Department of Fine Arts plans Night at the Pavilion

The University of South Dakota will take its Department of Fine Arts on the road to the Washington Pavilion Saturday evening.

The USD Night at the Pavilion will feature demonstrations and performances from the art, theater and music departments throughout the evening.

Eric Hagen, academic coordinator of the Department of Theatre, said Dean Larry Schou organized the showcase to show both alumni and potential USD students what the fine arts department does.

“Dean Schou has sought to pull together elements from all three arts departments,” Hagen said. “It’ll help students interested in USD get a better sense of what we do by seeing a smattering of arts activities.”

Cory Knedler, chair of the art department, said Night at the Pavilion is a good way for the fine arts department to interact with the public.

“It’s an opportunity for us to show what we do for research in the fine arts department,” Knedler said. “We don’t have a lot of opportunities to interact with the public. We’ll have people be there to talk to the public and talk about what we do as a department.”

The Department of Art will have all of its faculty on hand to answer questions and show work, along with several students who will show their work and do demonstrations, Knedler said.

The art department will feature pottery, printmaking and photography demonstrations, along with work displayed throughout the lobby of the Washington Pavilion.

The theater department will perform a dance from “Brigadoon,” scenes from “Madea,” a combat scene and a contemporary dance number.

The Department of Music will feature its chamber singers, opera, jazz ensemble and symphony orchestra.

The faculty art demonstrations and USD Admissions open house will take place from 5-7 p.m. in the lobby of the Washington Pavilion. The theater and music performances will start at 7:30 p.m. in the Mary W. Sommervold Hall at the Pavilion. The Night at the Pavilion is free and open to the public. The Washington Pavilion is located at 301 S Main Ave. in Sioux Falls, S.D.