DENTON (UNT), Texas -- The start of a new year at the University of North Texas ushers in the 113th year of the UNT Mary Jo and V. Lane Rawlins Fine Arts Series, the university's longest running program. This season will feature the creator of a world-renowned photoblog, a celebrated filmmaker, a sketch comedy troupe and several others. All events are free for students at the University of North Texas. Tickets for guests; faculty, staff and alumni; and visitors with no affiliation to UNT vary in price.
The season kicks off with Recalling: Artwork by Frank Hamrick, Faith Jessup and Chris Ramsay. This exhibition features three different artists whose works tell the story of recalling -- the process by which an artist reflects, remembers and expresses their selfhood through their art. The artists featured arepainter Faith Jessupof Denton, sculptor Chris Ramsay of Stillwater, Oklahoma, andphotographer Frank Hamrickof Ruston, Louisiana. Recalling will be availble for viewing in the UNT Art Gallery, 1201 W. Mulberry St., Denton, through Oct. 22 (Saturday), and an opening reception featuring all of the artists will take place from 5-7 p.m on Sept. 15 (Thursday).
For the first speaker event of the season, the Fine Arts Series partners with the Distinguished Lecture Series to bring eminent photographer and blogger Brandon Stanton to Denton. Stanton founded the photoblog Humans of New York in 2010, and his combination of photographs and creative, often emotional captions have made HONY an international sensation. The photographer may call New York City home, but his blog's popularity has led to trips to Syria, Iraq, Iran, Pakistan and the White House. HONY gives millions of fans and social media followers a glimpse into the lives of captivating characters from across the globe and Stanton's work represents a powerful merging of art and storytelling. At 7 p.m. on Sept. 28 (Wednesday), Stanton will deliver a presentation about his work at the UNT Coliseum, 600 Ave. D in Denton. Tickets are $10 for guests of students; $20 for faculty, staff and alumni; and $30 for guests with no UNT affiliation and can be purchased at www.untuniontickets.com.
Following Stanton is another unique storyteller: entrepreneur, filmmaker and YouTube celebrity Casey Neistat. Before earning more than one million YouTube subscribers, Neistat was best known for his videos and short films, including iPod's Dirty Secret. The short film was a staunch criticism of Apple's battery replacement policy, and it catapulted Neistat to fame as a rogue filmmaker. Since then, he's produced hundreds of videos, directed commercials for companies like Google and Nike, produced a celebrated HBO series and ventured into business with the creation of the mobile video platform Beme. Neistat will talk with UNT students and guests about his life and work at 7 p.m. on Oct. 26 (Wednesday) in the University Union's Large Ballroom, 1155 Union Circle. Tickets are $5 for guests of students; $15 for faculty, staff and alumni; and $25 for the general public and can be purchased at www.untuniontickets.com.
November brings a famous comedy troupe to the University of North Texas, and students and guests may be able to witness the next Amy Poehler or Ed Helms in action. Upright Citizens Brigade Touring Company offers an uproarious improv and sketch comedy show where audience members never know what direction the troupe will take next. The brigade was founded by Poehler and other comedians before her days on Saturday Night Live, and has since launched the careers of hilarious performers like Jack McBrayer, Ellie Kemper and several more future stars of SNL and The Daily Show. UCB takes the stage at 7 p.m. on Nov. 17 (Thursday) in the University Union Lyceum, 1155 Union Circle. Tickets are $5 for guests of students; $15 for faculty, staff and alumni; and $25 for the general public and can be purchased at www.untuniontickets.com.
February marks the return of a celebrated performer who once hung her hat at the University of North Texas. Shara Nova, better known by her stage name My Brightest Diamond, is a singer-songwriter whose style defies genre classification. Since graduating from UNT with a degree in classical vocal performance, Nova's work has taken her to Moscow, New York, the Sundance Film Festival and countless tour spots in between. She also has collaborated with artists like David Byrne and Fatboy Slim and provided all of the vocals for the infamous Sue Sylvester on Glee. Her five studio albums have displayed her talent for multiple instruments and shown that there is no other performer quite like her in indie rock or any other style of music. My Brightest Diamond will perform at 7 p.m. Feb. 15 (Wednesday) in the Murchision Performing Arts Center, 2100 Interstate 35E in Denton. Tickets are $5 for guests of students; $15 for faculty, staff and alumni; and $25 for the general public and can be purchased at www.theMPAC.com.
The final event of the Fine Arts Series' 113th season is a world-renowned interactive art exhibit. Luminarium, a series of dazzling, colorful walk-through sculptures, has been featured in Australia's Sydney Opera House and the world-famous Guggenheim Museum in Spain. Designers Architects of Air and Alan Parkinson drew from a wide array of international influences -- including Islamic architects and Gothic cathedrals -- to craft an unforgettable experience for people of all ages and an awe-inspiring tribute to the beauty of light and color. Visitors will be able to get lost in the maze of Luminarium on the University Union's South Lawn, 1155 Union Circle, April 17 (Monday)-April 21 (Friday). Students and members of the general public can walk through the exhibit for free from 1 to 7 p.m. daily.
Complete list of UNT Mary Jo and V. Lane Rawlins Fine Arts Series events in 2016-17:
Aug. 30 (Tuesday) to Oct. 22 (Saturday)
Recalling: Artwork by Frank Hamrick, Faith Jessup and Chris Ramsay
UNT Art Gallery, 1201 W. Mulberry St.
Opening Reception to be held from 5-7 p.m. Sept. 15 (Monday) with an artists' talk at 6 p.m.
7 p.m. Sept. 28 (Wednesday)
Humans of New York: An Evening with Brandon Stanton
Presented with Distinguished Lecture Series
UNT Coliseum, 600 Ave. D
Tickets available at www.untuniontickets.com
7 p.m. October 26 (Wednesday)
An Evening with Casey Neistat
University Union Large Ballroom, 1155 Union Circle
Tickets at www.untuniontickets.com
7 p.m. Nov. 17 (Thursday)
Upright Citizens Brigade Touring Company
University Union Lyceum, 1155 Union Circle
Tickets at www.untuniontickets.com
7 p.m. Feb. 15 (Wednesday)
My Brightest Diamond
Murchison Performing Arts Center, 2100 I35E Frontage Road
Tickets available at www.theMPAC.com
April 17 (Monday) to April 21 (Friday) Luminarium: By Architects of Air
1 to 7 p.m. daily
Union South Lawn, 1155 Union Circle
Tickets available at the entrance
About the Mary Jo and V. Lane Rawlins Fine Arts Series
The University of North Texas Jo and V. Lane Rawlins Fine Arts Series began in 1903 as theLyceum Series when UNT was North Texas Normal College. The program has grown over the past century while never losing sight of its purpose – to enrich the lives of UNT students through engaging and diverse events and artist presentations. The FAS strives to present an exciting series of performing, visual and literary arts events free of charge to UNT students.
About the Distinguished Lecture Series
The University of North Texas Distinguished Lecture Series is chartered as a university-wide standing Administrative Committee. The objective is to provide the university and greater communities with a variety of distinguished lecturers and speakers that will bring significant interest, visibility and added prestige to the University of North Texas.