"Let's talk about leather," accessory design professor Michelle Quick tells the fourteen high school students gathered in Eckburg Hall on a Monday morning to begin their SCAD Summer Seminars. "Today you'll each make a functioning card wallet. By the end of the week you'll also have made a folio or clutch bag and a cross-body bag to take home." After a playful round of introductions, the students — many from out of state or overseas, and meeting for the first time – get to work.

Quick's workshop is one of approximately twenty classes offered during SCAD Summer Seminars, a series of weeklong immersive experiences for students who have completed their freshman, sophomore or junior years of high school. Students participate in two distinct workshops, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, taught by SCAD professors, alumni and select graduate students. Activities including silent discos and trips to Tybee Island deepen the impression of SCAD student life in Savannah.

"A lot of high school students have done creative assignments before like drawing and painting," Quick says, "but this is different: it's learning to be creative at the next level."

Over the course of the week, Quick's class gains proficiency with industrial machinery, learning how to cut, stitch, and emboss as they create personalized work. What began at tables arrayed with awls, blades and rolls of leather ends up as design pieces students are proud to take home. By Friday evening, Summer Seminars students depart having made new friends and experienced the possibilities of education in pursuit of a creative career.

"I found out about SCAD Summer Seminars when I asked my art teacher which colleges have good industrial design programs and he recommended SCAD," says Vincent Terracciano, a student at Baxter Academy in Portland, Maine. By Friday, Terracciano is doing the final hand-sanding of his leather bag with triangular accents and magnetic buttons. "The leatherworking class has been great. Professor Quick was able to have us make three objects and for that I give her major props. It's been really interesting learning about the different programs SCAD offers."

Chloe Emilio, a rising junior at Staples High School in Westport, Connecticut, took leatherworking and color theory during Summer Seminars. "Color theory class changed the way I look at colors and how they interact. I wanted to bring that to this leatherworking seminar and incorporate the different things I've learned while making my bag." Emilio showed off her handmade leather bag with its complementary purples and yellow and green hues offset by a silver strap. "I always look at bags and think, how do they make that? It's been great this week to learn to make my own."

After copying down professor Quick's contact information (they're encouraged to stay in touch), the students gather their work and offer grateful goodbyes. Quick wears a satisfied smile: "This was a great group. They all wanted to try new things and challenge themselves. At Summer Seminars there's a lot to do and students get right to it. I'm always impressed by their ideas and energy and conviction. The experience of being here and creating work is the most valuable example of what SCAD is like. It's empowering."

"The great honor of my life is sharing in these defining moments with you," announced SCAD president and founder Paula Wallace to the 2017 graduating class of SCAD Hong Kong. "I can say with absolute certainty: All of you are career ready."

Set in the heart of the Sham Shui Po district, SCAD Hong Kong offers the largest concentration of art and design degree programs in Asia's world city. A fusion of ancient heritage and high-tech resources inspires students from around the globe who study in the former North Kowloon Magistracy building, a grand courthouse revitalized by SCAD to include a library, digital labs and studios, darkrooms, a green screen studio, and sound design and editing suites.

For commencement, the Diamond Ballroom of the Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong shone with accessible opulence as SCAD families came to celebrate their Bees’ big day. The conferment of degrees was followed by a reception in the hotel's three-level foyer.

Here are five memorable remarks from the Hong Kong edition of SCAD commencement 2017:

1. SCAD alumna Sofia Borromeo (B.F.A. fashion, 2010; M.A. luxury and fashion management, 2014):
"With your SCAD degree, anything is possible. Just think, I was once where you are now. After graduating, I now have my own fashion label, my own company, and the consummation of my vision. Keep this in mind as you go out into the professional world."

2. Valedictorian Mohini Khadaria (B.F.A. advertising, 2017):
"From all the early experience that shaped who I've become, I have found my final year to be the most gratifying of all. We have all forged connections that, though they may have been sparked by chance, grew into friendships that will last long after we walk out those doors today, from the final pages of our SCAD story in Hong Kong and into the new chapters around the globe."

