BabsonARTS Spring 2024 by Babson College

SPRING 2024

Creative Commerce with Kevin Ouellette

Owner and Founder, The Maine Souvenir Shop Friday, February 2, 11:00 A.M. Sorenson Upper Lobby FREE and open to the public. Registration encouraged. Walk-ins welcome. Kevin Ouellette is the owner and founder of The Maine Souvenir Shop, located on Exchange Street in the heart of Old Port in Portland, ME. The city has become a premiere destination for travelers, which leads to higher prices that often push out the very artists and local personality that make the city’s charm so distinct. Kevin is ensuring Maine artists remain a vibrant asset to the state by making sure local artists earn real money for real art. Learn how he has built a multi-milliondollar company in a 500 square foot store in under four years using his community-based approach and unique business model to raise up these artists without compromising their collective financial success.

WE are RADIANT

Tactile Photos by Andrea Williams ARTIST TALK AND RECEPTION Thursday, February 8, 5:00 P.M. FREE and open to the public. Registration encouraged. Walk-ins welcome. EXHIBIT ON VIEW January 25–March 8, M-F 9:00 A.M.–5:00 P.M. Hollister Gallery WE are RADIANT aims to showcase black people all over the world who are seen in states of peace, enjoying their lives. Using photography & stills from video footage, Williams captured the exact moment where this state was being put on display. Tactile elements were then then added to each image so that these photos can be more accessible to a larger part of the community. These same elements are also an invitation for viewers to interact with the photos and connect to them in their own way. This piece is an inclusive way for black people to see themselves, and those like them, being portrayed in a different light. Andrea Williams (&REA) is based between the USA and Paris, France. Playfulness exists in the foundation of &REA’s work, which uses photography and digital design to reimagine our reality through a lens of joy as well as assessing the peace and simplicity we once felt as children.

Martin Luther King Jr. Legacy Day Thursday, February 15, 5:00 P.M. Carling-Sorenson Theater FREE. Registration required at babsonarts.org The Babson community remembers, reflects upon, and celebrates the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr. This annual event initiates and continues conversations about the realization of King’s vision of justice, equality, and peace in our own community and in the world at large. This year marks the 20th anniversary with the theme A Career of Humanity and the event will include leadership and creativity awards based on that theme. The Babson community, collectively and as individuals, have been invited to engage in service to others, a philosophy that is embedded in our community culture. This year’s keynote speaker, Wes Woodson, is a renowned public speaker, mental health advocate, and published author of the book I Have Anxiety (so what?). Wes is also the founder and chief storyteller of Wes Woodson Enterprises, a mental health education company on a mission to elevate the world’s self-esteem. As a Babson alum, Wes has chosen a career of humanity by helping others discover the power of self-acceptance in the face of mental health challenges. Through sharing his own story of learning the art of self-acceptance while living with social anxiety, he empowers others to believe the compassionate truth: I AM ENOUGH. Scan the QR code to visit the MLK Legacy Day website for more information.

Global Film: Past Lives DIRECTED BY CELINE SONG Wednesday, February 28, 7:00 P.M. Carling-Sorenson Theater FREE. Registration required at babsonarts.org

Nora and Hae Sung, two deeply connected childhood friends, are wrest apart after Nora’s family emigrates from South Korea. Decades later, they are reunited in New York for one fateful week as they confront notions of destiny, love and the choices that make a life, in this heartrending modern romance. Past Lives uses the bonds between its sensitively sketched central characters to support trenchant observations on the human condition in this debut from writer-director Celine Song. Post-film discussion will be held immediately following the screening. Co-presented by the Global Film Series and the Arts and Humanities Division.

Who I am Beyond My Voice: Karen Slack in Residence Tuesday, March 19–Friday, March 22 Known for performances that “ripped the audience’s hearts out” (Opera News), Karen Slack is “not only one of the nation’s most celebrated sopranos, but a leading voice in changing and making spaces in classical music” (Trilloquy). Slack is a sought-after collaborator, curator, and artistic advisor known for her fiery charisma and ground-breaking approach to engagement. She is an Artistic Advisor for Portland Opera, serves on the board of the American Composers Orchestra and Astral Artists, and holds a faculty position at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity in Alberta, Canada. Slack debuted the role of Billie in the 2019 world premiere of Terence Blanchard’s Fire Shut Up in My Bones and made her film debut portraying the Opera Diva in Tyler Perry’s movie and soundtrack For Colored Girls. Babson College will host this incredible artist and entrepreneur for a multi-day residency that will include workshops, class visits, and a performance of the critically acclaimed recital created by Ms. Slack, Of Thee I Sing! Songs of Love and Justice. Artist’s website: sopranokarenslack.com Follow Karen on Instagram: @kikislacksoprano Co-Sponsored by the Office of President Stephen Spinelli Jr., PhD and the Office of Diversity and Inclusion.

