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Otis College Students Tell Stories of Eastern European Elders Against the Backdrop of War in Ukraine

For the past six years, Otis College’s Creative Action Integrated Learning (CAIL) course, True Stories—led by Liberal Arts and Sciences faculty member and established playwright Laurel Ollstein—has been sharing  the stories of elders in the community. Earlier this month, the class partnered with the Wende Museum in Culver City to retell the stories of three immigrants who grew up in Eastern Europe in what are now Russia and Ukraine and now live in the U.S.

CAIL True Stories Class Event: Russia, Ukraine, and the United States

In response to the war in Ukraine, 15 students from Otis College of Art and Design interviewed three Eastern European elders about their early lives in Russia and Ukraine and their lives in America now. Through interviews, students created three original books that share these life stories and the students’ artwork in response.

Join us for a program in the Wende’s West Gallery as performers recite portions of these oral histories and the students share their artwork from the project.

Creative Action Visiting Lecture: Wendy Maruyama—Stand up for Justice

Wendy Maruyama, legendary furniture maker, artist, and Professor Emeritus at San Diego State University's Furniture Department, will speak via Zoom in the CAIL course, “Made in the USA.”  Maruyama will speak about her deafness, cerebral palsy, and standing up for justice. 

Zoom link to attend virtually: https://otis.zoom.us/j/6309926230.

CAIL/LAS Students at Dia de los Muertos Festival

The Otis Community and the public are invited to join the students of Heather Joseph-Witham's class, Modern Mysticism and Afterlife, in celebrating Dia de los Muertos at the Hollywood Cemetary.

How a Partnership with It Gets Better Continues the Work of a Beloved Otis College Instructor

Candace Lavin left big shoes to fill. The well-loved Otis College instructor—who taught in the Digital Media, Liberal Arts and Sciences, and Creative Action programs—died in December 2019, just as the fall semester was ending.

CAIL/LAS Speaker Series: Kathleen Marden

Please join faculty Heather Joseph-Witham in welcoming Kathleen Marden as visiting lecturer in her course, UFOs, Aliens, and Otherworlds.

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Creative Action Lecture: Monica Magtoto

Please join CAIL and LAS faculty Dr. Ysamur Flores-Peña in welcoming Monica Magtoto, Otis '09 alumnx, as guest lecturer to his class, Homeboy Histories.

This talk will explore the political climate of San Francisco’s Mission District, and the implications of trying to preserve its rich cultural and artistic history in a socio-political climate where its Latino community, who founded the mural arts scene there and are disproportionately affected by COVID-19, continue to be pushed out.

Headlines

  • O-Launch Weekend
    O-Launch Weekend Celebrates the Next Generation of Artists and Designers
    March 22
  • Alison Saar
    Otis College Alum Alison Saar Selected to Create a Sculpture for Paris Olympics
    March 20
  • Otis Staff talking
    A Week of Creativity and Community at Otis College
    March 15

A Mural Comes to Life

Artist and part-time instructor David Russell, took nearly three months to complete "Welcome to Westchester," a five-story mural commissioned by Drollinger Properties, through a Creative Action class he teaches at Otis College of Art and Design. Creative Action is an integrated learning program that introduces students to compelling social and environmental issues within their community through a series of core courses.

7th Annual Kite Festival

Come fly a kite! On Saturday, April 14, bring your family and friends to make and fly kites next to the Santa Monica Pier! Everyone will receive their own free, unique kite, along with a color theory instruction lesson. Kite makers from across the United States will also showcase their work and create a "gallery in the sky."

Annual Kite Festival Bridges Art and Physics with Fun in the Sun

Come fly a kite with Otis College of Art and Design! The Creative Action Program will be hosting its seventh annual Kite Festival on April 14, 2018 from 11am – 4pm, just north of the Santa Monica Pier. The event is free and open to the public.