Rachel Makowski, shown here with a gold award she received earlier this year in the American Advertising Federation’s ADDY competition, has completed her bachelor’s degree at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire. She is one of nine students who earn their degrees at The Art Institute this month. All will showcase their work in a Graduate Portfolio Review to be held Thursday, Dec. 18 at The Art Institute.
(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire will host its first Graduate Portfolio Exhibit on Thursday, Dec. 18.
“This is an opportunity for our nine students who are graduating this quarter to showcase their work, especially to employers, but also to friends and family,” said Cindy Jones, Director of Career Services for The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire.
Employers looking for talented, newly graduated professionals in the fields of Graphic Design, Web Design & Interactive Media and Culinary Arts are invited to attend this reception from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at 630 E. Brier Drive in San Bernardino. They’re asked to RSVP with Brenda Medina at (909) 915-2192.
From 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., the party continues its focus on the graduates, but with a different emphasis. The guests joining them during this portion of the event will be their own friends and family.
The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire will serve hors d’ouvres and beverages. Ronnell Lawson and Roberto Vazquez Pulido, who are the first two students to obtain Culinary Arts degrees from the International Culinary School at the Art Institute of California – Inland Empire, will create some of these hors d’ouvres as samples of their work.
The International Culinary School opened in January 2007, a year after the first programs began at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire. Lawson and Vazquez Pulido earned their associate degrees in less than two years, in part by taking advantage of a year-round schedule their school offers.
Raymond Heredia, the first graduate of The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire’s Web Design & Interactive Media program, will have Web sites he has created on display. He will receive a bachelor’s degree, having also taken advantage of the year-round schedule to complete his education in less than three years.
All Graphic Design students maintain portfolios of the work they’ve done while at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire. These portfolios are now complete for Raysa Cerna, Anthony Guevara and Rachel Makowski, who are receiving the program’s first bachelor’s degrees and for Regina Cortez, Elizabeth Horn, and Salvador Vazquez Jr., who are receiving associate degrees.
The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire is holding this event for the first time because this is the first quarter the three-year-old campus has had multiple graduates. Plans are already underway for the Graduate Portfolio Review to become a quarterly tradition in 2009. Similar events are planned in March, June, September and December of next year.
“We anticipate 20 to 23 graduates for the winter quarter, which ends in March,” Jones said. “Our numbers of graduates are growing and could reach more than 100 per quarter a year from now.”
The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire offers Bachelor of Science degrees in Game Art & Design, Culinary Management, Graphic Design, Web Design & Interactive Media, Interior Design, Fashion Marketing & Retail Management, and Media Arts & Animation and a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Fashion Design. There are also Associate of Science degrees in Graphic Design and Culinary Arts. Each program is offered on a year-round basis, allowing students to work uninterrupted toward their degrees.
It’s not too late to start the new year at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire. Courses begin Jan. 12 and classes are offered in the day, evening and on weekends for new and reentry students.
For more information or a free tour of The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire call (909) 915-2100 or go on line to artinstitutes.edu/inlandempire.
The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire is one of The Art Institutes (www.artinstitutes.edu), with more than 40 educational institutions located throughout North America, providing an important source of design, media arts, fashion and culinary arts professionals.
A young patient at Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital, her father and a culinary arts student from the International Culinary School at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire work together on a gingerbread house construction project. Behind them is an entire gingerbread village, where the children’s work remains on display throughout this month. Photo by Carl Dameron.
(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) Seriously ill boys and girls at Loma Linda Children’s Hospital received a welcome break from their usual hospital routines Monday, Dec. 1 when students from the International Culinary School at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire came bearing gingerbread houses for them to decorate.
The students and their leader, Executive Chef Eyad Joseph, academic director of the International Culinary School, had just as much fun decorating as the children. For them, the opportunity to help younger people who are in great need of Christmas cheer was heartwarming and unforgettable.
“It really touched me,” said Rosanna Saldena. “They were so surprised we were doing this. Interacting with them was a good experience.”
