EVENTS
2025
EVENTS AT A GLANCE
Architecture (ARCH)
Film
College of the Arts (COTA)
Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art (JSMA)
Art + Art History + Design (A+AH+D)
Music & Theater (M&T)
Community Partner (CP)
Event continues on multiple dates.
Events may be subject to change. Please check pdx.edu/arts for updates on specific events before attending.
As we step into this new year, I am reflecting on a season in the College of the Arts defined by resilience, ingenuity and artistic triumph. Amid significant challenges, we have marked so many moments of celebration: the groundbreaking of the new home for our Schnitzer School of Art + Art History + Design; the extraordinary gift from Jordan Schnitzer and his family that made this new home possible; and a new partnership with LAIKA that will support the scholarly and artistic work of our students and faculty and invite more diversity in Portland’s creative industry.
And we’ve rejoiced at so many accomplishments – from the world premiere of a stunning choral work by Professor Darrell Grant, performed by the PSU Chamber Choir and alumna esperanza spalding; to the recent National Opera Association award for last Spring’s production of “The Merry Widow”; and Professor Coty Raven Morris’s advancement to the semifinals for the Grammy Music Educator award (for the second year in a row)! Through it all, the arts provided us with a North Star, guiding us through challenges and illuminating the path of creative excellence.
Throughout the 2025 Winter term, we have so much to look forward to, including two exquisite choir concerts, fascinating lectures on topics from art history to architecture, performances by our wind symphony and percussion ensembles, a theater production of Molière’s satiric comedy “Tartuffe,” and dozens more events. We invite you to join us for these inspiring moments.
Happy New Year!
Leroy E. Bynum, Jr. Dean, College of the Arts
Portland
State University
On the cover: “Jazz calls us to engage with our national identity,” said musician Wynton Marsalis. “It gives expression to the beauty of democracy and of personal freedom and of choosing to embrace the humanity of all types of people.” Jazz faculty Sherry Alves, George Colligan and Darrell Grant take pride in nurturing and sharing this powerful form of democratic expression, with concerts and recitals throughout the term by our Vocal Collective, the Sherry Alves Group, the Kerry Politzer Quartet, the Jazz Voice ensemble, Jazz Area Combos and a special appearance by Chilean saxophonist Melissa Aldana with the PSU Jazz Band. See pages 2, 5, 7, 8 and 10.
PSU Vocal Collective Send-off—The PSU Vocal Collective presents a send-off performance before they embark on a trip to perform at the Jazz Education Network Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, a highly selective annual event that brings together jazz educators and students from around the globe. All proceeds from the concert support costs of student travel.
M&T | 2:00 PM | SUGGESTED DONATION $10
LINCOLN RECITAL HALL
Friends of Chamber Music: Isidore String Quartet—This award-winning New York City-based ensemble, praised by the Chicago Classical Review for their “Exquisite poise and balance…” is heavily influenced by the Juilliard String Quartet, with a vision to revisit, rediscover and reinvigorate the repertory. Additional performance on January 7.
CP | 7:30 PM | $32–$59
LINCOLN PERFORMANCE HALL
Noon Concert: Cycles of Life—Dianne Davies (piano) and Lisa Neher (mezzo-soprano) bring their perspectives as accomplished composer-performers and as women creators to this lyrical, poignant and humorous concert exploring the emotional experiences we encounter as we navigate the path of life.
M&T | NOON | FREE LINCOLN RECITAL HALL
Fridays@1—On most Fridays at 1:00 p.m. during the academic term, PSU School of Architecture students and faculty gather to hear from professional designers and architects, academics, visiting artists, innovators and students in the program.
ARCH | 1:00 PM | FREE SHATTUCK HALL ANNEX
Portland Piano International: Dénes Várjon—Dénes Várjon plays Brahms, Bartok, Liszt and Chopin.
CP | 4:00 PM | $53–$63 GENERAL; $10–$20 STUDENTS WITH PSU ID LINCOLN PERFORMANCE HALL
Noon Concert: Fantasy, Spirituality and Transcendence
Guest pianist Gregory Partain presents a solo recital drawing together six classical piano masterworks by Bach, Schubert, Chopin and Liszt.
