M FA I N PA I NTI N G

MISSION 01 SCHOOL HISTORY 09 L O C AT I O N 14 FAC I L I T I E S 24 STUDENTS 30 F E AT U R E D S T U D E N T 38 ALUMNI PROFILES 46 FAC U LT Y 50 CURRICULUM 52 FINANCIAL AID 56 L C A D A D M I N I S T R AT I O N 58

MIKE MILLER / WINTER CHICAGO WALK / 36 x 24 Oil on Canvas

M ISSIO N
E X P LO R E YO U R P OT E N T I A L

Laguna College of Art + Designs MFA in Painting is a two year program of focused investigation into the formal and conceptual potentials of representational painting. The core goal of the program is to build on traditional skills acquired in undergraduate study to realize the ideas possible in the discipline of representational art. This goal is to be achieved through individual studio research, focused studio elective courses and art history classes that address issues in contemporary and historical representation. MFA study at LCAD culminates in the creation of a coherent body of work, a written thesis and a thesis exhibition. Additionally, our students will gain insights into the presentation and marketing of their work and be educated in the logistics of teaching art at the college level. Our MFA program recognizes that there are particular technical, thematic and formal issues related to representational art that require specialized study at the graduate level. We strive to meet these demands with a faculty and curriculum tailored to fit this concept. Our program has been created to provide a supportive environment for artists who wish to address contemporary subject matter while acknowledging historical painting traditions.

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CYNTHIA SITTON/ STAIRS / 24 x 17 Oil on Linen

PERIN MAHLER / SLAVE / 54 x 72 Oil on Canvas

LE T TE R FRO M TH E CHAI R
We live in a time in which representational art, particularly that which uses the figure as subject matter, has attained a prominent place in contemporary image making. The efficacy with which figuration depicts human narrative continues to be proven in gallery and museum exhibitions around the world, yet the particular skills required for this enterprise are not always taught or supported in modern post-secondary art programs. Laguna Colleges MFA in Painting is uniquely structured to provide the critical environment and skill-based curriculum to ensure the highest standards of craft and concept in representational art. Our two-year degree program is designed as an immersion in the history, theory and practice of representational art and will prepare students for careers as professional artists and university educators. The programs combination of academic research and studio critique creates an environment in which the student may pursue experiment and invention within the pictorial tradition.

Perin Mahler
MFA Chair

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Michael Harnish painting in Group Figure Composition with Professor John Brosio

ACCR E DITATIO N

Laguna College of Art + Design is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). NASAD establishes national standards for visual arts education and accredits only colleges that meet these standards. WASC sets rigorous academic standards for all universities and colleges in the state of California. LCAD is also a member of the Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design (AICAD). As an accredited, degree-granting, private and non-profit institution, Laguna College of Art + Design provides each student with extensive art and design training, complemented and completed by a rich Liberal Arts curriculum. With a faculty of 75 and a student body of 400, LCAD provides an exceptional level of interaction and attention to student progress. LCAD offers the Certificate and Bachelor of Fine Arts Degrees in Drawing & Painting, Graphic Design, Illustration, Game Art, Animation, a Post Baccalaureate in Drawing & Painting, and a Master of Fine Arts Degree in Painting. Additionally, LCAD offers the following BFA Hybrid Programs: Drawing + Painting/ Sculpture, Illustration/Animation, Illustration/Graphic Design, and Illustration/Drawing + Painting.

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LAGUNA COLLEGE OF ART + DESIGN (LCAD) WAS FOUNDED IN 1961 AS THE LAGUNA BEACH SCHOOL OF ART

SC HOOL HISTO RY
FROM 1961-PRESENT 48 Y EARS I N T H E C ANYON

Laguna College of Art + Design (LCAD) was founded in 1961 as the Laguna Beach School of Art by members of the Laguna Beach Festival of Arts and Laguna Beach Art Association (now the Laguna Art Museum), with the mission of providing community art education of the highest quality in the region. Under the leadership of David Young, the Festival gave $5,000 and 20 friends gave $2,000 each to build the first studios on Festival Grounds. LCAD was incorporated as a nonprofit organization in 1966, and purchased the first portion of land at the present site in Laguna Canyon from the Irvine Company in 1974. Local architects designed the campus buildings and surrounding landscape, using native plants almost entirely. In 1987, the college received accreditation from the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) to grant the four-year Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. At the time, the school was the only accredited, independent, degree-granting college of art and design in Orange, San Diego, and Riverside counties. The Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) accreditation was received in 1993 despite a fire in Laguna Canyon that nearly destroyed the campus. Since then, LCAD has grown rapidly to include five undergraduate majors. The college offers Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees in Drawing + Painting, Illustration, Graphic Design, Animation, and Game Art. The Master of Fine Arts program in painting was launched in 2006 under the direction of Sharon Allicotti who designed the program along with Dean of Fine Arts, Jonathan Burke. In 2008, Perin Mahler assumed role of MFA Chair.

