With Fresno State’s virtual ‘Arts in Motion,’ you can attend a dozen events without leaving your Zoom room
Fresno State’s weeklong “Arts in Motion” celebration is virtual this year, of course, but the format could be a boon for people who want to experience it all without the hassle of going to campus. (Sometimes I wonder if we’ll ever be able to break people of the Zoom attendance habit, which involves no travel, no parking, and, for some people, no pants.) This year’s “Arts in Motion” schedule is packed with some truly worthy happenings, all of which culminate in Saturday’s traditional awards ceremony.
Top pick: Maria Hinojosa
Among the top picks for the general public is a Fresno State-specific virtual appearance by Maria Hinojosa, anchor and executive producer of NPR’s show “Latino USA” and anchor and reporter for PBS. She will speak on Zoom at 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 6. (The event is free; pre-registration is required.) Register here.
Hinojosa, one of the most prominent Latina journalists in the country, will speak on “Frontlines: Latinos and Immigration from a Woman’s Perspective.”
Pictured above: Clockwise from top left: Natalie Muñoz and Tara Hashemi put on their chef hats; Armenian churches; NPR’s Maria Hinojosa; a detail of Angel Lesnikowski’s ‘The Fate of the Lake.’
I’ve always been impressed with Hinojosa’s willingness to dive into complicated issues and seek out emotional connections on her NPR show.
The event is presented by the Association of Latinx Faculty in the Arts and Humanities (ALFAH) and is sponsored by KVPR. Campus sponsors include the Institute for Media and Public Trust; the Department of Media, Communications and Journalism; the Department of Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies in partnership with the California Wellness Foundation; and Interim Dean Honora Chapman, College of Arts and Humanities. For more on Hinojosa and the event, Fresno State’s Jefferson Beavers has a good rundown.
If you’re a Fresno State student, you can participate in a special virtual “meet and greet” with Hinojosa at 4 p.m. Tuesday. Pre-registration is required.
Fresno State’s Benjamin Kirk offers the full lineup on the College of Arts and Humanities blog.
I’ll share a few more highlights from that blog:
French cooking
6 p.m. Monday, April 5: Grab your apron and mixing bowls because Tara Hashemi, assistant professor of French, and Natalie Muñoz, associate professor of French, are going to show you some amazing French recipes while sharing a bit of history and culture behind the dishes they make. In this inaugural episode of “À Table,” they will show you how to cook Gratin Dauphinois with Mousse au Chocolat for dessert. Free. Register here.
Theater
7:30 p.m. Monday, April 5: “Moving Tales: A Dance and Storytelling Showcase”: The showcase features highlights from this year’s Contemporary Dance Ensemble Concert, “DIrections: One Breath at a Time” and Theatre for Young Audiences Virtual Tour, “We Have Stories to Tell.” If you didn’t get a chance to see the full-length CDE concert in February, this is your chance for a truncated version, plus a rare opportunity to see the Theatre for Young Audiences program in action. Tickets are $5. Purchase here.
Art and design
5 p.m. Tuesday, April 6: Gallery technician Chris Lopez presents student artists’ best work during the COVID-19 pandemic including works from the Senior Art Show, Graphic Design Portfolio Senior Show, and the Grad Show. He will also give us a sneak peek into the upcoming exhibitions in May 2021. Free. Register here.
Music
12:30 p.m. Thursday, April 8: An eclectic mix of Fresno State instrumentalists and vocalists gathers to each give a short performance live on Zoom. Free. Register here.
Film and video
In the MCJ Student Film and Video Showcase, the Media, Communications and Journalism Department shares its talented students’ films and video in the areas of narrative film, news and documentary. Free. Register here.
The Art of Armenia
7:30 p.m. Friday, April 9: Armenian Architecture plays a special role in the history of Armenian Art. After the conversion of the Armenians to Christianity in 301AD, the Armenians began to build Christian churches. Within a short period of time, a distinctive form of Armenian Church architecture developed. Prof. Barlow Der Mugrdechian will discuss the development of the “Armenian National Style of Architecture,” using examples from Armenian churches built from the 4th-11th centuries. Free. Register here.
The big event
2 p.m. Saturday, April 10: “Arts in Motion” recognizes and celebrates the scholarship recipients, donors, students of distinction and Dean’s Medalists for the College of Arts and Humanities. Donations are appreciated but not mandatory. Register here.
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