William Simpson Fine Arts Series

Thursday, February 2 at 7:30 p.m.
Marsh Memorial Chapel

Blending distinctive original songs with classic tunes that pay homage to a shared musical heritage, Say Darling evokes the funky drive of Little Feat, the moving vocals of Bonnie Raitt, and the instrumental prowess of the Tedeschi-Trucks Band. Say Darling has been referred to as a "lethal combination of all-star musicians" (Manchester Ink Link) from the New England roots rock scene. The quintet can go from pin-drop silence to a cascading roar in the span of one song, keeping the audience on the edge of their seats. This is sure to be a performance you won't want to miss!

February 6 - March 31
William Blizard Gallery
Second Floor, Blake Hall
Open Monday-Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Opening Reception: Wednesday, February 8, 4-5:30 p.m. at the William Blizard Gallery

In this conceptually diverse, multifaceted exhibition, the visual arts faculty will be exhibiting their creative work juxtaposed with a side of inspiration. Bon appètit!

Photo: Meghan Gaul, associate professor of graphic design

Wednesday, February 15 at 7 p.m.
Appleton Auditorium, Fuller Arts Center

The Sandglass Theater piece about belonging, memory, and inter-generational dialogue, "When I Put on Your Glove," is a puppetry, dance, and spoken narrative piece that explores a daughter's relationship to her father's work building upon a premise that puppets are containers of memory. In it, a daughter explores what it means for her to slip into her father's art—and not just the form, but the actual pieces. This work addresses universal questions of belonging, childhood, fear of loss, death, and the complicated nature of navigating generational artistic legacy. Meeting the voice of the past with the voice of the present, and singing it into the future. For ages 14 and up.

"When I Put on Your Glove" is supported in part by an award from the Vermont Arts Council.

Tuesday, March 7, from 7-8:30 p.m.
Harold C. Smith Presentation Room, Stitzer Welcome Center at Judd Gymnasia

Jeff Parker is the author of the nonfiction book, Where Bears Roam the Streets: A Russian Journal (Harper Collins), the novel Ovenman (Tin House), and the short-story collection The Taste of Penny (Dzanc). His many collaborative books and anthologies include: Clean Rooms, Low Rates; Erratic Fire; Erratic Passion: The Poetry of Sportstalk, A Manner of Being: Writers on their Mentors; Rasskazy: New Fiction from a New Russia; Amerika: Russian Writers View the United States; and The Back of the Line. His short fiction and nonfiction have been published in The Best American Nonrequired Reading, McSweeney's, Ploughshares, Tin House, and many others. He currently teaches in the MFA for Poets & Writers program at the University of Massachusetts. He is the cofounder and director of the DISQUIET International Literary Program in Lisbon, Portugal.

Thursday, March 23 at 6:30 p.m.
Harold C. Smith Presentation Room, Stitzer Welcome Center at Judd Gymnasia

The ArtSalon gives artists of many disciplines a forum to present their work and discuss their artistic process with the public through PechaKucha-style presentations. This format allows the artists to present for about 6 1/2 minutes each, followed by a Q&A with the audience. This ongoing series of live oral presentations about creativity, process, and finished work reveals the liveliness of contemporary visual arts in Western Massachusetts.

Presenting artists and organizations: Xuam Pham, Kimani Worghs, Make-It Springfield

Sliding scale donation to attend is $10-15 and free for students. Doors will open at 6 p.m. and presentations begin at 6:30 p.m. Visit theartsalon.com for more information and updates.

By Lauren Gunderson
Directed by Martin Shell
March 31-April 2
Friday, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday,  2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, 2 p.m.
Appleton Auditorium, Fuller Arts Center

Four badass women lose their heads in this irreverent, girl-powered comedy set during the French Revolution's Reign of Terror. A playwright, an assassin, a former queen, and a Caribbean spy walk into a room and attempt to save the soul of France while avoiding the edge of the guillotine's blade. This grand and dream-tweaked comedy is about violence and legacy, art and activism, feminism and terrorism, compatriots and chosen sisters, and how we actually go about changing the world.

"...a sassy, hold-on-to-your-seats theatrical adventure...wonderfully wild and raucous..."
Cincinnati Enquirer

"By turns it is drolly funny and affectingly poignant, then doubles back to satirical farce, then ends by bringing into stark relief the social commentary that it has been nurturing all night."
FloridaTheaterOnStage.com

Suggested Donation: General: $5, students and senior citizens: $2

Monday, April 3 at 7 p.m.
Marsh Memorial Chapel

A decade in the making, a young filmmaker (Tim O’Donnell ’05) confronts family, memory, and addiction as he chronicles his father‘s journey to recover lost memories following a traumatic brain injury. Using experimental approaches with projected installations, he attempts to find those missing memories in hopes of finding the dad he used to know. As memories return in the form of dreams, the family struggles with acceptance of this new version of their father.

O’Donnell is an Emmy-nominated and award-winning documentary filmmaker. He majored in Art Education at Springfield College and was a standout member of the wrestling team. Following graduation he was hired at Springfield's Central High School as an art teacher, eventually becoming the chair of that department. Recognized as “an absolute powerhouse of a film” by ESPN, The House We Lived In has been presented and honored at film festivals across the country, and recently won the best feature documentary award at the New Hampshire Film Festival. The film has been featured on national media outlets, such as ESPN and NPR, and has won high praise from a variety of publications.

A discussion and Q&A with O’Donnell will follow the screening.

Held in collaboration with the Graduate Art Therapy/Counseling department.

April 12 - 24
William Blizard Gallery
Second Floor, Blake Hall
Open Monday-Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Closing Reception: Monday, April 24, 4-5:30 p.m. at the William Blizard Gallery

This exhibit showcases the work of graduating seniors in the Department of Visual and Performing Arts. Works include graphic design, ceramics, photography, printmaking, painting, drawing, sculpture, and mixed media.

Painting by Wyatt DeFriesse, Art Therapy major, Class of 2023

April 21-23
Featuring the Springfield College Dancers
Friday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, 3 p.m.
Appleton Auditorium, Fuller Arts Center

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!

Tickets: General admissions: $8, students: $4, senior citizens and children ages 12 and younger: $2
Tickets can be purchased at the door or by calling (413) 748-3805

Tuesday, April 25 at  7:30 p.m.
Marsh Memorial Chapel

Usher in the spring season with the annual Spring Music Concert, which will feature the music of the Springfield College Community Chorus, the Springfield College Band, and performances from student musicians involved in the applied music program.

May 1 - May 13
William Blizard Gallery
Second Floor, Blake Hall
Open Monday-Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Opening Reception: Tuesday, May 2, 4-5:30 p.m. at the William Blizard Gallery
Closing Reception: Saturday, May 13, noon to 2 p.m. at the William Blizard Gallery

This exhibit features work by the graduating students in the graduate art therapy/counseling program. Works include graphic design, ceramics, photography, printmaking, painting, drawing, sculpture, and mixed media.

Painting by Michaela Ciovacco, Art Therapy/Counseling major, Graduate Class of 2023