California College of the Arts gala honoring Jack Wadsworth raises over $1.24 million
Left to right: David Howse, Susy Wadsworth, Jack Wadsworth, Dee Hover, Stephen Beal.
San Francisco, CA—March 22, 2024—California College of the Arts (CCA) celebrated long-time supporter Jack Wadsworth as the 2024 honoree at its annual gala, which took place Thursday, March 21. The event grossed over $1.24 million for student scholarships. Organized by co-chairs Stanlee Gatti and Kimberlee Swig, the gala highlighted Wadsworth’s inspiring achievements and celebrated all he has done for the CCA community.
“Jack Wadsworth is an incredibly generous and passionate arts and design advocate. He has made a significant mark on our community,” said CCA President David Howse. “We’re so honored to celebrate his contributions and raise funds to support student scholarships through our gala this year.”
The gala also recognized Stephen Beal, who served as CCA’s provost for 10 years and president for 15 years. During his tenure, Beal led the college through many transformative milestones, including the unification of CCA’s programs and operations in San Francisco and overseeing the largest fundraising campaign in CCA history. Beal's guidance has left an indelible mark on the college, shaping not only its future as a leading art and design school, but also the countless individuals in the community.
Jack Wadsworth and his wife Susy have shown generous support for CCA’s campus expansion in San Francisco. They are enthusiastic about projects that foster environmental sustainability with a focus on reducing carbon emissions. This initiative is a significant first step towards Wadsworth's goal of attaining carbon neutrality for the CCA campus with the installation of a microgrid as part of the campus expansion project.
Keynote remarks were delivered by CCA Board Chair Lorna Meyer Calas, who spoke about Stephen Beal’s incredible impact as President of CCA; and Stephen Beal, who spoke about Jack Wadsworth and their partnership over Wadsworth’s 13 years as a board member. An inspiring speech from CCA alum and Chief Strategy Officer at Trashie, Annie Gullingsrud, concluded the speaking program at the event. Following the remarks, an artwork by alum Julia Goodman (MFA Fine Arts 2009) was auctioned off for $8,000.
San Francisco Mayor London Breed came to show her support for the college. Leaders of major art organizations who attended include Christopher Bedford, SFMOMA; John Berggruen, Berggruen Gallery; Deborah Cullinan, Stanford University; Cheryl Haines, Haines Gallery; Tom di Maria, Creative Growth Art Center; Daphne Palmer, Fraenkel Gallery; Jessica Silverman (MA Curatorial Practice 2007), Jessica Silverman Gallery; and Monetta White, MoAD.
Among the many notable designers, architects, artists, curators, and writers in attendance were Yves Behar, Douglas Durkin, Julia Goodman (MFA Fine Arts 2009), David Huffman (MFA Painting & Drawing 1998), George Jewett (BArch Architecture 1996), Annie Morhauser (BFA Glass 1979), Laurie Reid (MFA Fine Arts 1996), and Sarah Thornton. Daisy Nam, CCA’s newly appointed director and chief curator of the Wattis Institute for Contemporary Arts was also in attendance.
Major cultural and societal figures of the San Francisco Bay Area included Neal Benezra, Sabrina Buell, Lorna Meyer Calas and Dennis Calas, Jack Calhoun and Trent Norris, Roselyne Chroman Swig, Penny Coulter, Catherine Courage, Randi and Bob Fisher, Stanlee Gatti, Fred Levin, Meridee Moore, Carol and Gerry Parker, Janet and Clint Reilly, Mary Beth and David Shimmon, Kimberlee Swig, Diane Wilsey, and Mary Zlot.
Event details: CCA’s 2024 gala was co-chaired by CCA Trustees Stanlee Gatti and Kimberlee Swig. The evening featured decor by Stanlee R. Gatti Designs and included a cocktail hour with libations by San Francisco-based cocktail bar Rye; a seated dinner by McCalls Catering & Events; and keynote remarks by Lorna Meyer Calas and Stephen Beal.
Past CCA gala honorees include Carla Emil and Rich Silverstein (2023), Roselyne C. Swig (2022), Sir Jony Ive (2021), Lorna Meyer Calas (2020), Wayne Thiebaud (2019), Kay Kimpton Walker (2018), David Kelley (2017), Stanlee Gatti (2016) and M. Arthur Gensler, Jr. (2014).
About CCA’s Scholarship Program
Eighty-three percent of CCA students receive scholarships and financial aid. The college firmly believes that an excellent art and design education is only made possible with the inclusion of diverse persons and perspectives on campus and that financial barriers should never prevent any talented, committed student from enrolling at CCA. To achieve this goal, CCA dedicates significant institutional resources to need-based aid, with the scholarship fund being its highest fundraising priority.
About Jack Wadsworth
Jack Wadsworth spent the first decades of his career with Morgan Stanley and was based in the United States, Japan, and Hong Kong. During his years with the company, he organized its first leveraged private equity funds and served as a member of the investment committee. He also initiated its high-tech IPO business with the Apple IPO. Wadsworth was founder and chairman of Manitou Ventures and Ceyuan Ventures; and is a former director of Pixar Animation Studios and Shinsei Bank; advisory director of Morgan Stanley; and honorary chairman of Morgan Stanley, Asia.
Wadsworth and his wife, Susy, donate generously to numerous museums and educational institutions, many of which are dedicated to cultural exchange with Asia. He and Susy are founders of the W.L.S. Spencer Foundation, which funds educational and creative cultural activities all over the world. Wadsworth is a board member of California College of the Arts, trustee emeritus of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum Foundation, the Asia Society, and Williams College. Wadsworth holds a bachelor’s degree from Williams College and an MBA from the University of Chicago.
About California College of the Arts
Founded in 1907, California College of the Arts (CCA) educates students to shape culture and society through the practice and critical study of art, architecture, design, and writing. Benefitting from its San Francisco Bay Area location, the college prepares students for lifelong creative work by cultivating innovation, community engagement, and social and environmental responsibility.
CCA offers a rich curriculum of 22 undergraduate and 10 graduate programs in art, design, architecture, and writing taught by a faculty of expert practitioners. Attracting promising students from across the nation and around the world, CCA is one of the 10 most diverse colleges in the U.S. U.S. News & World Report has ranked CCA as one of the top 10 graduate schools for fine arts in the country.
Graduates are highly sought-after by companies such as Pixar/Disney, Apple, Intel, Meta, Gensler, Google, IDEO, Autodesk, Mattel, and Nike, and many have launched their own successful businesses. Alumni and faculty are often recognized with the highest honors in their fields, including Academy Awards, AIGA Medals, Fulbright Scholarships, Guggenheim Fellowships, MacArthur Fellowships, National Medal of Arts, and the Rome Prize, among others.
CCA is creating a new, expanded college campus in San Francisco spearheaded by the architectural firm Studio Gang. The expansion will add an additional 82,305 square feet of all-new maker spaces, classrooms, studios, galleries, and a continuous indoor-outdoor environment. The campus design will be a model of sustainable construction and practice; will unite the college’s programs in art, crafts, design, architecture, and writing to cultivate collaboration across disciplines; and will provide more student housing than ever before. For more information, visit cca.edu.