William Simpson Fine Arts Series

February 7 - April 7

Reception: Thursday, March 24, 4-6 p.m.

We are thrilled that the photographs of renowned street photographer Garry Winogrand will be on exhibit in the William Blizard Gallery. On exhibit will be his 1982 portfolio: Women are better than men. Not only have they survived, they do prevail.  An epic chronicler of American life, Winogrand said, “You may say I'm a student of photography, and I am– but really, I’m a student of America.”  Known for his wry observations of fleeting human interactions, his photographs offer unexpected details and unresolved moments in time, encouraging us to look and look again at these snapshots of everyday life. This portfolio offers characteristic Winogrand points of view: tilted horizons, temporary choreographies, and centrifugal compositions. The images offer a unique vantage point on post-War America: an energetic tension between hope and optimism for a new age, woven through with deep ambivalence and anxiety. 

The students of ARTS 225: Introduction to Photography, will be creating work in response to the photographs, which will be included in the exhibition as well.

The Last Rat of Theresienstadt 
Hilary Chaplain and Company
Feb 16 at 7 p.m.
Appleton Auditorium, Fuller Arts Center

Sofia Brünn, a Weimar cabaret star from 1930’s Berlin, finds herself transplanted to Theresienstadt, a concentration camp in Czechoslovakia. During her time in the camp, she forges an unlikely friendship with Pavel, a rat. Despite the lack of food that has driven away the rest of his kind, Pavel remains with her out of his love for her and her art.

This award-winning show from New York is about resistance and hope, and the need to fill the soul as well as the body. A dark comedy, The Last Rat of Theresienstadt is a low-tech, multi-media play with music, puppetry, and live-action projections. ​

Note: This show is for mature audiences only.

Antigone
Sophocles
Freely adapted and directed by Martin Shell and presented by Springfield College Theater

April 1-April 3  
Friday, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, 2 p.m.
Appleton Auditorium, Fuller Arts Center

This fresh adaptation of a classic Greek drama tells the story of a rebellious young woman, Antigone, who resists a tyrannical political leader, the new king Creon, who happens to be her uncle! Our new version features the modern-day setting of a war-torn country, and the constant media, cameras, and reporters who press themselves into the middle of this family tragedy. A masterpiece of civil disobedience, Antigone explores the struggle of the individual with the laws of the state.

Do the proud ever find joy? Whose truth matters?

Suggested general admission: $5; Students and senior citizens: $2

Poetry reading by Karen Skolfield 
Monday, April 4, 7:30 p.m. 
Cleveland E. and Phyllis B. Dodge Room (B), Flynn Campus Union

U.S. Army veteran and poet Karen Skolfield will read from her poetry, including her most recent book, Battle Dress (W. W. Norton), which draws on her experiences serving in the military. Described as “a terrific and sometimes terrifying collection–morally complex, rhythmic, tough-minded, and original” by poet Rosanna Warren, Battle Dress won the 2020 Massachusetts Book Award in poetry and the Barnard Women Poets Prize. Skolfield’s first collection, Frost in the Low Areas (Zone 3 Press), won the 2014 PEN New England Award in poetry. She also is the winner of the 2016 Jeffrey E. Smith Editors’ Prize in poetry from The Missouri Review. Skolfield teaches writing to engineers at the University of Massachusetts and serves as the poet laureate for Northampton, Mass., for 2019-2022. 

Not to be missed! A Q&A will follow the reading.

Photo: Paula Champagne

Samirah Evans and her Jazz Quintet
April 7, 7:30 p.m.
Marsh Memorial Chapel*

Samirah Evans and her quintet will present a program of jazz repertoire composed or popularized by Black artists. The quintet features Springfield's own legendary bassist Avery Sharpe, along with saxophonist Ron Smith, trumpeter Haneef Nelson, pianist Ben Khon, and drummer Conner Meehan.

