-era mural depicting bellwethers of Georgia history. She discerned a Yamacraw Indian chief, a governor of Georgia, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, the father of Methodism, the founder of the colony of Georgia, and a handful of Revolutionary War generals under a patina of neglect. Immediately, she noticed that preservation was in order. (Luckily, SCAD specializes in old buildings. This particular restoration earned SCAD awards from the Historic Savannah Foundation and the Georgia Trust.) And she noticed a significant elision. The mural, funded by the Civil Works Administration and the National Recovery Administration, excluded women. In 2016, President Wallace launched the Savannah Women of Vision to right the record. 

This year, President Wallace added five honorees to the ten inaugural Savannah Women of Vision. Plaques bearing their names greet visitors at the entrance to the Arnold Hall theater. To the left is a large ship's wheel anchored by a quote by Diane Mariechild: "A woman is the full circle. Within her is the power to create, nurture and transform." Golden bas-relief portraits, hand carved by SCAD alumnus Michael Porten (M.F.A., painting, 2012; B.F.A., illustration, 2004) flank the interior walls of the theater. In the spirit of inquiry proper to the liberal arts housed in Arnold Hall, the new art converses with the old. Juxtaposition encourages synthesis.

The timing of the ceremony coincided with an important cultural epoch. For a bright hour on a rainy Friday, women lifted their voices:

Artist and gallerist Tiffani Taylor (M.F.A., painting; M.A., art history, 2003; B.F.A., painting, 2002) welcomed guests and detailed President Wallace's history of empowerment. The SCAD Presidential Scholarship brought Taylor to the university as a freshman, and the Alumni Atelier residency embraced her as a graduate. Today, she endows a namesake SCAD scholarship.

One of the university's first dramatic writing majors, Allison Hirsch (M.F.A., dramatic writing, 2014; B.F.A., dramatic writing, 2010), put her narrative gift to good use in limning the irrepressible Miriam Center, an acclaimed author, playwright, and advocate for women.

A career in community and economic development ushered Ebony Simpson (M.F.A., historic preservation, 2002) into the orbit of former Mayor Edna Jackson. Simpson offered personal insights into the life of the city's first African-American mayor, citing Jackson's civil rights legacy and consummate statesmanship.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation's Sehila Mota Casper (M.F.A., historic preservation, 2014) recognized a kindred spirit and leading light in the late preservationist Mary Lane Morrison. Through meticulous written and photographic documentation, Morrison curated a portrait of Savannah and the city's architects for posterity.

Current SCAD Alumni Atelier ambassador and playwright A'ndrea Wilson (M.F.A., dramatic writing, 2017) vividly recalled the poignant film that etched actress Fredericka Washington into the cultural consciousness: "Imitation of life." Unlike the character Peola, Washington embraced her identity and advocated for civil rights.

Southern Living associate editor and tastemaker Hannah Hayes (M.A., arts administration, 2013) earned a big laugh by quoting critic Craig Claiborne, who ranked beloved restaurateur Sema Wilkes' biscuits among the greatest occurrences of his life. Today, Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room is synonymous with the finest in home-cooked, family-style fare.

Noted philanthropist and 2016 Savannah Woman of Vision Alice Jepson graciously delivered closing remarks, acknowledging honorees past and present. As she spoke each name, a shaft of light illumined the respective likeness.

The celebration culminated with a powerful rendition of "I'm Here," by "American Idol" Season 12 winner Candice Glover (B.F.A., performing arts) and Sandie Lee (M.F.A., performing arts; B.F.A., performing arts, 2015) that brought the audience to their feet. Everyone agreed the Women of Vision were fully present, fully represented.

This Friday, Feb., 9, 5:30 p.m. at historic Arnold Hall, SCAD president and founder Paula Wallace will present the 2018 Savannah Women of Vision investiture, honoring women of peerless valor, altruism and intellect who have shaped the great city of Savannah. All members of the university and Savannah community are invited to attend.

At a ceremony suffused with oratory, music and art, each honoree will be extolled in permanent tribute with an individual relief portrait carved beforehand by SCAD alumnus Michael Porten (B.F.A. illustration, M.F.A. painting). The portraits will adorn the walls of Arnold Hall, home of the SCAD School of Liberal Arts.

The 2018 Savannah Women of Vision honorees are:

• Miriam Center
• Edna Jackson
• Mary Lane Morrison
• Fredericka Washington
• Sema Wilkes

These women represented a range of civic, educational, philanthropic, and creative endeavors. They are all trailblazing contributors to the legacy of Savannah.

