The Bee and the Acorn by Paula Susan Wallace

A memoir by Paula Susan Wallace

01. An introduction

In 1977,

"... the world was ready for something new," writes Savannah College of Art and Design President and Founder Paula Wallace. “All around us, dreamers were dreaming up new ideas: Star Wars, The Clash, Apple. I was nearing thirty ... and wondered if I could do more."

What happened next would change the face of education by joining the nurturing productivity of early learning with the professional and scholarly nature of higher learning.

In The Bee and the Acorn, we journey with Wallace and her family to the historic coastal town of Savannah, where they set about creating a new university for the arts. This tiny college would be radically different, buzzing with new ideas about what education could be and what it should do for students.

SCAD has since become one of the largest and most renowned art and design universities in the world, with locations on two continents, as well as online via the award-winning SCADnow platform.

The Bee and the Acorn tells the story of how it all happened — from the woman at the center of it all.

Illustrations by SCAD alumna
Emily Isabella (B.F.A., fibers, 2008)
02. About the author

Paula Wallace

Paula Wallace is president and founder of the Savannah College of Art and Design, a private, nonprofit, accredited institution recognized as The University for Creative Careers. Established in 1978, SCAD offers more than 100 highly ranked academic degree programs at locations in Atlanta and Savannah, Georgia; Lacoste, France; and online via the award-winning SCADnow platform. READ MORE...



“Against magnificent odds, President Wallace has built something unique, alive and enduring. Her story is an inspiration.”

— Geoffrey Fletcher, Academy Award-winning screenwriter

“Paula Wallace built one of the world’s premier institutions of design, art and education. In her candid and compelling memoir, she weaves the story of its founding together with her deeply personal meditations on creativity, family and faith.”

— Arianna Huffington, cofounder, president and editor-in-chief of The Huffington Post

“It’s only natural that SCAD students create new worlds through art and design — because that is exactly what the university’s president and founder did in establishing SCAD. In her candid memoir, Paula Wallace shares her vision for a place where students can find a home for their dreams and a launch pad for their careers.”

— Isabella Rossellini, actress and humanitarian
03. Buy the book

A honey of a story

An engaging and inspiring read, The Bee and the Acorn is currently available for purchase online at shopSCAD.com.

04. Bibliography

More from Paula Wallace

An entrepreneur, designer, teacher and writer, Wallace has authored or contributed to titles ranging from striking monographs of couture exhibitions to breathtaking books devoted to inspiring interiors.

A House in the South

Old-Fashioned Graciousness for New-Fashioned Times

READ MORE

Perfect Porches

Designing Welcoming Spaces for Outdoor Living

READ MORE

Little Black Dress

READ MORE

Oscar de la Renta

His Legendary World of Style

READ MORE

05. Book tour dates

Readings, signings and other events

The are no book tour dates currently scheduled.
06. News and press

Read the latest buzz

Arms to Arts
The Remarkable Story of the SCAD Museum of Art
Stylebluprint: SCAD President Paula Wallace: FACES of Atlanta
Insider: Paula S. Wallace’s Guide to Savannah
Southern Living: How One Atlanta Teacher Built a College from Scratch
Bee and Acorn
Atlantan: Work of Art: SCAD founder begins new chapter
Racked: Founder of SCAD Built a University from Scratch
COSMO: Get That Life: How I Started My Own College
FASHIONISTA: 4 tips for entrepreneurs
Friday Five with Paula Wallace of SCAD
07. Contact

Schedule a signing event

Paula Wallace is a visionary leader in art and design, and now you can hear the SCAD story — one of ingenuity and innovation — from the woman at the center of it all. Submit a speaking request to schedule a signing event for The Bee and the Acorn.

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Offering more degree programs and specializations than any other art and design university, SCAD is uniquely qualified to prepare talented students for professional, creative careers.