Summer beckons, and so does the campus arts scene

With graduation and summer looming on the horizon, events are beginning to wind down, but a few opportunities remain for exploring the arts both virtually and in person.

For instance, June is Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month and LGBTESS is hosting a handful of LGBTQ+ pride-themed movie nights; the galleries at the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art are reopening to the public; and although the Oregon Bach Festival will be virtual again this year, all of its online events are free. 

Art

On display at the Erb Memorial Union Aperture Gallery starting June 1 is “Fond Reminiscence: Photos by Ugo Akabike.” Oregon alumnus Akabike’s photographs of daily life prompt moments of memory and reflection.

Border Lands drawing Opening June 6 in the EMU’s Adell McMillan Gallery is “Betty LaDuke: Border Lands 2019, a Sketchbook Journey.” LaDuke’s work captures the experiences of migrants and asylum seekers from Mexico and Central America on both sides of the Arizona and Mexico borders.

The work of senior students completing degrees in art, art and technology, and product design in the School of Art + Design will be on display at the annual 2021 Spring Storm June 11-30. The virtual event features a wide and diverse range of student work covering contemporary themes.

Continuing through August at the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art is “Pierre Daura’s Enchanted Universe,” an exhibition that explores the landscape, portrait, abstract, watercolor, oil and gouache paintings of Catalan-American artist Pierre Daura.

The galleries at the museum have reopened to the public with updated hours and safety procedures. Advanced tickets are encouraged.

Students of professor Dorothee Ostmeier’s spring German fairy tales class and the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art will present a virtual storytelling café of their own original tales inspired by Grimms’ collection of fairy tales and the modern artwork of Peregrine Honig, which is currently in the museum’s permanent collection. The program is available on YouTube beginning June 3.    

Cinema

If you’re a fan of Studio Ghibli anime films, Ducks After Dark is hosting an online Kahoot trivia challenge June 3. Follow @ducksafterdark on Instagram for more details.

For Pride Month the LGBTESS Discord Server is hosting Pride Movie Nights through May 28. 

Theater

Thirty-seven plays in 97 minutes! Eight actors will wend their way through all of Shakespeare’s comedies, histories and tragedies in “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) (Revised)” June 5-6. This live and in-person performance will only be open to UO students, faculty and staff at the Robinson Theatre.

Be sure to also check out the theater department’s past productions of “Personal Game,” “New Voices Playwriting Competition” and “Or Not To be” on YouTube.

Music

Cellist Matt Haimovitz The 2021 Oregon Bach Festival will feature a slate of more than 15 free virtual events over three weeks, from June 25 through July 11. Highlights include Bach Listening Room with cellist Matt Haimovitz on June 25. The New York Times calls Haimovitz a “ferociously talented cellist who brings a fresh ear to the familiar repertoire of Bach Suites II and VI.” And on June 26 Poulenc’s Organ Concerto will be presented by Grammy-winning Oregon Bach Festival favorite Paul Jacobs and the Philadelphia Orchestra on June 26.

Streaming resources

The internet continues to provide a virtual treasure trove of exhibits, collections, audio, video and images for online entertainment.

Looking for a way to celebrate Pride Month? Pride Finder helps you find in-person and virtual pride events all around the globe.

Visit the Issue project room and explore its freely accessible collection of very cool video and audio performances. And explore the UO Channel for a variety of livestreamed events, Department of Art Visiting Artist Lecture Series videos, guest speakers and more.

—By Sharleen Nelson, University Communications