Continuing a grassroots tradition of outreach into diverse communities, the Art Directors Guild (ADG, IATSE Local 800), founding sponsor of Eagle-Con, co-hosts the three-day convention at Cal State LA with the Costume Designers Guild (IATSE Local 892). Eagle-Con brings together the artists and writers of science fiction TV-shows, fantasy novels, comic book movies and superheroes comics. This year's event, themed Aliens, Monsters and Others, runs from Thursday, March 8, through Saturday, March 10, exploring the realities of race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, identity and the boundless imaginations of artists and writers.

"Eagle-Con reaches a diverse audience of college students and community members who may not think they can have a successful career in the arts in entertainment," says ADG's Director of Education, Casey Bernay. "It's important that people experience the amazing work of our members and know that our crafts are a career option if they want to pursue them. Having the ability to meet with professionals in the fields as an Illustration, Set Design, Graphic Arts and Production Design, is inspiring and can be life-changing if they want a career in the art department."

ADG will host exhibits, panels and workshops throughout the week and Eagle-Con weekend at the University-Student Union and Golden Eagle Ballrooms 2 & 3. For a list of events, please visit: http://www.calstatela.edu/events/eagle-con-schedule. Cal State LA is located at 5151 State University Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90032.

At the first Eagle-Con in 2014, ADG members Mike and Denise Okuda received the Prism Award in recognition of excellent "diverse representative spectrum of people into the future through artistic media."

About THE ART DIRECTORS GUILD
The Art Directors Guild (IATSE Local 800) represents 2,500 members who work throughout the United States, Canada and the rest of the world in film, television and theater as Production Designers, Art Directors, Assistant Art Directors; Scenic, Title and Graphic Artists; Illustrators and Matte Artists; Set Designers, Model Makers and Previs Artists. Established in 1937, the ADG's ongoing activities include a Film Society, an annual Awards Banquet, a bimonthly craft magazine (Perspective); and extensive technology-training programs, figure drawing and other creative workshops and year-round Gallery 800 art exhibitions. The Guild's Online Directory/Website Resource is at  www.adg.org. Connect with the Art Directors Guild and #ADGawards on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.