May 3, 2011 |

Celebrating the Fine Arts

An arts walk on campus marked the start of the School of Fine Arts' 50th anniversary celebration.

UConn’s School of Fine Arts launched its year-long 50th anniversary celebration on April 30 with an arts walk on the Storrs campus featuring performances by students in all the fine arts departments.

The arts at UConn have a long and vibrant history, starting with the inclusion of music instruction in the curriculum in 1890. This was followed over the years with the addition of bands, orchestras, visual and performing arts, the opening of the Jorgensen Theater for the Performing Arts, and more. The School of Fine Arts was established in 1962, with Frank B. Cookson as its first dean.

Since that time, with the addition of UConn’s renowned puppetry program, the opening of the William Benton Museum of Art (formerly the Connecticut Art Museum), and increasingly popular art, drama, and music programs, the fine arts at UConn have earned a reputation for innovation and quality.

<p>A warm spring evening and a gathering of friends and colleagues was the perfect start for the School of Fine Arts 50th anniversary celebration. </p>
A warm spring evening and a gathering of friends and colleagues was the perfect start for the School of Fine Arts 50th anniversary celebration. Following a welcome reception at the Benton Museum, guests took part in an 'arts walk' from the museum to the Jorgensen. Photos by Sheila Foran
<p>Dean of the School of Fine Arts David G. Woods led the assembled guests in a toast to 50 years of creative excellence.</p>
David G. Woods, dean of the School of Fine Arts, led the assembled guests in a toast to 50 years of creative excellence. The festivities began with a carillon concert in honor of the newly reconstructed Austin Cornelius Dunham Memorial Carillon in the Storrs Congregational Church.
<p>There's something sweet about a 50th anniversary celebration.</p>
There's something sweet about a 50th anniversary celebration. The School will continue to celebrate its anniversary with a series of programs open to the public throughout the year.
<p>Peter Bagley, music professor emeritus and special assistant to the dean led the crowd in a spirited rendition of Happy Anniversary.</p>
Peter Bagley, music professor emeritus and special assistant to the dean, led the crowd in a spirited rendition of Happy Anniversary.
<p>A wheel throwing demonstration enabled students of ceramics to show fine points of their art..</p>
The walk featured performances by students representing all departments in the School. Here, a wheel throwing demonstration enabled students of ceramics to show off the fine points of their art.
<p>Leah Sylvain, a puppetry major, made sure her underage companion didn’t actually sample the bubbly.</p>
Leah Sylvain, a puppetry major, made sure her underage companion didn’t actually sample the bubbly.
<p>Joey Axiak, Connor Grant and Nick Trautmann serenaded the celebrants on the Benson patio.</p>
Joey Axiak, Connor Grant, and Nick Trautmann serenaded the celebrants on the Benson patio.
<p>Giant puppets led the parade, from the patio of the Benton to the steps of Jorgensen </p>
Giant puppets led the parade from the Benton patio to the steps of Jorgensen. President Philip E. Austin, wearing black tie, was among those who joined the parade.
<p>A saxophone quartet comprised of (l to r) Lisa Conant, Corey Killian, Ian Jackson, and Emily Lavins made lovely music outside Wood Hall.</p>
A saxophone quartet comprising, from left, Lisa Conant, Corey Killian, Ian Jackson, and Emily Lavins made beautiful music outside Wood Hall.
<p>Trombonist Greg Platt was part of the Jolokia Brass Trio. </p>
Trombonist Greg Platt, part of the Jolokia Brass Trio.
<p>The Pep Band was stationed at the corner of Glenbrook and Hillside Roads … playing a rousing rendition of the UConn fight song.</p>
The Pep Band, stationed at the corner of Glenbrook and Hillside Roads, played a rousing rendition of the Husky Fight Song.
<p>Acting major Shane Tyler Harris can walk and talk, not to mention juggle, at the same time.</p>
Acting major Shane Tyler Harris showed he can walk, talk, and juggle, all at the same time.
<p>The black-tie awards ceremony at the Jorgensen honored faculty, staff, and outstanding students.</p>
The procession culminated in a black-tie awards ceremony at the Jorgensen. Those honored included Laura Crow, director of the design program, Michael Anania, associate professor-in-residence for scenic design, Earl MacDonald, director of jazz studies, and Denise Merrill, Connecticut Secretary of State.