M&T | NOON | FREE LINCOLN RECITAL HALL
Fridays@1 See January 10.
ARCH | 1:00 PM | FREE SHATTUCK HALL ANNEX
M&T, CP | 7:30 PM | $39.50–$69.50 RESER CENTER FOR THE ARTS TUE 21 WED 22 THU 23 FRI 24 SAT 25
Just Playin’ Around—Featuring the work of 11 contemporary artists, Just Playin’ Around is a peephole into some of the ways in which art is play, play is art, and both are in all of us. The exhibition is curated by Nancy and Theo Downes-LeGuin and supported by The Ford Family Foundation, The Reser Family Foundation, Jackson Foundation, Elements Roofing, the Richard and Helen Phillips Charitable Fund and the JSMA Exhibition Circle. Runs through April 26.
JSMA | TIMES VARY | FREE JSMA AT PSU
Portland Percussion Group: Patterns & Form—This program includes the world premiere of Alejandro Viñao’s “Patterns & Form” with pianist Yoko Greeney; Terry Longshore and mackxswell’s latest work, “Cascade,” with Terry Longshore; and the PSU Percussion Ensemble and PSU Wind Symphony performing the music of Garth Neustadter and Ivan Trevino, featuring solos by PSU Percussion Studio members.
M&T, CP | 7:30 PM | $20 GENERAL; $10 NON-PSU STUDENTS WITH ID; FREE WITH PSU ID LINCOLN PERFORMANCE HALL
Noon Concert: Single Reeds Concert—Music for Clarinet and Saxophone—Mark Pipes (saxophone), Julia Lee (piano) and Kerry Politzer (piano) with guest artists Juan Castaneda, Ricky Smith and Amy Scurry.
M&T | NOON | FREE LINCOLN RECITAL HALL
Opening Reception: Just Playin’ Around See January 21.
JSMA | 5:00 PM | FREE JSMA AT PSU
Fridays@1: Tatjana Babic on the Architectural Evolution of the Konak—The recipient of the Will Bruder Architectural Travel Grant, Tatjana Babic examines the architectural evolution of the “konak,” an Ottoman-era villa for the elite, and its influence on both Balkan and Western European architecture. Drawing from research and site visits to Safranbolu, Turkey, and Belgrade, Serbia, Babic explores the impact of these architectural traditions on modernist design, particularly Le Corbusier’s Villa Savoye (1928), and how architecture reflects cultural intersections and evolving values over time.
ARCH | 1:00 PM | FREE SHATTUCK HALL ANNEX
Orchestra Nova Northwest Spectacular Featuring PSU Opera Singers—Annual concert featuring PSU Opera students and alumni performing arias by Bizet, Puccini and others.
Portland State University Opera Scholarship Competition 2025—Voice students in the PSU Opera program perform favorite opera arias. The David A. Jimerson Endowed Vocal Scholarship and Richard Helzer Opera Scholarships will be awarded at the conclusion of the competition.
M&T | 3:00 PM | FREE LINCOLN RECITAL HALL
Show & Tell Design Lecture Series—At the Graphic Design program’s lunchtime lectures, design professionals share wisdom on current topics in the industry.
A + AH + D | NOON | FREE ART BUILDING 320 AND VIRTUAL
Noon Concert: Armonías Mexicanas: A Mexican Piano Recital—PSU alumna and Fulbright grantee Melissa Espíndola Terrall presents a solo piano recital featuring Mexican composers Tomás León and Gabriela Ortiz. From salon pieces and fugues to Indigenous dances, this program traverses the evolution of Mexican piano repertoire through the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries.
M&T | NOON | FREE LINCOLN RECITAL HALL
Fridays@1 See January 10.
ARCH | 1:00 PM | FREE SHATTUCK HALL ANNEX
Coming home: How do we create housing that addresses some of the greatest challenges of our time? This question forms the basis for Boliglaboratorium: A Danish Housing Lab, an international exhibition hosted by the School of Architecture. The exhibition, which runs February 7 through March 21, features six groundbreaking Danish architectural projects that delve into the innovative ways in which housing design and construction can respond to the current climate crisis, future urban challenges, shifting family patterns and new ways of living. Even more exciting, each of these projects is slated to be realized as full-scale housing experiments in Denmark. Accompanying programming will include panel discussions, lectures, tours and other events. See page 5.
