Sounds Like a Donor
On Sept. 21, Laguna College of Art + Design (LCAD) broke ground on the first phase of a campus consolidation: a two-story, 22,000-square-foot Innovation Center at its Big Bend facility in Laguna Beach.
During the ceremony, Patrick Quilter, founder, QSC Audio and Quilter Labs, was revealed as the previously anonymous donor of the $40 million gift that launched the $100 million Designing Futures Campaign. The donation is the largest in LCAD’s six-decade history. LCAD says the $100 million campaign will create facilities to serve students for the next 50 years.
The construction, which begins in January 2026 and is anticipated to be completed by 2028, will unify classes from six locations onto one main campus.
The Innovation Center will include digital arts classrooms; the Roland Print Lab, provided by Roland DGA Corporation; a 3,000-square-foot multipurpose exhibition space; climate-controlled art storage; indoor and outdoor event spaces; and a bistro café.
“The Innovation Center will be the anchor for our reimagined Big Bend campus,” said Steve Brittan, president and CEO, LCAD.
“There’s many alumni, faculty, staff and volunteers who have given decades of their lives and service to LCAD, and they have a deep and personal connection the college’s success,” said Jared Mathis, CEO, Moulton Company and board chair, LCAD.
“It’s a reminder that institutions are living things. They have inherent values, they evolve and they pass on hope to the next generation.”
Amplifying the Cause
Vanguard University’s Global Center for Women and Justice (GCWJ) welcomed more than 200 supporters to its 12th annual Amplify luncheon on Sept. 13 at VEA Newport Beach. The event raised more than $327,000 to support education and prevention initiatives combating human trafficking in Orange County and beyond.
“Amplify continues to raise the volume on the often unseen yet pervasive crime of human trafficking,” said Sandra Morgan, PhD, executive director, GCWJ. “Research, education, advocacy and collaboration are the pillars on which the Global Center for Women and Justice stand.”
The program honored Adele Oddo, philanthropist, with the Lifetime Achievement Award for her contributions to the center since its founding in 2003. Event sponsors included Samueli Foundation, Steward Group Inc., the Oddo Family, Reveille, Colbi, the Soco Institute, VEA Newport Beach and Fleet Maintenance Consulting.
“Human trafficking affects our community in ways we often don’t see, but education gives us the power to prevent it,” Morgan said. “Our hope is that every attendee left not just informed but inspired to amplify the voices of trafficked individuals and take action to protect the vulnerable.”
The Art of Giving
Laguna Art Museum (LAM) hosted its annual Directors Circle Dinner & Awards Night on Sept. 11, bringing together patrons, artists and community leaders to celebrate visionary philanthropy and service to California art. Guests mingled while enjoying a cocktail reception and live music, followed by a dinner prepared by chef Ross Pangilinan, owner of Terrace by Mix Mix at South Coast Plaza. This year’s event marked LAM’s most successful year in its 107-year history.
“It’s inspiring to see how this community continues to rally around the museum’s mission,” said Julie Perlin Lee, director, LAM. “The Director’s Circle Dinner is a testament to the power of philanthropy, leadership and shared purpose.”
Anton Segerstrom, partner, South Coast Plaza, C.J. Segerstrom & Sons, The Segerstrom Foundation and his wife Jennifer Segerstrom, The Segerstrom Foundation, were honored with the 2025 Wendt Award, recognizing their decades-long impact on arts institutions across Southern California. Since 1989, the foundation has contributed nearly $500,000 to LAM. In 2025, the foundation funded an education grant that provides free youth admission.
Named after William Wendt, founder, Laguna Beach Art Association, the Wendt Award honors lasting contributions to the advancement and public appreciation of California art.
Bob Whalen, finance chair, Stradling Yocca Carlson & Rauth, and his wife Kirsten Whalen, a well-regarded artist, and both longtime civic leaders and LAM trustees, received the Anna Hills Award for their commitment to LAM’s growth. David Power, a longtime LAM docent, was also recognized with the Anna Hills Award for his dedicated service bringing California art to life for thousands of visitors.
Named for pioneering artist and educator Anna Hills, the award recognizes individuals whose service, advocacy or leadership has significantly advanced LAM and its community impact.
The evening also highlighted community initiatives, including Art + Nature, an annual initiative that features outdoor art and free events for all ages, and free admission throughout November, made possible with support from Katrina Foley, supervisor, Orange County.
Bits & Pieces
Magnolia Public Schools received a $995,000 grant from the Samueli Foundation’s inaugural Build OC Fund to support critical campus improvements at Magnolia Science Academy Orange County, which serves students in grades TK-8.
Imaginagency, Visit Anaheim’s travel agency with itineraries designed entirely by children and teens, teamed up with Radko Gudas, captain, Anaheim Ducks, and his daughter Tynka Gudas, in an auction that raised more than $3,000 to buy jerseys for 300 Orange County children involved in the Anaheim Ducks Learn to Play program.
