Holiday Gift Guide 2024
Are you ready for the holiday season? Looking for something special for the loved ones in your life? Check out our curated list of gifts created by artists, scholars, makers, and entrepreneurs from across the arts community at UCLA.
ARTWORK/PRINTS
Elvira M. Dayel M.Arch. I ’04 (Architecture and Urban Design) is selling original artwork and donating 100% of all proceeds to the Bay Area humanitarian aid organization Hearts for Ukraine. Dayel is a multidisciplinary artist working in both traditional and new media including large-scale, paper-cut abstractions, large drawings in soft pastel, digital rendering, and 3D printed sculptures.
Jessica Lin ’15 (Art) has created a print reproduction of her original fine art painting Taroko Bao. Inspired by a Taiwanese snack and the famous Taroko Gorge, this piece uniquely combines Taiwanese icons with Modern and Surrealism art styles. Meticulously photographed in a studio to ensure the brightness of the acrylic paint translates into these museum-quality posters made on thick matte paper. Comes in two sizes: 12"x16" and 18"x24".
BOOKS/GRAPHIC NOVELS
Todd Gannon Ph.D. ’11 (Architecture and Urban Design) has written a new study, Franklin D. Israel: A Life in Architecture, on the influential former UCLA professor, whose innovative residential designs and office interiors made him one of the most talked-about architects of his generation before his life was cut short, at the age of fifty, of AIDS-related complications. In this vivid account, Gannon draws on archival resources, analyses of Israel’s buildings, and recent interviews with the architect’s colleagues, clients, and contemporaries. Franklin D. Israel is a compelling work of architectural history and biography, chronicling one gay man’s engagement with the largely heteronormative world of American architectural culture. The book is available for preorder.
Sandy King ’73 (Art) is the co-founder of Storm King Comics. They have recently released a box set containing the first five volumes of their award-wining graphic novel anthology series, John Carpenter's Tales for a HalloweeNight. These five books feature over sixty writers and artists from around the globe, from the worlds of comics, novels, and film, and each contains a collection of stand-alone horror and sci-fi horror tales. Each volume also features one story written by the Master of Horror himself, John Carpenter, and another written by the Queen of the Damned, Sandy King. The slipcase features exclusive new art on the front and back cover by comics legend Tim Bradstreet, foil title on the front cover and spine, and is hand-signed by Carpenter and King.
Maya Man M.F.A. ‘23 (Design Media Arts) presents FAKE IT TILL YOU MAKE IT, a book compiling the generative art collection of the same name. Borrowing from the bubbly language and pastel aesthetics of text-driven Instagram graphics, FAKE IT TILL YOU MAKE IT scrutinizes the promotion of wellness, self-care, and confidence on social media. Every image featured in the book was generated with a custom JavaScript-based algorithm written by Man. The book showcases all 700 editions in glossy detail along with essays, Discord logs, poetry, and a carefully curated selection of large-format spreads. It features contributions from Ann Hirsch, Sofia Garcia, Biz Sherbert, Terry Nguyen, and is edited by Adina Glickstein.
Department of Design Media Arts Professor Lauren Lee McCarthy M.F.A. ‘08 (Design Media Arts) has published the artist book Surrogate, based on a pregnancy journal, which charts the progress of a performance project over the course of fifty-two weeks. McCarthy offered her body to carry someone else’s baby while they monitored and controlled her with an app. For nine months they decided what she ate, what she did, what thoughts she meditated on — holding complete control over McCarthy’s body. As abortion rights are restricted and gene editing opens new reproductive futures, this project asks: How much control should we have over a birthing person’s body, and over a life before it begins?
Current graduate student Vanessa Norton (Art) is the co-editor of a small art book press called Wasted Books. Founded in 2018 and based in San Francisco and Los Angeles, Wasted Books specializes in language-based art, conceptual writing, and long-form essays focused on ambitious, imaginative, and generative writing. They offer several books for under $40.
Current undergraduate student Rachel Smull (World Arts and Cultures/Dance) wrote and illustrated the children’s picture book Bouncy Cat. When Frankie meets up with his friends, Amelia and Robert, he introduces them to his new incredible goal: hopping. Much to Frankie’s surprise, they don’t have the reaction he was expecting. They crush Frankie’s dreams with one simple statement, “You can’t hop.” Bouncy Cat introduces young children to the idea that everything is for everyone. People may try to tell you that hopping is only for bunnies, or swimming is only for fish, but if you put your mind to it, you are just as capable of doing anything as anyone else.
HOUSEHOLD GOODS
Jungalow, founded by Justina Blakeney '01 (World Arts and Cultures), brings bold colors and patterns to your home. Jungalow started as a design blog in Blakeney’s tiny, plant-filled living room back in 2009 and has since grown into a lifestyle brand and the go-to source for jungalicious design goods and inspiration. Jungalow is also available at Target's home brand Opalhouse.
