JPCatholic Celebrates Blessing and Dedication of Creative Arts Complex

John Paul the Great Catholic University celebrated a major milestone on Saturday, June 13, with the official dedication and blessing of our new Creative Arts Complex in downtown Escondido. The Grand Opening event brought together over 300 friends, including students, alumni, faculty, staff, trustees, regents, benefactors, civic leaders, and community members, to mark the completion of a project that will significantly expand the university's capacity to form the next generation of creative artists and leaders.

Located at 131 S. Broadway, the 30,620-square-foot facility more than doubles JPCatholic's academic footprint and provides dedicated spaces for filmmaking, animation, game development, design, illustration, music, and collaborative creative work. The project represents the culmination of years of planning, fundraising, renovation, and community support.

The celebration began with a blessing of the building by Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone of San Francisco, followed by his remarks. While Auxiliary Bishop in the Diocese of San Diego (2002-2009), his help was instrumental for the fledgling institution to obtain Bishop Brom’s consent to build a Catholic university.

“I applaud you for bringing the arts back to the center of education,” said the archbishop. “There’s been a real sort of … dismissal of the importance of the arts and of the humanities, in the overly pragmatic age in which we are living… But the human soul needs the arts. As your patron saint John Paul the Great said in his Letter to Artists, society needs artists as much as it needs scientists, technicians, workers, business professionals, teachers… [A Catholic culture of the arts and especially of the sacred life] forms the soul. It makes the soul capable of seeing God and knowing God and sharing God’s love with others.”

Guests then heard from Founding President Derry Connolly PhD; Prof. Katelyn Slater, Chair of Performing Arts; Kevin Meziere, CFO/COO, who oversaw every detail of the renovation; and Martin Harold, EVP of Advancement and Enrollment.

Dr. Connolly reflected on the significance of the new complex and its role in delivering on the university's mission to educate creators and innovators. “When JPCatholic began, we had a vision of creating a university where faith and creativity could flourish together,” he said. “Today, that vision takes a significant step forward. This Creative Arts Complex will provide our students with the space, tools, and community they need to pursue excellence in their craft while remaining grounded in their faith and in preparation for their mission to Impact Culture for Christ.”

A self-guided tour allowed participants to explore the new facility, including classrooms, studios, production spaces, and gathering areas designed to foster creativity, collaboration, and professional excellence. The event included a Vigil Mass, followed by a jazz concert in the new Pelican Plaza courtyard later that evening by student band The Rhapsodics.

Since establishing its permanent campus in Escondido in 2013, JPCatholic has continued to invest in both its students and the local community. The Creative Arts Complex $8M investment stands as the university's largest capital project to date and reflects its commitment to providing industry-relevant education rooted in the Catholic intellectual tradition.

The event also served as an opportunity to recognize the many donors, supporters, alumni, and friends whose generosity helped make the project possible. Thanks to the support of generous benefactors, the facility will be equipped and furnished over the coming months, in preparation for classes and student utilization this Fall Quarter.