The children usually spend most of the day in their hospital rooms, and often get bored with this, she noted. “The ones I was working with asked me if they would get to do something like this again the next day,” she said. “They would have been happy to have worked on gingerbread houses five days in a row.”
This is the second year Nina Mendiola went with her fellow International Culinary School students to Loma Linda Children’s Hospital to help children decorate gingerbread houses.
“The first time I went, I had a really good experience,” she said. “I wasn’t going to pass up the chance to do it again, and this time I met some new children whose stories touched me.”
The students spent most of the day with about 40 young patients and their parents, helping them to decorate houses. Another 40 patients who are in isolation, and could not risk coming into contact with visitors, decorated gingerbread houses in their own rooms.
Before going to Loma Linda, the students bought about 100 gingerbread houses. A volunteer organization, the Big Hearts for Little Hearts Guild, brought the candy and frosting used as decorations and “cement.”
“The Big Hearts for Little Hearts Guild is so happy that the International Culinary School has partnered with us for the Gingerbread Village this year. We have been doing it for nine years and it is such a blessing to see the patients smile when they finish their houses. We hope to partner with the culinary school in the future,” said Guild President Eloise Habekost.
As the patients finished decorating their houses volunteers placed them in a Christmas village set up by Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus, a.ka. volunteers Jim and Jeannie Durbin. They will stay there for public display through the middle of January.
“Hundreds of people enjoy the whimsical village,” Habekost said.
The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire offers Bachelor of Science degrees in Game Art & Design, Culinary Management, Graphic Design, Web Design & Interactive Media, Interior Design, Fashion Marketing & Retail Management, and Media Arts & Animation and a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Fashion Design. There are also Associate of Science degrees in Graphic Design and Culinary Arts. Each program is offered on a year-round basis, allowing students to work uninterrupted toward their degrees.
It’s not too late to start classes at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire. Courses begin Jan. 12 and classes are offered in the day, evening and on weekends for new and reentry students.
For more information or a free tour of The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire call (909) 915-2100 or go on line to artinstitutes.edu/inlandempire.
Carl Dameron is a new member of the Leadership Council for the American Lung Association of California.
(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) Carl Dameron, founder and creative director of Dameron Communications, has been named a member of the Leadership Council for the American Lung Association of California.
This is Dameron’s second time serving this organization. He previously served on a governing board from 1997 through 2000.
“I am pleased to serve my community through the American Lung Association,” Dameron said. “I am particularly interested in helping asthma sufferers find the help they need to breathe easier.”
Through work with clients such as San Bernardino Tobacco Use Reduction Now, In The Zone Tobacco Free Project, African-American Health Institute of San Bernardino County, La Salle Medical Associates and even California Portland Cement Company, Dameron has gained a thorough understanding of how to preserve, promote and improve respiratory health. As a volunteer, he will use this expertise to help the American Lung Association of California reach its goal.
“Carl Dameron is committed to making the Inland Empire a healthier place, and we appreciate his willingness to work with the American Lung Association of California in our efforts,” said Area Director Terry Roberts. “His knowledge of the issues affecting respiratory health in our two-county area, and of how to promote good causes, will go a long ways in reducing lung disease here.”
About Dameron Communications
Since 1989 Dameron communications has creatively met the needs of our diverse client base locally, regionally and nationally. We are an award winning agency that creates integrated marketing solutions to increase sales and profits, win elections, inform the public or gain acceptance of a potentially controversial issues. We use our 20 years of communications knowledge and experience to advance our clients’ objectives.
Brenda Erickson is learning about event coordination and public relations through an internship at Dameron Communications. Photo by Noe Melon
(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) Brenda Erickson joined Dameron Communications (www.DameronCommunications.com) in the fall quarter as a public relations intern. She looks to gain experience and networking in a creative environment that allows her to expand her knowledge while growing as an event coordinator and public relations professional.
