Press Release Archive
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2020

March

All Spring 2020 Events and Exhibitions at Wesleyan Are Canceled
After Wesleyan University consulted with a variety of public health experts and other higher education institutions around the country, all on-campus events and exhibitions have been canceled until further notice. Anyone who purchased tickets in advance will be issued a refund from the box office starting the week of Monday, March 16, 2020 and artists who were scheduled to perform this spring will be compensated. Click above to read the full statement from Jennifer Calienes, Interim Director, Center for the Arts.

February

Wesleyan University's College of East Asian Studies Gallery presents “Guanyu (Gary) Xu: Temporarily Censored Home” February 6 through May 22, 2020
Guanyu (Gary) Xu, 徐冠宇, "Opened Closets," 2019, from "Temporarily Censored Home," archival pigment print.
"Guanyu (Gary) Xu: Temporarily Censored Home" is an exhibition featuring photography and video by the Chinese-born artist, currently based in Chicago, curated by Associate Director of Visual Arts Benjamin Chaffee and Exhibitions Manager Rosemary Lennox.

January

Wesleyan University's Ezra and Cecile Zilkha Gallery presents "Diane Simpson: Cardboard-Plus, 1977-1980" January 28 through March 1, 2020
Diane Simpson with her installation at Artemisia Gallery, Chicago, 1979.
The exhibition presents Diane Simpson's large-scale cardboard sculptures and collaged constructions in their most comprehensive presentation since 1980. Curated by Associate Director of Visual Arts Benjamin Chaffee, these works represent a transition in the artist's practice from drawing and printmaking into sculpture.

2019

November

Wesleyan University's Dance Department presents Winter Dance Concert "FREEDFORM" on December 6 and 7, 2019
Winter Dance Concert "FREEDFORM." Photos by Wesleyan graduate student Jasmine Stack.
Advanced student choreographers Jace Arouet '21, Gabrielle Baba-Conn '22, Zach Farnsworth '21, Abhishek Fakiraswamimath '20, Spenser Stroud '22, and Maren Westgard '22 present recent works, facilitated by Associate Professor of Dance Hari Krishnan.

October

Wesleyan University’s Theater Department presents “The Laramie Project” by ​Moisés Kaufman and the Tectonic Theater Project Friday, November 15 through Sunday, November 17, 2019
(Left to right): Beatrix Zander '23 and Matt Grimaldi '21 in "The Laramie Project" at Wesleyan University, Friday, November 15 through Sunday, November 17, 2019. Photo by Richard Marinelli.
Wesleyan University​’s ​Theater Department​ presents ​“The Laramie Project” directed by Assistant Professor of the Practice ​Edward Torres​, with set design by ​Visiting Assistant Professor of Theater Andrew Holland, light and media design by Visiting Assistant Professor of Theater ​Calvin Anderson, sound designed by ​Tye Hunt Fitzgerald, ​and twelve ​Wesleyan undergraduate students playing multiple roles.

There will also be a free conversation, "Talk It Out: 'The Laramie Project' - Centering Queer Voices: Documenting Trauma and Resilience" on Thursday, November 7, 2019 with guest artist Leigh Fondakowski, head writer and member of the original production team of the Tectonic Theater Project for "The Laramie Project;" Professor of English and Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Christina Crosby; Visiting Assistant Professor of Theater Calvin Anderson; Nathan Pugh '21, student dramaturg for the Wesleyan production; and Visiting Instructor in Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Michelle Memran.

Wesleyan University's Davison Art Center presents "Into the Image: Art in Miniature Across the Centuries" October 11 through November 24, 2019
Rembrandt van Rijn (Dutch, 1606–1669). "Man Drawing from a Cast," ca. 1641. Etching on cream laid paper. First state; shadow behind cast’s head barely distinguishable from shading on side. Plate: 93 x 63 mm (3.7 x 2.5 in.). DAC accession number 1947.D1.217. Gift of George W. Davison (B.A. Wesleyan 1892), 1947. Open Access Image from the Davison Art Center, Wesleyan University (photo: R. Lee).
The exhibition "Into the Image: Art in Miniature Across the Centuries" curated by Miya Tokumitsu features miniature artworks—drawn entirely from the Davison Art Center collection—including objects made across several centuries, and pieces by Rembrandt van Rijn and Henri Matisse.