Friday’s event is the second annual Savannah Women of Vision investiture. This year’s honorees join previous honorees Emma Morel Adler, Mother Mathilda Beasley, Mary Musgrove Matthews Bosomworth, Alice Andrews Jepson, Nancy N. Lewis, Juliette Gordon Low, Abigail Minis, Flannery O'Connor, Chief Justice Leah Ward Sears and Frances Wong.

The genesis of Wallace’s Savannah Women of Vision initiative can be traced to the Works Progress Administration’s 1930s mural in the Arnold Hall Theater. The mural, a visual ode to the titans of Savannah’s history, is notable in its omission of women. Wallace created the Savannah Women of Vision to elevate an underrepresented yet tremendously influential demographic.

By symbolically righting the historical record, President Wallace honors paragons of civic virtue to whom students can look for inspiration. The university offers tours of the Savannah Women of Vision portrait installation in Arnold Hall to K-12 students and educators. A free curriculum guide provides historic context to the portrait installation.

“Savannah as we know it rests on the triumphs of its women,” remarked President Wallace. “I created the Savannah Women of Vision at SCAD to illuminate trailblazers and their transcendent work, keeping their names and deeds not only in our hearts, but publicly acclaimed. These are our heroines.”

The following SCAD alumnae will speak during the ceremony: Tiffani Taylor (M.A., art history, 2003; B.F.A., painting, 2002); Allison Hirsch (M.F.A., dramatic writing, 2014; B.F.A., dramatic writing, 2010); Ebony Simpson (M.F.A., historic preservation, 2002); Sehila Mota Casper (M.F.A., historic preservation, 2014); A'ndrea Wilson (M.F.A., dramatic writing, 2017); Hannah Hayes (M.A., arts administration, 2013). Closing remarks will be delivered by Alice Jepson, Savannah Woman of Vision. A musical performances by Sandie Lee (M.F.A., performing arts; B.F.A., performing arts, 2015) and American Idol winner Candice Glover (B.F.A., performing arts) will elevate the celebration on a rousing note.

SCAD invites the public to join the celebration for this free event.

Mollie Youngblood (B.F.A., painting, 2010) is giving artists a new place to showcase their work. Her unique boutique, Bohemia South, opened July 2017 just off the southwest corner of Forsyth Park. Selling local art, vintage furniture, apparel and handmade products like repurposed jewelry and all-natural soaps, Bohemia South brings a folksy flair to the growing number of SCAD alumni-owned businesses in Savannah. To celebrate her boutique's first six months of business, Mollie is prepping Bohemia South for its first trunk show this Friday and Saturday, Feb. 9-10.


SCAD: What drew you to SCAD?

MOLLIE YOUNGBLOOD: I remember falling in love with how the campus was throughout Savannah, so you weren't constricted to one central building. I also liked the university's focus on careers. At SCAD, the focus is not only on being a well-rounded artist, but becoming successful afterwards.

SCAD: How did your SCAD professors enhance your university experience?


YOUNGBLOOD: Painting professor Denise Bowman Carson helped me explore mixed media, and taught me a lot about image placement and choosing materials. We clicked because we're both from the Midwest. She's been in my store a few times since, and it's great to know I still have SCAD support.


SCAD: How did you create the concept for Bohemia South?

YOUNGBLOOD: My mom, Milea Hayes, owns a vintage home décor and new apparel store in Urbana, Illinois, called Bohemia, and it was definitely an inspiration for us to open Bohemia South as an extension. We're all about upcycling or recycling used materials. It runs in the family! My mom took me antiquing with her from a very young age. My grandfather is a skilled carpenter, and once built me a playhouse in our backyard. Then, in 8th grade, I turned it into a painting studio.

SCAD: What types of artwork are you looking to feature in the future?


YOUNGBLOOD: I like to sell paintings—landscapes, Savannah scenery, even floral paintings. I plan on featuring more baby products, especially baby clothes that are easy to take care of and something mothers can throw in the washing machine. And I would love to do a fashion show some day! I prefer it when artists come in person and actually see the space. My goal is to have the artists be part of my business, to help with their design concepts and also for them to show me how they'd like their work displayed. Artists who are interested in having their work at Bohemia South can email me to make an appointment or if you stop by and I'm not there, leave a business card and I'll reach out to you.

