In a world where climate news grows from grim to grimmer, Gun Denhart offered newly-minted graduates of ArtCenter College of Design a concept they’re familiar with: perspective.
On Earth Day, Denhart — who with her late husband Tom founded Hanna Andersson, a children’s clothing catalog business — delivered the commencement address to 307 students at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium.
It is the largest class of graduates the Pasadena school has celebrated.
About 5,000 people attended a week’s worth of graduation activities, ending with conferring degrees in majors such as film, fine art, graphic design and photography.
Denhart is the wife and mother of ArtCenter alumni. Her late husband attended the school on scholarship in the 1960s. Their son Christian graduated in 2013. By then, the couple had grown Hanna Andersson into not only a major success but also a force for social good.
“At Hanna (Andersson), (Tom) and I worked hard to build a diverse culture and an inclusive culture, because the more perspectives you welcome, the more voices you value, the more experiences you embrace, the better off you are, as a person, as a company, as a community and as a country,” Gun Denhart said. “Think toward and for the future.”
Since its founding 40 years ago, Hanna Andersson has pioneered sustainability practices, such as making clothes with at least 50 percent recycled materials, to advocating for family-friendly workplace policies.
She told the crowd her final advice is they don’t have to take her advice.
“I’d like you to, especially the part about sustainability,” she said. “But ultimately, you must trust yourself. Trust your head to consider the facts and data. Trust your heart to value the views and experiences of others. And trust your gut to know what’s right. Then redesign the rest.”
Three graduates received The Denhart Family Sustainability Scholarship Prize for projects that inspires a new generation to work “at the intersection of equity, the economy and the environment.” Denhart also received an honorary doctorate in humane letters for her lasting contribution in art and design.
ArtCenter President Karen Hofmann said the ceremony’s timing is a reminder of everyone’s responsibilities as global citizens to serve as its custodians.
“It’s also a reminder of the importance of dedicating our time, resources and energy to solving climate change. I strongly believe our creative community has an important role in creating the change we so desperately need,” Hofmann said. “ArtCenter strives to be a force for positive change in the world, including incorporating sustainability curriculum into the classroom around topics like climate resilience, mobility, zero waste, conservation and community.”
Valedictorian Kennard Chin, earning a degree in entertainment design, congratulated the Class of 2023 for “pouring oneself into something and uncovering what makes each one of us unique.”
“I’m thankful for this moment in time that afforded us the chance to learn, embrace diversity and challenge the status quo,” Chin said. “We’ve accomplished something great so let’s make the world a more beautiful, more engaging and more inspiring place.”
A Grad Show held this weekend matched graduates with employers such as Nike, Google and DreamWorks. But ArtCenter’s newest batch of talent has a worldwide impact already: 44% of this year’s Class of 2023 are international students, representing 17 countries from Cambodia, China, India and Greece to Nigeria, Mexico, Taiwan and Venezuela.
Denhart is mindful that perspective, seen from the optimism of graduation day, can offer hope for each new graduate as well as Mother Earth.
“Expand your point of view,” she said. “I hope (this) will help you navigate the exciting journey to come and help you see, serve and sustain the communities around you.”