43rd annual Navaratri Festival at Wesleyan University Thursday, October 10 through Monday, October 14, 2019
GRAMMY Award-nominated sarod (19-stringed instrument) master Amjad Ali Khan will be joined by his sarod-playing sons Amaan Ali Bangash and Ayaan Ali Bangash for "Sarod Trilogy" to conclude the 43rd annual Navaratri Festival at Wesleyan University on Sunday, October 13, 2019 at 3pm in Crowell Concert Hall, 50 Wyllys Avenue, Middletown, Connecticut. Image by Suvo Das.
Wesleyan University’s Center for the Arts announces the 43rd annual Navaratri Festival celebrating traditional Indian music and dance, including the Connecticut debut of dancer Dr. Yashoda Thakore, and a performance by GRAMMY Award-nominated musician Amjad Ali Khan. This year, the India Arts Foundation, a long-standing supporter of the Navaratri Festival as well as other arts initiatives in Connecticut founded by Madhu Reddy and other artists, will generously match donations to Wesleyan University in support of the Navaratri Festival up to $50,000.

September

Wesleyan University's Ezra and Cecile Zilkha Gallery presents Brendan Fernandes' "Inaction" October 2 through December 8, 2019
Brendan Fernandes, “Free Fall: For Camera.” 2019. Video still. Image courtesy of the artist and Monique Meloche Gallery, Chicago.
"Inaction" is a new sculptural and performance-based installation by Brendan Fernandes in collaboration with the architecture and design firm Norman Kelley, co-curated by Associate Director of Visual Arts Benjamin Chaffee and Exhibitions Manager Rosemary Lennox in collaboration with Fernandes, featuring the first U.S. presentation of “Free Fall: For Camera,” a single-channel video developed from a project that honors the 49 victims of the Orlando shooting.

Wesleyan University's Center for the Arts announces 2019-2020 Performing Arts Series
Taylor Mac will perform the Connecticut premiere of "A 24-Decade History of Popular Music (Abridged)" on Saturday, September 21, 2019 at 7:30pm in the CFA Theater, 271 Washington Terrace, Middletown, Connecticut. Photo by Sarah Walker.
Wesleyan University's Center for the Arts announces the 2019-2020 Performing Arts Series including one New England premiere, four Connecticut premieres, and two Connecticut debuts.

Wesleyan University's College of East Asian Studies Gallery presents “The Imperial Ghost in the Neoliberal Machine (Figuring the CIA)” September 18 through December 8, 2019
A declassified document on former Japanese Prime Minister Nobusuke Kishi from the CIA digital archives.
The exhibition features works by artists Minouk Lim, Yoshua Okón, and Royce Ng, organized by Koichiro Osaka—curator, writer, producer and the founding director of Tokyo-based project space Asakusa.

Wesleyan University's Ezra and Cecile Zilkha Gallery presents "Urban Space, Roman Couture, and A Living Past: Views of Pompeii and Pantheon - Marc Erwin Babej and William Wylie" September 10 through October 6, 2019
Marc Erwin Babej, "Mars, apud templum Romanum Martis Ultoris," 2016. Archival digital pigment print. 30 x 40 inches. Courtesy of the artist.
The exhibition “Urban Space, Roman Couture, and A Living Past: Views of Pompeii and Pantheon - Marc Erwin Babej and William Wylie” is curated by Andrew Szegedy-Maszak, Professor of Classical Studies and Jane A. Seney Professor of Greek.