SCAD: What can customers expect at the upcoming trunk show?

YOUNGBLOOD: On the first day, this Friday, Feb. 9, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., several artists will be in the store to discuss their work and bring in more art to sell. There will be wine, Valentine's Day treats and a fun kissing/photography booth. The next day, Saturday, Feb. 10, is structured more like an open house. We'll be open regular hours and the artists will be in and out all day. I look forward to seeing you there!

Bohemia South, 1115 Whitaker St., Savannah, GA 31401

As we prepare to bid adieu to 2017, we look back at the past 12 months at SCAD and all the memorable moments we shared. Here is an exemplary selection from the year gone by: the SCAD 17 of '17.

1. SCAD GamingFest premieres in Atlanta: In November, SCAD Atlanta hosted the first ever SCAD GamingFest, a two-day convocation examining the evolving world of game design and development, including appearances by experts from EA SPORTS, Ubisoft, Cartoon Network, Google Daydream Labs and Georgia Game Developers Association.

2. SCAD FASHWKND makes runway splash: The inaugural SCAD FASHWKND in May presented four days of original designs curated from the finest SCAD School of Fashion senior and graduate student collections. A runway show at SCAD Savannah and tableaux vivants at SCAD Atlanta offered glimpses into the fashionable future here and now.

3. SCAD art curation adorns new stadium: SCAD partnered with Mercedes-Benz Stadium, new home of Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United FC, to curate all art for the stadium, featuring more than 200 works by 55 artists including 20 SCAD affiliates. Each game day, the curatorial selections of SCAD enhance the experience of the 71,000 fans in attendance.

4. Symposium for Jacob Lawrence: Amidst "Lines of Influence," the ongoing SCADMOA group exhibition celebrating the centennial of the birth of the acclaimed painter and chronicler of the African American experience, a two-day symposium of lectures, performances, screenings and panel discussions brought together scholars, artists, alumni and students to commemorate Lawrence's life and legacy.

5. Melissa Spitz named TIME's Instagram Photographer of the Year: Alumna Melissa Spitz's (M.F.A. photography, 2014) documentary photo series "You Have Nothing to Worry About" received the TIME accolade. Spitz's work will feature in an upcoming exhibition at the SCAD Museum of Art, opening January 2018.

6. DesignIntelligence recognizes SCAD interior design programs: The university's interior design undergraduate and graduate programs got the esteem treatment from DesignIntelligence, receiving the No. 1 ranking on the list of "America's Best Architecture & Design Schools 2018." Since 2008, SCAD interior design undergraduate and graduate programs have each garnered No. 1 standing six times by DesignIntelligence, the rankings body of the Design Futures Council.

7. Anna Haldewang receives European Product Design Awards: SCAD industrial design student Anna Haldewang's  (B.F.A. industrial design, 2017) project "Renascence" was named Discovery of the Year, the organization's highest honor, as well as capturing the gold medal in the transportation category. "Renascence," a cutting-edge design of a 300-foot trimaran yacht, follows Haldewang's "Plan Bee" drone project in earning the alumna international exposure.

8. Design for Social Impact recognizes Edgar Espejo: Inspired by his experiences with a deaf classmate, Edgar Espejo (B.F.A, industrial design, 2016; B.F.A., service design, 2016) created a service that allows deaf students to participate in regular classes with hearing students. Espejo's supporting service Muhimu (which means vital in Swahili) was recognized by the Core77 Design Awards as student winner in the Design for Social Impact category.

9. SCAD shines at YMA Awards: At the 2017 Young Menswear Association (YMA) Awards, 20 SCAD fashion and fashion marketing and management students each won $5,000 Fashion Scholarship Fund Awards, marking the most awards by a single university in the history of the competition.

10. SCAD alumni permeate Academy Awards: At the 89th Academy Awards, 47 SCAD alumni and students were recognized for their work on 11 of the year's best films, including best picture winner "Moonlight." SCAD alumni contributed to nominees for best picture, animated feature film, cinematography, costume design, directing, film editing, production design, sound editing, visual effects, and adapted screenplay. Eleven alumni contributed to more than one Oscar-nominated film.

11. SCAD Student Media earn top honors: At the 2017 Society for Collegiate Journalists National Contest, SCAD Atlanta's student magazine SCAN claimed first and second place in the Outstanding General Interest Magazine category. SCAD Atlanta Radio staff won first place in Internet Radio and Broadcast Overall Excellence for the second consecutive year.

