GVSU celebrates the arts

With more than one hundred art exhibits, concerts, recitals, guest lectures, and theater performances held each year, Grand Valley has long established itself as a champion of the arts and humanities in West Michigan. This year Grand Valley is taking that support to a new level. The Fall Arts Celebration, featured in eight events from September to November, showcases some of the premier artists and scholars making their mark on the world.

'Grand Valley has always celebrated the arts and humanities, but while we have highlighted various events over the years, the Fall Arts Celebration is the first real attempt to draw together a coordinated series of noteworthy events,' said Jon Jellema, dean of Arts and Humanities.

Most of the featured events take place in October -- National Arts and Humanities Month -- 'so the timing of the celebration makes good sense,' noted Jellema. All events are open to the public. A schedule follows.

Van Cliburn Gold Medalist Concert (SOLD OUT)
September 10, 8 p.m.
Louis Armstrong Theatre, Performing Arts Center
Featuring Olga Kern, gold medal winner of the 11th Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. The first woman in 30 years to win top honors in the prestigious competition, this dazzling young Russian pianist has performed in many of the worlds most important venues. Tickets $10. (Concert is sold out.)

Artist-Faculty Showcase
October 1, 8 p.m.
Cook-DeWitt Center, Allendale Campus
Featuring the celebrated talents of Grand Valleys newest artist-faculty members, Kathryn Stieler, soprano, and Pablo Mahave-Veglia, cello, in one exceptional evening of music. Free admittance.

Student Collage Concert
October 10, 12 noon
Cook-DeWitt Center, Allendale Campus
A spectacular program of performances by some of Grand Valleys finest musicians. Free.

Poetry Night
October 15, 7 p.m.
Loosemore Auditorium, DeVos Center, Grand Rapids Campus
Featuring Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Galway Kinnell and acclaimed poet/novelists Jim Harrison and Dan Gerber. Readings will be followed by conversation facilitated by Grand Valley Poet-in-Residence Patricia Clark. The public is invited to a reception and book signing afterwards.

Free admittance; limited seating. No reservations will be taken, but please indicate number attending by calling (616) 331-2180 or e-mail Patricia Clark at [email protected].

Posada Art Exhibit
September 29-October 24
Art Gallery, located in the Performing Arts Center
The exhibition features 42 vintage prints by celebrated Mexican artist Jos¿ Guadalupe Posada with accompanying artwork by Michigan artist Jose Narezo. Gallery hours: Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Thursdays open until 7 p.m. (616) 331-2564
Opening Reception: October 2, 2-4:30 p.m., Art Gallery
Lecture in Spanish by Juan Carlos Cedeno Vanegas, a member of the legendary Mexican printmaking family, on his familys connection to Posada:
October 2, 5:30 p.m., Loosemore Auditorium, DeVos Center, Grand Rapids Campus.
All events are free and open to the public.

Academic Lectures
Held in the Loosemore Auditorium, DeVos Center, Pew Grand Rapids Campus, 401 W. Fulton Street. Open to the public free of charge.

- October 28, 7 p.m.
Helen Thomas, tough, trailblazing White House correspondent and columnist for the past six decades, along with WOOD-TV 8 anchor Suzanne Geha

- November 5, 7 p.m.
Stephen Murray, medieval art and architecture expert who employs digital imaging for a fascinating 3-D look at ancient architecture

- November 12, 7 p.m
Martin Marty, well-known religious scholar whose 50 books include Americas Search for the Common Good.

More information
For more information on Fall Arts Celebration events, call (616) 331-2180 or see the online schedule here .