May 28, 2026

ArtCenter College of Design's 2026 Design Invitational Returns with a Special Focus on Italian Design Sunday, May 31

MEDIA ALERT

WHAT:

ArtCenter College of Design presents the 2026 Design Invitational, the College’s annual exhibition of important and iconic vehicles ranging from timeless classics to groundbreaking concepts. Held at ArtCenter’s historic Hillside Campus in Pasadena, the event presents a large selection of vehicles, including cars, motorcycles and an aircraft, drawn from the ArtCenter community and notable private collections.

A longstanding tradition at the College, this year’s Design Invitational places a special focus on Italian design, with vehicles representing celebrated marques including Alfa Romeo, DeTomaso, Ducati, Ferrari, Fiat, Lamborghini, Lancia and Maserati.

Highlights include a 2025 Ferrari Daytona SP3 with tailor-made exposed carbon fiber option from the acclaimed collection of David Lee; a landmark 1952 Lancia Aurelia B20 GT; a rare 1960 Porsche 356 Zagato Speedster; an iconic wedge-shaped supercar, the 1976 Lamborghini LP400 Countach “Periscopio”; and one of fewer than 10 surviving examples of a 1969 Fiat Michelotti Shellette. Additional featured vehicles include the GMC HUMMER X suv and truck concepts, making its first public appearance outside of GM's advanced design studio in Pasadena; and a mockup of the world’s first certified single-engine personal jet, the Cirrus Vision SF50.

The event offers automotive enthusiasts, designers, students and the public a rare opportunity to experience transportation design history up close while exploring ArtCenter’s world-famous Transportation Design program.

WHEN:

Sunday, May 31, 2026
Public viewing: 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Media access: 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. (Please e-mail to request media credentials.)

WHERE:

ArtCenter College of Design (Hillside Campus) - 1700 Lida Street, Pasadena, CA 91103

HIGHLIGHTS:

• A wide range vehicles spanning eight decades of transportation design
• Special focus on Italian automotive and motorcycle design
• Rare classics, historic vehicles and contemporary concepts
• Featured vehicles by ArtCenter alumni and faculty
• “Stories Behind the Design” presentations on the Main Stage

The full vehicle lineup can be found on the Event Page. Additional vehicles are still being added, and the lineup is subject to change.

MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES:

• Interviews with designers, collectors and ArtCenter leadership
• Close-up access to important and historically significant vehicles
• Main Stage presentations exploring the stories behind select designs
• B-roll: sweeping visuals of vehicles on the lawn of ArtCenter's Hillside campus

ACCESS:

The 2026 Design Invitational is open to the public with Registration.
General admission: $35; Children 18 & Under are free.

Media RSVP required for credentials

PRESS CONTACTS:

Press Office
pressoffice@artcenter.edu

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