12. Olivia Ray puts pedals to the medal: In a record setting year for SCAD Athletics at the state and national level, excellence was epitomized SCAD cyclist Olivia Ray, who won two national titles in track cycling at the meet in Indianapolis in September.

13. "SCAD: Architecture of a University" edifies readership: Assouline Publishing released the 360-page volume by contributing authors Paula Wallace, Margaret Russell and Chuck Chewning, highlighting the university's most inspired and inspiring spaces. Replete with 40 detailed narratives and 200 sublime photographs, the book leads readers from the university's flagship building Poetter Hall, to the panoply of SCAD architectural marvels around Savannah, and in Atlanta, Hong Kong and Lacoste.

14. SCAD Savannah Film Festival celebrates 20th anniversary: More than 50,000 film fans and industry insiders converged on Savannah for an unforgettable film festival featuring over 140 screenings amidst honorees Salma Hayek Pinault, John Boyega, Zoey Deutch, Richard Gere, Sir Patrick Stewart, Holly Hunter, Robert Pattinson, Willow Shields, Kyra Sedgwick, Aaron Sorkin and Andrea Riseborough.

15. Carlos Cruz-Diez has love, will travel: First at SCADMOA, then SCAD AT MIAMI, "Chroma," an exhibition by deFINE ART honoree Carlos Cruz-Diez, transported gallery-goers with its groundbreaking color theory in action. Designed as site-specific, "Chroma" proved as at home in Miami Beach as it was in Savannah. Bravo, maestro.

16. SCAD keeps student safe during major storm: With the September arrival of Hurricane Irma imminent, SCAD relocated more than 600 students and faculty from Savannah to its Atlanta campus. Students were given special tours of SCAD FASH Museum of Fashion + Film and attended workshops taught by industry-leading SCAD faculty, who join the university from Dreamworks, Random House, Spanx, Alexander McQueen and Walt Disney Animation.

17. SCADfit opens inside the Hive: The university's emphasis health and wellness gained added traction with the opening of its new Savannah gym, SCADfit. The 12,000-square-foot state-of-the-art facility, located within the Hive residence complex, offers fitness classes including ballet, Pilates and Zumba, and IC7 Indoor Cycles and Ciclotte monowheels. Sweat necessary, results guaranteed.

Thank you, dear SCADworks readers. See you in 2018!

It's Wednesday night at the SCADfit Savannah spin studio, clear with a chance of meteor shower. An in-house fabricated marquee emblazons the entrance, leading to portraits by Dakota Schreck Havard (B.F.A., painting, 2017) in shades of Gatorade. The bituminous floor, bisected by a double yellow line, and wall-to-wall Spivi projection complete the illusion of an open road in outer space. Each meteor-avatar tracks the 20-strong peloton of IC7 Indoor Cycles, ranking riders and measuring effort in real time.

Indefatigable instructor Brit Claus (M.F.A., luxury and fashion management, 2017) alternates exhortations and directives: "Keep coming back. The class doesn't get easier but it gets more fun and you'll find you can challenge yourself more deeply. Where else can you have a party in a dark room with loud music and burn serious calories?"

Since opening fall 2017, SCADfit has offered group fitness classes ranging from ballet and boot camp to Pilates and Zumba. Self-guided workouts, aided by interactive software and virtual trainers, take place in the main aerobic and strength room. Equipment includes Life Fitness treadmills and ellipticals, rowing machines, bench presses and three Ciclotte monowheels. Parlaying electromagnetic resistance into a realistic road-riding experience, the sleek Ciclottes would be at home in a sculpture garden.

The newest SCAD Savannah wellness facility pairs elite fitness apparatus with museum quality art. The walls proclaim "Too Buff to Sleep" in specular lettering by Michael Porten (M.F.A., painting, 2012; B.F.A, illustration, 2004), plus a cyberscape painting by Sheng Weng (M.F.A., painting). A 12-foot fibers installation, hand-tufted by Trish Andersen (B.F.A., fibers, 2005), swaddles the yoga studio. The locker room mural by Tyrus Lytton (M.F.A., painting, 2013) deploys a mirror to translate its word play: "Take Time for Self(ie) Reflection."

The cool neutrals that pervade the 12,000-square-foot space meet a bubblegum pink pane of glass dividing SCADfit from beeFUEL, the 24-hour coffee and juice bar operating out of repurposed shipping containers. Outside, the playful design continues. A multi-purpose workout station, anchored on vivid green turf, solves the dilemma of days too nice to spend indoors. The perfect complement to clubSCAD, SCADfit offers an inviting way to incorporate wellness into your routine.