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LCAD GAVE ME THE TOOLS TO DO WHAT I WANT TO DO, AND BE WHAT I WANT TO BE: A PROFESSIONAL ARTIST.
Melanie Florio 2008

ABOUT TH E AR E A

A B O U T TH E A R E A
FROM L AGU NA TO L .A.

The MFAs location in Laguna Beach offers an excellent environment for serious research in drawing and painting. The resort community of art galleries, restaurants and pristine beaches creates a relaxed backdrop for creative investigations. The campus is surrounded by some of the last remaining coastal canyons in Southern California. The nearly 20,000-acre Laguna Coast Greenbelt and the almost 40,000 acre National Nature Preserve of Orange County provide hundreds of miles of trails to explore. Southern Californias consistent climate ensures the possibility of year-round plein air painting and the best lighting conditions for our naturally lit studio spaces. As a counterpoint to this idyllic setting, our campus is an hours drive from the world-class museums and prominent galleries in the Los Angeles area. The Getty Center, LA County Museum of Art, Norton Simon Museum and other institutions mount the finest traveling exhibitions in the country. The numerous galleries, many of whom represent our mentor faculty and MFA alumni, provide exposure to the best and most current examples of contemporary representational art. Our field trips and Los Angeles classes ensure regular exposure to this cultural nexus.

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M A P OF C A L IFO R N I A
KEY LOCATIONS IN RE L ATIO N TO S C H O O L

N O R TO N S I M O N M U S E U M

LO S A N G E L E S
GETTY MUSEUM LO S A N G E L E S COUNT Y MUSEUM OF ART

SA N TA M O N I C A

LO N G B E AC H
OR ANGE COUNT Y ART MUSEUM

L AG U N A B E AC H
L AG U N A A R T M U S E U M

MA P O F C A L IFO R N I A
KEY LOCATION S IN RE L ATIO N TO S C H O O L

S AC R A M E N TO

S A N F R A N S I S CO

S A N TA B A R B A R A LOS ANGELES

L AG U N A B E AC H SAN DIEGO

LOS AN G E LE S
THE BLOSSOMING ART SCENE
Los Angeles is one of the most significant art centers in the world. Museums such as the Getty Center, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and the Norton Simon Museum exhibit major traveling exhibitions as well as examples from their notable permanent collections. Vibrant gallery districts such as Culver City, Chinatown, West Hollywood, Pasadena and Bergamot Station in Santa Monica display major nationally and internationally recognized contemporary artists from around the world. Los Angeles is the home base of Hollywood, The Entertainment Capital of the World, leader in the movie, television and music industries. In addition, as one of the most diverse counties in the United States, Los Angeles offers an endless array of cultural events and restaurants to enjoy.

V I E W FRO M G E T T Y A RT M U S EU M

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SOME RECENT VISITING ARTISTS... TIM LOWLY BO BARTLETT SANGRAM MAJUMDAR MARGARET BOWLAND STEVEN ASSAEL WARREN CHANG NORMIN LUNDIN CHRISTOPHER PUGLIESE ALEX KANEVSKY KENT WILLIAMS

GRADUATE STUDIES BUILDING The Master of Fine Arts program is housed in a new 3,400 square foot facility located at 2633 Laguna Canyon Road, within walking distance to LCADs main campus. This modern space includes seventeen individual graduate studios of approximately 120 square feet each, the MFA Chairs faculty studio, a group critique space, student lounge/dining areas and Graduate Administration offices. The building features large windows and skylights that provide an abundance of natural light. Graduate students are permitted 24-hour year-round access to their studios and common areas. Each student receives an easel, taboret, drafting stool and folding chair for their private studio. Daylight fluorescent fixtures with independent controls illuminate each space in addition to either a window or skylight. Wireless internet is available throughout the MFA building. MAIN CAMPUS Less than one mile from the coast, nestled within a lush canyon, and adjacent to one of Californias most pristine natural reserves, Laguna College of Art + Designs main campus functions as a central resource for all graduate students. The latest Macintosh technology is consistently updated in state-of-the-art computer labs, digital SLR and video cameras are available for check out, large format printing is on hand, and wireless internet is accessible anywhere on campus. LCAD possesses an extensive collection of artist props including a recent acquisition of various animal skeletons ranging from manatee skulls to rattlesnake skeletons. Figure drawing and painting workshops are offered at no cost to students, as well as visiting artist lectures and demonstrations that assist graduate students in his or her theoretical and technical research.

