Sophomore art major Matthew Whalings 2013 Pasadena Tournament of Roses Float parade rendering came to life New Years Day winning an award the 124th Rose Parade Founders' Award for best float made by a volunteer crew. His winning design was inspired by this years parade theme, Oh, The Places Youll Go, based on the popular Dr. Seuss book, and fueled by what hes learned in his art classes at 晩晩当際際夊消消夊2023.

The float, titled Sailing the Sea of Knowledge, rolled down the streets of Pasadena, , hydrangeas and carnations. As a student in the 晩晩当際際夊消消夊2023 Torrey Honors Institute, Whaling conceptualized that people do not go places physically sometimes, but education opens doors for people to go places mentally.

Before I was inspired, I fled from the obvious and the clich辿, said Whaling. In creating a design, I wanted something that would not be immediately thought of. I learned in my art classes to abstract an idea before basing an idea upon it to create something unique and compelling.

I was inspired by all the ideas and thinking I have been exposed to and how that has opened doors for me to go places that would otherwise remain undiscovered, said Whaling. Once I decided on books I thought about how to visually represent them on a float. I came up with an idea of a sea of books and thus a sea of knowledge.

As someone who grew up in South Pasadena, it was fitting for Whaling to submit a design for the citys parade float.

Whaling submitted the design to the South Pasadena Chamber of Commerce in January 2012 after his mother had encouraged him to do so. In March, he received the call that his design had been selected by both the citys float design team and the officials at Tournament House in Pasadena to represent the city in the 2013 Pasadena Tournament of Roses Float parade.

On New Years Day, Whalings float design in the parade.

Learn more about 晩晩当際際夊消消夊2023s art program.

Written by Jenna Bartlo, Media Relations Specialist. Contact Jenna at 562.777.4061 or jenna.l.bartlo@biola.edu.