SAN FRANCISCO.- The Academy of Art University’s Annual Spring Show has become the west coast’s most highly anticipated event for discovering exceptional emerging artistic talent on an international scale. The 2008 Annual Spring Show will open to the public on Thursday, May 22nd and remain on view through July 2008. Hailed by many well-respected art market insiders as having the country’s leading Fine Art undergraduate and graduate programs, the Academy of Art University’s current and recent graduates in Painting, Printmaking, and Sculpture have rapidly become revered by collectors, curators, and galleries from coast to coast. With accomplishments ranging from coveted public sculpture commissions to awards at such sought-after juried competitions as the Oil Painters of America’s National Juried Exhibition, Academy of Art University School of Fine Art BFA and MFA graduates are creating vital contributions to the international contemporary art market and local visual culture. Each year, hundreds of interested representatives from leading art and design businesses visit the Annual Spring Show opening reception to recruit the freshest talent for employment.

The Academy of Art University will host an Industry Preview on Thursday, May 22nd from 11AM to 3PM, which is immediately followed by the President’s Reception from 3 to 6PM. Distinguished members of the School of Fine Art faculty and 2008 award-winning student artists will be present for this memorable event. All media representatives are invited and welcome. Please RSVP to Larissa Dozier by e-mail (larissadozier@sbcglobal.net).

The 2008 Annual Spring Show opens to the public with Opening Night on Thursday, May 22nd, from 7 to 9PM, and is on view through August 1, 2008. The exhibit takes place at 601 Brannan Street, San Francisco, CA 94107, and is open from 10AM to 6PM daily, except Sundays and holidays. Please contact Larissa Dozier for information on award-winning student artists, requests for images, and all other inquiries pertaining to the Academy of Art University’s 2008 Annual Spring Show.

With nearly 12,000 students, Academy of Art University is the nation's largest private art and design university. Established in 1929, the school offers accredited AA, BFA, M.Arch and MFA programs, as well as continuing art education with classes in copywriting, fashion merchandising, interior design, new media, computer animation, sculpture, graphic design, cinematography, industrial design, digital photography and car design. Students can also enroll in a flexible online degree program in art and design.