Wesleyan University's Davison Art Center presents "Entering Edo: A World of Pleasure" and "Find Me Unafraid" September 5-26, 2019
Lewis Wickes Hine (American, 1874–1940). "10 Yr. Old Picker on Gildersleeve Tobacco Farm," 1917. Gelatin silver print. Gift of Elizabeth Bobrick and Andrew Szegedy-Maszak (Jane A. Seney Professor of Greek and Professor of Classical Studies) in honor of Laurie and Peter Frenzel (former Professor of German Studies and FDAC President), 2015.14.1. DAC Open Access Image from the Davison Art Center, Wesleyan University (copy photo: J. Giammatteo).
For "Entering Edo: A World of Pleasure," Wesleyan students enrolled in Assistant Professor of Art History and East Asian Studies Talia J. Andrei's "Curatorial Workshop: Images for the Floating World" selected fifteen Japanese ukiyo-e color woodcuts from the nineteenth century in the Davison Art Center collection. In the installation "Find Me Unafraid," the Davison Art Center, curated by Miya Tokumitsu, shows three works from the collection that speak to the themes raised in the book "Find Me Unafraid: Love, Loss, and Hope in an African Slum" by Kennedy Odede '12 and Jessica Posner '09.

June

Wesleyan University's Center for the Arts summer series to feature free outdoor concert and street-theater style performance art
New Haven's experimental soul ensemble Phat A$tronaut will perform at Wesleyan on Wednesday, July 3, 2019 at 7pm.
Wesleyan University's Center for the Arts summer events include free outdoor concert featuring New Haven's Phat A$tronaut; free street-theater style performance art with Bread and Puppet Theater's "The Diagonal Life Circus;" "Creative Connections," a gathering of students and local creatives; free noontime talks by Douglas Lyons, Christopher Chenier, Bread and Puppet Theater, and Susan Russell.

May

Wesleyan University’s Center for the Arts to receive National Endowment for the Arts grant to support performance, residency by Netta Yerushalmy in October 2019
Netta Yerushalmy: "Paramodernities." Photo by Maria Baranova.
$15,000 grant part of NEA announcement of 977 grants and $23.9 million in funding nationwide.

Wesleyan University’s Center for the Arts Appoints General Manager Drew Gray
Prior to joining the Center for the Arts, Mr. Gray worked as an Associate Producer at the Long Wharf Theatre in New Haven.

April

Wesleyan University’s Davison Art Center presents "For Effect: Emphatic Bodies from the Renaissance to the Industrial Age" April 5 through May 26, 2019
Jacques Callot (French, 1592–1635). "The Two Pantaloons (Les Deux Pantalons)," 1616. Etching. Second of two states. DAC accession number 1971.18.1. Friends of the Davison Art Center, Theater Department, and purchase funds, 1971. Open Access Image from the Davison Art Center, Wesleyan University (photo: M. Johnston).
The exhibition For Effect presents bodies exaggerated by their accoutrements, pose, and anatomical proportion from the sixteenth through the nineteenth centuries.

March

Wesleyan University’s Institute for Curatorial Practice in Performance announces second round of Leadership Fellowship Awards

Awards support mission of diversifying the workforce in arts organizations and expanding the curatorial perspectives in performing arts presenting.

February

Wesleyan University’s Davison Art Center presents “Bestiary” February 8 through March 7, 2019
Exhibition curated by Miya Tokumitsu takes its inspiration from medieval compendia of wondrous creatures, both natural and fantastic.

January

Wesleyan University's College of East Asian Studies Gallery presents “Sound of Korea” January 31 through May 25, 2019
Young-Il Kim, "Gaejanigol Vally in Jingogae," 2018. Archival pigment print. 60 x 79 inches.
Exhibition curated by Phoebe Junghee Shin features landscape photography, videos by artist Young-Il Kim.

Wesleyan University's Ezra and Cecile Zilkha Gallery presents "Audible Bacillus" January 29 through March 3, 2019
Ed Atkins, "Warm, Warm, Warm Spring Mouths," 2013. Still from HD film with with 5.1 surround sound, 12 mins 50 secs. Courtesy the artist and Cabinet, London.
Exhibition curated by Benjamin Chaffee features over a dozen artists working in a range of practices and media including video, sculpture, poetry, and etching; fossils; and a performance by Los Angeles-based experimental music group lucky dragons

2018

Ford Foundation Grant to Support Wesleyan University’s Institute for Curatorial Practice in Performance

$150,000 grant to support efforts to advance diversity among participants and amplify graduate program's impact on the field of performance.

