Academy of Art University Honors Internationally Renowned Photographer and Six-Time Oscar-Winning Make-Up Artist

Academy of Art University Honors Internationally Renowned Photographer and Six-Time Oscar-Winning Make-Up Artist

SAN FRANCISCO, May 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Academy of Art University will acknowledge the artistic achievements and groundbreaking contributions of two celebrated artists, Oscar-winning make-up artist Richard Baker and internationally renowned photographer James Nachtwey at the commencement ceremony on Wednesday, May 21, 2008 at the historic Cow Palace.

"I am excited to have such accomplished professionals join us for this year's commencement and it is my pleasure to award honorary doctorates to these great contributors to the artistic world," said Academy of Art University President, Dr. Elisa Stephens.

Richard A. Baker is a revered Hollywood special make-up effects artist known for his realistic creature effects. He has won six Academy Awards for Best Make-up and has worked on such pioneering films as The Exorcist, An American Werewolf in London, Ed Wood, Men in Black and Harry and the Hendersons. He continues to dazzle audiences with his stunning make-up effects in the eagerly anticipated Benicio Del Toro film The Wolf Man.

Esteemed Photographer, James Nachtwey has built an award-winning career documenting wars and social issues internationally. He began working as a freelance photojournalist covering the civil unrest in Northern Ireland in 1981. Since then, he has been named Magazine Photographer of the Year seven times and regularly contributes to national and international publications such as Time Magazine. In November 2006, Mr. Nachtwey was named as a recipient of the 2007 TED Prize, which honors individuals who impact life positively. Mr. Nachtwey also won the World Press Photo Award and numerous other distinguished awards for his moving photographs. His solo exhibitions have been shown at the International Center of Photography in New York, the Bibliotheque Nationale de France, and the Museum of Photographic Arts in San Diego to name a few. Collections include the Museum of Modern Art and The Whitney Museum of American Art.

The Academy continues to inspire the next generation of revolutionary artists and designers by inviting these esteemed guests to speak to students. Mr. Baker and Mr. Nachtwey's successes paved the way for the graduating class of 2008 and are a source of inspiration as the students embark on their prolific careers.

About the Academy of Art University

With nearly 12,000 students, Academy of Art University is the nation's largest private art and design university. Established in 1929, the school offers accredited AA, BFA, M.Arch and MFA programs, as well as continuing art education with classes in copywriting, fashion merchandising, interior design, new media, computer animation, sculpture, graphic design, cinematography, industrial design, digital photography and car design. Students can also enroll in a flexible online degree program in art and design.

Academy of Art University is an accredited member of WASC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges), NASAD, Council for Interior Design Accreditation (BFA-IAD) and NAAB (M-ARCH).

For more information visit http://www.academyart.edu/ or call 1-800-544-2787.

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Source: Academy of Art University

CONTACT: Susan Toland of Academy of Art University, +1-415-618-6515,
stoland@academyart.edu; or Pam Williams of Williams and House,
+1-860-675-4140, pwilliams@williamsandhouse.com, for Academy of Art
University

Web site: http://www.academyart.edu/

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