Fine arts students to showcase talent at Washington Pavilion

Artwork and performances from fine arts students at the University of South Dakota will soon be on display in Sioux Falls.

On Saturday, Jan. 31, the College of Fine Arts will be showcasing its faculty and students’ artwork as well as their musical and theater talents during the annual USD Night at the Washington Pavilion of Arts and Science.

As a graduate student specializing in sculpture, I will be participating in this year’s event. To learn more about the event, I spoke with Larry Schou, dean of the College of Fine Arts.

Schou spoke highly of his faculty and of the students who are pursuing fine arts degrees in art, music and theater within the College of Fine Arts.

“Sioux Falls is an active cultural spot for our region, and the Washington Pavilion is the perfect venue to showcase the talent and creative work that is being developed within the college at USD in Vermillion,” Schou said.

Both graduate and undergraduate students studying painting, sculpture, ceramics, printmaking, graphic design and photography will present, demonstrate and create works of art on the first floor of the Pavilion Saturday from 5-7 p.m.

Vistors will have an opportunity to talk to current art students about their research, while art faculty will provide information about their programs and the research opportunities available to undergraduate and graduate students.

Art history representatives will share information about global learning opportunities through dynamic study abroad classes, and members of the University Art Galleries will talk about recent contemporary and student shows, exhibits from the permanant collection and Oscar Howe curatorial opportunities.

The free event is sponsored by the USD Admissions Office and attendees of the evening’s event can also learn about other degree programs available at USD.

The Department of Theatre and the Department of Music will take to the stage in the Mary W. Sommervold Hall beginning at 7:30 p.m. Schou said the show is a fast-paced and family-friendly sampling of the works of performance-based MFA and BFA degrees offered at USD.

Featured theatrical performances will include scenes from “Pippin,” “Romeo and Juliet,” “Little Shop of Horrors” and “Death of a Salesman.”  The music department will be represented by the Musical Theatre, USD Jazz Ensamble, Chamber Singers, the USD Symphonic Band, USD Opera and the USD Symphony Orchestra.

USD Night at the Pavilion is an opportunity for USD fine arts students to gain exposure and professional experience that goes beyond the classroom. I look forward to presenting my work alongside fellow students from the art department, music department and theater department.