Project BLUE Teams Up with The Art Institute to Give Students Real World Experience

Santa Ana, CA, June 14, 2008 --(PR.com)-- High school juniors, seniors and recent graduates interested in pursuing a creative education have the opportunity to get their feet wet with the Surfrider Foundation at The Art Institute of California – Orange County 2008 Summer Studio Workshop. Students will work closely with project BLUE to promote the Surfrider Foundation and find out if they have what it takes for a future in design, fashion, media arts or culinary arts.

From June 24-27, students participate in an intense four-day workshop and experience a taste of the academic programs at The Art Institute. They’ll work alongside industry professionals as part of a production team creating the many design, media and culinary elements that contribute to the promotion of a nonprofit organization.

“The workshop has been extremely successful since its inception in 2001,” said Melinda Lester, Dean of Academic Affairs. “It is a life-changing, eye-opening week for most of these students and many attendees later make the decision to study applied arts in college.”

This year the workshops focus on project BLUE, a collective effort between iconic surf brands to raise funds for the Surfrider Foundation. The Surfrider Foundation is a nonprofit grassroots organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of the world’s oceans, waves and beaches.

Students can choose from one of the following nine specialized workshops, depending on their area of interest: Advertising, Culinary Arts, Fashion, Game Art & Design/Visual & Game Programming, Graphic Design, Industrial Design, Interior Design, Media Arts & Animation and Web Design & Interactive Media.

Any 2008, 2009 or 2010 high school graduate from the U.S. or Canada, who is at least 16 years old, is eligible to attend. Tuition is $150 and includes all classes, supplies, meals, field trips and social activities. Supervised housing and daily transportation to and from The Art Institute is available for an additional cost.

For more information or to register, visit summerstudio2008.com/orangecounty. For questions, contact Tricia Cook at tacook@aii.edu or 714.338.1303.

The Art Institute of California – Orange County
The Art Institute of California – Orange County is a design, media and culinary arts school providing bachelor’s and associate’s degree programs in Advertising, Culinary Arts, Culinary Management, Fashion Design, Fashion Marketing & Management, Game Art & Design, Graphic Design, Industrial Design, Interior Design, Media Arts & Animation, Visual & Game Programming and Web Design & Interactive Media. Located in the heart of Orange County’s South Coast Metro region, The Art Institute is ideally situated in close proximity to Orange County’s thriving business community, cultural attractions, shopping, entertainment and its famous beaches. The school is one of The Art Institutes (www.artinstitutes.edu), a system of over 40 education institutions located throughout North America, providing an important source of design, media arts, fashion and culinary arts professionals.

Project BLUE
Project BLUE is a surf industry initiative dedicated to keeping oceans, waves and beaches thriving. Six of the top global surf brands came together to develop a program aimed at raising funds to support the Surfrider Foundation. A portion of the proceeds from every purchase of exclusive project BLUE gear is used to fund coastline protection initiatives worldwide. It’s not a charity. It’s a plan of action.

The Surfrider Foundation
The Surfrider Foundation is a nonprofit grassroots organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of our world’s oceans, waves and beaches. Founded in 1984 by a handful of visionary surfers in Malibu, California, the Surfrider Foundation now maintains over 50,000 members and 80 chapters worldwide.

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