Wesleyan University's Ezra and Cecile Zilkha Gallery presents “A Body in Fukushima: Recent Work” January 25 through February 15, 2018
"Eiko in Fukushima, Tomioka Municipial Sanitation Plant, 26 June 2017, No 257," Photo by William Johnston.
Exhibition to feature haunting videos and photographs from 2016 and 2017 trips to Japan, and performance from The Metropolitan Museum of Art

2017

October

Wesleyan University to Offer Residency in April 2018 for Artists Impacted by 2017 Hurricanes
Proposals from artists in Florida, Texas, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands due on Friday, November 17, 2017

2016

December

Sarah Curran Named Director of Wesleyan University’s Center for the Arts
Sarah Curran. Photo by ToniBird Photography.

October

Wesleyan University's Ezra and Cecile Zilkha Gallery presents "FLYING CARPETS: new paintings by David Schorr" October 27 through December 11, 2016

New England debut of dance work "Hoo-Ha" by choreographer Darrell Jones at Wesleyan University November 18 and 19, 2016

New England debut by South African guitarist Derek Gripper at Wesleyan University's Center for the Arts on Friday, November 4, 2016

September

Wesleyan University's Davison Art Center presents William Earle Williams exhibition September 23 through December 11, 2016

Wesleyan University's College of East Asian Studies Gallery presents "Draw Yourself In" September 21 through December 9, 2016

August

Wesleyan University's Center for the Arts announces highlights of 2016-2017 season
A Compagnia de' Colombari Production: "texts&beheadings/ElizabethR" by Karin Coonrod. Photo by Teresa Wood.

July

Wesleyan University's Center for the Arts Appoints Interim Associate Director Michelle Grove

Wesleyan University's Center for the Arts and Music Department present Béla Fleck and Abigail Washburn

Wesleyan University's Center for the Arts Appoints Program Coordinator Ariana Molokwu

June

Wesleyan University's Center for the Arts Appoints Program Manager Rosemary Lennox

May

Wesleyan University's Center for the Arts summer series to feature United States premiere of dance work, Grammy Award-nominated jazz group
Jimmy Greene. Photo by Jimmy Katz.

April

Second annual "Feet to the Fire: Riverfront Encounter" festival to be held on Saturday, May 7, 2016

Wesleyan University to honor and celebrate Master Drummer Abraham Adzenyah on Saturday, May 7, 2016

Wesleyan University's Davison Art Center presents fifth annual "The Big Draw: Middletown" on Saturday April 16

March

Connecticut debut by Wu Man with the Shanghai Quartet at Wesleyan University's Center for the Arts on Friday April 1

Wesleyan University to present Spring Faculty Dance Concert "Storied Places" April 15 and 16, 2016

Jay Hoggard Harlem Hieroglyphs Ensemble concludes 15th annual Wesleyan Jazz Orchesta Weekend on Saturday April 30

Wesleyan University's Davison Art Center presents "Philip Trager: Photographing Ina" March 25 through May 22

February

Wesleyan University's Center for the Arts Appoints Interim Director Laura Paul

January

Wesleyan University's Center for the Arts Director Pamela Tatge Named New Executive Director of Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival

Syrian vocalist Gaida to perform Connecticut debut at Wesleyan University on Friday, February 5, 2016

2015

December

Wesleyan University's Ezra and Cecile Zilkha Gallery presents "We Chat" January 26 through February 28, 2016

October

Wesleyan University's Theater Department presents "Marisol" by José Rivera Thursday, November 19 through Saturday, November 21, 2015

August

Wesleyan University's Ezra and Cecile Zilkha Gallery presents "R. Luke DuBois: In Real Time" September 16 through December 13, 2015

Wesleyan University's Center for the Arts announces highlights of 2015-2016 season

April

Doris Duke Charitable Foundation Grant to Support Institute for Curatorial Practice in Performance Scholarship Fund

Wesleyan University's Theater Department presents "The Bald Soprano" by Eugène Ionesco April 22-25, 2015

