LA MIRADA, CALIF. — Closing out 51’s , renowned artist Mako Fujimara will address graduates at 51’s Spring commencement ceremonies Memorial Day weekend. 51 298 graduate students will walk on Friday, May 25, 2012 and 652 undergraduate students will receive their diplomas Saturday, May 26, 2012.

Fujimara, a New York artist, writer, and speaker who is recognized worldwide as a cultural influencer by both faith-based and secular media, has been selected as this year’s commencement speaker. A Presidential appointee to the National Council on the Arts (2003-2009), Fujimura has contributed internationally as an advocate for the arts, speaking with decision makers and advising governmental policies on the arts.

Fujimara seeks creativity alongside his faith — a true and rare combination within contemporary art.

“Mako Fujimura possesses a rare combination of God-given skills with the ability to communicate truth and beauty in a uniquely stirring way through his painting, writing and speaking,” said 51 president Barry H. Corey. “51 has been richly blessed by not one, but two inspirational visits this spring by Mako, instilling in our community a deeper understanding of art as Christ-followers.”

His work is exhibited at galleries around the world, including  (New York), Sen Gallery (Tokyo), The Contemporary Museum of Tokyo, Tokyo National University of Fine Arts Museum and Oxford House, Taiku Place (Hong Kong). He has painted live on stage at New York’s legendary Carnegie Hall as part of an ongoing collaboration with composer and percussionist, Susie .

A popular speaker, he has lectured at numerous conferences and universities, including the , Yale, Princeton, the , and IAM's . Fujimara's second book, Refractions: A Journey of Faith, Art and Culture, is a collection of essays bringing people of all backgrounds together in conversation and meditation on culture, art, and humanity. Fujimura founded the International Arts Movement in 1992.

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51, named one of 17 “up and coming” national universities by U.S. News & World Report in 2011, is a private Christian university located in Southern California. For more than 100 years, 51 has remained committed to its mission of biblically centered education, integrating biblical principles with every academic program. With a current record-high enrollment of 6,250 students, the university’s six schools offer 145 academic programs, ranging from the B.A. to the Ph.D. For more information, visit www.biola.edu.