Master Class Tuesday, March 19, 4:00 P.M.–6:00 P.M. Carling-Sorenson Theater

Of Thee I Sing! Songs of Love and Justice

Limited to current Babson students.

Friday, March 22, 7:00 P.M.

Email babsonarts@babson.edu to register or for more information.

Carling-Sorenson Theater

This master class is an opportunity for student singers to receive individual vocal coaching in a small group class setting. Students will focus on developing their preparation and performance skills with guidance from celebrated soprano Karen Slack. Students will receive critiques and suggestions on a single prepared piece in turn, ending with a short question and answer session for the full group. Capacity is very limited. An accompanist will be available and sheet music must be provided in advance.

The Entrepreneurial Life of an Artist Personal Brand and Building a Career Wednesday, March 20, 5:00 P.M.–6:00 P.M. Carling-Sorenson Theater

FREE. Registration required at babsonarts.org Ms. Slack is a tireless advocate of the Arts and brings decades of experience to her role as the Co-Chair of OPERA America’s Women’s Opera network where she represents singers and BIPOC artists looking to transition into arts administration. In 2020, Karen created #KikiKonversations, a Facebook live talk show that connects artists and industry leaders over lively, heartfelt, hilarious, and meaningful conversations. Ms. Slack will share the evolution of her personal brand and building a significant career in this intimate talk with Associate Professor of Marketing at Babson, Anjali S. Bal, one of Poets & Quants’ 50 Best Undergraduate Business Professors of 2023.

FREE and open to the public. Registration encouraged. Walk-ins welcome. Of Thee I Sing! Songs of Love and Justice is a critically acclaimed recital created by Karen Slack in the late Summer of 2020 during the height of the pandemic and just after the murder of George Floyd. The center of this moving program is the raw and powerful yet hopeful Langston Hughes poem, “The Kids Who Die” (1938), and a commissioned setting of that riveting text by American composer Scott Gendel. Gendel’s stirring tour de force is presented alongside vocal masterworks by distinguished American composers from H.T Burleigh to Clayton White, Undine Smith Moore, H. Leslie Adams, Ricky Ian Gordon, Adolphus Hailstork and Jake Heggie. Curated by Ms. Slack with intention and care, this impactful program features songs exploring the themes of love and justice as a reminder that no matter your race, ethnicity, politics etc., we are all human! Through these soaring melodies and beautiful texts, Ms. Slack offers a musical journey rooted in a shared understanding that without LOVE there can never be liberty or JUSTICE for all.

The Art and Alchemy of Fruits and Vegetables Making the Ordinary Extraordinary ARTIST TALK AND RECEPTION Thursday, March 21, 5:00 P.M. FREE and open to the public. Registration encouraged. Walk-ins welcome. EXHIBIT ON VIEW March 21–May 17, M-F 9:00 A.M.–5:00 P.M. Hollister Gallery Fay Senner is a Massachusetts mixed media artist. The very nature of her art making is similar to the alchemical process called, ‘Solve et Coagula’ meaning to dissolve and coagulate—a breaking down and dying of one form before it can be transmuted and transformed into something new. She does this through a process of cooking, pressing, drying, photographing, and then finally printing her images. Using fruits and vegetables as her pallet - the Vegetable Kingdom comes alive with colorful, translucent crosssections through the artist’s intuitive eyes. Like x-rays, her images highlight the intricate internal structures and patterns that reveal the inherent beauty within the ordinary world whereby rendering the invisible world visible. Her artwork has been exhibited in Boston and throughout New England and is in both public and private collections. Artist’s Website: https://www.faysenner.com

Thompson Visiting Poet Reading: Major Jackson Wednesday, March 27, 5:00 P.M Carling-Sorenson Theater FREE and open to the public. Registration encouraged. Walk-ins welcome. Major Jackson is the author of six books of poetry, including Razzle Dazzle: New & Selected Poems (2023), The Absurd Man (2020), Roll Deep (2015), Holding Company (2010), Hoops (2006) and Leaving Saturn (2002), which won the Cave Canem Poetry Prize for a first book of poems. He is also the author of A Beat Beyond: The Selected Prose of Major Jackson. He is the recipient of fellowships from the Academy of American Poets, John S. Guggenheim Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study at Harvard University. He is the Gertrude Conaway Vanderbilt Chair in the Humanities at Vanderbilt University. Artist’s Website: majorjackson.com Thompson Visiting Poet Series made possible by the Charles D. and Marjorie J. Thompson Poetry Fund.