World premiere by Noah Baerman Resonance Ensemble concludes 14th annual Wesleyan Jazz Orchesta Weekend on Saturday April 25

Wesleyan University's Davison Art Center presents fourth annual "The Big Draw: Middletown" on Saturday April 25

March

Wesleyan University to present film screening of "Music of Survival" on Sunday, March 29, 2015

February

Jazz quartet "Stanley Maxwell" to perform world premieres at Wesleyan University on Sunday, March 1, 2015

Connecticut Premiere of "Tari Aceh!" Music and Dance from Northern Sumatra at Wesleyan University February 27

2014

December

Wesleyan University's Ezra and Cecile Zilkha Gallery presents "Picture/Thing" January 27 through March 1, 2015

Wesleyan University's Dance Department and Center for the Arts present Winter Dance Concert on December 5 and 6, 2014

Wesleyan University's Center for the Arts Receives National Endowment for the Arts Grant to Support 2015-2016 Breaking Ground Dance Series

"A Body in Fukushima" exhibition opens February 3, 2015 at Wesleyan University

October

Eiko Otake Begins Three-Year Appointment at Wesleyan University

Wesleyan University's Theater Department presents "In the Heights" Wednesday, November 12 through Sunday, November 16, 2014

Fall Faculty Dance Concert to feature premiere of "To Not Forget Crimea" by Katja Kolcio on October 24

July

"A World of Dreams: New Landscape Paintings by Tula Telfair" in Ezra and Cecile Zilkha Gallery September 16 - December 5, 2014

Wesleyan University's ICPP and Danspace Project to present livestreamed panel on performing arts curation Friday, July 25, 2014

June

Wesleyan University's Center for the Arts summer series to feature world premiere of jazz group, Connecticut premiere of dance work

Wesleyan University and Institute for Curatorial Practice in Performance announce new Master of Arts in Performance Curation degree program

March

Wesleyan University's Davison Art Center presents "Oral Fixations: Drawings by Julia Randall" March 28 through May 25

February

"Evan Roth//Intellectual Property Donor" February 5 - March 2, 2014 in Ezra and Cecile Zilkha Gallery

January

Wesleyan University's Center for the Arts Awarded Grant from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation

Wesleyan University's Center for the Arts Receives Association of Performing Arts Presenters Grant to Support the Muslim Women Voices Project during 2014-2015 Season

Wesleyan University's Center for the Arts Receives Arts Catalyze Placemaking Grant from Connecticut Office of the Arts

2013

December

Wesleyan University's Dance Department and Center for the Arts present Winter Dance Concert on December 6 and 7, 2013

November

Wesleyan University's Center for the Arts Receives Doris Duke Charitable Foundation Grant Award for Adaptability

October

Connecticut debut of London's Juice Vocal Ensemble at Wesleyan University on Saturday, November 9, 2013

Vieux Farka Touré at Wesleyan University on Friday, October 25, 2013

37th annual Navaratri Festival to be held at Wesleyan University's Center for the Arts October 10-13, 2013

July

The Alumni Show II: September 6 - December 8 in Ezra and Cecile Zilkha Gallery

Wesleyan University's Center for the Arts summer series features New England premieres in dance, theater

June

Wesleyan University's Center for the Arts announces highlights of 40th anniversary season in 2013-2014

April

Wesleyan University Theater Department presents "Peony Pavilion" April 25-27

Wesleyan University Dance Department to Honor Artist in Residence Urip Sri Maeny May 2 and 3

A Conversation with Hugh Masekela on Saturday, April 20, 2013

MiddletownRemix: Hear More, See More - A Festival of Art and Sound to be held on Saturday, May 11, 2013

Wesleyan University's Davison Art Center presents second annual "The Big Draw: Middletown" on Saturday April 20

February

14th annual DanceMasters Weekend Showcase Performance to feature Armitage Gone! Dance, Ballet Hispanico, ODC/Dance on Saturday March 9

Wesleyan University to present "Innovations: Intersection of Art and Science" Symposium Feb. 28 and Mar. 1

