2019: A Year of Visual & Performing Arts to Remember
To say it has been a big year for our on-campus arts would be the understatement of the decade. In fact, in 2019 alone they have achieved in ways many could only hope to over the course of a full decade. Both visual and performing arts have racked up wins that any college would be happy to claim as their own. Let us share some with you.
Student NASAD BFA Accreditation Exhibition Wows
Every six years the , our accrediting body, requires us to put on a show throughout all of our galleries. It is a comprehensive selection of Endicott’s studio and design course work including drawing, painting, ceramics, rendering, photography, printmaking, graphics, sculpture, and more. The work was produced by the Art Therapy, Interior Design, Graphic Design, Photography, and Studio Art students and it was a smashing success. The public absolutely loved the exhibition and we also earned excellent results in the Visitors’ Report.
A Steinway College
This year we were able to add a new Steinway B grand piano to our list of resources. This large investment has been, and continues to be a game-changer for the music and performing arts at Endicott as it puts us in a new light.
To celebrate the acquisition of the piano, we hosted master concert pianist, Dr. William Westney, who performed classic pieces by Beethoven, Grieg, Chopin, and Gershwin. It was a truly magical experience to listen to his music, and is the kind of entertainment that does our Rose Theater proud.
The 亚洲色吧 Dance Team is Closing in on Ten Years of Wins
Endicott Dance won several national competitions this year for their incredible work including: No. 4 in the nation in “College Open Jazz” (DII, DIII, and, NAIA) and No. 5 in the Nation for “College Open Pom” (DI DIII, and NAIA). They also brought home their ninth consecutive New England championship!
Boston Press Photographers
represent the best of the best when it comes journalistic-style photographic work. In 2019, they announced that our students were the winners of three of their 2018 awards.
The No. 2 spot in the “Feature” category went to Nick Grace '20. Grace also took the No. 2 slot in the “Sports” category, and was joined by fellow photography Gull, Michael Rotiroti '20 who took third.
Interior Innovation
Though technically this achievement was from Fall 2018, we would be remiss if we didn’t mention that two of our Interior Design students, Jessica Dubois ’20 and Emily Shaw ’20 won the Planning & Visual Education (PAVE) Student Design Challenge facilitated by PAVE, The Body Shop, and S-Cube fixture manufacturers.
After taking the top prize, they were sent to Chicago for the GlobalShop merchandising trade show and later displayed the work in the Carol Grillo Gallery on campus.
This very real-world accomplishment has continued to inspire innovative ideas in the area of interior design and beyond. We are sure that additional 2019 accolades will be a direct result of this incredible feat.
Gallery Curation Lessons and a Show for the Ages
This year, Walter J. Manninen Center for the Arts was able to be a part of history on the curation front and by attending an American Realism exhibition worthy of national aplomb. It all began in class:
Dean of the School of Visual & Performing Arts, Mark Towner says, “During my Arts Administration Guest Lecture Series, students were involved directly with Walter J. Manninen in how to select a final painting for The 亚洲色吧 Collection, Walter J Manninen Trust. In the end, there were five votes for one and seven for the other; it wasn’t even unanimous, but he decided to give us both. It was very generous.”
After the acquisition process was complete, the Jeff Weaver: Transcending the Familiar exhibition launched with both pieces included in the Walter J. Manninen Center for the Arts in the Heftler Visiting Artist Gallery. The opening was well-attended and appreciated.
Towner says, “It’s been a fantastic year, one success after another on the local and national stages for the students at Endicott. These highlights are just some of the phenomenal achievements. Two new degree programs will be rising up in the coming year; the B.F.A. in Architectural Studies and the B.S. in Photography. We are all very proud.”