HOURS
Monday-Thursday: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Friday: 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday: Noon to 5 p.m.

SCADfit classes resume with the start of the new academic quarter Monday, Jan. 8, 2018.

Handmade from rosewood, with a hand-stitched cotton neck strap, and packaged into a sleek, snug box, the Mitre is anything but your average bow tie. For creator Palaash Chaudhary (M.A., industrial design, 2017), what began as a project in a SCAD shop class has grown into a tidy business.

Chaudhary, a native of Rajasthan, India, currently lives in San Jose, California and works in new product development at furniture design studio Maria Yee. See Palaash at the office and he's likely wearing one of his own creations. Now you can too: Mitre's new online shop offers neckwear vouchsafed to enliven even the starchiest collar.

SCAD: How did Mitre begin?

PALAASH CHAUDHARY: I was taking "Design in Context" class with professor William Woods where one assignment was to create vacuum-formed packaging. I thought, "I'll do the packaging and make the product too." I was playing with sticks of oak and made an X. Then I joined it in the center with a half-lap joint. This became the basis for the Mitre bow tie.

All the wooden bow ties I'd seen were machine-cut from plywood. I wanted mine to involve actual woodworking. Each of my bow ties is four pieces of wood, joined by mitre. A mitre is a wooden joint made where two pieces are joined at an angle. The line of junction bisects the angle. I cut with, rather than against, the grain of the rosewood I use. That way the grain extends the length of each piece and is aesthetically pleasing.

I thought the bow tie would be more a men's accessory, but a female friend saw it, tried it on and it looked great! It made me realize it's unisex.

I also make bow ties by resin casting, mixing different colors with dyes. The resin is cast as a single piece, but the corners have tiny cuts in the resin to retain the design essence of the mitre.

SCAD: You're now a SCAD alumni, but how did you originally become a SCAD student?

CHAUDHARY: In 2013, I was an undergrad studying in New Delhi at National School of Fashion Technology (NIFT). A SCAD representative came and spoke to us about the different SCAD locations and degree programs. With a couple friends, we started researching SCAD and scholarship opportunities, and we all wound up coming to SCAD. I had never traveled to the United States before. Every day at SCAD was a positive experience for me. Savannah is gorgeous and I love it.

Before coming to SCAD I thought the student body would be mostly American students. I wasn't expecting such a variety of cultures from a variety of countries. Everyone at SCAD expresses something of their home country and culture in their work. Because you make so many different friends you realize you are a citizen of the world.

SCAD: What's next for Mitre?

CHAUDHARY: ShopSCAD has sold the ties and I hope they continue to do so. As a SCAD alumni, I'm proud to have my work for sale there. With Mitre I'll keep exploring possibilities. I plan on making transparent bow ties, with something inside, like the tendril of a flower. Or if you want a custom bow tie with your initials, I hope to offer that option soon. Stay tuned!

The Savannah College of Art and Design is proud to present SCAD AT MIAMI, a celebration of contemporary art and creative education, at Untitled, Miami Beach during Miami Art Week, Dec. 6–10, 2017.

Central to SCAD AT MIAMI is "Chroma," an exhibition of immersive installations by renowned international artist and SCAD deFINE ART 2017 honoree Carlos Cruz-Diez, presented by the SCAD Museum of Art, in collaboration with Articruz and the Cruz-Diez Art Foundation. Chroma explores Cruz-Diez's experimental and multidisciplinary practice and examines the artist's groundbreaking color theory philosophies.

SCAD Art Sales, the university's full-service art consultancy, introduces new works by SCAD alumni artists Christopher Paul Dean (M.F.A., sculpture, 2016), Cory Imig (B.F.A., fibers, 2008) and Britt Spencer (professor of illustration; M.F.A., painting, 2011; B.F.A., illustration, 2005) — three artists who, like Cruz-Diez, use vibrant color, pattern and crisp line as primary elements in their compositions. SCAD Art Sales is located within the Untitled, Miami Beach pavilion at Booth E28. Additional information is available at scadartsales.com.

