Students Shine at Portfolio Show

The soon-to-be graduates of The Art Institute of California (AIC) in the Inland Empire recently gathered together to participate in the quarterly Portfolio Show. Students of design, media arts, culinary and fashion participated. Each student had a table set up with their portfolios exhibited, hoping to both capture the attention of the potential employers and share their accomplishments with their families and friends. Jason Sargent, a student of the Art Institute and future Branding Specialist, stood behind his table with his tie tied tight and his portfolio exhibited, awaiting the arrival of possible employers and other viewers. Sargent shared, “I worked hard and put a lot of time into my work, I’m really proud of having it out here. I’m happy to show it to people.” Everything on display at the portfolio show was original and no two tables were the same. Attendees were free to walk around the exhibition to observe the displays and talk to the artists. David Life, an observer, commented on his experience saying, “A lot of the work that was on display today was highly creative.” Former student, Eric McDonald Jr., was asked if he though that AIC equipped him with the knowledge he needed to be successful, Audio Engineer Eric McDonald Jr. replied, “Without a doubt, yes. The instructors did a great job of using their experience and knowledge to teach their classes." “What I get out of it is watching the students take that next step in preparing to pursue their dreams and find the right career path,” stated Larry Bethea, a Career Services Adviser for the Inland Empire AIC campus, who was responsible for doing a lot of the employer and community outreach. He went on to share, “A lot of the graduates look at this as the end, but really it’s only the beginning.”