A fond farewell to 2022

December 19 2022

As the curtain closes on 2022, we can't help but look back with pride at the wonderful experiences, accomplishments, and developments that took place within the College of Fine Arts. We are thankful for our vibrant community and the happy memories we have shared this year. 

Here are just a few highlights: 

Department of Art & Art History 

  • Alumnus Ted Nagata was honored with the Legacy Award at the 2022 CFA Gala for his remarkable career in graphic design.
  • The Department hosted renowned visiting artists Emily Eliza Scott, Wuon-Gean Ho, Peter Pinnell and Shiva Nallaperumal
  • Several public exhibitions filled the Alvin Gittins Gallery, including "Internal Structures" featuring selected recent alumni, "We'll Miss You: 2022 Graphic Design Senior Show," "Intuitive Survey" by MFA candidate Reilly Jensen, "Conflux: Blind Date" and "Conflux:Acquainted," a collaborative exhibition series with sculpture students at Weber State University, and the annual Holiday Art Sale. 
  • Students in the Site, Space, and Installation class showcased artwork using light and sound as main mediums in a one-night exhibition in J. Willard Marriott Library, entitled "From One Outlet to the Next."

School of Dance

  • The School of Dance welcomed Douglass Corbin, Joselli Audain Deansand Kym McDaniel to the faculty. 
  • The School of Dance Concert showcased historical repertory work "Songs of the Disinherited" by Donald McKayle, Fokine's "Les Sylphides," and new works by Brent Scheider and Sara Pickett. 
  • Utah Ballet featured premieres by alumna Sayoko Knode, and faculty artist Ch ristine McMillan, plus a historical re-staging of the third act of Marius Petipa's "Sleeping Beauty," staged by Christopher Alloways-Ramsey. 
  • Students premiered original choreography in the School of Dance Student Concert. 
  • The Screendance program launched and presented EXPS/SLC, an ongoing experimental video/film series hosted at the Union Theatre. 

Department of Film & Media Arts

  • The department hosted the annual F&MAD Film Festival at the Gateway Megaplex, spotlighting curated films by undergraduate and graduate students.
  • Alumnus Duke Ross, a former leader in the Film Production Club and ArtsForce Intern, won a Beacons of Excellence Award from the University of Utah.
  • Actress and filmmaker Amy Redford joined students as a guest speaker, and shared her experiences in the industry. 
  • Professor Emelie Mahdavian was a recipient of the Sundance Institute Sandbox Fund for her work on a new film surrounding the Thwaites Glacier in West Antarctica. The film is produced in collaboration with MFA alum John D. Sutter. 
  • Film Production Capstone students publicly pitched projects before a prestigious panel of filmmakers at the Film Pitch Competition.
  • The new film production studio was up and running with classes from morning until night, just one of many ongoing facility updates upgrading the student experience. 

School of Music

  • The School of Music welcomed new director, Dr. Kim Councill.
  • Larry Smith was honored with the Arts Educator Award at the CFA Gala for his contributions and success as a choral music educator. 
  • In collaboration with the Pakistani Student Association, the school hosted world renowned Qawwali singer, Shazia Manzoor in a one-of-a-kind family concert in Libby Gardner Concert Hall.
  • Cellist David Fickel and pianist Wu Han played an exclusive concert followed by a special town hall with students where they shared their experiences at the cutting edge of new chamber music. 
  • Students shone in dozens of recitals, streamed on the school's Live at Libby YouTube channel. 
  • Ten School of Music faculty, alumni, and graduate students presented research at the 2022 National Association for Music Education.
  • The Liszt Festival featured a series of concerts, lectures and masterclasses by guests, faculty, and alumni. 
  • Alumna Morgan Smith, and current student Rachel Horman participated in International Musicians Academy in Vidin, Bulgaria, where they were joined by Dr. Blanka Bednarz and featured as soloists

Department of Theatre

  • Students in the Actor Training Program and Musical Theatre Program triumphed in productions of "The Old Man and the Old Moon," "Somewhere: A Primer for the End of Days," and "In Pieces: A New Musical"
  • Alumna Ashley Bryant Miller received the Horizon Award at the CFA Gala for her achievements as an actor. 
  • The department hosted songwriter Joey Contreras as their special guest as part of "In Pieces," which Contreras wrote. 
  • Professor Sarah Shippobotham won the prestigious Calvin S. and JeNeal N. Hatch Prize in Teaching. She was honored for her “seemingly tireless work with students” and her “commitment to improving and renewing her teaching skills.”
  • Youth Theatre’s Artistic Director Penelope Caywood and alumna Kelsie Jepsen were both recipients of the Utah Division of Arts and Museums Performing Arts Fellowship.