FEATURES A WIRELESS CAMPUS TECH LAB SUPPORT FOR BOTH MAC AND PC USERS ON CAMPUS PRINT LAB FOR OVERSIZED PRINTS

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ETTINGER GALLERY

GRADUATE STUDIO

GRADUATE STUDIES BUILDING

FAC I L ITIE S
MA IN CA MPUS A N D M FA

RUTH SALYER LIBRARY The Ruth Salyer Library is located at the heart of main campus. As an art college based on tradition but also wired with the latest technologies, LCAD requires a library that provides both historical and contemporary stimulation. To provide a deep pool of art information and images, the Ruth Salyer Library collection includes 16,000+ volumes, 75 wide-ranging periodical subscriptions, DVDs and videotapes, ARTstor, Grove Art Online, and exhibition notices and catalogs. ARTstor and Grove Art Online are the latest online visual image catalogs, enabling students and faculty members to access images and biographical information wirelessly from anywhere on campus, as well as from home. The collection of art exhibit catalogs and other media reflect the connection to the Laguna Beach arts community. From catalogs to biographies, California plein air artists are very well represented. Countless other valuable piecesranging from out-of-print volumes to historical exhibition catalogsare part of our collection, with much thanks to donations and bequests from generous supporters in Laguna Beach and the artistic community at large.

ETTINGER GALLERY The mission of LCADs main gallery is to serve the educational and cultural objectives of all the studio majors and the Master of Fine Arts program. Each year through its exhibitions, the gallery seeks to promote the development of our students talent and aesthetic awareness, while at the same time expanding the appreciation of various art forms to the community. The Gallerys exhibitions are offered free of charge to the public.

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MFA in PA IN TI N G
LAG UNA COLL EGE OF ART + DE S I GN

SHAY BREDIMUS/ BANKOK MONK / 48 x 40 Tatoo Ink & Wax on Drafting Film

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AMANDA HARRISON / TENDING THE GARDEN / 48 x 39 Pastel on Paper

MARIA DUDLEY / ELEPHANT WASH / 12 x 9 Oil on Canvas

JAMES GALINDO / SEVERANCE / 36 x 24 Oil on Linen

TOP: MICHAEL HARNISH / LAGUNA PATH / 16 x 20 Oil on Canvas BOTTOM: NATE WILSON / Portrait of a Girl in a Green Shirt/ 18 x 12 Oil on Linen

EVGENIA GENNADIA-WILLIS / DEMOLITION / 18 x 40 Charcoal on Mylar

CYNTHIA SITTON in studio on MFA campus

STU DE NT Q & A WITH : Cynthia Sit ton

WHY LAGUNA COLLEGE OF ART + DESIGN? I checked into other art schools, and it was largely the connection with such high caliber faculty mentors that attracted me to LCAD. The relationships you build with them are unique. Not only are they professional artists and educators, but they become friends too. WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE BEST THING ABOUT THE MFA PROGRAM? Obviously this school is figurative and thats a big deal to me. I like that LCAD isnt huge too. Especially here in the MFA building, the camaraderie is family-like and thats very appealing to me. Something about the MFA building really works. We all bounce ideas off each other. Its a healthy competitive kind of atmosphere. HOW HAS YOUR EXPERIENCE IN THE MFA AFFECTED YOUR WORK? I came into the grad program already represented by a gallery, so I was curious how the program would affect my work or if it even would. Im happily surprised that being here has broadened my vision conceptually, and definitely formally. I had not been exposed to a formalist way of thinking before. Im being challenged to look at my work critically and objectively, to ask myself why it is that I paint what I paint, and ultimately to question what I want to do with it. I feel like I have the freedom to experiment with ideas and materials that I have not worked with before, and to see how they can enrich my work. Im beginning to see that my vision was narrower before. HOW ABOUT THE RELATIONSHIPS YOU HAVE BUILT BY BEING IN THE PROGRAM? When youre working long hours with other students in the same building, eating with them, drinking coffee, thats communal. They are likely relationships that I will maintain when I leave school. There is this creative, exciting energy that goes on, and the understanding of a similar experience. Theres always someone there to encourage you to go a little further. Somehow we end up influencing each other as much as even our professors and mentors do. WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH YOUR PAINTING STUDIO FACULTY MENTOR? I have been working with F. Scott Hess for two semesters now, and Im thrilled that he is part of the program because his work has influenced mine for quite some time. I had seen his exhibition The Book of Hours at the Orange County Museum of Art years ago. It was unlike anything I had seen before: beautiful, raw, sensual and layered with history of art. It was in your face honest and exposed. I highly respect that. 38

GINA MEAD / CLOUD 6 / 48 x 36 Oil on Canvas

MICHAEL HARNISH / INTERIOR 1 / 40 x 30 Oil on Canvas

TOP: MICHAEL PARKER / QUARTER-LIFE CRISIS / 72 x 48 Oil on Canvas BOTTOM: TAYLOR MONTAGUE / BACK ROOM / 24x18 Oil on canvas

DANIEL CATALANO / REFLECTING POOL #4 / 18 x 14 Oil on Board

DANIEL CATALANO / QUANTA #1 / 72 x 48 Oil on Canvas

MFA in PA IN TI N G
LAG UNA COLL EGE OF ART + DE S I GN

A LU M N I

SHAY BREDIMUS / INDELIBLE / 72 x 60 Tattoo Ink & Mixed Media on Drafting Film

S HAY B R E D I M U S M FA 20 0 8

BORN:
Omaha, Nebraska, 1979 Shay lives and works in Los Angeles, California and is currently represented by Koplin Del Rio Gallery in Culver City, CA.