“This is a great opportunity for me to learn the true business of public relations. It is one thing to learn the definition of PR in the classroom, it’s another to actually understand and create work in the field of communications,” says Erickson.
Erickson is a student at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, where she is obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Communications with a public relations emphasis. She will be graduating in December 2008.
Some of her duties at Dameron Communications include writing press releases, inviting community members to political fundraisers, organizing and catering for special events, creating social networking accounts for clients, Web updates, writing and editing, evaluating stories and commercials to put out into the media and filing clips.
Carl Dameron, founder and creative director of Dameron Communications, is mentoring Erickson to give her the knowledge and experience needed to compete in today’s workforce.
He explains why he accepted Erickson as an intern for Dameron Communications by saying, “Interns bring a fresh perspective, making us look at why we do things a certain way. They bring new techniques and new visions for getting things done. Brenda has experience in event organization and motivating people, and I felt these strengths would be an asset.
“Brenda continues to surprise me with her grasp and understanding of concepts in PR and her ability to ask the right questions at the right time, and she has the tenaciousness and motivation to complete tasks on time; ours is a deadline business. It’s a pleasure working with Brenda,” adds Dameron.
Erickson also has a passion for dance. She has acquired much of her responsibility, organization and social skills through dance practices, performances, competitions and community outreach.
Erickson was a dance team director and coach with San Dimas High School for six years. There she gained responsibility, accountability, leadership skills and the ability to communicate with all personalities. She says, “Being responsible for a team definitely prepared me for the real world workplace.”
About Dameron Communications Since 1989 Dameron Communications has creatively met the needs of our diverse client base locally, regionally and nationally. We are an award-winning agency that creates integrated marketing solutions to increase sales and profits, win elections, inform the public or gain acceptance of potentially controversial issues. We use our 20 years of communications knowledge and experience to advance our clients’ objectives.
Noé Melon of Paris, France has spent the past three months in the USA learning about graphic design and American-style advertising through an internship at Dameron Communications. He returns to France next week, but not before Dameron Communications holds a party in his honor on Wednesday, Dec. 17, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at 255 N. D Street, Suite 303, San Bernardino, CA 92401.
(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) Noé Melon joined Dameron Communications (www.Dameroncommunications.com) in the fall semester, as a Graphic Design Intern. He looks to better his creativity in graphic design and learn the American style of advertising while studying abroad in the United States.
Melon is a student at Istitu de Préparation à l’Administration et à la Gestion in Paris, France, where he is working on his marketing degree. He has been in college for three years and has two more with the marketing program. Melon says, “I like graphics in general; I like the arts, designing and working on the computer.”
Melon obtained this internship through KD Conseil, which is a cross-cultural firm in Paris. He indicated he wanted to do an internship at an American company. Kathleen Dameron, head of KD Conseil, was able to set that up, being that her brother, Carl, owns Dameron Communications, an advertising and PR firm in Southern California.
Melon’s hometown is Paris. Growing up, he loved the sport of fencing, graphic design and playing the guitar.
He previously worked for Dell Computers in France as an intern in marketing and graphic design. He was also a representative for a music festival, obtaining sponsors and donations.
Melon will finish this internship with Dameron Communications this month and will return to Paris. He explains what he has learned thus far from working at Dameron Communications by saying, “I have learned to use Quark Express 8; I worked in InDesign in France. My main focus here has been to perfect my skills in graphics and learn the English language.”
Carl Dameron, founder and creative director of Dameron Communications, is mentoring Melon and encouraging him to use his creative abilities in a work environment. Dameron gives him the opportunity to work independently and create designs that Melon feels are most appropriate for the client.
“Noé brought a fresh and different perspective to the firm,” says Carl Dameron. “His European upbringing gives us a new look at everything we do. His European sensibility gives us a fresh, new perspective on our work projects. Fresh, new perspectives are critical to making sure we deliver to our clients the highest and best creativity possible.”