3. Excelsus Laureate Kenny Xinda Li (M.A. photography, 2017):
"Each of us is skilled and knowledgeable in our chosen disciplines, and we all have wide-ranging interests and abilities — but like each of you, I'm just one person. That's why it's important to work with others who are experts in their fields. All together, we have expertise across the entire creative landscape. We form a community that is capable of everything."

4. Joyce Wang, award-winning interior designer, Joyce Wang Studio, SCAD Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters recipient:
"You represent the best in art and design education, and you take what you're taught and make the world a brighter place. What you have accomplished as students impresses me and portends tremendous achievement still to come in your professional careers. All of you make this university a special place indeed."

5. Douglas Young, CEO and founder of Goods of Desire (G.O.D.), SCAD Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters recipient:
"The present world order is in constant flux. What we think is the norm today will be replaced by something else very soon. From the way we dress to the movies we see to the food we eat and the music we listen to, all that will change for certain. It is up to us how we change it."

One recent event highlight from the SCAD academic year was Atlantamation, the seventh annual showcase of work from undergraduate and graduate animation programs in Atlanta.

Bustling with excitement and curiosity, popcorn-laden SCADFILM guests filtered into SCADshow on May 18 for the public encore public screening. Atlantamation collected the best animated student shorts from 2016–17, featuring 2-D, 3-D, stop-motion and mixed media animation.

"Our students are consistently programming films in the world's top festivals, which is the next step for a lot of these pieces," explained associate chair of animation Matthew Maloney (M.F.A, animation, 2004; B.F.A, computer art, 2002). "SCAD students have gone on to screen their Atlantamation films everywhere from SXSW and Pictoplasma Conference in Berlin to the world's largest animation festival, Annecy International Animated Film Festival in France."

Featuring over 30 animated shorts, including the fruits of this year's Adult Swim SCAD Collaborative Learning Center partnership, Atlantamation is an essential preview of the future of animation. Matthew Maloney imparts his own wisdom and award-winning experience as curator of Atlantamation's final Run of Show.

"We encourage students to keep their films to under five minutes because filmmakers are more likely to be programmed into a top festival with shorter films," Maloney said. "For Atlantamation, we look for work that demonstrates value in one or more areas of animation. Perhaps the rendering that was extraordinary, or the performance was incredible. We work to identify those pieces."

At every SCAD location, animation students have access to the finest facilities and faculty to fuel their creative endeavors, while alumni excel in careers at top companies including Cartoon Network, Disney Pixar and 20th Century Fox. The following list represents this year's Atlantamation line-up. The future of animation has already begun!