"SCAD AT MIAMI marries ‘What's now?' and ‘What's next?' with three rising stars of art and design standing shoulder-to-shoulder with a lion of contemporary art, the maestro himself, Carlos Cruz-Diez," said SCAD president and founder Paula Wallace. "Awash in chromaticity and creative vitality, SCAD AT MIAMI takes guests on an ecstatic journey. Join us, SCAD and Untitled, Miami Beach, for an unforgettable ride."

This is the fourth year SCAD has exhibited during Miami Art Week. Previously, the university presented "CURVA," a solo exhibition by SCAD alumna Wendy White (B.F.A., fibers, 1993) that investigated the relationship between athletics and the artistic process; "i feel ya: SCAD + André 3000 Benjamin," an exploration of fashion, film and painting through the eyes of three dynamic artists: multihyphenate performer André 3000 Benjamin and two SCAD alumni, filmmaker Greg Brunkalla (B.F.A., video/film, 2001) and painter Jimmy O'Neal (M.F.A., painting, 2016; B.F.A., illustration, 1989); and "Theater of Self," a joint presentation of fashion and photography featuring works by London- based artist Daniel Lismore and SCAD alumni Bin Feng (M.F.A., photography, 2017) and Colin Douglas Gray (B.F.A., photography, 2004).

Additional SCAD AT MIAMI events scheduled throughout the week include a VIP and press preview, an alumni artist conversation, as well as workshops and admission information sessions for prospective students and families.

Untitled, Miami Beach takes place at Ocean Drive and 12th Street, Miami Beach, Florida.

For more information about SCAD AT MIAMI and featured SCAD artists, visit SCADATMIAMI.COM.

#GivingTuesday is officially here, marking the start of the holiday giving season. As an incentive, anyone making an online gift of $50 or more to any designation at SCAD through 11:59 p.m. (ET) tonight will be entered to win one of three SCAD prizes.

When you give to SCAD, you support innovation, creativity and sustainability. SCAD is the world's leading art and design university, thanks in part to investments by individuals who believe in the value of a SCAD education and who champion our mission to prepare talented students for professional careers.

Give online today and be entered to win one of the following #GivingTuesday prizes:

• SCAD felt pencil pouch wrap
• SCAD crew neck sweatshirt
• A pair of signed, 8.5" x 11" giclée prints by SCAD alumna Rachel Evans (M.A., arts administration, 2016; M.F.A., painting, 2011)

No matter how you choose to give, your contribution will make an extraordinary impact in the lives of SCAD students.

SCAD gratefully acknowledges the vital role generous donors have played in our success, and hopes you will consider joining our valued supporters in securing a bright future for the university, its programs and, most especially, its students and alumni.

The Savannah College of Art and Design is a private, nonprofit, accredited institution conferring bachelor's and master's degrees at distinctive locations and online to prepare talented students for professional careers. SCAD offers degrees in more than 40 majors, as well as minors in more than 75 disciplines across its locations in Savannah and Atlanta, Georgia; in Hong Kong; in Lacoste, France; and online through SCAD eLearning. With more than 35,000 alumni worldwide, SCAD demonstrates an exceptional education and unparalleled career preparation. The diverse student body, consisting of nearly 14,000, comes from across the U.S. and more than 100 countries.

In 2017, the prestigious Red Dot Design Rankings placed SCAD as the top university in the U.S. and in the top two universities in the Americas and Europe. Career preparation is woven into every fiber of the university, resulting in a superior alumni employment rate. In a study of Spring 2016 SCAD graduates, 98 percent were employed, pursuing further education, or both within 10 months of graduation.

For more information visit SCAD Giving. Official rules and regulations apply to the #GivingTuesday drawing.

When Grey Clawson (B.F.A., film and television, 2015) was in middle school, he used a home video camera to film friends skateboarding through his Manteo, North Carolina hometown. Today, Clawson works on a much bigger scale. He is the digital dailies operator on FX's Emmy-winning comedy "Atlanta" starring Donald Glover and loader for Adult Swim's "Your Pretty Face is Going to Hell," as well as producing and directing other projects. He still makes time to film with friends on the weekend.

SCAD: What was it like to freelance after graduation?

GREY CLAWSON: Networking has been a really big part of my freelance experience. There were times when the work was spread out. I try my best to stay as busy as possible. I met a producer in Atlanta, helped him cut a feature film, and he keeps calling me for paid work today.

SCAD: How did you wind up working on "Atlanta"?

