The Art Institute of Charleston hosts first graduation ceremony

This weekend, The Art Institute of Charleston is celebrating its first full commencement exercises since the school opened in April 2007.

Charleston’s branch of The Art Institute of Atlanta offers associate and bachelor’s degrees in the arts. About 50 students will receive diplomas at Saturday’s graduation ceremony, including alumni from past classes who are invited to walk.

Degrees offered include:
* Associate in arts in graphic design
* Bachelor of fine arts in graphic design
* Associate in arts in Web design and interactive media
* Certificate in culinary arts
* Associate in arts in culinary arts
* Associate in arts in culinary arts with a concentration in baking and pastry
* Bachelor of science in culinary arts management
* Certificate in commercial photography
* Bachelor of fine arts in photographic imaging
* Bachelor of fine arts in interior design

When the school opened in 2007, it had 59 students. By fall 2009, that number had reached almost 700.

“When you start a new school, it takes awhile to build up to a significant amount of graduates,” said academic dean Esther Kramer. “Now, we are at a point where a full graduation ceremony is in order, and all past graduates are invited to participate on June 19.”

School President Richard Jerue said that, initially, some people were skeptical about the possibility of success for the school in a city Charleston’s size. But he said it has become clear that Charleston was a good match.

“There had never been an Art Institute in a city with such a small population as Charleston, and there were some who thought it just couldn’t be successful.” Jerue said. “But as city leaders looked closer, seeing we were a whole lot more than a culinary school, and as Art Institute leaders realized that the architectural, cultural and hospitality richness of Charleston matched perfectly with all that an Art Institute could offer, it became clear this could be an excellent fit.”

The graduation will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Charleston Music Hall on John Street. Charleston Mayor Joe Riley will be the commencement speaker.