Updates from the College of the Arts at Montclair State University
College of the Arts - April 2023
Students Win Two 'Student Emmy' Awards
Program on climate change and racial injustice in New Orleans wins prestigious humanitarian award
Fourteen School of Communication and Media students were recently recognized by the College Television Awards, which emulate the Emmy® Awards, for their production of the New Orleans | Raging Storms program, winning both best in the news category and the Seymour Bricker Humanitarian Award.
Cultural Collaboration between Montclair State University and University of Dundee, Scotland
The Student Led International Exhibition (SLICE) course in the Art and Design Department was a new community-engaged course conceived and built with global community partners at the University of Dundee, Scotland. This course provided a structure for the development and execution of a collaborative exhibition exchange between international cohorts of undergraduate visual arts students, while working to build an ongoing and sustainable international community network of creators, observers, and institutions, with Montclair State University's students at its center.
The Montclair State University Department of Theatre and Dance presents an eclectic program of contemporary dance, Spring Dance 2023, featuring the choreographic works of world-renowned guest choreographers Tommie-Waheed Evans, Michelle Manzanales, Brice Mousset and Dolly Sfeir. Manzanales’ work is generously supported by a National Endowment for the Arts grant focusing on Latinx Culture, specifically the life and historical heft of Frida Kahlo. The program also showcases the vibrant work of dance faculty members Stefanie Batten Bland, Kathleen Kelley, Maxine Steinman, and Christian von Howard.
Dr. Michael Viega, Associate Professor in the Cali School of Music, is quoted in this VerywellHealth article about using music to de-stress. Dr. Viega noted the importance of the choice of music being personal. He stated, “I’m always wary of ‘Use this playlist for this experience.’ It’s more individualized than that. Music is not just a panacea. It’s not a curative.”
Join us May 1 in the Kasser Theater Lobby for Art Forum with artist Justin Cloud, who will be in conversation with writer Andrew Woolbright, moderated by curator Jesse Bandler Firestone. Presented with the Department of Art & Design.
Case Studies 2: Justin Cloud – The Garden is the latest in the new series of solo exhibitions in the Alexander Kasser Theater Cases initiated by Director Megan C. Austin and Curator Jesse Bandler Firestone. The Garden brings together new and recent sculptures of machine-like flora and fauna that employ impeccable craftwork and finishing techniques to reflect changes taking place across American industries including biotechnology, agriculture, and large-scale manufacturing.
Greek choreographer Tzeni Argyriou’s ANΩNYMO draws on traditional folk dances from all over the world and reexamines the significance of physical connection in a world consumed by social media. Individual identity is cast aside to reveal community and shared experiences.
A highly symbolic performance that conjures a primitive aura despite a deceptively simple aesthetic and contemporary style. The dancers focalize what lies at the heart of art making and reclaim the lost value of anonymity and human contact.