Nadia Khan ’98 (Art) creates stoneware ceramic bowls that are food safe and functional as well as sculptural! Great for gifts or anywhere in your home.
Lauren Tafuri Kuhlman ‘03 (Art) founded Preppi in 2014. By bringing design to the forefront of their emergency kits, they hope to make emergency preparedness less daunting. While their products are quite handsome on the outside, the contents they include on the inside are incredibly comprehensive — helping you face real emergency situations with confidence. Being equipped with adequate food, water, and first-aid is absolutely essential and is the foundation on which all of their emergency kits and bags are built. Every object in a Preppi kit goes through meticulous consideration and field testing before it makes it into one of their kits.
Love animals and coffee? Lena Wolek '12 (Art) is a sculptor working in ceramics and the creator of functional pottery objects like mugs and plates. Each piece is unique and features one of Lena’s drawings of animals like cats, horses, and dogs to reflect on the imperfection of human nature. The mugs are beautiful, humorous, and available on her website.
Dali Yu ’94 (Art) founded The Soap Kitchen in 2003. Treat yourself (or someone special) to a little luxury with their Bento Ho-Ho-Home Spa. This exquisite gift is thoughtfully curated with skin-loving goodies designed to nourish and hydrate the skin while providing a calming, spa-like experience. This gift includes three 4 oz bars of fresh, handmade olive oil soaps, one 8 oz bath sized bar, a bath salt, a shower steamer, ultra rich lip balm, a wooden soap dish, a mini loofah, and a natural sisal washcloth. All of this comes wrapped up beautifully in a wooden bento box with see-through cover, your choice of ribbon, and gift tag.
ACCESSORIES/JEWELRY
Department of Architecture and Urban Design Associate Adjunct Professor Julia Koerner’s JK3D is the next generation of 3D printed fashion and decor. The digitally crafted designs utilize cutting-edge technology, and the solar-powered 3D Printing Lab in California creates products from renewable and biodegradable materials. JK3D offers clutches, home decor — vases, side tables, and pedestals — and limited edition items such as earrings and decanters.
Jessica Lin ’15 (Art) has created a gold chunky chain bracelet. Modern meets traditional, East meets West with this bracelet made with a gold filled chain and a stylish gold plated Chinese knot clasp. Exact length is customizable, so variable sizes are available! Comes with a silk jewelry pouch.
Perry Picasshoe ’22 (Art) has designed a deconstructed sunflower silk scarf. This scarf is a luxurious, artist-designed accessory that adds a touch of elegance to any outfit. Made from soft, high-quality silk, this scarf features the artist's vibrant sunflower artwork, capturing warmth and artistry in every detail. Perfect for gifting, it’s a timeless piece that brings wearable art into everyday life.
FILM
Trevor Wilson ’13 (Design Media Arts) has directed the feature film Tomorrow’s Game alongside Jonathan Coria ’16 (English) and produced by their company, Streets Ahead Productions, which is operated exclusively by UCLA alumni. On the day of his uncle's ascendance into the Baseball Hall of Fame, Daniel de la Rosa is forced to embark on a journey through time that sees him restore his family's legacy and rewrite baseball history. Produced and distributed independently, this genre-blending, award-winning film explores themes of family pride, self-efficacy, and equality. This holiday season, share this heartwarming adventure with your family. Available now to stream for free on Prime Video and Tubi. You can purchase digital copies on every major digital marketplace, or DVDs on Amazon.
EXPERIENCE
Vanessa Neva Verdoodt ’06 (World Arts and Cultures/Dance) is the founder and artistic director of PiYoDa Flow and Culture Flow Projects in Los Angeles. At PiYoDa Flow she teaches dance, yoga, and pilates classes. This holiday season take care of yourself and your wellness through movement classes!
GIVE THE GIFT OF MEMBERSHIP TO UCLA ARTS' RENOWNED MUSEUMS AND PERFORMING ARTS PROGRAM
A membership to UCLA's Center for the Art of Performance (CAP UCLA) supports the performing arts and provides access to all CAP UCLA programming for free. Become a partner in the creative process and help support the vitality of contemporary performing arts.
A Fowler Museum membership comes with perks, including curator-led tours of contemporary art exhibitions at the Fowler and other museums; special “behind the scenes” opportunities; and invitations to exclusive events that explore related art, food, theater, film, and dance.
A Hammer Museum membership gives you access to exhibition previews and curator-led tours, priority ticketing at the museum’s renowned public programs, discounts at the Hammer Store and Lulu, and more!
Want even MORE amazing Bruin gifts? Check out this gift guide from UCLA Magazine!
Header image: The interior of Lauren Lee McCarthy's artist book Surrogate, available from Telematic Media Arts.
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