California Institute of the Arts

CalArts hits the streets for the LACMA Art Parade! It was a privilege to represent CalArts alongside so many vibrant artists, transforming Wilshire Boulevard into a living gallery.

We’re grateful for everyone who marched and cheered alongside us, and big thanks to LACMA and Jeffrey Deitch for bringing us all together.

Finally, a special thank you to Nixon Peabody for the support!

Banner design by Lily Yeh
Photos by Rafael Hernandez

Three CalArts alumni led the creative charge on Pixar’s TOY STORY 5, which arrives in theaters this Friday, June 19. Director Andrew Stanton (Film/Video BFA 87) and co-director Kenna Harris (Film/Video BFA 17) co-wrote the screenplay, with Pixar’s Chief Creative Officer and alum Pete Docter (Film/Video BFA 90) as executive producer.

The film sees Woody and Buzz Lightyear facing a modern adversary: a frog-shaped tablet that has captured the attention of their new owner, Bonnie.

Find more details at 24700:
https://calarts.pulse.ly/butywshdzq

Image: Courtesy of Disney / Pixar

Javanese gamelan meets extreme metal in the debut single, BATARA KALA, by alum Sean Hayward (Music MFA 15, Music DMA 19) and his band Untu.

Untu was originally formed at CalArts as a large ensemble, with their performance at the CalArts World Music Festival in 2015. It's since evolved into a six-piece experimental death-thrash band based in Yogyakarta, Indonesia.

BATARA KALA is the first track released from their upcoming EP: YET, I SMILE, scheduled for release in December 2026.

The track fuses old-school death thrash in the tradition of early Sepultura, Demolition Hammer, and Heartwork-era Carcass with Javanese gamelan woven into the riffs rather than treated as ornament, spawning a sound that feels both ancient and brutal.

Tune into BATARA KALA and its music video shot in Yogyakarta on their YouTube channel: https://youtube.pulse.ly/7rihtgzlky

SF, you showed up! Thank you to everyone who joined us for a special viewing of THE LONG MIDDLE, the latest exhibition by Ranu Mukherjee, dean of the School of Film/Video, at Gallery Wendi Norris in San Francisco.

Special appreciation goes out to Ranu Mukherjee, Gallery Wendi Norris, and Alumni Council Member Perry Meigs for being lovely hosts.

The CalArts community mourns the loss of singer-songwriter, producer, filmmaker, and alum Oliver Tree (Music BFA 17), who died Sunday in a helicopter collision in Rio de Janeiro.

Tree was a singular presence: witty, prolific, and often seen zipping through campus on his scooter, even at graduation. At 32, Tree was on the cusp of his largest world tour, and had just finished playing festivals including a guest spot at this year's Coachella.

The institute extends its deepest sympathy to all who knew and loved him.

More details at 24700: https://calarts.pulse.ly/onrpypgsav

Photo by Rafael Hernandez

Ring, ring! C’mon down for COLD CALL, a group exhibition taking place at CalArts at The Reef, alongside open studios tomorrow, Saturday, June 13.

Plus, the Alumni Council hosts a co-work collaging event for attendees to hang out, make art, and connect with fellow alums during the evening!

📍 The Reef, 12th Floor, 1933 S Broadway LA, CA 90007
📅 Saturday, June 13 from 5–8 pm

Featuring artists: Catherine Wang, Jack Slavin, Dar San Agustin, Maria Albu, Chinning Liu, Tayla Petrillo, Valeria Costa, Cameron Masters, Kiko Thomas, Steve Campos, Adie San Diego, Dana Yoon, Jake Thornton, Alejandro Rico-Gomez, Brody Scott, Oona Beckett Clarke, Sining Zhu, Nadine Schelbert, Ingird Yu-Ju Tai, Melissa Mui, Zengjie Chai, Andy Navarrete, A’JC Carlie, Alungoo Nyamsuren, Ishani Chokshi, Gi Tenamá, Siqi Fan, Stacey Calle, Erika Keck, Jimmy Raskin, Siyona Ravi, and Mel Chin.

Congrats to Jessica Felleman (Critical Studies MFA 13), who has released her debut Young Adults novel, LAST KISS OF SUMMER.

The story follows Sera and Luke, two teens connected since infancy through a heart transplant, as they reconnect during a summer on Cape Cod.

In conversation with 24700, the Creative Writing alum and literary agent shares the inspiration behind the book, how her CalArts MFA shaped her writing, and what gives her hope for emerging writers.

Read the full convo: https://calarts.pulse.ly/qhh9jwstyx
Image: CalArts alum Jessica Felleman, author of 'Last Kiss of Summer.' Photo by Sarah Surette. Courtesy of G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers.

Sending out a big, heartfelt thank you to Taylor Mac for bringing honesty, wit, and hard-won wisdom to the CalArts 2026 commencement.

The full speech is now live on our YouTube channel: https://youtube.pulse.ly/pipqdoqisx

This weekend, MELT, an original stage play directed by theater alum Shak Kanish, debuts at the Marilyn Monroe Theatre at the Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute in West Hollywood; it also features music by jazz alumni Rory Glassford and Surya Miele.

$5 student tickets are available with code STUDENT2026.

Tickets: https://linktr.pulse.ly/dhefsuxjq0

Showtimes:
• Friday, June 11 at 7:30 pm
• Saturday, June 12 at 7:30 pm
• Sunday, June 13 at 5 pm and 8 pm

When the Obama Presidential Center opens in Chicago on June 19, visitors will encounter major works by alumni Mark Bradford (BFA 95, MFA 97) and Carrie Mae Weems (BFA 81).

Bradford contributes CITY OF THE BIG SHOULDERS, a three-story painting mapping Chicago through an embrace of fragmentation and perspective. He will also be participating in a public conversation at the Center exploring his artistic practice and commissioned work on Tuesday, July 7.

Weems presents THE COOL BLUE WIND, a photographic collage accompanied with original music referencing President Obama’s 2008 election victory, reflecting on the pivotal moment in American history.

Find the full story at 24700: https://calarts.pulse.ly/wmwph6obd6
Image: President Barack Obama with CalArts alum Carrie Mae Weems (Art BFA 81) during a tour of the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago, on Thursday, April 30, 2026. Courtesy of The Obama Foundation.