William Simpson Fine Arts Series

Virtual and In-Person Exhibit 
William Blizard Gallery 

Artists: Reed Anderson, Alex Callender, Donnabelle Casis, Beth Humphrey, Stacey McCarthy, Baird Soules, Scott Wolniak, and poetry by Rob Bywater. Curated by Jacin Giordano and Jessica Poser.

In botany, rhizomes are root masses that send out roots and shoots from various nodes. As a theoretical framework, the rhizome suggests an image of thought, one which has multiple entry and exit points, a non-hierarchical structure with no beginning and no end. The work in this exhibit explores these connections in imagery and process as well as in material and conceptual approaches.

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Storytelling with Shannon Cason
Thursday, Feb. 25, 7:30 p.m.

In this virtual event, nationally recognized and award-winning storyteller Shannon Cason will share personal narratives through his “brutally honest storytelling.” He'll also answer questions about the craft and process of storytelling for both personal and professional empowerment.

Cason has been sharing his stories and storytelling techniques throughout the country professionally for more than 10 years. He is a regular on the NPR program Snap Judgment, and was awarded its Best Performance Award. For The Moth storytelling organization, his titles and work include host, MainStage storyteller, and GrandSlam Champion. He also travels for the organization as one of its educational instructors. 

Cason appears on countless podcasts and storytelling stages, including hosting his own Homemade Stories Live shows. He has been featured on TEDx and RISK!. He hosts two other podcasts: The Trouble with Shannon Cason (WBEZ in Chicago) and In Good Co. (WDET in Detroit). 

Zoom ID: 936-0958-0424

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The Music of Dori Freeman and Nick Falk 
Concert: Thursday, March 11, 6 p.m.
Talkback: Friday, March 12, 10 a.m. 

Dori Freeman, along with collaborator and husband Nick Falk, will provide an exclusive virtual performance to the Springfield College community in which they will play a mix of originals and country/folk standards that reflect the roots of American rural musical traditions. A talkback discussion will take place the following morning.

Freeman is from the Appalachian town of Galax, Va., where she grew up in a musical family. Her father, Scott Freeman, and grandfather, Willard Gayheart, both play music, and their family owns the Front Porch Gallery and Frame Shop which is part of The Crooked Road, Virginia's heritage music trail.  Her self-titled debut album was released by Free Dirt Records in February 2016.

Writers at Rolling Stone Country called the album “a strong contender for Americana debut of the year” and Jon Pareles, writing in The New York Times, said “The purity of Dori Freeman's voice and the directness of her songwriting reflect not only her Appalachian hometown—Galax, Va.— but also a determined classicism, a rejection of the ways modern country punches itself up for radio and arenas.” Ann Powers of NPR said the “debut album shows great range and incredible emotional nuance.”  Powers also said, “It's startling to hear such a fully formed singing and songwriting voice come out of nowhere.” Rolling Stone editors included Freeman on their list of “10 New Country Artists You Need to Know.”

Zoom ID for Concert: 924-9029-8422
Zoom ID for Talkback: 956-2531-5797

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Virtual Art Exhibition
William Blizard Gallery
Artists: Simone Alter-Muri, Harriet Diamond, Viki Gable, and Judy Shintani
March 15-April 9

This exhibit, envisioned by Simone Alter-Muri, connects present-day refugee crises to those of the past. Art can serve as both a witness and as a vehicle to address social issues. Art also can help convey and, indeed, instill resilience. 

The virtual exhibit can be viewed from March 15 to April 9 here. 

View the Art Exhibit

Artists talk and Poetry Reading by poet D. Dina Friedman
March 18, 7 to 8:30

Artists Simone Alter-Muri, Harriet Diamond, Viki Gable, and Judy Shintani will discuss their artwork, their rationale and passion for creating the art, and their intention to raise awareness of another pandemic—that of refugees. D. Dina Friedman will read her poems about the refugee crisis on the Mexican-U.S. border. A question-and-answer session will follow the presentations.

Join the conversation on Zoom. ID: 998 6739 1729

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Theater Grottesco’s CONSIDER THIS…
Friday, March 19, noon
Audience Talkback follows the production

CONSIDER THIS... is a 60-minute romp through the pre-history of American theater, from Greek tragedy to Commedia dell’Arte, clown, buffoon, masks, and more. Enjoy the irreverence of one of America’s most creative theatrical ensembles while they share the philosophy and the many theatrical styles that make up their fantastically imaginative original plays.

Theater Grottesco is an anomaly in American theater. The Grottesco artists create their own plays collectively. The choice of realism, generic comedy, or musicals, is replaced with a broad range of historical theatrical styles or combinations of styles—distinctly “unrealistic”—and most often, pushing the artists into unknown territory. Instead of intellectual arguments and emotion conveyed through a script, the company uses imagery, movement, stillness, and silence to move audiences. In many ways, Theater Grottesco is closer to dance, music, and the fine arts than it is to the conventional theater.

Zoom ID: 999-0093-6925

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A Virtual Theater Presentation
By Molière, translated by Richard Wilbur
Directed by Martin Shell

April 8-10: Thursday, 7 p.m., Friday, 7 p.m., Saturday, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

The funniest comic masterpiece ever about how good people can be deceived by a dangerous hypocrite who only pretends to be virtuous! Orgon, the father of a normal family, forbids the joys and engagement wishes of his children in obedience to his cherished house guest, the righteous and puritanical “man of faith,” Tartuffe! What will happen when he discovers this so-called “godly man” has illicit interests in his own wife?

This production will be presented online combining live actors and recorded scenes, and delightfully incorporating the homespun techniques of Toy Theater, featuring simple flat puppets, in a playfully imaginative Zoom-scape.

Zoom I.D.: 993-9943-8926

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Virtual and Live Exhibit
William Blizard Gallery
Featuring works by Senior Art; Art Education; Art Therapy; and Digital, Web, and Multimedia Design Majors

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. 

Link to virtual exhibit to come

Friday, April 23, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 24, 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. 
Rain Date: Sunday, April 25

Be a part of an evening to remember at Springfield College as members of the dance program present their first-ever socially distanced "Drive-in" Dance Concert. The concert will feature exciting new works by student choreographers in varying styles such as tap, hip-hop and contemporary. View this free dance concert from the comfort and safety of your vehicles in parking Lot 9. Or, if you are a student, enjoy the show from our socially distanced designated seating area.

You must register online in advance to reserve your parking spot. Parking spots and seats are limited.*

*Please note: space is limited per performance, and you may be placed on a waitlist if the performance is full. You will be contacted by email if the show you have chosen is full. If you have registered for a performance and can no longer attend, please contact Sarah Zehnder, Director of Dance, at szehnder@springfield.edu.

Virtual and Live Exhibit
William Blizard Gallery
May 3-15

This exhibit showcases the work of graduate students of art therapy. Work includes graphic design, ceramics, photography, printmaking, painting, drawing, sculpture, and mixed media.

Link to virtual exhibit to come

Springfield College Virtual Band Concert and Music Student Showcase
Thursday, May 6

Members of the Springfield College band, along with featured music students from campus vocal and instrumental studios, will present a program of music recorded over the course of the spring semester. The repertoire performed will range from traditional through contemporary styles and will focus on the theme of social justice in American music. This event will be held virtually, and the videos will go “live” on the date of the concert.

Link to the virtual concert to come