William Simpson Fine Arts Series

Welcome to the fall 2023 season of the William Simpson Fine Arts Series at Springfield College. 

The new season of the William Simpson Fine Arts Series at Springfield College will entertain and inspire.

Experience the arts with magnificent work from artists and performers from both inside and outside the Springfield College community. Attendees will be dazzled by dance performances, captivated by art exhibitions, and delighted by concerts and literary events.

Programs are open to the public, and most events are free of charge unless otherwise noted.

If you would like to receive email reminders before each event, we encourage you to email us at simpsonartsseries@springfieldcollege.edu.

Art Exhibit

Narrative Portraiture

September 6-October 6
William Blizard Gallery
Second Floor, Blake Hall
Open Monday-Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Opening Reception: Wednesday, September 6, 4-5:30 p.m. at the William Blizard Gallery

For centuries, visually capturing the essence of an individual has been a driving force amongst artists. In this group show, artists share their vision and interpretations of the human face up close or at a distance, alone or in a group, an exchange in the making through a diverse set of real or representational expressions that gaze back at the viewer.

Portrait of Hansel Robles by Gina Minielli Photography

a closely cropped photo of a man's face
Music Concert

Ezekiel's Wheels

Tuesday, October 3 at 7:30 p.m.
Union West, Stitzer Welcome Center at Judd Gymnasia

The award-winning and internationally acclaimed Ezekiel’s Wheels Klezmer Band brings passion, virtuosity, and contagious energy to every performance. The Wheels improvise with the intimacy of chamber music and the intensity of a rowdy dance band. Their engaging contemporary interpretation of Jewish music is irresistible to audiences ranging from elementary school students to the judges at the International Jewish Music Festival, who heralded them as “a true musical democracy.” You won't want to miss this unique opportunity to hear authentic Klezmer music performed by a world-class ensemble with unrivaled energy and spontaneity! 

This visit by Ezekiel's Wheels to the Springfield College campus is supported in part by a generous Jewish Community grant from the Harold Grinspoon Foundation.

photo of the members of Ezekial's Wheels holding their instruments
Art Exhibit

Please Mind The Gap

October 23-November 17
William Blizard Gallery
Second Floor, Blake Hall
Open Monday-Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Opening Reception: Monday, October 23, 4-5:30 p.m. at the William Blizard Gallery

A group exhibition of local artists interpreting transitional space on both sides of a boundary without limitation to material, complexity, or concept within the liminal space, affording a dichotomy of emotion to be experienced and explored by the viewer.

Art by Kellie Murphy

a colorful abstract painting
Literary Reading

Author Matthew E. Henry (MEH)

Thursday, November 9, at 7:30 p.m.
Harold C. Smith Presentation Room, Stitzer Welcome Center at Judd Gymnasia

Matthew E. Henry (MEH), PhD, is the Boston-born author of the full-length collections the Colored page (Sundress Publication, 2022), The Third Renunciation (New York Quarterly Books, 2023), the chapbooks Teaching While Black (Main Street Rag, 2020), Dust & Ashes (Californios Press, 2020), and the micro-chapbook have you heard the one about...? (Ghost City Press, 2023). He also has a collection forthcoming from Harbor Editions (said the Frog to the scorpion). MEH is editor-in-chief of The Weight Journal and an associate poetry editor at Pidgeonholes. His work has been nominated for the Pushcart Prize, and in 2020, he was a finalist for the Massachusetts Book Awards. He was recently named the 2023 winner of the Solstice Literary Magazine Stephen Dunn Poetry Prize.

photo of Matthew Henry reading on stage
Presented by Springfield College Theater

“Shorts & Briefs"

A Selection of 10-Minute Plays, including the Premiere of an Original Play by a Springfield College Playwright
Directed by Martin Shell
November 10-12
Friday, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday,  2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, 2 p.m.
Appleton Auditorium, Fuller Arts Center

They hit the ground running and zip you to a surprise finish, when, before you can catch your breath, the next ride pulls you in! A complete evening of theater selected from the very best of 10-minute plays that will enthrall and engage you with a smorgasbord of emotions and a diversity of styles.  Novel, inventive, funny, heartfelt – something for everyone! 

The premiere of at least one original play authored by a member of our own Springfield College community, chosen from submissions to our Invitational, will be included—maybe more than one!

Suggested Donation: General public: $5, students and senior citizens: Free

four student actors on stage
Art Exhibit

Student Art Show

November 27 - December 8
William Blizard Gallery
Second Floor, Blake Hall
Open Monday-Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Opening Reception: Monday, November 27, 4-5:30 p.m. at the William Blizard Gallery

This student exhibition will showcase the work of graduating master’s students in art therapy as well as undergraduate students’ work from the studio arts classes. Pieces will include painting, drawing, photography, sculpture, graphic design, computer graphics, video installation, mixed media, and ceramics.

Sculpture by Nina Lamb, Class of 2025, Criminal Justice major

a white flower sculpture
Dance Performance

CommUnity Dance Concert

December 8-10
Friday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, 3 p.m.
Appleton Auditorium, Fuller Arts Center

Join us for an exciting evening of faculty and guest artist works featuring the Springfield College Dancers and special guests. The concert will feature two new choreographic works by internationally renowned guest artists, Monica Bill Barnes and Andrea Miller, Artistic Director and Choreographer of Gallim Dance. 

The evening will also feature a diverse array of works by Springfield College dance faculty.

Friday evening’s performance will be followed by a Q&A with the choreographers and dancers.
Tickets: General admission: $10, students: $5, senior citizens and children: $3

a group of dancers with colorful cloth props
Featuring the Springfield College Community Chorus and Springfield College Band

Annual Winter Concert

Tuesday, December 12 at  7:30 p.m.
Marsh Memorial Chapel

Join members of the Springfield College Department of Music for their annual winter concert featuring the Springfield College Community Chorus, the Springfield College Band, and soloists from across the music program. Seasonal music and other popular favorites will surely get you moving and singing along.

members of the Springfield College band playing during a concert
Art Exhibit

Student Graphic Design Show

December 13 - January 18
William Blizard Gallery
Second Floor, Blake Hall
Open Monday-Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Closing Reception: Thursday, January 18, 2024, 4-5:30 p.m. at the William Blizard Gallery

This graphic design student exhibition showcases visual identity systems developed for potential Olympic host city candidates. The work was created as part of a semester-long assignment where each team of students was assigned a host city candidate. These designers conducted research into not only their candidate city/nation, but also the history and culture of the Olympics, and the history of design systems along with current trends. The resulting visual identity work presented at this exhibition includes logos, style guides, tickets, pictograms, posters, medals, environmental graphics, motion graphics, and more.

Graphic Design by Chris Sanabria

colorful designs for olympic sports

If you have a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to attend any of the William Simpson Fine Arts Series events, please contact Julie Calhoun at least two weeks in advance of the event date, at jcalhoun2@springfield.edu or (413) 748-3930 to discuss your accessibility needs.

William Simpson Fine Arts Series Committee Members, Fall 2023: 

Department of Visual and Performing ArtsArt ExhibitsLiteratureMusicDanceTheater
Christopher Gagne, ChairKellie MurphyRebecca LartigueChristopher Gagne, Committee Chair
 
Sarah ZehnderMartin Shell 
(413) 748-3277(413) 748-3930(413) 748-3189(413) 748-3277(413) 748-3158(413) 748-3443