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Fur-Free Competition Sponsored by The Humane Society of the United States in Collaboration with The Art Institutes

[SAN DIEGO, NOVEMBER 23, 2009] – Local student Tatiana Zaykovskaya will represent The Art Institute of California – San Diego in The Humane Society of the United States’ fifth annual Cool vs. Cruel Fashion Design Competition. Cool vs. Cruel challenges students enrolled in The Art Institutes’ Fashion Design programs throughout North America to improve a runway look by Burberry, Thakoon, Michael Kors or Alexander McQueen, by finding creative ways to replace and reinterpret the use of animal fur.

Zaykovskaya was born and raised in Novosibirsk, Russia. She made the long journey to San Diego to pursue her degree in fashion design. Her “Fashion Soldier” design, inspired by a Michael Kors creation, represents hope for change. The dress highlights a palette of pure cream satin and white vinyl trim, coupled with the epaulettes made of synthetic hair and clear glass jewels sewn on by hand. The uniqueness of Zaykovskaya’s garment can be found in her creative use of long, platinum hair extensions, which she trimmed into shorter pieces to fit her original vision of a feminine, yet edgy, military-inspired design.

“Fashion is my passion,” said Zaykovskaya. “I enjoy doing everything connected to fashion, whether it’s drawing, sewing or daydreaming. I also enjoy taking care of my greyhound Niki, who I rescued two and a half years ago. I’m thankful for the opportunity to rescue Niki, and I hope people around the world feel the same compassion when they realize the extreme level of cruelty within the fur-manufacturing industry.”

Zaykovskaya is among the 16 local finalists who were chosen out of more than 100 entries to compete for the top prize nationally. Their entries will be judged by a panel of fashion industry judges including designers Marc Bouwer, Charlotte Ronson, Victoria Bartlett, Nick Friedberg and Elizabeth Olsen; magazine editors Dana Wood, Mickey Boardman and Shelly Vella; and renowned fashion photographer Nigel Barker. The grand-prize winner will receive a trip to New York City for the award presentation on Nov. 11, as well as an expense-paid, weeklong internship during New York Fashion Week with celebrated fur-free designer Victoria Bartlett.

“This contest allows future professional designers to show major designers like Michael Kors or Alexander McQueen that not only is fur unnecessary, but that there are more creative and aesthetically pleasing design options on the table for those with an innovative eye and a compassionate fashion philosophy,” said Sarika Reuben, deputy manager of The HSUS’ fur-free campaign.

Learn more at humanesociety.org/coolvscruel or artinstitute.edu/coolvcruel.

Media contact: The HSUS – Heather Sullivan: 301.548.7778; hsullivan@humanesociety.org

The Humane Society of the United States is the nation’s largest animal protection organization — backed by 11 million Americans, or one of every 28. For more than a half-century, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education and hands-on programs. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty — On the web at humanesociety.org.

The Art Institutes (www.artinstitutes.edu) is a system of over 40 education institutions located throughout North America, providing an important source of design, media arts, fashion and culinary arts professionals.

A Scholarship and Internship for a Day at Food Network is Just a Recipe Away

[SAN DIEGO, NOVEMBER 6, 2009] – If you’re a high school senior and have aspirations of a culinary education, The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of California – San Diego is accepting entries for the Best Teen Chef Competition 2010.

The top prize winner will earn a full-tuition scholarship toward a bachelor’s degree, associate’s degree, certificate or diploma program to study culinary arts at one of the more than 30 participating Art Institutes schools.

Now in its eleventh year, the Best Teen Chef Competition awards more than $200,000 in tuition scholarships to The Art Institutes schools to high school seniors in the U.S. and Canada interested in pursuing a career in the fast growing culinary industry.

Local cook-off competitions will take place at The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of California – San Diego on April 17, 2010.

The first place local winner will progress to the National Best Teen Chef Final Round Competition, which will be held on Saturday, May 14, 2010 at The Art Institute of Houston.

In addition to a full-tuition scholarship and the title of Best Teen Chef 2010, the national first place winner, in partnership with Food Network, will be an “Intern for a Day” at Food Network Kitchens in New York City. The winner will also receive a tour of Food Network’s studios, dinner for two at a Food Network chef’s restaurant and a library of Food Network Kitchens cookbooks.