EDUCATION:
2008: MFA, Laguna College of Art + Design 2004: BFA, Emily Carr University, Vancouver BC

LCAD MENTORS:
2008: Wes Christensen, Los Angeles, CA 2007: Stephen Douglas, Los Angeles, CA 2006: F. Scott Hess, Los Angeles, CA

RECENT EXHIBITIONS:
2010: Indelible Marks, Koplin Del Rio Gallery, Culver City, CA 2009: West Coast Drawing, Drawings VIII by Koplin Del Rio Gallery, curated by Norman Lundin, Davidson Gallery, Seattle, Washington 2008: Shay Bredimus: The Rhetorical Body, San Luis Obispo Art Center, San Luis Obispo, CA 2008: LA Art Fair, Los Angeles Convention Center, Los Angeles, CA 2008: Not Without Form: Recent Drawings and Works on Paper, Donna Beach Fine Art Gallery, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV

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A LU M N I

MELANIE FLORIO / TEA FOR TWO / 18 x 18 Oil on Canvas

M E L AN I E F LO R IO M FA 20 0 8

BORN:
San Diego, California, 1983 Melanie lives in Seal Beach, California, teaches at Mt. San Antonio College, and is currently represented by Wendt Gallery in Laguna Beach, CA.

EDUCATION:
2008: MFA, Laguna College of Art + Design 2006: BFA, Laguna College of Art + Design

LCAD MENTORS:
2008: Jeremy Lipking, Woodland Hills, CA 2007: D. J. Hall, Venice, CA 2006: Kenny Harris, Venice, CA

RECENT EXHIBITIONS:
2009: Fairhaven Mausoleum Art Exhibition, Santa Ana, CA 2009: Illustrated the childrens book titled All Night Long, Yorkshire Publishing 2009: Illustrated the childrens book titled Bear Crimbo by Matt Goss

TEACHING EXPERIENCE:
2010: Drawing, Mt. San Antonio College, Walnut, CA 2009: Oil Painting, The Art Studio, Westminster, CA 2009: Understanding the Visual Arts, Mt. San Antonio College, Walnut, CA 2009: Oil Painting, Mt. San Antonio College, Walnut, CA

MFA FACULTY

MFA in PA IN TI N G
LAG UNA COLL EGE OF ART + DE S I GN

LC A D f a cult y m e m b e r J ose p h G e rg e s h a n gin g E xo d u s 7 7 x 2 0 mixe d m e dia o n p a p e r

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F. SCOTT HE SS
F. Scott Hess, born 1955 in Baltimore, Maryland, began to draw intensely at the age of seven. He grew up in a small Wisconsin town, and received a Bachelor of Science in Art from the University of Wisconsin-Madison (1977). Attracted by the dark tone, intense psychological content, and the level of technical skill displayed by artists in Prague and Vienna, Hess moved to the Austrian capital in 1978, attending the Vienna Academy of Fine Arts for five-and-a-half years. There he learned Old Master painting techniques, studied paint chemistry, drew thousands of figure drawings from life, and completed a year-long course at the Anatomy Institute. In 1979 Hess had his first solo exhibition in Vienna, quickly followed by exhibitions in Austria, Germany and France. In 1981 he received one of Austrias most prestigious awards for artists, the Theodor Koerner Award, presented by the Austrian President. In 1984 Hess moved to his current home of Los Angeles and in 1985 had his first American solo exhibition, followed by over seventy group and solo exhibitions, including venues in Europe, Taiwan, and Iran. His work is included in the public collections of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Orange County Museum of Art, Oakland Museum, San Jose Museum of Art, and the Smithsonian Institute, among others. In 1990 he received a Western States Art Federation award, and in 1991 a J. Paul Getty Fellowship and a National Endowment for the Arts Visual Arts Fellowship. F. Scott Hess is represented by Hirschl and Adler Modern in New York and Koplin Del Rio Gallery in Los Angeles.

