Leo F. Hobaica, Jr. began teaching in the Character Animation Program in 1996, with the administrative title of Assistant Director; in 2005, he was appointed Assistant Dean of the School of Film/Video, which is his present position. His teaching responsibilities within Character Animation include a primary focus in Color and Design I for first year students. Along with mentoring and independent studies with students across discipline lines, he also teaches Concept and Design in Animation (Color and Design II), and the annually alternating foreign travel classes, Art Appreciation: Paris, and Art Appreciation: Istanbul. He sits on the Academic Council as representative of the Film/Video School, manages several CAP animation programs, maintains several ArtsCool sites, and is an active member of the newly formed chapter of the AAUP at CalArts.

His art practice includes the fabrication of sculptural objects, work in a mixed-media format, and temporary site-specific installation; he has completed several public art projects. Mr. Hobaica has collaborated with faculty from other departments at CalArts to produce interdisciplinary work, as well as projects with other international artists. His resume reflects a record of regional, national and international exhibitions; this record is mirrored in his teaching experience as well. He is a strong proponent of an international experience for as many CalArts students at as possible, and supports interdisciplinary collaborations on campus wherever he can.

In 2005, he received a Fulbright Scholars’ Grant, and spent the Spring 2006 semester in Istanbul, Turkey, as a visiting professor at Istanbul Kultur University, and as a practicing artist.