Cultural Calendar
Dr. Seuss, celebrated reporter Paul Tough and the 5th annual Intercollegiate Poetry Slam are among the highlights on this fall's cultural calendar at American International College. All events in the "Arts at AIC" series open to the public free of charge.
September 1-30
The "Arts at AIC" kicks of its third year with a new initiative from the National Endowment for the Humanities, "Picturing America." The exhibit captures the nation's artistic heritage and offers unique insights into the character, ideals and aspirations of the country. The September exhibit consists of 20 large high quality color reproductions of selected masterpieces. All works are by American painters, sculptors, photographers and architects. "Picturing America" may be viewed September 1-30, in the West Wing Gallery, Karen Sprague Cultural Arts Center.
In October, the college will present "Dr. Seuss Wants You." Springfield native Theodore Seuss Geisel,best known for his children's books written under his pen name, Dr. Seuss, served as chief political cartoonist for the New York newspaper "PM" from 1941-1943. During that time, messages from the Nazi regime moved him to produce over 400 images for the "PM" editorial pages. Geisel used his talents to comment on the political climate of the U.S. during World War II. Now, a selection of these cartoons is featured in a traveling exhibit developed in Cincinnati by The Center for Holocaust & Humanity Education.
The exhibit will be on display October 1-30, in the West Wing Gallery, Karen Sprague Cultural Arts Center.
October 15
Also in October, AIC and the Springfield Public Forum Series will present New York Times Magazine reporter and editor Paul Tough, the featured speaker for the "City Thinks 2009 Inaugural Lecture: Poverty, Education and Hope for Change." Tough is the author of the acclaimed book on academic reform efforts "Whatever It Takes: Geoffrey Canada's Quest to Change Harlem and America." The event will take place on October 15, with a reception with the speaker at 6:15 p.m. and lecture at 7:00 p.m., in the Griswold Theatre.
The American International College Department of English will play host to literary teams from cooperating colleges of Greater Springfield in lively, entertaining and cooperative poetry competition. The fifth annual Intercollegiate Poetry Slam, Wednesday, October 21 will feature area intercollegiate poets performing original poetry and receiving ratings from an Olympic-style panel of non-affiliated judges. The event is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. in West Wing Gallery, Karen Sprague Cultural Arts Center.
AIC students display their work in the Third Annual Fall Student Art Exhibition, November 1 to December 12 in the West Wing Gallery, Karen Sprague Cultural Arts Center. On exhibit will be the work of students enrolled in courses on Aesthetics of Contemporary Art and Appreciation of Art Through Painting. Student works will explore various modern art movements and visual concepts through collage, drawing and painting.
November 20-22
AIC's Garret Players will present "East of the Sun and West of the Moon," a play adapted from a Norwegian folk tale by the highly regarded American playwright, Tina Howe. The play tells the story of a teenage girl who is treated harshly by her mother and some of her siblings. Others in her family, including her father, are much kinder. She leaves home when a visiting bear impresses her with the news that he can help her family become wealthy should she come along with him. The large-cast play becomes an epic journey, filled with lovely or terrible imagery. Complex lighting and music transport the players and the audience to another time and place.
Performances will be held November 20 and 21 at 7:00 p.m. and November 22 at 2:00 p.m., in the Griswold Theatre.
