Taking the stage from left to right Kristin Tims (Dance BFA 20), De Lisa (Dance BFA 21), and Lauren Gonzales (Dance BFA 20). Taking the stage from left to right Kristin Tims (Dance BFA 20), De Lisa (Dance BFA 21), and Lauren Gonzales (Dance BFA 20). | Photo: Jason Weiss.

1 Extraordinary Evening: CalArts Gala 2022

July 14, 2022
By Marylou Ferry

1
Night
Million+ Dollars Donated for
Scholarships

The CalArts Gala at REDCAT on May 14 was reimagined after two years of pandemic pauses as an immersive experience that 278 event goers won’t soon forget! The evening was filled with arts, surprises, and good company—and also raised more than $1 million for CalArts student scholarships.

The work of nearly 50 CalArtians (22 alumnx, 21 students, six faculty) were featured throughout the evening, which feted:

  • 2022 Honorary Degree Recipients: esperanza spalding, Charles Lloyd, and Wayne Shorter; and
  • Distinguished Alumnx Award Recipients: Lauren Halsey (Art BFA 2012) and Jorge Gutierrez (Film/Video BFA 2097; MFA 2000).

The Gala also honored two individuals for Exceptional Service to CalArts: Trustee Emeritus Tim Disney and Tom Lawson, former dean of the School of Art (1991-2021).

Behind the scenes, the Gala was produced by CalArts Office of Advancement, hiddenlemoons, and Boss Witch Productions. Alex M. Calle (Theater BFA 08) served as the creative director, Carmina Escobar (Faculty and Music MFA10) served as performance and art director, and Madeline Falcone (Faculty and Music MFA 13) served as the executive producer. And, 24 CalArts staff members provided event preparations and night-of support.

Browse through the photo gallery below, and click on an image for its details.

Thank you

  • Behind the scenes, the Gala was produced by CalArts Office of Advancement, hiddenlemoons and Boss Witch Productions. 

    Alex M. Calle (Theater BFA 08) served as the creative director, Carmina Escobar (Faculty and Music MFA10) served as performance and art director, and Madeline Falcone (Faculty and Music MFA 13) served as the executive producer. 

    24 CalArts staff members provided event preparations and night-of support.

49 Participating CalArts Artists

  • 22

    Alumnx

  • 21

    Students

  • 6

    Faculty

Oversized graphic creations awed guests.Distinguished attendees included Johanna Burton (Director of The Museum of Contemporary Art), Joāo Ribas (Steven D. Lavine Executive Director of the Roy and Edna Disney CalArts Theatre and Vice President for Cultural Partnerships), Ravi Rajan (CalArts President ), and Anne Ellegood (Good Works Executive Director of the Institute of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles).Roxanna and Charles Gaines ( Art Faculty) enjoy a photo breakCarmina Escobar (Faculty and Music MFA 10) performs at the Gala.Brent Charles (Acting BFA 22)Jorge Gutierrez (Film/Video BFA 97 and MFA 00) accepted a 2022 Distinguished Alumnux Award.man receives an award from the host of the eventperson posing for a picture with another person in a full body red costume that hides the faceperson in a yellow costume that is full body and hides the face.2 people in pink colored costumesart gallery space with people browsingVisual artists, including Michelle Bac (MFA 24), live collaged Polaroids of guests into the lobby space.Ica Sadagat (Creative Writing MFA 22) Poet, essayist, and collaborative artist, made improvised poems, letters, and textual experiments on her interaction with Gala attendees at the REDCAT bar.Specially composed to honor the three Commencement 2022 Honorary Doctorates — Wayne Shorter, Charles Lloyd, and esperanza spalding—and their long lineage of creative Black musicians, Hibiscus Hope features the talents of Eva Aguila (Theater BFA 05), Mike Alvidez, Carmina Escobar (faculty & Music MFA 10), Vinny Golia (faculty), Brain Hargrove, Jeonghy eon Joo (performer/Composer DMA student) Mekala Session (Music BFA 17), Dwight Trible and Chris Willims (music MFA 18).Performance at the CalArts Gala

And recognition of 7 artists and supporters

  • 2

    Distinguished Alumnx

  • 3

    Honorary Doctorate Recipients

  • 1

    Trustee Emeritus

  • 1

    Retiring Dean

Specially composed to honor the three Commencement 2022 Honorary Doctorates — Wayne Shorter, Charles Lloyd, and esperanza spalding—and their long lineage of creative Black musicians, “Hibiscus Hope” featured the talents of Eva Aguila (Theater BFA 05), Mike Alvidez, Carmina Escobar (faculty & Music MFA 10), Vinny Golia (faculty), Brain Hargrove, Jeonghyeon Joo (performer/Composer DMA student), Mekala Session (Music BFA 17), Dwight Trible, and Chris Willims (music MFA 18).

Watch the video below.

The CalArts Gala at REDCAT

Read more about the artists and supporters of the extraordinary 2022 CalArts Gala.

Click to download the Gala program