Arts Madness Week To Celebrate U.Va.’s Artistic Communities and Talents

Arts Madness Week returns this spring for its second year with a new vision and increased enthusiasm. The mission of this student-led campaign is to increase accessibility and visibility of all the arts to all members of the University community, build bridges between arts groups and raise excitement for the arts on Grounds.

Sponsored by the U.Va. Student Council’s Student Arts Committee with the help of the University Programs Council, Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection, Eunoia and the Office of the Vice Provost for the Arts, Arts Madness Week offers new and expanded events from Friday through March 30.

Participants can learn about pinhole photography or screen printing during short courses, watch a favorite a cappella or comedy group on an ARTStravaganza Night or explore career opportunities in a creative field at the Arts Career Panel.

“Arts Madness Week is back again this year taking the University by storm in a whirlwind of special events, performances and panels that celebrate the Arts at U.Va.,” said Jody Kielbasa, U.Va.’s vice provost for the arts. “It’s exciting to see the performing and visual arts come together across Grounds in a student-organized festival that offers everyone the opportunity to participate.”

Arts Madness Week offers a set of engaging events that involve students of all interest levels across the entire spectrum of art. The event is intended to encourage students to appreciate the University’s hidden artistic gems and to promote creative possibilities.

“It’s an honor and a privilege to be able to collaborate and share the talent of our students and other student performance groups with both our peers and audiences,” said Chelsea Marcelin, an undergraduate student and a producer of First Year Players, an independent student-run theater group that produces a musical every semester.

Arts Madness Week Calendar of Events

• Friday, March 22

ARTStravaganza Night I

Witness the diverse talent at U.Va. with a night of singing, dancing and comedy by some of the University’s finest performing arts groups and organizations. McLeod Auditorium, 8 p.m. Free admission.

Pilobolus Dance Workshop

Sponsored by the Drama Arts Board, this workshop will lead experienced dancers through an exploration of “partnering,” a weight-sharing movement and dance technique that the Pilobolus troupe has mastered. Memorial Gymnasium, 3-6 p.m. Apply for the workshop here.

• Saturday, March 23

ARTSravaganza Night II

A second night of singing, dancing and comedy by some of U.Va.’s finest performing arts groups (see above). Chemistry Auditorium, 8 p.m. Free admission.

Pilobolus Workshop Day I

Sponsored by the Drama Arts Board in conjunction with the Festival of the Moving Creature, Pilobolus will lead 25 students with varied levels of movement experience in creating a piece centered on the idea of “creature.” Students who participate in this workshop are not required to have a background in dance, but they are required to perform in conjunction with the Festival of the Moving Creature on April 20 at Nameless Field. Helms Theatre, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Apply for the workshop here.

• Sunday, March 24

Pilobolus Workshop Day II

See above.

University Programs Council Short Course: Pinhole Photography

Sign up to take part in this artistic experience with a local artist. Newcomb Dark Room in the Student Activities Center, noon to 4 p.m.

Clemons Library Art Gallery Opening Reception and Showcase

Attend the opening reception for the Clemons Art Gallery and enjoy an exhibit of student digital work in the Robertson Media Center (third floor), 6 to 8 p.m.

• Monday, March 25

Film Screening: “The Sapphires”

Sponsored by the Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection, “The Sapphires” follows the lives of four aboriginal women as they form a music group in the 1960s. Free; food and drinks provided. Harrison Institute Auditorium at the Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library. 7 p.m.

• Tuesday, March 26

Arts Career Panel

A panel of arts professionals will answer questions about how to launch an artistic career. A networking session will follow. Pizza and drinks provided. OpenGrounds on the Corner, 6 to 8 p.m.

Fralin Museum of Art Tour

Led by student docents, museum tours of The Fralin Museum of Art at the University of Virginia will take place every half-hour from 5 to 7 p.m. Resident advisers and residents can enter to win a door prize. Sign up via a Google doc sent to resident advisers.

• Wednesday, March 27

“Starting You Own Art Collection”: A Talk by Marc Lipson

Marc Lipson, professor of business administration at U.Va.’s Darden School of Business, will discuss how to create an art collection with limited funds. Campbell Hall, room 160, 6 to 8 p.m.

• Thursday, March 28

Literary Competition: Presented by Second-Year Council and Student Council

Have you written a beautiful work just begging to be read in front of an audience? Sit back and listen to inspired writers read from their work. West Range Café, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. More information can be found here.

• Friday, March 29

Final Fridays at the Fralin Museum, Ruffin Hall and Elmaleh Gallery

Explore all the great art on exhibit at Arts Grounds from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Snacks, food and drinks provided.

University Programs Council: Screen printing

Register to take part in this artistic short course about the art of screen printing. There are sessions from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. and from 4 to 6 p.m. OpenGrounds on the Corner.

• Saturday, March 30

Independent Student Art Project Fund Reception at Eunoia

The award recipients of this fund will display their final projects at the Eunoia gallery for the general public. Food provided. The Garden art gallery at Eunoia, a creative and artistic community of U.Va. Christian students. 1500 Jefferson Park Avenue, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Click here for an online schedule of events, how to register and a list of participating student organizations.