During her career as a performer and recording artist, Samirah Evans has become known for her dynamic and soulful approach to music, especially in the jazz and blues genres. Her musical style is heavily influenced by the New Orleans sound where she was one of the city’s most popular and in-demand singers for nearly 20 years. Her 1990 debut at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival began a run of 15 consecutive appearances, either as a leader or featured vocalist, and she was a fixture in clubs and concert venues throughout the Crescent City, including Snug Harbor, Tipitina’s, and the House of Blues. 

Evans has toured North and South America, Europe, and Asia, sharing stages with a multitude of New Orleans notables and legendary artists, including James Brown, B.B. King, Dr. John, Aaron and Charles Neville, Sheila Jordan, Terence Blanchard, Donald Harrison Jr., Michael Franks, Poncho Sanchez, Katie Webster, Bob Dorough, Irma Thomas, Kermit Ruffins, Trombone Shorty, Duke Robillard, Levon Helm, Jaimoe (of the Allman Brothers), and Sam Kininger. Hurricane Katrina caused Evans to relocate to her husband’s hometown of Brattleboro, Vt. She has since been performing in venues and festivals throughout the northeast with her band, Samirah Evans and Her Handsome Devils, and her classic New Orleans R&B choir, the NOLABratts, among other projects.

*Please note: masks are required for all attendees at this performance regardless of vaccination status.

Graduating Undergraduate Student Exhibition:
Featuring works by Art and Design, Art Education, and Art Therapy majors. 
April 11-22
William Blizard Gallery

Reception: Friday, April 22, 3-5 p.m.

The exhibit showcases the work of graduating seniors in the Department of Visual and Performing Arts. Work includes: graphic design, ceramics, photography, printmaking, painting, drawing, sculpture, and mixed media.

Senior Dance Concert: "Fuerza y Resistencia"
April 13-14, 7:30 p.m.
Appleton Auditorium, Fuller Arts Center

This showcase of new choreographic works by Cynthia Duran and Elaine Ortiz aims to bring awareness and acknowledge different social issues, displaying different intersectionalities with underlying themes of power. This concert consists of a series of dance works showcasing topics surrounding ableism, sexual violence, the dynamics of power in prison systems, trauma, suicidal ideation, and gender through the lens of marginalized groups, investigating the complexities of these issues in our society and bringing them forth to spark dialogue. The human experience is complex and ranges in how we express ourselves and how we don’t. This show encompasses the grief, joy, violence, perseverance, and fragility of our relationships with ourselves, others, and the system that we currently live in.

Suggested donation: $5

*Please note: masks are required at these performances regardless of vaccination status.

Masters Students in Art Therapy and Counseling Exhibit
April 25-May 14
William Blizard Gallery

Reception: Saturday May 14, Noon-2 p.m.

This show explores themes of memory, home, personal narrative, and intimate aspects of ourselves. Each artist, in their own way, navigates how their lived experience intersects with their therapeutic practice, their artistic process, and personal traditions. The viewer is drawn into each installation, invited to participate in their own reflection and contribute to each piece of art. Through this interactive element, the observer becomes a creator and is invited to engage and leave their mark. 

Artists: Arielle Jessop-Humpage, Quin Feder, and Kaiti Hope

Annual Spring Music Concert:
Featuring the SC Singers and Springfield College Band
April 26, 7:30 p.m.
Marsh Memorial Chapel

The Spring Music Concert will feature the music of the SC Singers, the Springfield College Community Chorus, and the Springfield College Band, along with showcase performances from select students involved in music studios across campus. Light refreshments will be served after the show.

Please note: Masks will be required of audience members at this event, regardless of vaccination status, to protect community members. Masks will be made available to attendees who may need one.

Spring Dance Concert
April 29-May 1  
Springfield College Dancers Annual Spring Concert
Appleton Auditorium, Fuller Arts Center
Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday at 3 p.m.

The spring dance concert will feature new dance works by student choreographers in a wide variety of styles from contemporary to tap. Don’t miss this exciting event.

General admission: $5; students $4; senior citizens and children ages 12 and younger, $2. Tickets can be purchased at the door or by calling (413) 748-3805.