Sorenson Arts Scholars Spotlight Friday, March 29, 5:00 P.M. Carling-Sorenson Theater FREE and open to the public. Registration encouraged. Walk-ins welcome. The Sorenson Arts Scholarship supports student artists while pursuing their Babson College education. Each scholar focuses on an annual project, starting with their primary medium, to explore their artistic identity and to feed their creative development. The Spotlight features our cohort of eight scholars presenting their projects for this year, followed by a reception to meet these talented artists and entrepreneurs. Join this celebration of their ongoing journey. 2023-2024 Scholars: Gabi Garozzo, Julian Ivarra, Soobin Lee, Colby Martel, Leah Paragano, Rosie Ruben, Nora Ryan, and Ben Yaeger. Photo by Nile Hawver

Waterline Reading Series Showcase

Wednesday, April 3, 5:00 P.M. Hollister Gallery FREE and open to the public. Registration encouraged. Walk-ins welcome. Waterline features a fast-paced hour of literary works from Babson College faculty and staff fiction writers, poets, and essayists. The selection is always intriguing and often includes works in progress not yet in publication. Recently featured authors: Steve Bauer, Jordan Escobar, Melissa Leonard, Wes Miller, Mary Pinard and David Youtz. Co-presented with the Arts and Humanities Division. Photos by Emily Wang

Storying Our Selves Thursday, April 11, 7:00 P.M. Friday, April 12, 2:00 P.M. and 7:00 P.M. Sorenson Black Box FREE. Registration required at babsonarts.org

One person. One story. One stage. Storying Our Selves is a production of original solo performance work written and performed by Babson, Olin, and Wellesley students. As one of the oldest art forms, with deep historical roots in America and beyond, solo performance is an intimate and exhilarating experience for performer and audience alike. These performances are the capstone project of the BOW course, “Constructing and Performing the Self,” taught and co-directed by Babson Professor Beth Wynstra and Olin Professor Jonathan Adler. The course was supported by the inaugural Babson-Olin-Wellesley Presidential Innovation Grant. The production is co-produced by BabsonARTS and The Empty Space Theater.

Babson Music Collective Tuesday, April 23, 7:00 P.M. Sorenson Black Box FREE and open to the public. Registration encouraged. Walk-ins welcome. The Babson Music Collective is rooted in the jazz traditions of improvisation and creative expression. The group finds inspiration in a range of musical styles, from pop and afro-beat, to classic jazz standards. Drawing on each member’s personal playing style and experiences, the Collective creates unique arrangements for all the music it plays. Led by Clayton DeWalt, the group rehearses weekly and performs several concerts each semester, both on campus and within the surrounding community.

Photo by Emily Wang

Visual Arts Workshops Come explore your creativity! Workshops are in-person and open to current Babson, Olin, and Wellesley students, faculty, and staff. Materials and instruction are provided; no prior experience needed. Registration is required and will open two weeks prior to each workshop at babsonarts.org. Workshops fill quickly. If sold out, email babsonarts@babson.edu to inquire about a wait list.

Painting with Alcohol Ink

Crafting Magic with Needle Felting

Linocut Printing

Thursday, February 1, 5:00 P.M.–7:00 P.M.

Thursday, February 29, 5:00 P.M.–7:00 P.M.

Thursday, April 4, 5:00 P.M.–7:00 P.M.

2D/3D Studio (Trim 215)

FREE. Registration opens January 16.

FREE. Registration opens February 13.

FREE. Registration opens March 19.

Explore the mesmerizing art of alcohol ink, a unique and versatile medium that produces stunning and vivid artworks. Experiment with different techniques to create beautiful abstract pieces or intricate designs. This workshop offers a chance to experiment, have fun, and leave with your very own masterpiece. Dive into the world of alcohol ink and watch your artistic expressions come to life! Alcohol ink can be messy, please dress accordingly.

Explore the world of fiber art. Needle felting is a delightful and tactile craft that allows you to transform loose wool fibers into adorable sculptures and intricate designs. Join us to learn the art of sculpting with a barbed needle. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced crafter, this workshop offers a space to create unique, personalized felted projects. Immerse yourself in the therapeutic and enchanting world of needle felting, where your imagination takes shape with every poke of the needle.

Unlock your inner printmaker and dive into the ancient art of linocut printmaking, where you carve intricate designs into linoleum blocks and create stunning prints. You will learn carving techniques, ink application, and printing methods, enabling you to bring your vision to life on paper. This workshop offers a creative and meditative experience, providing the tools and knowledge to craft multiple beautiful, hand-pulled prints. Join us for an evening in the captivating realm of linocut printing!