Carl has seen Melon’s growth through this experience. He says, “I’ve noticed significant advancement in Noe’s ability to solve problems, ask questions, develop and deliver effective and creative messages.”
Melon’s work includes programs, brochures, newsletters, logos and posters for clients, including Black Rose Awards, Urban Dreams Film Festival and LaSalle Medical Associates.
On Wednesday, December 17 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., Dameron Communications will host a holiday party at its offices at 255 North D Street, Suite 303. This provides the public an opportunity to meet Melon and view his work.
The party is also an opportunity for those who have not visited Dameron Communications in the last three months to see the new offices to which it moved in September. RSVP with Nicole Acosta at (909) 888-0321.
About Dameron Communications Since 1989 Dameron Communications has creatively met the needs of our diverse client base locally, regionally and nationally. We are an award-winning agency that creates integrated marketing solutions to increase sales and profits, win elections, inform the public or gain acceptance of potentially controversial issues. We use our 20 years of communications knowledge and experience to advance our clients’ objectives.
Children were among the 96 volunteers who helped at The Salvation Army Corps Thanksgiving Day feast. One of the duties given them was to serve guests slices of pumpkin pie for desert. Photo by Ricardo Tomboc
Capt. Stephen Ball, commander of The Salvation Army Corps of San Bernardino, with children who took part in the Corps Thanksgiving Day feast. Photo by Ricardo Tomboc
(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) More than 200 hungry people braved a Thanksgiving Day storm to enjoy a holiday dinner at The Salvation Army San Bernardino Corps’ Hospitality House.
And almost 100 volunteers were there to serve them.
Capt. Stephen Ball, commander of the San Bernardino Corps, reported that 96 volunteers served 204 meals to hungry guests on Thanksgiving Day. That’s just a few more people than the regular Salvation Army crew serves every day.
“Turnout was light for Thanksgiving,” said Capt. Ball. “In the morning, when it was raining, there weren’t as many people around as there are on a normal day. We eventually served 204 dinners, but we had enough to serve at least 400. I think people must have found other places to go for Thanksgiving, where they could be out of the rain.”
The food didn’t go to waste, though, according to Capt. Ball. Since The Salvation Army serves dinners six days a week, the Thanksgiving leftovers made dinner for the 125 or so people who came to the Corps on Friday and the approximately same number who came on Saturday.
By Monday, the Thanksgiving feast had disappeared, and The Salvation Army was back to feeding people from its normal every day budget. That budget, which must last an entire year, gets its biggest boost in December from The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle/bellringer campaign.
From now through Dec. 24, donors can also give through the Red Kettle Drive, a holiday tradition the Army has relied on for more than 100 years. Look for red kettles accompanied by bellringers at locations throughout the Inland Empire and everywhere else. Everything a Salvation Army bellringer collects stays within the community.
Online giving, which can be directed specifically to the San Bernardino Corps, is possible at any time by going to www.salvationarmy.usa.org.
And, with holiday shopping on most folks’ minds already, The Salvation Army hopes people will shop for their poorest neighbors, too. Gifts of food and toys are needed for about 750 families relying on the San Bernardino Corps to have any kind of Christmas celebration at all this year.
Donations of time are also highly needed. For one, The Salvation Army wants to beef up the volunteer bellringer force. It also needs volunteers to help with assembling, wrapping and distribution of gift baskets and toys for the needy.
Those interested in donating time or presents should call the San Bernardino Corps at (909) 888-1336. Toys can also be donated through the Sharing Tree programs at the Inland Center Mall, the Ontario Mills Mall, the Montclair Plaza and the Redlands Wal-Mart.
About the Salvation Army San Bernardino Corps The Salvation Army may be able to provide emergency services including food; lodging for homeless or displaced families; clothing and furniture; assistance with rent or mortgage and transportation when funds are available. The Salvation Army Team Radio Network assists rescue workers and evacuees in such disasters as fires.
