CAVAD week highlights talent and depth in its programs

Riverside, Calif. (April 24, 2025) – The College of Architecture, Visual Arts and Design is holding its first CAVAD week through April 26, highlighting the talent, innovation and vision of its students and faculty.

The week brings together all CAVAD programs — architecture, graphic design, interior design, film, photography, fine art and illustration. Events include student exhibits, showcases, portfolio reviews and guest speakers.

While many of the programs previously held their own events, this year CAVAD brought them together for a weeklong celebration.

“We believe it’s important to celebrate the full creative community that makes up our vibrant college,” said Dirk Dallas, dean of CAVAD. “By showcasing all disciplines, we are fostering unity and hopefully sparking cross-program inspiration and reflecting the breadth of talent within CAVAD.”

Nearly 30 juniors and seniors in the interior design program will have work featured at an open house. There, the students’ designs of restaurants, hotels, schools and high-rise buildings will be on display.

“The purpose of the event is to showcase all the students’ work and their talents and their capabilities,” said Sara Bandak, assistant professor of interior design.

Sixty students in photography and graphic design and visual experience have their work exhibited around campus. Photos and graphic designs are printed on professional outdoor vinyl, yielding photo-quality prints that withstand the weather, and installed on structural pipes to create 6-by-6-by-6-foot cubes.

The photography students range from seniors to sophomores.

“Including work from all levels fosters a deeper sense of belonging and allows students across cohorts to see themselves as part of a larger, thriving community. Sophomores are now inviting friends and family, juniors are stepping up with strong storytelling work, and the seniors are presenting thoughtfully refined projects,” said Christopher Kern, program lead for photography.

A project by Ella DuPree, a photography and graphic design junior, is a portrait series titled “In His Image,” showcasing a diverse group of individuals.

“This project seeks not only to produce beautiful imagery but also to combat the lies of the enemy and help my subjects see themselves as God does — beautiful and loved, reminding them of their intentional value as image bearers,” she said.

DuPree said she has learned so much technically and has come a long way in her photography skills since starting at CBU.

“Not only is it gratifying to see my final work up on display, but it is even more exciting to see my classmates’ work up, knowing how hard we all worked to get to this point,” she said.

For more information about the week’s events, go to cavadweek.com. For more information about CAVAD programs, go to calbaptist.edu/cavad.