FAC U LTY
BIO

F. SCOTT HESS / RIVERBED / 48 x 60 Oil on Canvas

JOHN BROSIO
John Brosio was born 1967 in Pasadena, California. He has been drawing for as long as he can remember and those earliest scribbles depict much of the same off center subject matter that concerns him today. Apart from various travels his life has been based in either Southern California where he was raised or Northern California where he received a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of California at Davis in 1991. Learning under the guidance of artists such as Wayne Thiebaud and Richard Bunkall, Brosio was seduced away from his original aspirations toward a career in film and movie special effects but the cinematic influences are still very much apparent in his work. Known for his depictions of tornadoes, Brosio spent three seasons storm chasing out of Texas and will often go to such extreme measures in pursuit of familiarity with any of his chosen subject matter. Various exhibitions and honors are highlighted by solo shows in both CA and NY and most recently a survey of his work at the National Academy of Sciences Museum in Washington D.C. during Fall of 2008.

FAC U LTY
BIO

JOHN BROSIO / FATIGUE / 48 x 60 Oil on Canvas

FAC U LTY

SHARON ALLICOTTI Degree: MFA, California State University, Long Beach; BA, California State University, Fullerton JOHN BROSIO Degree: BFA, University of California, Davis JONATHAN BURKE Degree: MFA, Boston University, Boston, MA; BFA, Kansas City Art Institute, Kansas City, MO RANDALL CABE Degree: MFA, Brooklyn College, CUNY; BFA, University of California, Davis DARLENE CAMPBELL Degree: MFA, Claremont Graduate School; BA, University of Redlands WES CHRISTENSEN Degree: MFA, California State University, San Francisco; BA, California State University, Long Beach BRAD COLEMAN Degree: BFA, Miami University, Oxford Ohio; MFA, California State University, Fullerton PETER FRANK Degree: MA, BA, Columbia University, New York JOSEPH GERGES Degree: MFA, California State University, Fullerton; BFA, Art Center College of Design, Pasadena, CA KENNY HARRIS Degree: BA, Colorado College; Art Students League, New York F. SCOTT HESS Degree: BFA, University of Wisconsin; Vienna Academy of Fine Art K ATHRYN JACOBI Degree: MA, BA, California State University, Northridge

FAC U LTY

PETER LIASHKOV Degree: MFA, Otis Art Institute, Los Angeles; BA, University of California, Los Angeles PERIN MAHLER Degree: MFA, Queens College, CUNY, New York; BA, Trinity College, Hartford, CT BARRIE MOTTISHAW Degree: MFA, Claremont Graduate School; BA, Antioch University, Yellow Springs, OH JOHN NAVA Degree: MFA, Villa Schifanoia Graduate School of Fine Art, Florence, Italy; BA, College of Creative Studies, University of California, Santa Barbara ROBIN PALANKER Degree: BFA, California Institute of the Arts BETTY SHELTON Degree: BA, California State University, Fullerton; MA, California State University, Fullerton; MFA, California State University, Long Beach JON SWIHART Degree: MFA, BA, California State University, Northridge JOSEPH TODOROVITCH Degree: BFA, California State University Fullerton D. J. HALL Degree: BFA, University of Southern California KENT WILLIAMS Degree: BFA, The Pratt Institute, New York PETER ZOKOSK Y Degree: MFA, Otis Art Institute, Los Angeles; BA, University of California, Riverside

KENT WILLIAMS / MOTHER AND DAUGHTER / 42 x 50 Oil on Linen

MFA in PA IN TI N G
LAG UNA COLL EGE OF ART + DE S I GN

STUDIO ELECTIVES

Studio electives are instructionally driven studio classes that center on specific topics designed to enhance technical and conceptual skills as they pertain to issues in representational painting. The content of each class centers on concepts and the work produced may span particular genres and media. Courses are run based on the needs of the cohort of students and the availability of faculty. PICTORIAL SPACE This course will examine concepts of pictorial space that move beyond the single viewpoint of one- and two-point perspective. Horizontal and vertical panoramic formats integrating multiple perspectives will be used as the setting for narrative structures that interact with the space dynamically. Experimentation with topographical and worms eye views will also be included. Art Historical precedents dating from the Renaissance to contemporary periods will form the basis of a dialogue on the nature of the perception and representation of space. PA617 TIME: SEQUENCE, PROCESS AND NARRATIVE The depiction of time will be examined in a number of ways both through single and serial imagery. The notion of simultaneity within a single image will be treated as a phenomenon of the creative process and of narrative progression. Sequential imagery drawing on conventions of comic books and graphic novels will depict linear narratives and variations on single themes. Depictions of time throughout Art History will be cited and used as visual paradigms. PA616 COLOR: COMPOSITION AND PSYCHOLOGY This course will explore the structural and thematic aspects of color composition. Works will be created based on color harmonies and contrasts, gestalt groupings, chromatic light, dominant hue and saturation contrasts. The class will investigate the psychological and narrative potentials of these combinations. Homework will use color composition strategies to support narrative content. Readings on the scientific and psychological bases of color perception will be a part of the class. PA 614 APPROPRIATION This studio course will examine the various historical and contemporary strategies of appropriation and recontextualization of imagery. Beginning with the borrowed styles and formats of the Baroque period through the ironic anti-modernist gambits of Pop and the selective reuse of visual mass media conventions in contemporary art, the class will execute a series of works experimenting with each approach. Goals of the class will include the incorporation of co-opted imagery into a synthetic representational artwork. Questions of originality and authorship will be explored in class discussions and short written assignments. Examples of the various types of appropriation will be reviewed through slide presentations. PA618 SURREALISM The class will use the theoretical writings and major artworks of the Surrealist movement as the basis for a series of studio projects. The canonical texts of psychology dealing with the unconscious will also play a role in the assignments. Image-making strategies that draw on the unconscious including automatic drawing and the exquisite corpse will be deployed. Additionally, Surrealist literary works will be a source of subject matter.