"Palindrome": Scott Kalison (M.F.A. animation), Amanda Louise Davis (B.F.A. animation), Vinod Krishnan (M.F.A. animation, 2017), Tehniyat Shaikh (M.F.A. animation)
"La Farce": Yang Qin (M.F.A. animation, 2015)
"Super Love Story": Midrell Fitzgerald (B.F.A. animation, 2017)
"Smoke Break": Joseph Rivera (eLearning)
"Chop": Ida Hem (B.F.A. animation, 2016)
"Quantum Entanglement": Roberto Castillo (B.F.A. animation, 2017), Hang Li (M.F.A. animation, 2014), Shannon Fleming (B.F.A. animation, 2017), Aszia Wright (M.F.A. animation)
"Mars Two": Ryan Adkins (M.F.A. animation, 2017), Justin Crews (M.F.A. animation, 2016), Robin Deary (M.F.A. animation, 2016), Olivia Decherd (B.F.A. animation), Jasmine Lewis (B.F.A. animation, 2016)
"Etch": Lakeshia Doctor (M.F.A. animation, 2014), Hang Li (M.F.A. animation, 2014), Trevor McCarl (M.F.A. animation, B.F.A. animation, 2008), Mike Moroney (B.F.A. animation, 2017), Nicholas Pflug (M.F.A. animation), Madison Ridgdill (M.F.A. animation, 2017)
"Seashell Necklace": Leah Wilson (B.F.A. animation, 2016)
"The Gigamice": Darissa Townes (B.F.A. animation, 2016)
"Lost": Hyungsoon Joo (M.F.A. motion media design, 2017)
"Big Feet, Big Shoes": Neil Jensen (B.F.A. animation, 2017)
"Spatial Delivery": Haley Samms (B.F.A. animation)
Adult Swim Network IDs: Collaborative Learning Center, Fall 2016
"Abnie Overfork": Shannon Fleming (B.F.A. animation, 2017)
"Lil Bat": Justin Gorski (B.F.A. animation, 2016)
"Prelude": Megan Higgs (B.F.A. animation, 2016)
"Nan-Nan": Andrew Michael Hudson (B.F.A. animation)
"Windows": Mina Vali Zadeh (M.F.A. motion media design, 2015)
"Reisende: The Traveler": Kylie Wijsmuller (B.F.A. visual effects)
"Fishing on a Prayer": Mason Tubb (B.F.A animation, 2016)
"Psycowtic": Kieran Quinn (B.F.A. visual effects)
"Jeevi": Satyajit Ranaprathapan (B.F.A. animation, 2016)
"Fiyahh": Kristal Thelwell (B.F.A. animation, 2016)
"Pardon Me": Kimberly Gouge (B.F.A animation, 2017)
"Air Waves": Geoffrey Ross (M.F.A. animation, 2016)
"StarStation LATERAL": Nathaniel Hearns (B.F.A. animation, 2017)
"I Can Has Tuna": Belen Saenz de Viteri (B.F.A. animation)

"You are the living embodiment of enlightenment," beamed SCAD president and founder Paula Wallace at graduating students at SCAD commencement 2017. "Today is one of those lightbulb moments. It's positively glowing in here – what an occasion!"

The stage at the Savannah Civic Center shone with ornamental lightbulbs. Floral seed pods tucked inside screw-top bulbs were bonus gifts. SCAD families from locales as varied as Caracas, Venezuela, Evergreen, Colorado and Chester, Maryland came to celebrate their Bees buzzing forth. Growing and glowing were the orders of the day.

The ceremony built to John Malkovich's keynote address and a rousing performance by Andra Day of her anthem "Rise Up." In celebration of the great day, here are five memorable remarks from the Savannah edition of SCAD commencement 2017:

1. SCAD alumna Jaime Barker (B.F.A. fashion), co-creator Flagpole swimwear:
"SCAD prepares you to use your hard work, to take risks with confidence. Even though you're leaving the SCAD hive, there are so many ways to stay in touch. You might be invited to participate in orientation, be a juror for the senior Fashion Show, or speak at commencement! You will always be part of the SCAD family, no matter where you are in the world."

2. Valedictorian Faten AlMukhtar (B.F.A. advertising):
"At SCAD, we understand that design transcends creativity to shape society right now and far into the future. The world needs our outside-the-box thinking to spark change. Designers need to be brave and inquisitive, to ask pertinent questions. We are always thinking about, dreaming of, planning for the future that happens all around us. Remember to look inside yourselves to discover and realize your dreams. The future we all share stars with you."

3. Excelsus Laureate Wendy Eduarte (M.A. motion media design):
"Today we celebrate all our hard work: long days overflowing with research and study, long evenings devoted to creating, always pursuing excellence. That's part of the bond we share now, and it's essential. Our discipline has driven us to achieve our greatest aspirations, and it will continue to power our greatest accomplishments yet to come."

4. Mike Buzzard, Google design leader, SCAD Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters recipient:
"Looking back on my own path has helped steer the work I've done with SCAD. Less than two years ago we launched the UX Design program, and its growth has been astonishing. It's important to me that students understand how to apply their training of modern tools, concepts and processes in ways that allow them to create their own opportunities, success stories and character-building moments."

5. John Malkovich, actor, director, fashion designer and SCAD Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters and Étoile recipient:
"To have the opportunity to live a creative life, to have even the possibility of the opportunity to live a creative life, is a gift. Yes, the gift may come at a price, but there is always a price for doing what you want in this life. But the rewards far outweigh the obstacles. You'll find your way. I did, and have more or less lived to tell the tale, and I sincerely doubt I was half as clever or talented or prepared as you are today. Godspeed."