Wesleyan University's Center for the Arts Receives Dance/USA Engaging Dance Audiences Award to Support 2013-2014 Breaking Ground Dance Series

January

First Connecticut Performance of "Glass Guignol: The Brother and Sister Play" at Wesleyan University on Saturday February 16

New England Premiere of "Music at Thomas Jefferson's Monticello" on February 1 at Wesleyan University

2012

December

FOOD-WATER-LIFE---LUCY and JORGE ORTA January 25-March 3 in Ezra and Cecile Zilkha Gallery

Wesleyan University Creates Madhu Reddy Endowed Fund for Indian Music and Dance

November

Wesleyan University's Dance Department and Center for the Arts present Winter Dance Concert on December 7 and 8

World Premiere of Rinde Eckert's "The Last Days of the Old Wild Boy" at Wesleyan University November 15-17

Dither Electric Guitar Quartet to Perform World Premiere of "Mi-Go" by Joshua Lopes on November 16

September

Music and Public Life: a year-long exploration to include concerts, workshops, gatherings, courses at Wesleyan University and in Greater Middletown, CT

New England Premiere of "Voices of Afghanistan" at Wesleyan University's Center for the Arts September 28

New England Premiere of Anonymous Ensemble's "Liebe Love Amour!" at Wesleyan University's Center for the Arts September 22

August

September 14 and 15: Connecticut premiere of ZviDance's "Zoom" at Wesleyan University

June

New England Premiere of "Big City" by Brian Brooks Moving Company at Wesleyan University's Center for the Arts on July 12 and 13

May

Tickets On Sale May 15 for Summer Events at Wesleyan University's Center for the Arts

April

"work divided by time" sound installation by Paula Matthusen at Wesleyan University May 2-13

Wesleyan University's Theater Department presents Gertrude Stein "Doctor Faustus Lights the Lights" Thursday April 26 through Saturday April 28

Wesleyan University's Center for the Arts presents Fernando Otero Quartet on Saturday April 14

March

Australian dance company Chunky Move at Wesleyan University's Center for the Arts on March 30 and 31

Jay Hoggard Quartet concludes 11th annual Wesleyan Jazz Orchesta Weekend on Saturday April 28

13th annual DanceMasters Weekend Showcase Performance to feature Pilobolus, Camille A. Brown and Dancers, and Garth Fagan Dance on Saturday March 10

February

Spring Faculty Dance Concert to feature U.S. Premiere of "Quicksand", World Premiere of "Nine" by Artist-in-Residence Hari Krishnan March 2 and 3

"SPILL" directed by Leigh Fondakowski - Saturday, February 25 and Sunday, February 26 at Wesleyan University's Center for the Arts

2011

December

"Passing Time" January 27­ - March 4, 2012 in Ezra and Cecile Zilkha Gallery

November

Wesleyan University's Center for the Arts and the Institute for Curatorial Practice in Performance (ICPP) announce the 2012-2013 Professional Certificate Program in Curatorial Practice in Performance

Wesleyan University's Center for the Arts Receives National Endowment for the Arts Grant to Support 2012-2013 Breaking Ground Dance Series

Wesleyan University's Center for the Arts presents cellist Joshua Roman on Friday November 18

Wesleyan University's Center for the Arts presents Bebe Miller Company: "History", November 18 and 19

August

World Premiere of Asphalt Orchestra Commission at Wesleyan University's Feet to the Fire Common Moment on September 2

October

35th annual Navaratri Festival to be held at Wesleyan University's Center for the Arts October 26-30, 2011

September

Premiere of "Recycling Pain", A Play by Ron Jenkins - Free Reading at Wesleyan University on September 28

August

"Mixed Signals: Artists Consider Masculinity in Sports" September 9 - October 23 in Ezra and Cecile Zilkha Gallery

U.S. Premieres of Two Works by Italian Experimental Theater Company Dewey Dell at Wesleyan University's Center for the Arts September 9, 10 and 16

May

Tickets On Sale May 17 for Summer Events at Wesleyan University's Center for the Arts

February

Crowell Concert Series concludes with Minneapolis Guitar Quartet on Friday February 18