Monday, April 1st through Saturday, April 6th, as a reimagining of Arts Day at Wilson College, ArtsFest 2024 will be showcasing the remarkable art, artists, and artistic opportunities at Wilson. This year’s theme is ART IS... TRANSFORMATION and we are featuring Wilson College and Chambersburg community members who will be sharing their experience, expertise, and work at ArtsFest 2024. Events include presentations/readings, performances, projects, workshops/classes, exhibitions, immersive experiences, “make and take” or arts and crafts type experiences, and other type of arts-based events. If you have any questions, please contact Dillon Beede, Chair of Music at dillon.beede@wilson.edu Click here to view the ArtsFest 2024 schedule of events poster. ArtsFest 2024 EventsMondayNongkrong and Social Change (Hanging out with Taring Padi)11 a.m., Lenfest Learning CommonsMatthew Clay-Robison, Gallery Director at York College of Pennsylvania, will discuss his recent Fulbright experience with the artist collective, Taring Padi, in Indonesia. Make Your Own ArtsFest Button11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Lenfest CommonsDesign and make your own Art is... button/badge to kick off ArtsFest. Native Language Open Mic7 p.m., Sarah’s CoffeehouseMuhhibah Club presents an evening of curated poetry. Xenophobia is on the rise nationally, through the presentation of poetry from diverse cultural standpoints we push back against this trend. TuesdayOpen Studio with Art Professor, Phil Lindsey10 a.m. -12 p.m., Lortz Hall, Rm. 303Join Phil Lindsey as he offers open studio time during his sabbatical to discuss his work and process and to get a preview of works in progress.Art and Protest & Deviance: T-Shirt Printing1-3 p.m., Lortz Hall, Rm. 200Join Professor Julie Raulli’s Deviance and Criminal Justice class as they display posters and collages that challenge conventions of normativity. Professor Adam DelMarcelle will also facilitate t-shirt screenprinting opportunities for particiapnts to experience.Ten Beginnings: Open Mic4-5 p.m.; Sarah’s CoffeehouseProfessor Matthew McBride and his ENG 323/523 Advanced Fiction class will present the first page of a short story they have written. Attendees are encouraged to bring the first page of a story/novel/piece of original fiction to be read.Raku Firing6 -7:30 p.m.; Behind Lortz HallAdjunct Art Faculty, Denise Joyal Denise Joyal will fire a number of ceramic objects to 1850 degrees, removing them red-hot and placing them in sawdust to ignite. The process reveals the reduced form of metallic oxides in the glazes placed on the ware resulting in vibrant, colorful surfaces. Participants will have an opportunity to take home a piece of fired ceramic. WednesdayTea with the President10:30-11:30 a.m.; Lenfest CommonsJoin President Wes Fugate for tea during ArtsFest.Don’t Dream It, Be It: Hodgepodgery Workshop12:30-2 p.m.; Lortz Hall, Rm. 200“My art helps me process inner feelings and thoughts; thereby, making it intra-personally transformative. Opening that to others is a vulnerable and brave action, so it breathes life into the art with new perspectives. It also allows others who, like me, don't consider themselves artists to see that art doesn't have to be great or follow rules; it just has to mean something to someone.” Director of Academic Success Mike Bloomford presents an engaging and transformative workshop that highlights his creative process and the power of art as a personally transformative medium.Wilson College Gallery Crawl5 p.m.; Starts at Bogigian Gallery, Lortz HallArt Professor, Phil Lindsey leads a walk through the various art galleries on campus to discuss the works on display.Dance @ Wilson: Dance Preview7 p.m.; Appenzeller-Buchanan Dance StudioDance at Wilson will hold an informal work-in-progress showing of both student and faculty choreography centered around the theme of Transformation. ThursdayGendering the Natural World Within Girl Detective Series10 a.m.; Lenfest Learning CommonsMore info coming soon!Books Transformed2 -3:30 p.m.; John Stewart Memorial LibraryJoin the JSM Library Staff as they present new works made of discarded books pages. Works include origami, paper mâiche, and folded paper works. Attendees can also make and take their own folded creation.A Look at President Jensen’s Portrait; The Sitter, The Artist, and the Process4 p.m.; Patterson Board RoomEver wonder how a portrait is made, or wonder who the person is in a painted portrait? What’s with a portrait anyway, and why do institutions commission such objects? The story of how this work of art came into being is an interesting one. Join Prof. Lindsey for a look at, and discussion of the painting, the process, and a glimpse of the sitter as well as the artist.An Act of God6 p.m.; Appenzellar-Buchanan Dance StudioEnjoy an evening of theatre as Pres Wes joins other community members in the staged reading of the smash Broadway comedy, "An Act of God." Based on a