6
Friends of Chamber Music: Danish String Quartet
Celebrated for their extraordinary blend, perfect intonation and boundless dynamic range, this ensemble has been called “one of the best quartets before the public today” by the Washington Post. Additional performance on February 4.
CP | 7:30 PM | $32–$59 LINCOLN PERFORMANCE HALL
Show & Tell Design Lecture Series See January 30
A + AH + D | NOON | FREE ART BUILDING 320 AND VIRTUAL
Noon Concert: Slide into Sound: A Trombone
Extravaganza—The PSU Trombone Ensemble presents works by renowned composers for trombone and brass, including Steve Verhelst, Eric Ewazen, David Wilborn, James Kazik and Anthony Barfield.
M&T | NOON | FREE LINCOLN RECITAL HALL
Fridays@1 See January 10.
ARCH | 1:00 PM | FREE SHATTUCK HALL ANNEX
Boliglaboratorium: A Danish Housing Lab See page 4.
ARCH | TIMES VARY | FREE SHATTUCK HALL
Show & Tell Design Lecture Series See January 30.
A + AH + D | NOON | FREE ART BUILDING 320 AND VIRTUAL
Noon Concert: Sherry Alves Group
M&T | NOON | FREE LINCOLN RECITAL HALL
Fridays@1 See January 10.
ARCH | 1:00 PM | FREE SHATTUCK HALL ANNEX
Exhibition Tour—A public tour of Just Playin’ Around led by curators Nancy and Theo Downes-LeGuin. Additional tour on March 15.
JSMA | 1:00 PM | FREE JSMA AT PSU
Show & Tell Design Lecture Series See January 30.
A + AH + D | NOON | FREE ART BUILDING 320 AND VIRTUAL
Imposter syndrome: “Of all the farces written in the last 300 years, few would seem more suitable for today’s audience than ‘Tartuffe,’’’ wrote the New York Times’ Wilborn Hampton in 1999. Twenty-five years later, that declaration continues to hold true.
In this scathing comedy presented by PSU’s Theater Arts program, the scheming fraudster Tartuffe worms his way into the household of the wealthy Orgon, attempting to steal the affections of his wife and daughter and seize his property through a potent mix of charm, conniving and sanctimony. Written in 1664, Molière’s comedic indictment of the prevalence of moral hypocrisy remains a fresh and hilarious social commentary for an age of con artists, false virtue and alternative facts. Performances run February 27 through March 8. See page 7.
Noon Concert: Kerry Politzer Quartet—Kerry Politzer (piano) performs jazz selections with George Colligan (drums), Olivia Fields (alto saxophone) and Arte Adams (bass).
M&T | NOON | FREE LINCOLN RECITAL HALL
Fridays@1 See January 10.
ARCH | 1:00 PM | FREE SHATTUCK HALL ANNEX
PSU Piano Alumni Fundraiser—A fundraising recital for PSU’s piano area featuring notable faculty and alumni.
M&T | 4:00 PM | FREE LINCOLN RECITAL HALL
Her Songs: Women Composers of the Great American Jazz Songbook—Jazz Voice students perform music by notable women composers and lyricists, including Renee Rosnes, Meredith d’Ambrosio, Melba Liston, Dorothy Fields and Lil Hardin.
M&T | 7:00 PM | PAY WHAT YOU CAN; FREE WITH PSU ID BOILER ROOM STUDIO
Show & Tell Design Lecture Series See January 30.
A + AH + D | NOON | FREE ART BUILDING 320 AND VIRTUAL
Noon Concert: Violin Recital with Tomás Cotik and Guest Artist—PSU violin professor Tomás Cotik performs selections with guest musician.
M&T | NOON | FREE LINCOLN RECITAL HALL
PSU Theater Arts: Tartuffe See page 6
M&T | TIMES VARY | $6–$15 LINCOLN PERFORMANCE HALL
PSU Choirs: Kaleidoscope—Choral selections performed by the PSU Chamber Choir, Rose Choir and Thorn Choir. Additional performance on March 2.
