DENTON (UNT), Texas — The University of North Texas proudly announces the 120th season of the Mary Jo & V. Lane Rawlins Fine Arts Series, marking over a century of showcasing transformative arts experiences to the UNT campus and local community.
Originally founded in 1903 as the Lyceum Series at North Texas Normal College, the Fine Arts Series curates visual, literary and performing arts events for UNT and the greater community. It has evolved over the decades, but remained true to its mission: to educate, entertain, and enrich lives through the performing, visual and literary arts.
“We strive to strike a balance between entertainment and education in our programming,” said Stephanie Spyker, Fine Arts Series coordinator. “We work hard to ensure that the artists we bring to campus represent a variety of art forms — whether it’s visual arts, poetry, classical music or dance.”
The series has continually adapted to changing trends, ensuring that it remains a vital part of the campus cultural landscape. A committee of faculty, staff, and students carefully select performances that nurture the creative culture of UNT and Denton.
This year’s lineup represents a wide array of artistic expressions, promising something for everyone. New York Times bestselling author Lauren Groff will be giving an author lecture on Nov. 7 at 7 p.m. in the Union Lyceum. The lecture will be followed by a Q&A and book signing of Groff's most recent work, The Vaster Wilds. This event is sponsored by the Department of English and Department of History, demonstrating the collaborative efforts of the Fine Arts Series to connect students of UNT with world class artists.
Additionally, a celebrated dance company will conduct masterclasses with students and perform twice on campus in the spring, further diversifying the artistic offerings. For the final spring event, the Fine Arts Series committee is working on an exciting collaboration with the Distinguished Lecture Series.
“The Fine Arts Series aims to bring relevant artists that students can not only be entertained by but engage with on a personal level if possible. We often have artists do Q&A's, book signings, and meet and greets. We also typically try to coordinate masterclasses or studio visits with relevant academic classes when we can,” Spyker said.
In recent years, notable events have included the Architects of Air Luminarium, Jazz at the Lincoln Center Orchestra, comedian Nathan Fielder, and an appearance by Michelle Zauner of Japanese Breakfast.
The Fine Arts Series remains free of charge for all UNT students, underscoring its commitment to making the arts accessible and impactful for the next generation of creatives and thinkers.
The Mary Jo & V. Lane Rawlins Fine Arts Series, part of the Division of Student Affairs, has brought world-class artists, performers, and thinkers to UNT’s campus, fostering a deep appreciation for the arts among students and the community. Students play an integral role in the Fine Arts Series' success, making up half of the Fine Arts Series committee (12 students total).