Celebrated creative visionary John Malkovich will address graduates at the Savannah College of Art and Design's Georgia campuses in Savannah and Atlanta, this Saturday, June 3. The occasion will mark the first time Malkovich has delivered a commencement address at a college or university.

"SCAD is overjoyed to welcome John Malkovich as our 2017 SCAD commencement speaker," declared Paula Wallace, SCAD president and founder. "He lives a life of distinct brilliance and intentional artistry. His knowledge and experience is vast, his achievements multiform."

SCAD's recognition of Malkovich epitomizes a belief in the ability of art to transform the world. Malkovich's career as an artistic polymath speaks directly to the vitality of the more than 100 degree programs offered at SCAD, including film and television, cinema studies, dramatic writing, fashion, fashion marketing and management, fibers, performing arts and writing.

A native of Christopher, Illinois and co-founder of the Chicago-based Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Malkovich directed or acted in more than fifty Steppenwolf productions between 1976 and 1982, including his Obie-winning triumph opposite Gary Sinise in Sam Shepard's "True West". In 1986, Malkovich directed fellow actor D.W. Moffett — currently the SCAD chair of film and television — in a "stunning revival" (the New York Times) of the Lanford Wilson drama "Balm in Gilead" at Circle Repertory Theater in New York.

Malkovich's film roles in Spike Jonze's meta classic "Being John Malkovich," Stephen Frears' "Dangerous Liaisons," Steven Spielberg's "Empire of the Sun," Paul Newman's "The Glass Menagerie," Roland Joffe's "The Killing Fields" and Joel and Ethan Coen's "Burn After Reading" are among his more than 70 big screen star turns. Performances in Wolfgang Petersen's "In the Line of Fire" and Robert Benton's "Places in the Heart" earned him nominations for Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. In 2002, Malkovich made his feature directorial debut with "The Dancer Upstairs." He appeared in the acclaimed feature "Dominion," which made its U.S. premiere at the 2016 Savannah Film Festival.

As a fashion designer, Malkovich is celebrated for his lissome menswear. A passionate fabric collector and selector, he has previously welcomed SCAD Lacoste students on a private tour of his prêt-à-porter collection at a pop-up boutique near SCAD's incomparable campus in Lacoste, France. His latest sartorial endeavor, John Malkovich Fashion, launched in January, 2017 with a collection including gabardine jackets, mandarin-collared shirts and a vented, tartan raincoat, as well scarves printed with Malkovich's own quixotic illustrations.

Malkovich will address graduates Saturday at 9 a.m. the Savannah Civic Center, where he will receive an honorary doctorate of humane letters. He will speak in Atlanta at 6 p.m. at Georgia World Congress Center, where he will be awarded the SCAD Étoile in recognition of his monumental creative work. The SCAD Class of 2017 is the largest in the university's history, with more than 2,400 graduates. We welcome John Malkovich to SCAD for this historic celebration.

Crouched atop the pier at Tybee Island during Sand Arts Festival, Cory Imig (B.F.A., fibers, 2008) unclasped a brilliant spool of red fabric. Assistants on the beach below caught the billowing banner, anchoring it in the sand. As the tide went out over the course of the day, Imig moved along the pier, her banners forming an installation as vibrant as the seaside pageant itself.

SCAD: What's the origin of the piece?

Cory Imig: I first heard from SCAD foundation studies program coordinator Christopher Williams last November: "We've started a featured alumni artist portion of Sand Arts and we're wondering if you're interested in doing it." Woah! My first thought was how can anything compete with the horizon line and the vast scale of the beach? I've been on that beach — I participated in Sand Arts when I was a SCAD student. I thought it'd be a great opportunity to play off the existing architecture and use the pier.

I came out in March and did a site visit. At that point, Chris had sent me images of the beach. I'd cut pieces of colored paper into skinny pink rectangles and placed the shapes onto the images. You couldn't tell if the shapes were coming out of the sand or down from the pier, but it looked interesting. To get that scale, I thought about working with fabric. The challenge was: How do I make that?

