The EASD commemorates its half-century under the slogan ‘50 years projecting talent, creativity, and design’. On October 27th, the central event will take place at La Lonja, featuring testimonials from former students, interviews, historical images, and a panel discussion with professionals. The day will conclude with the opening of an exhibition that will remain open to the public for approximately one month.
The Councilor for Education of the Orihuela City Council, Vicente Pina, accompanied by the director of the EASD, María Isabel García Quinto, and the vice-director, Susana Quiles Antón, presented the program. Pina emphasized the importance of having a center with half a century of dedication to artistic education in the municipality. He recalled that the school, traditionally known as the Center of Fine Arts, is located in an emblematic space, El Palmeral, and valued its work, recognized by the Conselleria and other national bodies.
Vice-director Susana Quiles explained that the anniversary aims to showcase the school's evolution and its current reality, giving prominence to the people who have been part of it. A video with interviews and historical images will be screened, and a colloquium with former students from different generations and artistic specialties will be held to offer a perspective on professional pathways.
The event will feature the participation of the Orihuela Professional Conservatory of Music. Following the day's events, an exhibition of student work, including award-winning projects, will open at La Lonja, showcasing the diversity of disciplines and the quality of the artistic and design proposals.
The program will continue on November 5th with a research day at the Aula Magna of the Miguel Hernández University (UMH), thanks to the collaboration of this academic institution. There will also be a conference by Gallego Bros, illustration and animation professionals from San Isidro.
Director María Isabel García Quinto highlighted the institution's role in training professionals in fashion, graphic design, interior design, and sculpture. She advocated for the center's location in Orihuela and its relationship with the UMH, emphasizing the goal of strengthening ties with the Vega Baja region to contribute to economic and cultural development, enabling students to make a living from their art and design.
García Quinto recalled that the school receives students from the Vega Baja and international students through the Erasmus program, stressing the institution's human value: its faculty, service staff, students, and past management teams. She thanked the support of the Higher Institute of Artistic Education of the Valencian Community (ISEACV), the UMH, and the Orihuela City Council, specifically mentioning the mayor, Pepe Vegara, and the Councilor for Education, Vicente Pina.
Finally, the EASD's management and Councilor Vicente Pina invited the citizens of Orihuela and the Vega Baja to participate in the anniversary activities and visit the exhibition to discover the center's talent.
