This summer’s Creative Bootcamp was a resounding success, packed with informative speaker sessions, interactive learning workshops, and warm-weather fun!

Nearly two dozen IntersectLA and SAGA members participated in the week-long event, now an annual tradition for IXLA. The format combined in-person activities and online Zoom sessions, with “The Feedback Loop” as this year’s theme.

The Feedback Loop is necessary for any system, product, or even a person to continue to adapt and succeed. It is a reminder to ensure that we assess and understand the checkpoints in our lives — to evaluate the interactions and experiences around us and provide data points on how we cultivate our creativity and careers.

The event began on Monday, August 8, with Kalika Yap (CEO at Citrus Studios) as the kick-off speaker, followed by presentations led by CSUN alum Luis Luque (owner of Luque Photography) and CSUN professor Shally Juarez.

On Tuesday, guest speakers included CSUN professor Nick Longo, alum Kristin Montante, and Robert Espinoza (co-founder of Paper Crane Games). Wednesday included a field trip to the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles, followed by fun and festivities at Dockweiler State Beach, including a bonfire BBQ dinner. On Thursday, the team learned self-defense and workout techniques from owner Patrick Prager at The Edge Martial Arts, followed by speaker sessions from CSUN alums Victor Ruiz and Pedro Ramos. The day ended with an outdoor movie screening on the lawn of the CSUN University Library.

To wrap up the Creative Bootcamp on Friday, CSUN alum Marco Sandoval hosted an in-person lunch and printmaking workshop for the whole team, which meant custom-made shirts and other swag for everyone — a “fitting” end to an amazing week!