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Animator Aaron Blaise to offer Commencement address

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Friday, April 21st, 2017

Pennsylvania College of Art and Design has announced that Aaron Blaise, acclaimed artist and animator, best known for his work at Walt Disney, will be the commencement speaker at the College’s 35th annual Commencement, Friday, May 5, 2017, 11:00 a.m., Lancaster Marriott Hotel at Penn Square, Commons on Vine Room, 25 S Queen Street, Lancaster PA 17602.

Graduating seniors will receive their Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees in one of four majors: illustration, graphic design, fine arts, and photography, during the commencement ceremonies.

Blaise has made a career in feature animation and he was a supervising animator on such films as The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, and Mulan for Walt Disney studios, and was the co-director of Brother Bear which earned an Oscar nomination for Best Animated Feature. Aaron recently served as 2D Animation Supervisor and Character Designer for the “The Bear and the Hare.” Aaron currently is working on his mission to bring affordable art education and animation training to the world through his website: https://CreatureArtTeacher. A Florida native, he is also an accomplished illustrator, visual development artist, and painter. He works in both traditional and digital media and his art is highly influenced by his love for animals and nature.

The day’s activities will continue at the Senior Show and Celebration, when the Class of 2016 exhibits their professional-level senior thesis projects. In addition, one piece of work from each graduating senior will be on display in PCA&D’s Main Gallery.

Families are invited to join their graduates for an exclusive look at the Senior Show from 4 – 5 p.m. Following the Family Preview,   the Senior Show & Celebration is open to the public from 5 to 8 p.m. The community is invited to meet the artists, view the artwork and enjoy live music and refreshments. Many works are for sale at this event, often described as the largest annual one-day gallery event in Lancaster.

The Senior Show and celebration is sponsored by is Benchmark Construction (Celebration Sponsor), M&T Bank, Murray Securus, House of Pizza Lancaster, Jim Castanzo, J&J Heating & Cooling, LCSWMA, Fig Industries, Henrietta Heisler Interiors, Lemon Street Market, Barton Associates, Prince Street Cafe, Tippetts/Weaver Architects, Inc., and Two Dudes Painting Company.