In celebration of the Linda Berry Stein College of Fine Arts’ 60th Anniversary, the 2021-2022 Creative Arts Series presents a season of performances, interactive exhibits and celebratory events spanning the visual and media arts, performance arts, design, and humanities. Featuring the creative works and scholarship of hundreds of Jacksonville University students and faculty, the Creative Arts Series invites the Jacksonville community, both on-campus and beyond, to experience the transformative power of art, design and scholarly thought.
The 2021 addition of the Humanities to the Linda Berry Stein College of Fine Arts brings together under one roof the complementary disciplines of the School of Performing Arts and School of Art & Design with the newly-created School of Humanities, including majors in English, Languages or Philosophy and minors in Humanities, Writing, Women’s and Gender Studies or Medical Humanities.
“The theme of our 60th Anniversary celebration is Honoring our past, Inspiring our future, and we are thrilled to celebrate this momentous year by welcoming the Humanities into our College,” said Stein College Dean Dr. Tim Snyder. “The Stein College, the only regional center for the creative and scholarly arts, was founded by our Jacksonville University matriarch Dr. Frances Bartlett Kinne during her time as a humanities professor here. We owe an enormous debt of gratitude for her foresight, and every event of our 60th anniversary Creative Arts Series is dedicated to her.”
Asked why the humanities are such a natural fit with the fine arts, Dean Snyder emphasized, “We’re talking about the definition of the humanities in the broadest sense: the study of what makes us human. The scholarly inquiry into culture, language, philosophy and the investigation of human nature. The desire of all people to express themselves, to reflect on their environment and their human condition, is foundational to what it means to be an artist.”
We hope you’ll join us in our exploration of the human condition. Access the full schedule of Creative Arts Series events. A few highlights include:
Jacksonville University Philosophy Slam: White Lies: Critical Race Theory and the Politics of History
Dr. Michael Phillips, Professor of History at Collin College, leads an open discussion about recent political controversies over critical race theory and the teaching of racial history in American schools.
RIVER HOUSE
Tuesday, November 2 at 7:30 p.m.
Launch Party: 400 Years of Moliere
Join us to kick off a semester-long celebration of all things Moliere! One of the world’s greatest comedic minds, Moliere is to French what Shakespeare is to English. His satiric and biting plays still resonate today, criticizing social vices from avarice to religious zeal and everything in between. In honor of the quadricentennial of his birth, the spring term will feature special course offerings, period music, and other themed events. Best of all, the festivities will culiminate in a production of Moliere’s masterpiece, Tartuffe. As the French say, venez nombreux! Come one, come all!
KINNE UNIVERSITY CENTER
Friday, January 14 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
The Kinne Trio
The Kinne Trio, comprised of Dr. Marguerite Richardson, violin; Dr. Shannon Lockwood, cello; and Dr. Scott Watkins, piano, presents a delightful program of Scottish composer John Lunn’s music from the Masterpiece/ITV hit television series and film, “Downton Abbey.” Also featured is music from Giacomo Puccini, Nat Ayers, Leo Friedman and Johann Strauss, Jr.
TERRY CONCERT HALL
Tuesday, January 25 at 7:30 p.m.
Walter Visiting Writer Series: Erin Belieu
Each year the Department of Literature, Language and Culture invites an internationally-renowned author to visit campus to discuss their writing and sources of inspiration. Our 2021 visiting writer, poet Erin Belieu, explores gender, love and history in her works. She is the author of five books of poetry and co-founded Vida: Women in the Literary Arts. Her time on campus is part of our celebration of Women’s History Month.
TERRY CONCERT HALL
Tuesday, March 22 at 7:30 p.m.
School of Art & Design Annual Senior Thesis Exhibit
The graduating seniors in the School of Art & Design exhibit their senior thesis projects in this annual exhibition. A variety of media will be presented, including two-dimensional art works, design displays with commercial applications, three-dimensional scultural representations and installations, ceramics, animated shorts, and film productions.
ALEXANDER BREST GALLERY
March 24 through April 20
Opening reception March 24 at 5:00 p.m.
Senior research presentations April 5 and 6 at 5:00 p.m. (Gooding Auditorium)
Steel Magnolias
The Department of Theatre will celebrate the Stein College’s 60th Anniversary and the Student Works Festival by presenting Robert Harling’s now-classic play. Set in a beauty shop in the deep South, the story of love, friendship, loss and renewal is explored by an unbreakable group of women. The show will be led by JU alumni both on-stage and behind the scenes.
PHILIPS FINE ARTS BUILDING – BLACK BOX THEATER
Friday, April 8 and Saturday, April 9 at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 10 at 2:00 p.m.
Stein College 60th Anniversary Celebration
World-Renowned Mezzo-Soprano Jamie Barton and her longtime collaborator, pianist Jake Heggie
Praised by Gramophone magazine as having “the sort of instrument you could listen to all day, in any sort of repertoire,” Ms. Barton also uses her powerful voice offstage to lift up women, LGBTQ+ people, and marginalized communities and, in turn, illuminates the path to a more equitable future for the arts.
Ms. Barton’s operating engagements have included appearances with many of the world’s great opera houses including the Metropolitan Opera in New York City, Teatro Real Madrid, Houston Grand Opera, Los Angeles Opera and San Francisco Opera.
Ms. Barton is accompanied by longtime friend and collaborator Jake Heggie, featuring selections from their recent recording which explores the perspectives of the powerful women represented in Heggie’s songs and opera, and also with works by Florence Price, Johannes Brahms and Franz Shubert.
“Barton and Heggie…transport you to a land of contemplation, tears, and side-splitting hilarity. This recital is a knockout.” (Stereophile)
TERRY CONCERT HALL
Sunday, April 10 at 4:00 p.m.
Spring Dance Concert
Jacksonville University Dance will push the boundaries of contemporary choreography with original works produced by our senior class. Don’t miss the cutting-edge choreography and electrifying dance. Join us to celebrate the JU Dance graduating class of 2022!
SWISHER THEATER
Thursday, April 21 and Friday, April 22 at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 23 at 1:30 p.m.
Jacksonville University Orchestra: A Thousand and One Nights
Experience the tales of A Thousand and One Nights as the orchestra presents Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov’s Sheherazade. The performances will feature the winners of the 2022 Jacksonville University Concerto Competition.
TERRY CONCERT HALL
Saturday, April 23 at 7:30 p.m.
ST. ANASTASIA CATHOLIC CHURCH, ST. AUGUSTINE, FL
Sunday, April 24 at 7:00 p.m.