CLAWSON: Brett Bagwell, a friend from SCAD, asked if I wanted to work on a TV pilot. On my first day, while filling out hiring paperwork, I saw Donald Glover walk by. I grabbed my friend and said, "Wait, what is this show?" And he very casually replied, "Oh, it's Donald Glover's TV show. They're making a pilot for it."

We didn't know if the show was going to get picked up. They didn't have a big budget, but they had an awesome producer and crew, and they knocked it out of the park.

As a digital dailies operator, I would get a day's worth of footage every morning, sync it with sound, log all the media that was shot that day and then release what they call "dailies," so post-production teams can access clips when they need to. I didn't expect to work on a show that was going to win Emmys and Golden Globes.

SCAD: What projects are you working on now?

CLAWSON: Filming is in progress for the second season of "Atlanta." I can't say a lot about it. They seem to have more freedom this time.

I also recently cut three pieces for Motion Family, a production company run by SCAD graduates Sebastian Urrea (B.F.A., video/film, 2005) and David Kuniansky-Altman (B.F.A., graphic design, 2005). The project was for "STEP UP: High Water," a YouTube Red drama series about hip-hop dancers in Atlanta.

SCAD: Do you still make time for personal projects?

CLAWSON: Of course! Having a sense of community here really motivates me. I moved to Atlanta with four close friends, and we all work well together. When one of us has a script, we'll pass it back and forth, polish it up and film it over a weekend.

SCAD: What's the most important lesson you learned at SCAD?

CLAWSON: Be a sponge. Take all the jobs you can, and absorb everything. That lesson has really come in handy for me. Once you're in the industry, people can tell if you're "green." If you don't know something and you don't ask, you're never going to learn.

In its very first year, SCAD GamingFest attracted experts from Cartoon Network, EA Sports, Google Daydream and many more for a two-day exploration of the creative development of today's most popular games.

Held at SCAD's 13,300-square-foot SCADshow theater in the heart of Midtown Atlanta, SCAD GamingFest was the newest example of the university's prestigious leadership in the gaming industry. Students attendees represented a wide swathe of carefully curated SCAD degree programs including animation, branded entertainment, film and television, graphic design, illustration, motion media design, sequential art, sound design, television producing, visual effects and writing.

SCAD is home to the nation's largest academic degree program for interactive design and game development, with nearly 5,500 SCAD alumni of gaming and related programs working for industry leaders including Electronic Arts, Blizzard Entertainment and Nintendo. Notable alumni have launched also their own studios and titles, including Tiny Monsters and Ker-Chunk Games.

SCAD GamingFest schedule highlights included:

The Art of Voiceover: Dave Fennoy and Brian Bremer, voice actors for the "The Walking Dead" game and the creative team behind the voices, discussed how the best voice actors bring a game to life. 

In The Huddle: An Evolution of Story in "Madden NFL": Some of the creators behind the longest-running sports video game in history, "Madden NFL," explored how story has advanced in EA SPORTS and how those advancements helped create the game's first ever story mode, "Longshot." 

Google Daydream – AR Lessons Learned for Success: Designers at Google's Daydream Labs figure out the who, what, why and how of successful augmented reality applications. As the Apple and Android platforms widen to allow more augmented reality, the Google Daydream experts explained how they make important discoveries to help developers succeed.

Gaming in Atlanta: Top professionals from Nektr, at American Gaming Systems, and the Georgia Game Developers Association talked shop about the business and culture of producing hit games. 

Special Screening of "The Wizard": An enthusiastic Friday night audience enjoyed this 1989 cult classic about two brothers (Luke Edwards and Fred Savage) who run away from home, meet a girl (Jenny Lewis), and hitchhike across the country to compete in a video game tournament. A conversation on the film's cultural significance and renewed relevance in the world of gaming followed the film. 

Another crucial component of GamingFest was a presentation of SCAD+, the groundbreaking university program designed to assist alumni in developing commercially viable digital products. From hundreds of applications, nine participants were selected by the SCAD+ advisory board, placed on teams, provided a living and work space and access to resources to develop their original product ideas. As presented to an engaged and eager GamingFest audience, the three projects – focussing on gaming, virtual reality, augmented reality and mobile experiences – will be ready for presentation to potential investors at the end of the year.

SCAD GamingFest is the newest professional engagement program through SCADFILM and highlights SCAD's support of Atlanta's growing gaming industry, responsible for 3,200 jobs in Georgia. Next year's GamingFest is already in the works, so be sure to level up for the next installment of this memorable, enlightening, game-tastic SCAD tradition.