Students celebrated their writing, music, and artistic achievements in three May events showcasing creativity.
The Harris Art Gallery opened “Dancing in the Milky Way,” an exhibition of works by advanced art students, on May 8. The final exhibition of the academic year featured paintings, drawings, sculptures, and more by studio art students interpreting the joyful, celestial theme. Art history students assisted faculty with the curating and design of the exhibition, which remained on display at the gallery through May 17.
“Many professional artists have exhibited on our campus. To have students exhibiting in that same space is a pretty exciting professional experience,” said Dion Johnson, director of University Art Galleries.
On May 6, the university hosted the “Best of La Verne Music Department” concert at the Ann and Steve Morgan Auditorium. Graduating seniors were highlighted as students and faculty shared the stage in the season’s final Sundays at the Morgan performance.
Student writers had their moment in the spotlight at the Creative Writing Showcase on May 23 in the Interfaith Chapel. The creative writing program invited students to read from their own fictional works and answer questions about their writing process and inspirations.
“The student panel is my favorite part because they have to articulate how and why they are doing what they are doing. It gives them more ownership and puts them in a position of expert and author rather than student,” said Creative Writing Professor and Program Director Sean Bernard.