The Salvation Army is an evangelical part of the Universal Christian Church, and also offers evangelical programs for boys, girls and adults. One of the largest charitable and international service organizations in the world, The Salvation Army has been in existence since 1865 and in San Bernardino since 1887, supporting those in need without discrimination. Donations may always be made online at www.salvationarmyusa.org or by calling 1-(800)-SAL-ARMY.
(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) Carl Dameron, founder and creative director of Dameron Communications, is the new president of the Inland Empire African American Chamber of Commerce.
We are excited about Carl’s taking the lead with the chamber,” said Dolores Armstead, vice president of the organization. “We are ready to take the Inland Empire African American Chamber of Commerce to the next level, becoming more involved and expanding our service to the small business community of all backgrounds.”
Dameron is a founding member of the Chamber. During 1989, which was Dameron Communication’s first year of business, Carl and other business owners saw benefit to starting an organization that would work specifically for the advancement of Black-owned businesses in the Inland Empire. Over the past 20 years, both Dameron Communications and the Inland Empire African American Chamber of Commerce have seen steady growth.
“This coming year brings hope for many great opportunities for Black-owned businesses, but we will also face the economic struggles facing all businesses,” Dameron said. “It is important that we work together to help each other succeed. That is the goal of the African American Chamber of Commerce, and it is also one of my goals as a business owner. I am pleased to celebrate my own 20 years in business by leading the organization that has helped me all along.”
About Dameron Communications Since 1989 Dameron communications has creatively met the needs of our diverse client base locally, regionally and nationally. We are an award winning agency that creates integrated marketing solutions to increase sales and profits, win elections, inform the public or gain acceptance of a potentially controversial issues. We use our 20 years of communications knowledge and experience to advance our clients’ objectives.
Carl Dameron will discuss effective campaign strategies in a presentation to the San Bernardino Democratic Club Friday, Dec. 5.
(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) Carl Dameron, founder and creative director of Dameron Communications, will discuss effective campaign strategies when the San Bernardino Democratic Club meets 11:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 5 at Carousel Mall.
“From Congress to school board, there are many effective ways to put a candidate in the eye of the public. There are also ways that could do more harm than good,” Dameron said. “I want the Democrats to understand the best ways to campaign for their candidates. The Democratic Party has recently elected a fantastic president, and that will mean great things for the Inland Empire. But that is especially true if the local Democrats successfully campaign to elect men and women who will stand with our new President in bringing about the change he wishes to accomplish. President-elect Obama needs support from elected officials at the federal, state and local levels.”
Dameron has provided public relations services for several election campaigns, including those of California Assembly Member Wilmer Amina Carter, San Bernardino County Fifth District Supervisor Josie Gonzales and Rialto City Council Member Deborah Robertson. He will discuss his strategies for putting the candidates into the public spotlight, and how, in at least one case, he was able to turn a rival’s negative campaign into positive publicity.
About Dameron Communications Since 1989 Dameron Communications has creatively met the needs of our diverse client base locally, regionally and nationally. We are an award winning agency that creates integrated marketing solutions to increase sales and profits, win elections, inform the public or gain acceptance of potentially controversial issues. We use our 20 years of communications knowledge and experience to advance our clients’ objectives.
For a low-cost or in some cases, free, flu shot this LaSalle Medical Associates clinic at 565 N. Mt. Vernon Ave in San Bernardino is the place to go. Other clinics are at 1505 W. 17th in San Bernardino, 17577 Arrow Blvd. in Fontana and 16455 Main St. in Hesperia.
(SAN BERNARDINO, CA) Now that the cold weather is upon us, with winter fast approaching, it’s a good time for anyone to get their annual flu shot.
Just ask Dr. Albert Arteaga, the president and founder of LaSalle Medical Associates in San Bernardino. “Flu shots make a very big difference.” Dr. Arteaga, a pediatrician for more than 20 years, spends every flu season surrounded by coughing and sneezing patients. “It is especially important for the young and the elderly to protect themselves from this disease, but anyone can avoid the unpleasantness of the flu and its potentially serious complications with an immunization. Why avoid the shots?”
