Celebrating Creative Academy's 75th Anniversary
Seattle Central’s Creative Academy marks a significant milestone this year — its 75th anniversary. Over the past seven decades, the academy has been a cornerstone for nurturing artistic talent, and for equipping students with the skills, resources, and industry connections to turn their passions into thriving careers across diverse creative fields.
Since its inception in 1949, the program has evolved to meet the creative world’s demands, from its original Advertising Arts program to its current Graphic Design and Visual Media programs. Marc Salverda, Director of Graphic Design, joined the Seattle Central College faculty in 1993. In their second year as a full-time instructor, Salverda, alongside former instructor Margaret Parker, undertook a complete overhaul of the Graphic Design curriculum. Guided by input from industry professionals and alumni, the curriculum continues to be updated to align with current industry trends and needs.
The combination of professional practices being taught and access to the alumni network meant graduating with valuable insights into the industry.
In the last 30 years, the program has produced 1,400 alumni who have gone on to work for large companies like Microsoft, Amazon, Starbucks, and Boeing, as well as midsized companies like Nordstrom and REI.
We’ve asked several Creative Academy alumni from various decades to reflect on the profound impact the institution has had on their lives.
For Kyra Anderson ('20) the Graphic Design program offered an escape from a cycle of service industry jobs and provided a space to channel her artistic passion into a career. Anderson had consulted Seattle Central’s Center for Working Adults, who identified her interest and strengths and guided her towards the Creative Academy.
SCCA provided Anderson with an arsenal of practical, hands-on skills, and with ample experience in projects that mimicked real-world design scenarios. “This helped me enter the workforce feeling confident in my skills and ability to communicate ideas,” she explained. “The combination of professional practices being taught and access to the alumni network meant graduating with valuable insights into the industry.”
The skills I learned helped me make this life of adventures. It sounds corny, but I am grateful
Today, Anderson works at Riot Games in Southern California, where she contributes to the popular online game League of Legends. She designs in-game visual elements as well as UI updates for the 2024 season.
Jean Bradbury (‘06) enrolled in the Graphic Design program at the age of 40 after moving to Seattle with her children. “I needed some practical skills — and I couldn’t have chosen a better, more exhilarating, and welcoming program,” she recalled. Despite feeling “hopelessly computer illiterate,” her younger peers were patient and supportive, and she soon felt deeply connected to the creative community of Capitol Hill.
The Academy didn’t just give Bradbury essential computer literacy — it gave her the tools to evolve her fine art practice into a sustainable career. “I was a painter and needed more marketable skills. As it turned out, my painting career is supporting me, but I still use typesetting and Photoshop to promote my work,” she shared.
Bradbury currently splits her time between Seattle and Canada, designing murals that celebrate local diversity and nature. Her most recent project is a mural at a new development on Beacon Hill. Looking back on her time at the Creative Academy, Bradbury spoke with deep gratitude: “The skills I learned helped me make this life of adventures. It sounds corny, but I am grateful.”
Brad Curran ('11), a graduate of the Commercial Photography program (now Visual Media), recalled the Creative Academy having a long waitlist, and waiting over a year to enroll. “I had a few close friends that went through the program, so I had a pretty good sense of what the program entailed and plenty of time to prepare and save money,” he explained.
The college radiates diversity in every shape and form, and I hope to always be connected
He fondly recalls his routine of racing up five flights of stairs to make it to class on time and later watching the sunset from his desk.
Curran remains grateful for not only the skills he developed, but for the robust network of industry professionals tied to the program. “From the skills I gathered at Central, I was able to start contracting in the Amazon photo studio right after graduation,” Curran said. “The head of the studio was a graduate of the program, about a decade prior, and I met him at one of our required portfolio reviews.”
We have a space designed to encourage taking risks and trying new things in a safe learning environment unlike any other
In addition to remaining in contact with many of his friends and mentors from the program, Curran has also returned to Seattle Central as a guest instructor and as a contract photographer and videographer on many occasions. “I feel like I have such a uniquely rich relationship with Central. It’s hard to put into words,” he added. “The college radiates diversity in every shape and form, and I hope to always be connected.”
As the Creative Academy celebrates its 75th anniversary, the stories of alumni like Anderson, Bradbury, and Curran highlight the program’s enduring legacy of shaping careers, fostering personal growth, and creating a vibrant community where creativity thrives.
“The people are what make SCCA so great — collaboration and networking lead to lifelong friendships,” said Marc Salverda. “We have a space designed to encourage taking risks and trying new things in a safe learning environment unlike any other.”