PA619 POLITICAL NARRATIVE/IDENTITY Contemporary events and issues will be used as a starting point for allegories dealing with political subject matter. Historical and contemporary examples of imagery that explores social content will serve as paradigms for assignments. Varieties of cultural perspective on particular events will be examined and will be informed by texts that address strategies of reading and issues of identity. PA620 MYTHOLOGICAL/SYMBOLIC NARRATIVE This course will draw on classical literary sources to create contemporary narrative works. Readings from the Western and non-Western canon will form the basis for each assignment. Readings from Structuralist philosophy texts will supplement and inform the strategies for placing the historical narrative into a contemporary translation.

REQUIRED LIBERAL ARTS COURSES

LA 621, 622, 623 THESIS PREPARATION These one-unit, specialized academic courses are designed to help the student develop a substantial academic Thesis that both describes and analyzes the process involved in the creation of the MFA studio work. This in-depth analysis will integrate the students understanding of historical and contemporary issues in art as they relate to themes that emerge as a product of studio research. The final Thesis document will be submitted at the conclusion of the MFA program as partial fulfillment of the MFA degree. LA 520 PEDAGOGY AND PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE The course is designed to prepare students for careers as professional artists and college-level educators. The class will also serve to inform their experiences as teaching assistants during graduate study. Students will receive instruction on developing syllabi, structuring class time and delivering lecture material. Other sections of the course will detail the process of creating presentation materials to museums, galleries and alternative spaces for exhibition. The class will also focus on professional applications and interviewing strategies for academic appointments.

LIBERAL ARTS ELECTIVES

LA 515 FIGURATION AND MODERNISM This course traces the major movements and canonical figures of Modernism from 1850-1960. The theoretical underpinnings of Modernism are examined through selected readings. The course will follow the path of representational art and how it was influenced by Modernist theories and processes throughout the first half of the 20th century.

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LA 520 FIGURATION AND POSTMODERNISM This course will trace the development of representational art since 1960 and coordinate it with the major changes in the art world during this period. Attention will be paid to the influence of late Modernism, Pop Art, Minimalism, Process Art and Photorealism, and other significant movements on representational painting and drawing. Along with the imagery of this period, the course will trace the important theoretical bases of Postmodernism including Structuralism and Deconstruction. The course will also address contemporary representation from past to present. LA 522 THEORY AND CRITICISM A course in contemporary representational art in galleries and museums of the greater Los Angeles area. Noted critic Peter Frank leads classes through current exhibitions with critical examination of the work on view. Theory and Criticism also includes writing assignments on contemporary artists and group critiques of student work.

MFA CURRICULUM
MFA CURRICULUM/FULL TIME FALL SEMESTER/FIRST YEAR PA 546 Painting Studio 1 Studio Elective AH 610 Figuration and Modernism LA622 Thesis Preparation 1 SPRING SEMESTER/FIRST YEAR PA 548 Painting Studio 2 Studio Elective AH 621 Figuration and Postmodernism LA 622 Thesis Preparation 2 UNITS/FIRST YEAR: 32 FALL SEMESTER/SECOND YEAR PA 646 Painting Studio 3 Studio Elective LA 520 Pedagogy and Professional Practice SPRING SEMESTER/SECOND YEAR PA 648 Painting Studio 4 Studio or Liberal Arts Elective LA 623 Thesis Preparation 4 UNITS/SECOND YEAR: 28 TOTAL UNITS: 60

9 units 3 units 3 units 1 unit

9 units 3 units 3 units 1 unit

9 units 3 units 3 units

9 or 12 units 3 units 1 unit

A DVA N C E M E N T TO C A N D I DAC Y

All students wishing to complete their MFA degree will have an advancement review after earning 30 units of coursework. This meeting will determine the students readiness to mount a Thesis exhibition upon completing MFA coursework and will include an oral presentation by the student as well as a critique of artwork. The review committee will consist of the MFA Chair and three or more additional faculty. ELIGIBILITY To be admitted to the Master of Fine Arts program, applicants must have attained a Bachelors degree with a 3.0 GPA in studio subjects. The degree must be awarded from an institution accredited by an appropriate regional accrediting body.

