John Miles and Carol Spence Endowed Scholarship
The John Miles and Carole Spence Endowed Scholarship supports undergraduate students with financial need and academic merit in the Creative Direction program (formerly Advertising), and the Graphic Design, Illustration and Product Design programs.
The scholarship was initiated in memory of Jeanette (Miles) Seymour and James Dunn Seymour, the aunt and uncle in Columbus, Texas, who generously funded the college education of Carole (Miles) Spence at North Texas University.
A message from Carol Spence:
The scholarship is named for my brother John Stanley Miles, and myself, our,·family’s two art majors.
John (1948-1992) was an award-winning artist, entrepreneur, and designer of commercial showrooms and stores, as wen as a designer of interiors, linens, and tableware. He produced large-scale abstract paintings for corporate areas and realistic fine art commissions for private collectors across the country.
A life-long resident of Dallas, Texas, he was known for his unfailing willingness to hetp others. His boundless enthusiasm, creativity, and delight in life, especially its idiosyncrasies, were energizing to everyone who knew him. His untimely death in the early years of the AIDS epidemic left his friends and family inconsolable. Our sister, Rosalind (Mites) Hoffman (1939-2002) was the family mathematician and amused observer of her siblings. His partner, Mark Gillispie, of Cathedral City, CA and I survive him.
Johnny, thank you for your joie de vivre, wise counsel, ongoing support, and outrageous sense of humor. Who would have thought that giving a seven—year old brother hand-me-down art supplies would contribute to his successful career? I am honored to have had you as my “little” brother.
Art majors can do anything!
After being unable to get a job in Dallas in graphic design because I was of “child bearing age,” and therefore an uncertain long-term employee, I became an art teacher for the Dallas Independent School District until 1959, when I came to California.
I encountered the same attitude toward young married women in Los Angeles advertising agencies, so I Joined the Los Angeles Unified School District where I remained for almost 40 years as both a secondary assistant principal and an art teacher.
I am proud of my five year service at the District level as ESAA program coordinator at the inception, design, and implementation of magnet school programs in Los Angeles. I have been fortunate also to have served ten years as chairperson and committee member for the Western Association of Schools and Colleges’ Accreditation Teams evaluating educational programs in public and private schools in California and Hawaii.
I returned to painting in retirement as my reward for 40 years of work.
I was privileged long ago to take a graphic design class at Art Center’s Third Street campus. I regret I was unable to continue my art training there; however, the experience of that class convinced me that an Art Center degree would have made a much different life for me.
Ironically, I never had children other than thousands of students over the years. I hope, therefore, that those who receive this scholarship will consider themselves part of our family for a while. And, I hope they too will eventually help other young artists.
Congratulations and very best wishes!
Carole Spence