Brian Peterson of Faces of Santa Ana to Deliver Keynote at LCAD Commencement 2019

Laguna College of Art and Design (LCAD) announced that Brian Peterson, co-founder of Faces of Santa Ana, will deliver the College’s commencement address at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, May 24, 2019 at the College’s Main Campus, located at 2222 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, California 92651.

Peterson’s mission through Faces of Santa Ana is to help those in need in cities around the world, while also inspiring and activating creatives and supporters to become involved in their community. He befriends and paints portraits of the homeless community and then sells the finished work. Proceeds from the sales are used to improve the lives of those he paints. “The creativity we’ve been given is meant for the outward pouring of love,” said Peterson.

“LCAD continually reinforces the positive impact art can have on society with our students, and Faces of Santa Ana supports that message,” said LCAD President Jonathan Burke.

Julia Meni, an LCAD senior majoring in Graphic Design + Digital Media with Action Sports Emphasis, will deliver the student keynote. A native of Brazil, Meni transferred to LCAD in 2015 and felt she’d finally found her home. In 2017, she participated in LCAD’s first Anaheim Ducks Honors Lab. “I was the youngest and least experienced student in that class, and it pushed me to work harder than I ever had,” she said. “The experience made me grow as a designer and a person.”

Meni continued to take collaborative classes led by senior executives and creative directors at brand giants like Hurley, Nike, Stance, and Vans, all companies with whom LCAD enjoys exclusive educational partnerships. She also worked as a teacher’s assistant for typography and held part-time jobs at LCAD IT and with LCAD’s Admissions team. Her LCAD experience helped her to become a thoughtful designer, dedicated to creating socially responsible solutions through her work.

“I’m very honored to represent the class of 2019 and I believe when you become an LCAD student and alumnus, you are part of a family,” Meni said.