Centennial ArtsFest Celebration 

A free arts celebration open to all – April 20-24, 2009

Students create the 2009 ArtsFest T-shirts. To buy one or an
ArtsFest tie, please contact Creative Arts and Humanities
Prof. Selena Liss. (Cheryl Falconar) 

 

ArtsFest, Marianopolis College’s free week-long arts celebration held every spring, had a special theme this year – the College’s Centennial. The week included music recitals, public readings, journal launches, film screenings and art exhibitions. Lectures and panel discussions brought to campus prominent guests active in the arts to share their work with the College community of parents, friends, neighbours and alumni.

A joint initiative of the departments of English and Liberal and Creative Arts, ArtsFest is a destination for the public as well as an excellent opportunity for aspiring artists, filmmakers, musicians and writers to showcase their talents alongside those of Marianopolis faculty and staff.

Highlights

April 20 to April 24
  • Alumni Association Photo Contest. Open to all Marianopolis students, faculty, staff and alumni.

  • Student theatre production of Sophocles' Antigone.

  • Library art project - An architectural gem and a former chapel, Marianopolis College's Library housed a series of wax tablets created for its former stations of the cross hollows.

  • Student art shows. Students showed off their two- and three- dimensional art works. 

  • Faculty, staff, alumni art exhibition. On display as part of Dirty Laundry, our faculty, staff and alumni event. 
  • All-college art project in the Student Lounge.
  • Display of student chapbooks.
April 20  
  • Literary journal launch. The Marianopolis Literary Journal features students’ creative writing and art. Professionally printed and bound, the journal will be distributed throughout the week. Last year's Literary Journal may also be viewed.
  • Visual art. Students from various programs presented original short videos, animation, musical and spoken-word performances. 
  • Play. A decidedly modern adaptation of Sophocles' Antigone. The newly crowned king of Thebes must decide the fate of his niece, Antigone. By burying her rebel brother, she defied city law and faces death by stoning. Should the king uphold the law in the politically fragile post-war environment or should he yield to rumours that the people support Antigone? Starring Marianopolis students and directed by Liberal and Creative Arts Prof. Rachel Levine, the play explored the complexities of family loyalty and good governance. 
April 21

  • Reading. Mark SaFranko, actor, playwright and author of four highly acclaimed novels, over 50 short stories and winner of the Frank O'Conner Prize, as well as the runner up for the Pushcart Prize.

  • Laptop orchestra. Students performed music for laptops, acoustic instruments and sensors. Includes visual elements and a chance for audience members to interact  musically with some of the technology. 
  • Arts bazaar. For sale: student-created work, including T-shirts, jewelry, chapbooks and photography. 
  • Play. A decidedly modern adaptation of Sophocles' Antigone. The newly crowned king of Thebes must decide the fate of his niece, Antigone. By burying her rebel brother, she defied city law and faces death by stoning. Should the king uphold the law in the politically fragile post-war environment or should he yield to rumours that the people support Antigone? Starring Marianopolis students and directed by Liberal and Creative Arts Prof. Rachel Levine, the play explored the complexities of family loyalty and good governance. 
April 22
  • Library art project inauguration - An architectural gem and a former chapel, Marianopolis College's Library housed ArtsFest a series of wax tablets created specifically for its former stations of the cross hollows. Inspired by notions of freedom, justice, hope and forgiveness, this art is meant to convey a message of peace and positive outlook on the world. The project was a joint initiative of Judith Stonehewer, coordinator of Library Services, Studio Art Prof. Eva Brandl and students from the CALL and Arts & Science program.   
  • Student vernissage. Creative Arts and Arts and Science students presented their Integrative Projects. More that 20 works were displayed. Theatre students performed short vignettes. 
  • Play. A decidedly modern adaptation of Sophocles' Antigone. The newly crowned king of Thebes must decide the fate of his niece, Antigone. By burying her rebel brother, she defied city law and faces death by stoning. Should the king uphold the law in the politically fragile post-war environment or should he yield to rumours that the people support Antigone? Starring Marianopolis students and directed by Liberal and Creative Arts Prof. Rachel Levine, the play explored the complexities of family loyalty and good governance. 
April 23
  • Student Mural. Unveiling of new mural in the Student Lounge.
  • Poet’s café. Readings and performances of students’ creative writing. 
  • Dirty Laundry cabaret. Faculty, staff and alumni showed off their creative prowess. An art exhibit, readings, music and good conversation were all on the agenda for this casual event. 
April 24

ArtsFest Concert. The College's Art Deco Auditorium was the place to be as some of the Professional Music Program's most talented students and alumni offered up an evening of classical music.  

Charles-Adam Foster-Simard, as Creon, carries the body of Haimon, Aris Hadjinicolaou, on the third
night of the student production of Sophocles' Antigone. (Alina Turcu)

Author Mark SaFranko reads two short stories to an appreciative Amphitheatre audience on April 21.
(Owen Egan).

Have laptop, will play: the laptop orchestra performs on April 21. (Owen Egan)