Once again this winter, the College of Visual and Performing Arts at Northern Illinois University is hosting an NIU Arts Convocation to celebrate the great work of students in the schools, Monday, February 18.
The evening showcases performances by students in the School of Music and the School of Theatre and Dance and the work of the students in the School of Art and Design.
This year, the event is a celebration of the arts in two locations! The night will begin at 5:30 p.m. with music, theater and dance performances held in Boutell Memorial Concert Hall in the NIU Music building. Then, attendees will be ushered next door to Jack Arends Hall, the visual arts building, for a showcase of art exhibitions, demonstrations, food and more!
Third Annual NIU College of Visual and Performing Arts Convocation
Monday, February 18
5:30 p.m. – NIU Music Building, Boutell Memorial Concert Hall – music, theater and dance performances
6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. – Jack Arends Hall (Visual Arts Building) – art exhibitions, demonstrations, food and more
The event is FREE and open to the public.
Here’s a sampling of what you’ll enjoy at the night’s events.
Program in Boutell Memorial Concert Hall 5:30 p.m.
MUSIC PERFORMANCE
Kibo
Composer: Andrea Venet
While composing Kibo, Andrea Venet was inspired by Africa, a song by the 80’s rock band Toto. While not a cover, the piece does contain harmonic motives and rhythmic cells sourced directly from the song. Elements of composers John S. Pratt, Joseph Tompkins, and Bob Becker can be found in Kibo, such as a variety of rudiments, a host of sticking permutations, and a wide range of dynamics.
THEATER PERFORMANCE
“The Revolutionists” by Lauren Gunderson
Act II Scene III
The Revolutionists explores the nature of creative contribution to political and social change against the backdrop of the bloodiest year of the French Revolution. Four mostly-real women converge in fictionalized and often hilarious circumstances to navigate privilege, purpose, power, and the prices paid for equality and progression.
DANCE PERFORMANCE
Charleston!
Choreography by Paula Frasz
Costumes by Melanie Parks
Music: Selections from the 1920’s Performed by the NIU Jazz Band under the Direction of Ron Carter
Exhibits/activities in Jack Arends Hall 6:30 p.m.
Art + Design Education Division Programming
Slide show presentation in room 211 of middle level lessons featuring the partnership between the program and K-8 school partner St. Mary’s School in DeKalb.
Large posters featuring Art ED program accomplishments.
Art for Elementary Educators ARTE 383 course work including Chinese painting and process work will be exhibited in room 211.
ARTE 383 course in session in room 207 and guests are welcome to observe.
Second floor hallway boards will feature art and design education student portfolio work, and data visualizations.
Art History Division Programming
Meet and greet with art history faculty from 6:30 – 7:00 p.m. in room 103. Includes faculty members sharing their research and teaching activities.
“Darkened room” video-viewing demonstration in room 102 of “Ugetsu” a 1953 film by Kenji Mizoguchi.
The feature documentary “Helvetica” (2007) by Gary Hustwit in room 100.
Creative Path to College Success
Featuring recent artwork and posters about incoming community engaged collaborate projects by students enrolled in IVPA 201. Making Art for Others displayed in room 407.
Design Division Programming
Photography
Large format photography on display in the lighting studio, room 300.
Time Arts
Multi-media installation in room 315.
Visual Communication
An interactive letter press demonstration will be conducted in room 317.
Foundations Area Programming
The Foundations Area will have student work in the display cases on the second floor, and in the adjacent stairwells. Visitors will get directions via speech bubbles designed to complement the existing ART 103 head projects displayed amongst second floor, and stairwell exhibits. There will also be the debut of a performative piece involving a roving pile of rocks, and boulders, which will move sporadically through the second floor hallway.
Studio Division Programming
Ceramics
Wheel-throwing and hand-building demonstrations in room 107. Display of student work in hallway display cases on first floor.
Drawing
Current undergraduate and graduate student art work on display in the fourth floor display cabinets as well as rooms 405 and 407.
Fiber
Student work exhibited in fiber workspace in rooms 412 and 413.
Illustration
A wide variety of student work is on display in room 307. Illustration faculty will conduct demonstrations of 3D digital sculpting using ZBrush in the computer lab in room 310A.
Metals
Exhibition of student work in display case on fourth floor, room 402.
Painting
Student work on display in the painting critique space in room 416 as well as room 414 and throughout fourth floor hallways.
Printmaking
Collaborative printing session will be ongoing during the event. Work from the area will be displayed in room 408, and in hallway display cases. Visitors are welcome to explore the studio and partake in the printing project. Blocks, plates, and paper will be available for printing.
Sculpture
Exhibition of student work in the sculpture critique space and a variety of student works-in-progress on display throughout the sculpture area in room 113.
Galleries
Annette and Jerry Johns Student Art Gallery (second floor) – Student work featuring John Linquist’s MFA show.
Backspace Gallery (first floor) – Backspace Gallery will be hosting the Graduate Arts Association’s second annual “To the Highest Bidder” art auction. Opening February 18, the exhibition features donated works from both faculty and students, available for bidding over the course of three weeks. The auction concludes with a closing reception on March 7. Winning bidders will be announced and contacted.
Jack Olson Gallery (second floor) – Annual Juried Blick Art Materials Ars Nova Exhibition featuring work by current students in the School of Art and Design.
