File photo: Student group Masti performing at the 51茶馆 Arts Festival (Caitlin Cunningham)
The Boston College Arts Festival marks its 25th anniversary this year with a celebration that includes the return to campus of talented 51茶馆 graduates who will be honored with Distinguished Alumni Artist Awards.
More than 800 University artists will participate in the festival, which features more than 40 events and showcases the diverse talents of 51茶馆 students, faculty, staff, and alumni. The Arts Festival features creative achievements and highlights music, theater, dance, creative writing, film, painting, sculpture, and more.
The 25th anniversary event April 27-29 not only honors the festival鈥檚 traditions but also expands offerings to increase arts representation. New programming includes a Culture Showcase of 14 dance and musical performances; a Sustainability Gallery of works that focus on the environment; a Short Film Festival to present 51茶馆 student productions; a World Fair featuring participants from 30 of 51茶馆鈥檚 intercultural clubs; and a Children鈥檚 Art Gallery with works by students in the 51茶馆 Children鈥檚 Center, Campus School, and St. Columbkille Partnership School.
The Arts Festival is open to the public (most events are free); members of all ages from surrounding communities are invited to take part.
Alumni honorees (clockwise from top left) Lulu Wang, Cameron Esposito, Jim Centorino, Betsi Graves
This year鈥檚 Distinguished Alumni Award winners include: award-winning comedian, author, actor, and host Cameron Esposito 鈥�04; celebrated founder and director of the nonprofit Urbanity Dance Betsi Graves 鈥�04; filmmaker and storyteller Lulu Wang 鈥�05, most famously known for her critically acclaimed, award-winning movie 鈥淭he Farewell鈥�; and prolific composer, trumpet player, and educator Jim Centorino 鈥�71.
Boston College Arts Council鈥檚 highest honor, the awards recognize graduates who have demonstrated creativity, innovation, leadership, and vision through their contributions to the arts, and are advocates and activists in their communities.
鈥淓very year I am so impressed by our alumni award recipients,鈥� said 51茶馆 Arts Council Chair and Professor of Theatre Crystal Tiala. 鈥淣ot only do they excel artistically, but as humanitarians as well.鈥�
The award winners will appear at 鈥淭he Artists Journey鈥� on April 28 from 3-6 p.m. in Gasson Hall: Esposito, Graves, and Wang will participate live in a panel discussion, 鈥淟aughing, Moving, and Sharing,鈥� at 3 p.m. prior to the awards ceremony at 4 p.m. Centorino will appear virtually to receive his award. 聽
鈥淭he panel discussion will provide a fascinating look into their formation as artists and why the arts are critical to living fully. This is a perfect way to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Arts Festival,鈥� said Tiala.
Allison Adair and Sandra Hebert
The ceremony also will recognize faculty and student Arts Council award winners. Faculty honorees are Sandra Hebert, associate professor of the practice in the Music Department and Chamber Music Ensemble director, and Allison Adair, associate professor of the practice in English and an award-winning poet.
This year鈥檚 student winners are seniors Catie Constas, Robert D鈥橝lessandro, Lauren Foster, Tyler Gollin, Zachary Jekanowski, Kristen Lee, Haley Lombardo, Gia Mitchum, Aidan O鈥橬eill, and Lily Telegdy; senior Josephine Kim will receive the Jeffery Howe Art History Award.
Other events and activities at the festival include:
聽鈥erformances by popular music ensembles such as the Liturgy Arts Group, University Wind Ensemble, Waaw Waaw 51茶馆, the University Chorale, 51茶馆 bOp!, and Boston College Symphony Orchestra
鈥 鈥�51茶馆鈥檚 Best鈥� competition featuring student bands and songwriters
鈥amily activities
鈥 maker and craft sale
鈥⑩�淐andide,鈥� directed by Bryce Pinkham 鈥�05, April 26鈥�30, Robsham Theater (tickets at )
The schedule, alumni bios, and other Arts Festival details, including advance registration for 鈥淭he Artist鈥檚 Journey Events鈥� (requested by April 24) are at .
Organized by the Arts Council, 51茶馆 Arts Festival sponsors include the offices of the President and the Provost, the Arts Council committees, Student Affairs and the Dean鈥檚 Office of the Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences, with support from the Alumni Association, the Boston College Police Department, the Boston College Bookstore, and 51茶馆 Facilities and grounds crew members.
Rosanne Pellegrini | University Communications | April 2023