Now that I’ve had some time to sleep and gather my thoughts, I wanted to take a moment to share with you readers a little more about our trip to the Savannah College of Art and Design.
This trip is something Angela and I have been looking forward to since San Diego. We knew that it was not only an opportunity to lecture at a college (something I’ve always wanted to do), but it was also a chance to visit historic Savannah, Georgia and most importantly, spend time with Dave and his family.
The school could have put us up in a standard hotel, but instead the housed us at the historic Magnolia Hall. This is a Victorian mansion built in the 1700s and restored by SCAD to be used as their guest house. Our room had 20 foot tall ceilings, a huge bed, a giant wardrobe that I’m pretty sure connected to Narnia and we had the entire 13 room mansion to ourselves. Dave commented to me on the first night that he didn’t think we would have enjoyed the trip as much if it had just been us without our wives and I completely agree. It was almost a working vacation with the Kelletts and I can’t thank Dave and Gloria enough for making it such a wonderful three days.
SCAD’s sequential department is a dream-come-true. I’m so proud that Matt and Suzanne Wieringo chose this department as a home for the Ringo Scholarship. These kids are passionate about comics and really talented. To know that there is now a collegiate outlet for kids who want to have a career in comics blew our minds. These kids are attending classes that Dave and I wish we could move to Savannah and take ourselves. Upstairs in stately Norris Hall, sits a room full of my current office setup. 40 plus Mac Pro towers adorned with 22 inch Cintiqs. That’s what these kids come to class and work on. All of the professors there know their stuff and have a connection with the students that I never experienced when I was in college.
Our lecture at the Trustees Theatre was magical. They set up two big leather chairs stage left of a giant screen where a keynote presentation we had prepared was projected. The students who attended the lecture politely laughed at all of our jokes and were kind enough NOT to laugh when I got a little choked up and misty on-stage. One fan even made us a cake that featured the poster art from our visit. Amber used gel food coloring and vodka to essentially create a water-color painting on fondant. Everyone went above and beyond to make us feel really special and important. I can assure you it did not go unappreciated.
It’s good to know that we have friends in Savannah, and I hope that one day Dave and I can return to the school and spend some more time there. It was a trip I’ll not soon forget. Truly the highlight of my year. Thanks to everyone who made it possible for us.
Be sure to check out Dave’s site for a couple pictures from our trip.
