Paula Wallace SCAD (Savannah College of Art and Design) opened its doors to approximately 71 students in 1978. President and Founder Paula Wallace started the school in Downtown Savannah, GA in an old armory. In an interview with Cliche Mag in August 2020, she shared the story of the creation of her dream career and how her ideas came into existence.
Before establishing the school, she discussed with her parents, Paul and Mae Poetter about her creative ideas and leaving the school system as a teacher. With their support, she sold her Bug Volkswagen to launch the new creative art/design institution and a course catalog. Go Here for more information.
Paula Wallace SCAD gave the old armory her family’s name, Poetter Hall and transformed it into a small school with classrooms to hold over 70 students. Overtime, SCAD grew into an international school with campuses in Asia, Europe, and North America. Poetter Hall presently contains the story and history of Savannah College of Art and Design, ShopSCAD, and masterpieces of student artworks.
In Paula’s home office, there are art pieces from Monica Cook, Marcus Kenney, and Russ Noto displayed around her desk. There is also a showcase with various awards and honors, including the Inaugural Elle Decor Vision Award and the 100 Most Influential Georgians Award.
Elle Decor Magazine and Georgia Trend Magazine recognized her success at Paula Wallace SCAD and contributions to communities. The Interior Design Hall of Fame inducted her in 2019 for decades of educating talented students from across the world.
Paula Wallace is a member of the National Advisory Board of the National Museum of Women in the Arts and strongly supports women entrepreneurship. A photograph of her and Oprah Winfrey in her office at home at the university’s 40th graduation ceremony reflects her support. What she started in over four decades ago is now one of the most recognized art/design colleges in the US. See This Article to learn more.
More about Wallace on https://www.interiordesign.net/articles/16915-paula-wallace-recipient-of-2019-hall-of-fame-special-leadership-award/