ARTScapades Current students, staff and faculty can attend amazing local performances and exhibits in the Greater Boston area by purchasing discounted tickets, subsidized by BabsonARTS. Transportation to events is not provided. Tickets for students are just $10 for all events and go on sale two weeks prior to each event.

Faculty/Staff tickets range from $15-20 and are available one week prior to each event. Cash only, limit 2 per person.

John Proctor is the Villian

Cinderella

The Drowsy Chaperone

Huntington Theatre Company

An Evening with Audra McDonald

Boston Ballet

February 11, 7:00 P.M.

Celebrity Series of Boston

March 20, 7:30 P.M.

Lyric Stage Company of Boston 140 Clarendon Street, Boston

Wimberly Theatre at the Calderwood/BCA, Boston

February 27, 8:00 P.M. (rescheduled from fall)

Citizens Bank Opera House, Boston

Symphony Hall, Boston Photos: John Proctor, Audra MacDonald, Cinderella, The Drowsy Chaperone

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit Alex Brand in Trim 216 or email abrand@babson.edu.

April 14, 3:00 P.M.

Student Arts Clubs These are just a few of the incredibly talented student-led groups that perform and create on campus. To learn about other clubs and organizations on campus, visit belong.babson.edu.  Facebook

Instagram

AMAN

Babson on Film

CREATE

AMAN exists to increase awareness surrounding the countries comprising South Asia through unification of the diverse people, culture, and languages. Connections are made through several events to spread cultural awareness and to create a “home away from home” for all South Asians at Babson.Performance date to be announced.

Babson on Film provides a space for students to appreciate the process of film photography/making and to network with other students interested in the field by focusing on the professional development of students who plan to enter the film and photography industry.

CREATE aspires to enrich the Babson community by encouraging all Babson students to create.

@amanbabson @amanbabson

Babson Dance Ensemble

Babson College Radio Babson College Radio provides a platform and support for students to create content such as talk shows, podcasts, music streams, open mics, and concerts for the Babson community.

BDE is a student organization that produces a dance concert each semester showcasing the talented dancers and choreographers of Babson and is one of the largest studentrun organizations on campus. Dance styles include hip hop, jazz, tap, contemporary and more. Performance dates: April 19-20.

@babsonradioclub

@babsondance @babsondanceensemble

Babson Asian Pacific Student Association

The Babson Players

BAPSA is a cultural group with an interest in Pacific Asian culture whose purpose is based on four principles: diversity, selfawareness, friendship, and experience. Each semester features a signature event, the East Meets West annual performance in the fall and the BAPSA Night Market in the spring. @BabsonAsianPacificStudentAssociation @babsonbapsa

@babsononfilm

The Babson Players produce, perform, promote, and create a space for unity in the living arts for members of the Babson community and surrounding public primarily through the production of professional, high-quality theater including plays, musicals, and other theatrical projects. Performance dates: April 11-13. @BabsonPlayers @babsonPlayers

@createinthestudio @createinthestudio

Babson Rocket Pitches The Babson Rocket Pitches is a co-ed undergraduate a cappella group who share a passion for vocal music and performance. Performance date: April 21. @babsonrocketpitches @rocketpitches

Students Against Gravity SAG specializes in short form improv games and are open to all levels of experience, providing laughter and entertainment to all students whether they participate or observe. Performance dates will be announced in the spring. @SAGBabson @sagbabson

Threads and Friends Threads and Friends aims to create a vibrant and inclusive community for individuals who share a passion for fiber arts. The club’s goal is to foster creativity, skill-sharing, and meaningful connections among members who appreciate the artistry and joy that come from working with threads, fabrics, and related materials. Everyone at every level is welcome, whether a beginner or an expert. @threads.and.friends

The Babson Campus

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#7 Soreson Center for the Arts Administrative Office at Trim

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The Sorenson Center for the Arts is located at 19 Babson College Drive. Free parking is available in the Trim Parking Lot, a short walk from the theater.

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BabsonARTS events take place on the picturesque campus of Babson College located in Wellesley, Massachusetts. Babson is a recognized leader in entrepreneurial education whose purpose is to empower learners anywhere to create lasting economic and social value for themselves, their communities, and the world.

Support for BabsonARTS programs is made possible through the ongoing generosity of Richard W. Sorenson M ’68, P ’97, ’00, and Sandra L. Sorenson P ’98, ’00, and donations from alumni and patrons.

Visit Us

Please visit us at www.babsonarts.org for the latest updates about events and information regarding access to our campus.

Box Office: 781-239-5880 To sign up for our digital monthly newsletter or request a mailed version of the brochure, email babsonarts@babson.edu.

MOST EVENTS ARE FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC! BABSONARTS.ORG, 781.239.5880

Cover photo: Papyrus Collage by Fay Senner