ADMISSIONS/APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
APPLICATION AND FEE Submit the MFA application for admission along with a $50 nonrefundable application fee. The application fee is waived when applying online. LCAD honors the College Board application fee waiver form. TRANSCRIPTS Official transcripts from all accredited colleges attended are required for admission. Unofficial transcripts will not be accepted. All transcripts must be in English or accompanied by a certified English translation. PERSONAL STATEMENT A 500 word personal statement of the applicants educational and artistic goals related to the MFA in Painting at Laguna College is required for admission. Applicants applying online will have the opportunity to upload their personal statement along with the application. RESUME/CURRICULUM VITAE Please submit an outline of your educational, professional, and workrelated experiences. LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION Submit two letters of recommendation from previous instructors, practicing artists, or college administrators. Letters must be mailed to Graduate Admissions in a sealed envelope. PERSONAL INTERVIEW A personal interview with the Graduate Chair and/or Dean of Fine Arts is required for all applicants. Applicants residing within a 150-mile radius of Laguna Beach are required to visit campus for the interview. Applicants living outside this radius will conduct a phone interview.

PORTFOLIO Submit a portfolio CD of 15 to 20 works along with an inventory list of works in the order they appear. Include the title, medium, size and date of completion for each piece. Clearly label all application materials. The portfolio will ideally include recent (2-4 years) images of figure, portrait, or nature drawings and/or paintings done from direct observation. Still life, room interior, landscape, or narrative figure paintings, (including work from imagination in part or whole) are encouraged, especially if representative of the applicants current creative work, or reflective of themes he/she wishes to pursue in their graduate program studies.

ACCEPTANCE NOTIFICATION + DEPOSIT Upon the receipt of all required application materials, the applicant will receive written notification via mail. Accepted applicants must confirm admission to the MFA program within two weeks of notification by returning the Enrollment Form enclosed in the acceptance packet. A $500 non-refundable tuition deposit along with the Enrollment Form confirms admission and secures enrollment for the applied semester. Accepted applicants who do not deposit will be placed on a wait list. INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS International students must submit verification of English language proficiency by obtaining a score of at least 550 on a TOEFL test. Transcripts must be certified translations, and a Declaration of Financial Sponsorship must be received. MAIL APPLICATION MATERIALS TO: Graduate Office Laguna College of Art + Design 2222 Laguna Canyon Road Laguna Beach, CA 92651 MFA THESIS EXHIBITION At the end of each Spring semester the MFA will mount a group Thesis exhibition in the Los Angeles area. The exhibition represents a summative visual statement of research in the program and consists of work that centers around each students particular conceptual objectives. Previous venues for each two-week show have included the I-5 gallery at the Brewery art colony and, most recently, Arena 1 gallery at Santa Monica Art Studios. Members of the college community as well as collectors, gallery dealers and critics are invited to a reception at the gallery. MFA THESIS STATEMENT A written Thesis of at least 4000 words is required for the MFA degree at LCAD. The Thesis is intended to complement the students studio research by providing a vehicle for the expression of emerging themes and concepts. Three one-unit sections of Thesis Preparation

classes, taken in the students first, second and fourth semesters are intended to ensure that the written aspect of the Thesis evolves and keeps pace with studio production. FINANCIAL AID The purpose of financial aid is to assist students whose personal and family resources are insufficient to meet the total cost of education at Laguna College of Art + Design. Financial aid is available from one or more of the following sources: scholarships, grants, part-time employment, and loans. LCAD is also eligible to participate in Department of Veterans Affairs Educational Assistance programs. Eligibility for most forms of financial aid is based on demonstrated financial need. Financial need is the difference between the Cost of Education (a standard budget) and the Estimated Family Contribution (the amount the student, and if applicable, the students spouse and/or parents can be expected to contribute). Cost of Education components include tuition and fees, an allowance for books and supplies, housing, food, transportation, and personal expenses. Family contributions are based on the Federal Methodology analysis of the information provided on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and supplemental documents. Students who believe they will need financial assistance to attend LCAD and who meet the eligibility requirements are encouraged to apply for aid. Financial aid awards are made for one academic year and must be reapplied for each subsequent year. To receive need-based financial aid from LCAD, the applicant must meet the following eligibility criteria: 1. Be accepted for enrollment as a matriculating student 2. Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen 3. Maintain measurable satisfactory academic progress according to the standards and practices established by LCAD while enrolled 4. Not owe a refund on or be in default of any Title IV loan previously received for attendance at any postsecondary institution 5. Be in compliance with Selective Service regulations APPLICATION PROCEDURES To be considered for any type of need-based aid at LCAD, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. If you cannot complete the application online please contact the financial aid office. Processing time may vary depending on the type of application and the date of submission. Generally, the processor needs three to six weeks to process the application. MERIT SCHOLARSHIPS The college has a limited number of graduate merit scholarships. The graduate admissions committee will select outstanding students for renewable graduate merit scholarships ranging from $500 to $12,000 yearly. 56

