CalArts graduates 400 in virtual ceremony

Even though it might have been one of the first 2020 Santa Clarita Valley graduations, the CalArts virtual ceremony Friday will be hard to follow.

During the virtual ceremony held on the college’s website, more than 400 CalArtians heard their names read over the livestream.

During the stream, the students showed samples of their work, which included pieces they’ve painted, film projects they’ve acted in, scenes they’ve animated, or snippets of choreography they’ve performed.

The students have been invited back for a physical graduation on the weekend of Oct. 15-18, but the CalArts staff said the virtual event would give students “the opportunity to officially mark this important milestone, hear words of encouragement from their school leaders and alumni guests, and enjoy a sense of finality to their hard work and dedication to their studies.”

During the ceremony, former CalArtians had submitted videos to give encouraging words to the graduating class, with each video having similar themes of perseverance, individualism and hope.

HBO’s “Westworld” star, Golden Globe winner and 1975 CalArts graduate Ed Harris told students to enter the world and practice the Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

“It’s a thought that, if lived, might actually inch humanity to a more just and loving place,” said Harris. “And now it’s time for you all to celebrate, so enjoy it at the proper social distance of course, and once again, congratulations.”

“You came here to make art that models a new world to lead us into a better future,” said CalArts President Ravi Rajan. “You have the agency and the empathy, the will and the humanity, the rigor and the perseverance. Your incredible commitment over the last few months has proven that you have that last one in spades.”