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.
Oversized graphic creations awed guests. | Photo: Jason Weiss.
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). | Photo: Jason Weiss.
Roxanna and Charles Gaines (Art Faculty Emeritus) enjoy a photo break. | Photo: Jason Weiss.
Carmina Escobar (Faculty and Music MFA 10) performs at the Gala. | Photo: Jason Weiss.
Brent Charles (Acting BFA 22) served as MC for the evening’s festivities. | Photo: Jason Weiss.
Jorge Gutierrez (Film/Video BFA 97 and MFA 00) accepted a 2022 Distinguished Alumnx Award. | Photo: Jason Weiss.
Tim Disney was recognized for 30 years of service on the Board of Trustees, including nine years as chair, and his new status as trustee emeritus. | Photo: Jason Weiss.
Costume-based performance duo Beck+Col (Art MFA 19) built an alternative universe populated by monsters. They opened a portal into it with an array of characters interacting with guests and each other. | Photo: Jason Weiss.
Costume-based performance duo Beck+Col (Art MFA 19) built an alternative universe populated by monsters. They opened a portal into it with an array of characters interacting with guests and each other. | Photo: Jason Weiss.
Costume-based performance duo Beck+Col (Art MFA 19) built an alternative universe populated by monsters. They opened a portal into it with an array of characters interacting with guests and each other. | Photo: Jason Weiss.
The latest editions of 50 + 50 premiered in the REDCAT Gallery. | Photo: Jason Weiss.
Visual artists, including Michelle Bac (MFA 24), live collaged Polaroids of guests into the lobby space. | Photo: | Photo: Jason Weiss.
Ica Sadagat (Creative Writing MFA 22). | Photo: Jason Weiss Poet, essayist, and collaborative artist Ica Sadagat created improvised poems, letters and textural experiments in the REDCAT Lounge.
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). | Photo: Jason Weiss.
Taking the stage from left to right Kristin Tims (Dance BFA 20), De Lisa (Dance BFA 21), and Lauren Gonzales (Dance BFA 20). and bottom row left to right, Ica Sadagat (Creative Writing MFA 22), Jonathan Bryant (Dance MFA 15), and Carmina Escobar (Faculty and Music MFA 10). | Photo: Jason Weiss.
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.