Aside from the tired feeling, the body aches and fever, flu symptoms can be much worse. “There may be intestinal problems that develop,” Dr. Arteaga says, “and other potential complications such as internal infections, pneumonia and possibly even meningitis. Why take a chance?”
The reason many avoid flu shots is simply the fear of the needle. “I can understand that,” Dr. Arteaga says, “and then what happens is those people influence their friends and then you start hearing ‘The shots will just give you the flu themselves,’ and ‘Shots don’t really make a difference.’ The fact is shots do make a difference. They really do help.”
The following groups of people are especially encouraged by the Centers for Disease Control to obtain a flu shot: • Anyone 50 years of age or older • All children and adolescents 6 months through 18 years of age • All health care workers and essential community service employees, such as police and firefighters • College students who live in dormitories • Any other adults living in a dormitory or other institutional setting • Anyone not vaccinated within the past year who is planning a trip between April and September 2009 to the tropics or the southern hemisphere • Anyone planning travel with a large group • People with chronic medical conditions including asthma, diabetes, HIV and others • Pregnant women • Anyone who lives with or cares for a person who meets one of the above conditions
Patients on Medi-Cal, Medicare and many insurance plans will receive their immunizations at no charge. For anyone else, the fee at LaSalle Medical Associates clinics is a mere $15.
As Dr. Arteaga says, “It takes just 30 seconds and a very short, minor sting to possibly save weeks of discomfort and potential serious complications. Is it worth it? You bet.”
Dr. Albert Arteaga graduated from medical school in 1976, completing his pediatric training at Loma Linda University in 1984 and starting practice that year in Fontana. He expanded into San Bernardino four years later, and in 1996 formed LaSalle Medical Associates, an IPA, comprised of primary and specialty care physicians serving more than 105,000 patients in the Inland Empire and East Los Angeles.
According to founder Dr. Arteaga, the primary mission of LaSalle’s clinics is “to offer high quality medical care to the whole family with courtesy and respect.” And, right now, a big part of that is to provide flu shots for people.
The LaSalle medical clinics are at 17577 Arrow Blvd. in Fontana, 1505 West 17th St. and 565 N. Mt. Vernon Ave. in San Bernardino, and 16455 Main St. in Hesperia
For additional information about LaSalle Medical Associates, call (909) 890-0407 or go on line to lasallemedical.com. -end-
The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire began a partnership with the San Bernardino Boys & Girls Club in 2007, including the design work done by Summer Studio ‘07 participants to create the club’s Teen Center, plans of which San Bernardino Councilman Rikke Van Johnson is viewing here. The partnership will continue into 2009 as four students in the Interior Design program are currently designing a kitchen remodel for the club’s youth building.
(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) A kitchen at the Boys & Girls Club of San Bernardino will soon come back to life in a bright and colorful way, thanks to help from students at The Art Institute of California-Inland Empire.
Four Interior Design students are beginning plans for a kitchen remodel that will bring the 1960s-era kitchen back into use. Actual construction will likely begin in December or January.
It’s quite an undertaking. Not only is the kitchen more than 40 years old, the Boys & Girls Club hasn’t even used it for the last several years. That means the remodel will require bringing it up to current building and safety codes.
“Since they have a kitchen already there are some bones to work with,” said Tamara Stevenson, student team leader for the project. “But they’re not necessarily good bones. We are putting together a commercial design that will give them what they need to better serve these boys and girls.”
Stevenson and her classmates Nancy Marquez, Patrice Bodell and Sonja Fallahian are enrolled in the Human Factors course of the Interior Design program at The Art Institute of California-Inland Empire. They have already learned most of the basics of Interior Design. In this course they get what is for most of them, their first opportunity to put their knowledge to use by actually working with a group of people to create a design for them.
Stevenson, however, also recently worked with local businesses including Dameron Communications to design a color scheme for an office building undergoing remodeling. A kitchen remodel is a much more involved project, she notes.
