The fall season is right around the corner and that means Fort Lewis College is beginning the new school year.
As our community buzzes with the return of the students, the campus will also come to life with exciting arts. Student and faculty artists have already begun to prepare rewarding events for the coming month. One of the great things about having a rich artistic campus is that the community has a low-cost opportunity to see great performances and exhibits throughout the school year. The students, faculty and staff members at Fort Lewis are always looking to elevate the quality of experiences for our community to enjoy.
The Community Concert Hall continues to dazzle with its blend of international artists and community talent. On Sept. 14, the Community Concert Hall will present the Jazz on the Hill event as a fundraiser for the Serzen Endowment. The evening will feature a catered dinner followed by a performance from jazz vocalist Joyce Lyons. Lyons will be accompanied by local musicians as well as Fort Lewis College faculty and students (learn more at www.durangoconcerts.com.)
The Department of Art and Design is prepared to embark on the new school year with a new exhibit in the Art Gallery. The exhibit is called “Migrations: New Directions in Native American Art, with Additional Works from the Trickster Suite”. The exhibit will be displayed until Oct. 11 with an opening reception from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Sept. 11. The regular gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday with appointments Saturday. Call 247-7167 for more information.
There also are many exciting happenings in the Theatre Department. Auditions for the first show of the season, “You Can’t Take It With You,” will be held in the theatre building from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday and Friday. We are seeking age-appropriate casting for four roles (men and women 35 and older, and one male 50 or older), so the community is encouraged to participate. On Sept. 11 at Open Shutter Gallery, the Theatre Department will host its first Theatrically Speaking event of the year. Professor Kathryn Moller will speak and demonstrate the art of Balinese Shadow Puppetry. Launching our yearlong celebration of puppetry, Guest Artist Mary McClung will be on campus during the weekend of Sept. 28 conducting the first in our series of puppet workshops. For more information regarding these events, call Shan Wells at 247-6769.
The Music Department kicks off the new school year with the unveiling of a brand-new Pep Band. Football and basketball games will be enhanced by new music, more musicians and a new drumline. Come out for the sporting event but stay for the music. Also, at 3 p.m. Sept. 22 in Roshong Recital Hall, the Alexander Murray Recital Series will begin with the Faculty Collage Concert. Enjoy performances by the different members of the music faculty as they share their artistry with the community.
Check back at the beginning of every month to read more about the rich artistic endeavors happening on the Fort Lewis College campus. A short drive up the hill can bring a great deal of fine arts into our lives.
latta_j@fortlewis.edu. Jonathan Latta is an associate professor of music at Fort Lewis College.