M&T | 7:30 PM | $20 GENERAL; $10 STUDENTS AND SENIORS FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
SAT 1 SUN 2 TUE 4 THU 6 FRI 7 SUN 9 MON 10
Violin Concert—PSU professor and violinist Tomás Cotik will perform a surprise program featuring a guest artist.
M&T | 7:30 PM | $30 LINCOLN RECITAL HALL
Jazz Combo Nights—The Jazz Area Combos present a series of small group performances featuring jazz and contemporary music arranged or composed by students and faculty. Additional performance on March 3.
M&T | 7:00 PM | SLIDING SCALE; FREE WITH PSU ID BOILER ROOM STUDIO
Melissa Aldana and the PSU Jazz Band—Chilean native Melissa Aldana, jazz saxophonist and DownBeat magazine’s 2022 Rising Star Artist of the Year, will perform with the PSU Jazz Band under the direction of George Colligan.
M&T | 7:00 PM | $20 GENERAL; FREE WITH PSU ID THE OLD CHURCH
Noon Concert: Dreamspace—Compositions and improvisations by music faculty Bonnie Miksch and Caroline Louise Miller.
M&T | NOON | FREE LINCOLN RECITAL HALL
On the Commercial Movement and Social Lives of Islamic Textiles in Medieval Iberia—Marian Feldman, this year’s Mary Ausplund Tooze Endowed Visiting Professor of Islamic & Ancient Art, lectures on the influence of Islamic textiles in medieval Iberia.
A + AH + D | 2:00 PM | FREE ART BUILDING 200
PSU Choirs: But a Thimble—The PSU University Choir, Community Chorus, Vocal Collective and guest artists perform choral selections.
M&T | 7:30 PM | $20 GENERAL; $10 STUDENTS AND SENIORS FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH
PSU Percussion Ensemble—The PSU Percussion Ensemble presents works ranging from established chamber percussion repertoire to recently composed new additions, including two selections slated for recording and release with Portland’s Tapspace Publications in Spring 2025.
M&T | 3:00 PM | $10 GENERAL; FREE WITH PSU ID LINCOLN RECITAL HALL
PSU University Band Concert— PSU University Band performs with the Gresham High School Wind Ensemble.
M&T | 7:00 PM | $5–$10 LINCOLN PERFORMANCE HALL
RIGHT: NAPOLEON
JONES-HENDERSON
ABOVE: NAPOLEON
JONES-HENDERSON, BOOGIE WOOGIE
TRIO, 2020,
PRINT ON PAPER, 11 X 8 INCHES
True colors: For more than 50 years, Napoleon Jones-Henderson has created works that strive to highlight, celebrate and empower the communities where he lives. As an image maker and founding member of the artist collective African Commune of Bad Relevant Artists (AfriCOBRA), he has nurtured an art practice inspired by the lived experiences and cultures of people of the African diaspora. Self-affirming and reflective, his work illuminates both a fraught past and a liberated future.
Jones-Henderson brought these themes into vivid focus for elementary school children as part of his winter 2025 residency at KSMoCA (Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. School Museum of Contemporary Art), a museum and social-practice art project within Northeast Portland’s Dr. MLK Jr. School. As artist-in-residence, Jones-Henderson led a workshop with elementary students who created works inspired by his own. The resulting student artwork will be exhibited at KSMoCA alongside Jones-Henderson’s work March 13 through May 30, and he will give an artist talk on March 13 to kick off the exhibition. See page 10.
TUE 11 THU 13 SAT 15 MON 17 WED 19 SUN 23
PSU Vocal Collective
M&T | 7:00 PM | SLIDING SCALE; FREE WITH PSU ID THE OLD CHURCH
Artist Talk: Napoleon Jones-Henderson at KSMoCA See page 9.
A + AH + D | 10:00 AM | FREE DR MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. SCHOOL MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART (KSMOCA)
Noon Concert: SAMP Laptop Ensemble
M&T | NOON | FREE LINCOLN RECITAL HALL
PSU Wind Symphony Concert—PSU Wind Symphony performs with the Aloha High School Wind Ensemble.