satirical book and twitter account, An Act of God is a conversation in which God inhabits the body of Pres Wes to reveal the mysteries of the Bible and answer some of the greatest existential questions that plague mankind. You won't want to miss this hysterical theatrical presentation!ArtsFest Reception with the Topper Broz8 p.m.; Sarah’s CoffeehouseJoin the ArtsFest Committee as we celebrate the wonderful work of Wilson College artists and art exhibitions. VP for Finance and Administration Brian Ecker will perform with his band the Topper Broz. Heavy hors d’oeuvres will be served. FridayFrom Shivers to Chuckles: The Transformative Power of Horror-Comedy11 a.m.; Appenzellar-Buchanan Dance StudioThis interactive presentation explores the transformative journey of fear into entertainment, offering a brief historical overview of the hybrid genre and an analysis of its key elements and conventions. From renowned films to cult classics, immerse yourself in the laughter-inducing magic of iconic clips and engage in spirited discussions that dissect the interplay between fear and humor. Encouraging audience participation, "From Shivers to Chuckles" invites attendees to share their favorite horror-comedy moments, fostering a communal space for shared experiences. Whether you're a seasoned horror aficionado or a curious newcomer, this event is a unique opportunity to connect, learn, and celebrate the captivating artistry of horror-comedy.Orchesis Dance Workshop4:30 p.m.; Appenzellar-Buchanan Dance StudioJoin Orchesis as they lead a dance workshop for all Wilson College students, faculty, and staff to explore dance and movement and its personally transformative power.Thrift Flip Fashion Show 8 p.m.; Laird Hall StageWilson College Senior, Reagan Bush leads a workshop on thrifting and upcycling garments to transform them into new, exciting clothing pieces. This workshop will conclude with a fashion show to showcase everyone’s creations. On-Going/Week-Long InstallationsPhoenix Wings Take FlightLenfest Basement, Lounge area to the right of the entrance to student services. What’s your BOLD?At Wilson, we cultivate a welcoming environment where each individual or group is respected, supported, and valued. We embrace our differences and offer respect through our words and actions. Help us create a visual reminder of all that is uniquely Wilson. Share what inspires you by choosing a feather, writing down your passion, and adding it to our Phoenix wings mural. Together, we are strong. Together, we #riseup. Together, we are #wilsonbold. Interactive Comic BoothJohn Stewart Memorial Library, Rm. 213Participants are invited to contribute to an interactive Graphic Medicine Booth in which they will be provided with prompts and tools to respond with one-panel comics. Prompts will include questions all related to the notion of art as transformation. Empathy LabJohn Stewart Memorial Library, Rm. 213Join us for our 2024 Empathy Lab as we amplify the narratives of nurses of color, shedding light on personal encounters with racial discrimination and xenophobia in the workplace. Through their stories, we hope to bridge divides, foster connection, and nurture deeper compassion within our community.Unity Project- POSTPONED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE DUE TO WEATHERMain GreenCreated to raise consciousness about the labels we give ourselves and others and explore how those labels both support and limit building interconnected, interesting communities. UNITY is a larger-than-life structure that helps us celebrate our uniqueness and strengthens our ties to each other. Participants tie colorful yarn to posts that reflect their identities. Their yarn intertwines with others’ to create a web of interconnectedness. In the end, we see that we are all connected by something, and it's our diversity that builds a strong, vibrant, and transformative community."Our Transformative Song”: A Social Art ProjectLenfest GazeboJoin us again as the Wilson College community comes together to transform a piano into a social art piece. Using paints and markers, participants will transform the blank canvas of a piano into a collaborative work of art representative of our beloved community. Suara Masyarakat (Voice of the People): The Art of Taring PadiJohn Stewart Memorial Library, Cooley GalleryThis exhibition features works by the artist collective, Taring Padi. Based in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, the group makes art that supports democratic and popular change in the country. Members of the collective are frequently invited to collaborate with other artists and galleries around the world. Events, calendars and schedules: Academic Calendar and Events Admissions Events Alumni News and Events Athletics Schedule Commencement Conference and Event Center Events Galleries, Exhibits and Orchesis Performances Homecoming and Family Weekend Sesquicentennial Student Orientation Wilson Online Magazine