SCAD: How did students get involved?

CI: When I flew in the Sunday before Sand Arts, Chris Williams had everything from my materials list ready in a classroom in Wallin Hall. Monday through Thursday, 9 to 5, a constant parade of students came through. They were mostly foundations students, but majors I thought would never be interested were really hands-on. Game designers were into it, fashion designers too. A whole bunch of 3D classes got involved. Over 200 students who came and worked on it. It ended up being more collaborative than any project I've ever done. Large groups working at the same time to make it possible. I never get that much help making things!

SCAD: Do you consider the process of unfurling the fabric as part of the artwork itself?

CI: Yes, it's definitely a performative work. It was really interesting to plan the installation, and then to be able to walk through it and sit next to it. Over the course of the day we were chasing the tide down the beach, unfurling each piece of fabric and staking them in the sand. And then we had to undo the work as the tide came back in.

SCAD: Was your piece inspired by the land art movement?

CI: As soon as I started thinking about making the work on the beach I thought of Jeanne-Claude and Christo's "Running Fence." Land art is interesting because it's all connected in terms of site specificity and scale within a landscape.

SCAD: What's the title of your Sand Arts installation?

CI: I wanted to experience it before I named it. It might've been easier to have a name from the beginning, but I didn't know what it was going to be like. I'll let you know!

Cory Imig will return to Savannah when her show opens at the Emerging Gallery at SCAD Museum of Art on August 17.

How's that for a peerless pier review? An estimated 500 SCAD students, alumni, faculty and staff transformed Tybee Island's South Beach into a salubrious seaside salon at last Friday's 2017 Sand Arts Festival. Casual members of the beach-going public were treated to marvels of collaboration and innovation. Artists competed for cash prizes. Everyone went home safe and sunny. Congratulations, Bees!

SCAD Spirit

Winner: "SCADopoly" by David Harris (B.F.A. graphic design), Haley Nichols (B.F.A. painting), Tallie DuBois (B.F.A. illustration) and Noah Osuna (B.F.A. film and television).

SCAD Landmarks

Winner: "Pepe Hall" by Sabrina Shankar (B.F.A. production design) and Ryan Hurley (B.F.A. fibers).

Alumni Choice

Winner: "Untitled" by Elise Aleman (B.F.A. painting), Joseph Gai (B.F.A. animation) and Yeeun Chung (B.F.A. fashion).

Sand Castle

Winner: "Acorn Castle" by Megan O'Loughlin (B.F.A. animation), Christina Lohe (B.F.A. animation) and Chanda Shaw (B.F.A. animation).

Runner Up: "Taj Mahal" by Palaash Chaudhary (M.A., industrial design, 2017), Eny Lee Parker (B.F.A., interior design, 2011) and Carson Parker (M.Arch., 2012; B.F.A., architecture, 2011).

Sand Relief

Winner: ”Alexander" by Laura Hernandez (B.F.A. industrial design), Cassie Suppes (B.F.A. photography), Brianna Ryan (B.F.A. interior design) and David Aguilera Padron (B.F.A. motion media design).

Runner Up: "Surfing Sammy" by Eduardo Rojas (B.F.A. animation), Moiy van Steenbergen (B.F.A. advertising), Drew Cashin (B.F.A. illustration) and Jack Geiger (B.F.A. animation).

Sand Sculpture

Winner: "Zoiberg" by Madison Ellis (B.F.A. motion media design), Samantha Greene (B.F.A. illustration), Julia Chamberlain (B.F.A. animation) and Spencer Kohl (B.F.A. painting).

Runner Up: "Bear and Beehive" by Briana Kerns (B.F.A. advertising) and Manuel Castro Sucre (B.F.A. industrial design).

Air

Winner: "Bee" by Aerial Rouse (B.F.A. graphic design), Karina Smirnova (B.F.A. graphic design) and Arianna Vallenilla (B.F.A. advertising).