“Each year this event draws talented teens who have a real love and enthusiasm for being in the kitchen, and enjoy using their creativity and imagination to create wonderful meals for themselves, their friends, and families,” says Chef Mark Sullivan, Academic Director of Culinary Arts, at The International School at The Art Institute of California – San Diego.

To be eligible to enter the competition, high school seniors must first submit a completed Entry and Release Form by February 5, 2010 to a participating The International Culinary Schools at The Art Institutes location where they wish to enter the competition. Deadline for complete entries into the competition is February 26, 2010.

To learn how to enter the Best Teen Chef Competition 2010 and view full details, visit www.artinstitutes.edu/pr.aspx?ID=btc092 or contact Melissa Garcia mgarcia@aii.edu or 858-598-1208 at The Art Institute of California – San Diego.

About The International Culinary Schools at The Art Institutes

The International Culinary Schools at The Art Institutes is North America’s largest system of culinary programs offered at over 30 Art Institute schools.

Based on classical Escoffier, Asian and Latin culinary techniques, with an emphasis on progressive trends and practices, the schools’ curriculum are designed to develop and sharpen fundamental cooking techniques and professional skills and introduce a variety of international cuisines. Internships, student-run school restaurants, guest lectures and Web-based seminars, and study abroad programs help broaden the scope of learning for students.

Program offerings vary at each school. Prospective students should check the course offerings at The Art Institutes school they are interested in attending before enrolling. To learn more about The International Culinary Schools at The Art Institutes, visit www.artinstitutes.edu/culinary or www.exploreculinary.com.

About The Art Institute of California- San Diego

The Art Institute of California – San Diego is one of The Art Institutes, (www.artinstitutes.edu), a system of over 40 education institutions located throughout North America, providing an important source of design, media arts, fashion and culinary professionals.

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[PITTSBURGH, PA JULY 28, 2009] — The Art Institutes announced today that all Art Institutes schools in the United States have been approved to participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program, a provision of the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008.

As a participant in the Yellow Ribbon Program, in states where The Art Institutes schools have tuition rates greater than the amount covered by the GI Bill, the institutions voluntarily will be able to provide tuition assistance to veterans to help offset all or some of their education costs.  The Yellow Ribbon Program allows institutions of higher learning to assist with tuition costs exceeding the GI Bill’s current maximum benefit rate, based on the highest public in-state undergraduate tuition rate in the applicable state.  The Art Institutes schools will contribute an additional amount to eligible veterans to offset those expenses and The U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs will match the amount contributed by the school.  The amounts available and conditions depend on The Art Institutes school and the state in which it’s located.

“The Art Institutes system of schools is happy to be able to give back to those who do so much for our country,” says John Mazzoni, President of The Art Institutes.  “It is both an honor and a privilege to be able to provide these men and women with the educational opportunities they deserve.”

The program provides funding to veterans who have served at least 36 months of active duty following September 10, 2001, veterans who were honorably discharged from active duty for a service related disability and who served 30 continuous days following September 10, 2001, and dependents eligible for Transfer of Entitlement under the Post- 9/11 GI Bill based on a veteran’s service under one of the first two criteria.

Eligible veterans may contact the Student Financial Services department at The Art Institutes school they are interested in attending to learn more about The Art Institutes school’s Yellow Ribbon Program participation.

To learn more about the Yellow Ribbon Program, visit www.gibill.va.gov.  To learn more about The Art Institutes schools, visit: www.artinstitutes.edu/pr.aspx?ID=yrp001.

About The Art Institutes
The Art Institutes (www.artinstitutes.edu) is a system of over 40 education institutions located throughout North America, providing an important source of design, media arts, fashion and culinary arts professionals.
Media Contacts:
Jacquelyn P. Muller
Vice President – Public Relations
The Art Institutes
Office:  412.995.7262
jpmuller@aii.edu

Or

Devra Pransky
Sr. Director of Communications
The Art Institutes
Office: 412.995.7685
dpransky@aii.edu