Fisk University hosts their 88th Annual Spring Arts Festival, Sunday, April 2 through Sunday, April 9. Themed “Fisk and the Arts: Journey through the Decades,” the festival showcases the artistic contributions of students, faculty, and staff.
“For 87 years, the Spring Arts Festival has provided an outlet for the many talented students and faculty members that make up our Arts community,” said Persephone Felder-Fentress, organizer of the Festival. “Attendees will be treated to various vocal and instrumental performances, visual arts, a riveting Stagecrafters theatrical performance, and our annual Fisk for Fisk concert. There will be no shortage of talent and it is our sincerest hope that our students, faculty, staff, and community members enjoy the many activities throughout the week.”
Among events of special interest is the opening of two art exhibitions in the Carl Van Vechten Gallery on Thursday, April 6 at 6:30 pm: Origins of Influence, Part II: The Alfred Stieglitz Collection of Modern Art on the upper level and on the lower level the Grand Opening of Lou Outlaw: Retrospective. Art enthusiasts, history buffs and philosophy lovers are invited to come see both exhibitions, and meet and view the works of Lou Outlaw, a remarkable African American philosopher who juxtaposes religion, race, art and philosophy in his written works and photography.
Sunday, April 2 the Spring Arts Festival Church Service is at 9:30 am in the Fisk Memorial Chapel. Monday, April 3, a “Slurp and Stroke” sponsored by the Tanner Art Society for students is at 6:00 pm in the Sub Shop of Spence Hall (free admission). Student attendees will enjoy a fun, casual environment while creating their own paintings with guidance and instruction from a member of the Tanner Arts Society.
Tuesday, April 4, the Student Film Festival at 5:30 pm in the Appleton Room of Jubilee Hall serves as a launch pad for student filmmakers showcases works of Fisk students, with a panel discussion featuring Erika Swafford Green (ABC’s “How to Get Away with Murder”), Tobias Truvillion (Fox’s “Empire”), Robert Poole (Art Director for DEFY Media), Hazel Joyner Smith (Founder of the International Black Film Festival), and Brian Owens (Artistic Director of the Nashville Film Festival).
Wednesday, April 5, the “Voices of Today” Concert at 7:00 pm in the Fisk Memorial Chapel (Free) features Gary Powell Nash, Jonathan Bailey Holland, Daniel Bernard Roumain, INTERSECTION musicians, and MET Opera Singers.
Thursday, April 6, the Student Art Exhibit opens at 10:00 am in the Aaron Douglas Gallery in the Fisk Library (Free). The Fisk Stagecrafters performance of “Mr. Chickee’s Funny Money” at 10:00 am in the Fisk Memorial Chapel (Fisk students. Free; faculty, staff, and students without Fisk ID, $5; general admission $10 / repeats Friday, April 7, same time, same place).
At 6:30 pm Thursday in the Carl Van Vechten Gallery, two exhibitions open: Origins of Influence, Part II: The Alfred Stieglitz Collection of Modern Art and the Grand Opening of Lou Outlaw Retrospective. Gallery admission is $10 for adults, $6 for seniors, $5 for students, and $6 for groups of 10 or more.
Friday, April 7, enjoy A Conversation with Briona Richardson of the Nashville Ballet at 7:00 pm in The Little Theatre (Free). The Nashville native has studied with the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance, Hartford City Ballet and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Dancers of the Malone Dance Studio will perform.
Saturday, April 8, the Music Discipline Annual Concert is at 7:00 pm in the Fisk Memorial Chapel (Free). The Fisk for Fisk Benefit Concert Sunday, April 9 at 7:00 pm in the Fisk Memorial Chapel ($20 general admission (free for Fisk students with ID) features musical performances from Fisk graduates Maritri Garrett ’86, Jordan Holland ’11, Arica Ellis ’97, Joslyn Ford-Keel ’04, Vernard Burton ’99, and Debra Tillery ’79.