Runner Up: “Untitled” by Caitlyn Brault (B.F.A. interactive design and game development), Courtney Smith (B.F.A. sequential art) and Cami Robens (B.F.A. illustration).

Sand Jam

Winner: Tejasvita Negi (B.F.A. animation)
Runner Up: Xiaowen Yang (B.F.A. animation)

Sunblock check! This Friday, May 12, Tybee Island is the place to be. Presented by the School of Foundation Studies, this year’s Sand Arts Festival will take place for the first time ever on South Beach, adjacent to the historic Tybee pier. Witness esteemed alumna Cory Imig (B.F.A., fibers, 2008) unspool a special sculpture of her own creation, while she takes part in mentoring and judging the estimated 200 entrants in this year's festival competition.

In the spirit of superb stewardship, here are five key practices to ensure Sand Arts keeps Tybee in tip-top shape:

1. LEAVE ONLY YOUR FOOTPRINTS BEHIND: Everything you bring in the morning must leave with you at the end of the day. Piling up your trash on the beach next to an already full garbage can doesn't cut it. What you carried in, carry out.
2. DON'T MESS WITH TURTLE NESTS: It's turtle nesting season. Be sensitive to the presence of the turtle nests and stay well away from them. The best way for Tybee's turtles to thrive is to be left alone.
3. NO DOGS ALLOWED: We love dogs. Just not at Sand Arts. Period.
4. STAY OFF THE DUNES: Allow beach nourishment by letting the natural grasses grow in peace. The ecosystem is not designed to support humans tromping on the dunes. 
5. HOP THE BUS: Parking on Tybee is severely limited. Hop the free shuttle bus at Turner House and Oglethorpe house instead. All students will have already received the shuttle schedule via email. Additional information including a parking map and the bus schedule is available here.

Everyone who makes it to Sand Arts is a winner. As far as official prizes go, judging begins about 2:30, and awards will be presented at 3:45. It's going to be a great day. See you there! And remember to "Keep Tybee Tidy"!

Walkers, chalkers and wide-eyed gawkers came together in Forsyth Park for the 36th iteration of Sidewalk Arts Festival, one of Savannah's finest traditions. A salubrious spring afternoon primed chalk-wielding SCAD students and alumni, as well as highly skilled high school entrants, as they all competed for cash prizes. Juiced by block-rocking beats by Kurdice "DJ PhiveStar" Neal (M.F.A., sound design, 2015), Sidewalk Arts culminated with the announcement of winners shortly after 4 p.m. Enjoy these pictorial highlights from a dazzling day.{[carousel]-[199726]}

On a warm evening on the final Friday of April, art aficionados gathered in the SCAD Museum of Art's Alex Townsend Memorial Courtyard as SCAD president and founder Paula Wallace presided over the unveiling of "Chaos Concepción,” a new sculpture by artist Jedd Novatt.

"'Chaos Concepción' arises to lift the eyes and aspirations of all who study and visit here," President Wallace declared. "Jedd Novatt's work conquers gravity, expressing the soul unbound in an eternal echo of hope."

Novatt's sculpture may have cubism and minimalism as precedents, yet the work projects its own peculiarly provocative dynamism. Conjoined notes of strength and vulnerability rise from an ebony plinth. Stainless steel boxes stack at unsettled angles.

As SCAD MOA head curator Storm Janse van Rensburg stated in his opening remarks: "Jedd creates art that challenges our expectations of scale and structure and imbues our environments with undeniable energy. He doesn't just sculpt works, he sculpts the spaces that surround."

An artist whose work is exhibited and collected internationally, Novatt has a connection to SCAD dating to 1980, when he spent a year working and studying in France at the site of what is now SCAD Lacoste. "Chaos Concepción" is the second permanent Jedd Novatt sculpture donated to SCAD, following the installation of "Chaos Mundaka" in the front green of the SCAD Atlanta's Peachtree Street campus. Furthermore, a series of Novatt's monotypes entitled "Chaos Pacific" is on view at SCAD MOA now through June 4.

Any trip to SCAD MOA is a boon. Now, in the courtyard, a new reason has arisen.