TEACHING ASSISTANTSHIPS Graduate students may apply for a limited number of Teaching Assistantships to work under the guidance of LCAD faculty in undergraduate foundation and drawing and painting courses. Teaching assistantship compensation will vary according to the number of units taught. Graduate students may assist only one course per semester. Teaching assistantships are tuition discounts and are added to a students merit scholarship. For further information about financial aid please contact the Financial Aid Office at 949.376.6000 x223 or financialaid@lagunacollege.edu.

LC A D A D M I N I S T R ATI O N
OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT ext. 233 Dennis Power, Ph.D., President dpower@lagunacollege.edu Jennifer Daniels, Executive Assistant to the President jdaniels@lagunacollege.edu OFFICE OF ACADEMIC AFFAIRS ext. 240 Jonathan Burke, V.P. of Academic Affairs/Dean of Fine Arts jburke@lagunacollege.edu Helene Garrison, V.P. of Academic Affairs/Dean of Liberal Arts hgarrison@lagunacollege.edu Michael Savas, Dean of Visual Communication/Chair of Illustration msavas@lagunacollege.edu Kerri Redeker, Executive Assistant to the Academic Deans kredeker@lagunacollege.edu Sandy Appleoff, Chair of Game Art sappleoff@lagunacollege.edu Catharin Eure, Chair of Graphic Design ceure@lagunacollege.edu Grant Hier, Chair of Liberal Arts ghier@lagunacollege.edu David Kuhn, Chair of Animation dkuhn@lagunacollege.edu Perin Mahler, Chair of MFA in Painting pmahler@lagunacollege.edu

GRADUATE STUDIES 949.497.4984 Perin Mahler, Chair of MFA in Painting pmahler@lagunacollege.edu Jessica Arsenian, MFA Program Coordinator jarsenian@lagunacollege.edu OFFICE OF ADMISSIONS ext. 248 Mike Rivas, Dean of Admissions mrivas@lagunacollege.edu Sammy Macias, Assistant Director of Admissions smacias@lagunacollege.edu Lindsay Farr, Admissions Coordinator lfarr@lagunacollege.edu Christian Ramirez, Admissions Counselor cramirez@lagunacollege.edu James Miller, Admissions Counselor jmiller@lagunacollege.edu Michael Jacques, Admissions Advisor mjacques@lagunacollege.edu BUSINESS OFFICE ext. 228 Jim Godek, Chief Financial Officer jgodek@lagunacollege.edu Fatima Silva, Business Manager fsilva@lagunacollege.edu Winona Christiansen-Kirk, Accounts Payable Manager wckirk@lagunacollege.edu OFFICE OF CAREER SERVICES Robin Fuld, Director of Career Services rfuld@lagunacollege.edu OFFICE OF DEVELOPMENT Patsee Ober, V.P. of Development ext. 229 pober@lagunacollege.edu 58 ext. 255

Tracy D. Hartman, Associate Director of Development and Alumni Relations ext. 241 thartman@lagunacollege.edu FINANCIAL AID ext. 223 Michael Pearlman, Director of Financial Aid mpearlman@lagunacollege.edu FACILITIES ext. 254 John Eertwegh, Facilities Manager jeertwegh@lagunacollege.edu Ed Thorell, Gallery Director ethorell@lagunacollege.edu RECEPTION DESK 949.376.6000 Mark Murray, Receptionist/Campus Concierge mmurray@lagunacollege.edu REGISTRAR ext. 224 Laura Nicklas, Registrar lnicklas@lagunacollege.edu RUTH SALYER LIBRARY ext. 225 Jennifer Martinez Wormser, Librarian jwormser@lagunacollege.edu STUDENT SERVICES ext. 245 Maria Dudley, Assistant to the Registrar/Student Services mdudley@lagunacollege.edu Jennifer DeMark, School Counselor jdemark@lagunacollege.edu TECHNICAL SERVICES Helpdesk helpdesk@lagunacollege.edu ext. 238

For more information or to set up a campus tour, please contact the Graduate Office at: 949.497.4984 mfaadmissions@lagunacollege.edu

D E S I G N E D B Y: D U S T I N N O R M A N P H O T O G R A P H Y B Y: J E S S I C A A R S E N I A N A N D DA N I E L C ATA L A N O A R T D I R E C T I O N B Y: J E S S I C A A R S E N I A N A N D P E R I N M A H L E R