M&T | 7:00 PM | $5–$10 LINCOLN PERFORMANCE HALL
Forgotten Spring, The Early Lieder of Fanny Hensel Celebrate the unpublished work of Fanny Hensel, one of the most important yet underrepresented composers of 19th-century German lieder. Performers include Hamilton Cheifetz (violin), Chuck Dillard (piano) and members of the PSU Voice community. CDs will be available for purchase at the concert.
M&T | 7:30 PM | $20 GENERAL; FREE WITH PSU ID LINCOLN RECITAL HALL
Friends of Chamber Music: Jerusalem Quartet—Their 2013 Shostakovich quartet cycle was “easily among the most memorable musical performances in Portland in recent memory” (The Oregonian). Now, audiences have a chance to experience their wit, irony and passion once more. “Passion, precision, warmth…these are the trademarks of this excellent Israeli string quartet,” said The Times. Additional performances through March 21.
CP | TIMES VARY | $32–$59 LINCOLN PERFORMANCE HALL
Cinematic Sound Showcase See page 11
M&T, FILM | 5:00 PM | FREE STUDIO THEATER
Night of the Living Dead Redux—Students of the Sonic Arts and Music Production program present their sonically reimagined rendition of the zombie classic.
M&T | 7:00 PM | FREE STUDIO THEATER
Portland Piano International: Ilya Yakushev—Ilya Yakushev plays Mozart, Beethoven, Prokofiev and Mussorgsky.
CP | 4:00 PM | $53–$63; $10–$20 STUDENTS WITH PSU ID LINCOLN PERFORMANCE HALL
GIVE TODAY
YOUR GIFT MAKES A DIFFERENCE
SUPPORT THE COLLEGE OF THE ARTS
“Being awarded this scholarship is such an honor. It is validation that my efforts towards becoming a graphic designer are valued and it is encouragement to put my all into my last year of my degree.””
—Scholarship recipient, pursuing an undergraduate degree in Graphic Design, College of the Arts, Class of 2025
Your generosity plays a crucial role in uplifting our students and faculty in the College of the Arts (COTA), helping them achieve their dreams. With your support, they acquire the skills and develop the portfolios needed to serve as visionary leaders in an ever-changing world. By contributing to COTA scholarships, faculty research, initiatives, and programs, you help PSU cultivate the next generation of artists and sustain a vibrant, creative community. Thank you for making a difference!
Contact Kailin Mooney, Director of Development, at mooneyk@psuf.org or or 503.725.5031 for more information.
To make a gift, visit bit.ly/give-arts
Sound and vision: The School of Film and the Sonic Arts & Music Production program present a showcase of cinematic collaboration March 17 with films produced by students in Narrative Film I & II featuring original scores and sound design by students in Music with Visual Media. See page 10.
CAMPUS VENUES
1
Lincoln Hall
1620 SW Park Avenue
Boiler Room Studio—Room 55
Performance Hall—Room 175
Recital Hall—Room 75
Studio Theater—Room 115 Room 47
2
3
Fariborz Maseeh Hall (FMH) 1855 SW Broadway
Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art at PSU (JSMA at PSU)—
Ground Floor
Shattuck Hall 1914 SW Park Avenue
Shattuck Hall Annex
4 Art Building
2000 SW 5th Avenue
AB and MK Galleries Room 200 Room 320
TICKETS, PARKING & SAFETY
Tickets—Purchase tickets through the University Box Office at pdx.edu/boxoffice or 503.725.3305.
Parking at Lincoln Hall—The nearest parking is in PSU Parking Structure 2 (SW Broadway and Mill)
Parking Rates
Mon–Sat—$5 after 5 p.m. Sat—$7 all day Sun—$5 all day
Metered street parking is also available.
Health and Safety—Events at Portland State University follow health and safety protocol as set by local, state, and federal officials. Please check pdx.edu/arts for updates on specific events before attending.
OFFCAMPUS VENUES
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. School Museum of Contemporary Art (KSMoCA) 4906 NE 6th Avenue
First Christian Church 1314 SW Park Avenue
First United Methodist Church 1838 SW Jefferson Street
Patricia Reser Center for the Arts 12625 SW Crescent Street Beaverton, OR
The Old Church 1422 SW 11th Avenue