“It has been a learning experience,” she said. “But I’m very interested in commercial design, so I find it interesting.”
The students began this learning experience by meeting with Boys & Girls Club leaders to discuss what was needed, what was wanted and how much they could afford. The students then came back with two separate ideas for how to complete the entire project for about $20,000 not including labor. The Boys and Girls Club was thrilled as this was way under budget. They told the team they still had another $15,000 to $20,000 to spend.
“They loved it,” Human Factors instructor Marie Feuer said of the Boys & Girls Club leaders. “They couldn’t believe they could do it for that low and they loved having two design plans to choose from. From that point they were like kids in a candy shop picking out more design ideas.”
“The support of the Art Institute has been overwhelming,” said Dolores Armstead, a member of the Boys & Girls Club’s Board of Directors. “They have provided us with the expertise, drawings and estimates needed to get the kitchen renovated. We are excited about being able to partner with them to offer nutritional classes and meals to the community.”
Meetings continue with the Boys & Girls Club leadership, contractors, vendors who can sell or donate materials and city and county officials who are involved in the design review process. The student designers have learned the ins and outs of doing business with all these people along the way.
The Interior Design program at The Art Institute of California-Inland Empire focuses heavily on teaching students to design “green” projects. That is, when putting together design plans, students rely on such things as energy conservation and using materials that can be easily recycled.
As it turned out, the Boys & Girls Club kitchen already has “green” features. While the original kitchen designers may not have planned it that way, the stainless steel countertops already in place are one of the greenest surface materials available today.
“Stainless steel is a reusable product that’s often overlooked. It can withstand extreme temperatures, doesn’t stain or rust, and it can be melted and recycled Feuer explained. “This makes it a sustainable material, and green design is all about using sustainable materials.”
Another way the Boys & Girls Club kitchen remodel will incorporate environmentally responsible (and more easily affordable) planning is with used appliances. They’re working with a local vendor to supply the Boys & Girls Club with appliances that saw limited use elsewhere, but are still relatively new.
Green – along with blue and purple – is also important to the color scheme the Interior Design students have put together for the Boys & Girls Club kitchen.
“The design uses a lot of primary and secondary colors,” Feuer said. “In addition to being bright and festive the design students wanted to incorporate the color scheme from the Boys and Girls Club facility and their Triple Play program. This program uses similarly bright-colored graphics to teach the children how to care for their mind, body and spirit.”
One way people can take care of their body is to use the food pyramid. Since kitchens are all about food, Triple Play’s brightly colored, cartoon character-enhanced version of this pyramid will be a focal piece of artwork in this kitchen.
Since the Interior Design students’ plan came in far under budget, the Boys & Girls Club leaders decided to add another innovative feature. The kitchen will include a large-screen television set, and a small camera so that the Boys & Girls Club leaders can project real-time cooking techniques to teach children how to safely handle food preparations and how to cook.
“We’re not designing a kitchen just to serve food,” Feuer said. “We’re designing a kitchen to promote the overall programs of the Boys & Girls Club.”
The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire offers Bachelor of Science degrees in Game Art & Design, Culinary Management, Graphic Design, Web Design & Interactive Media, Interior Design, Fashion Marketing & Retail Management, and Media Arts & Animation and a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Fashion Design. There are also Associate of Science degrees in Graphic Design and Culinary Arts. Each program is offered on a year-round basis, allowing students to work uninterrupted toward their degrees.
It’s not too late to start the new year at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire. Courses begin Jan. 12 and classes are offered in the day, evening and on weekends for new and reentry students.
For more information or a free tour of The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire call (909) 915-2100 or go on line to artinstitutes.edu/inlandempire.
Rachel Makowski, shown here with a gold award she received earlier this year in the American Advertising Federation’s ADDY competition, has completed her bachelor’s degree at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire. She is one of nine students who earn their degrees at The Art Institute this month. All will showcase their work in a Graduate Portfolio Review to be held Thursday, Dec. 18 at The Art Institute.
